MBB Preview

Monday, Men's Basketball is back. Doing these previews has gotten to be pretty impossible, given the number of new players we have each year.  Basically, I don't have any idea how good we are going to be and I don't think anyone does.  The only one with an idea is the staff.

One thing I think we can say for sure is that this team appears to be a lot better aligned with how Coach Simon wants to play.  Last year's team shot 29.6% from 3FG, 11th in the MAC.  BG was #5 in scoring thanks to Marcus Hill and his ability to get to the rim, and Rashaun Agee rebounding all those missed shots.

The guys who are coming in are much more likely to be 3FG shooters.

Also, BG probably wants to play faster.  We were #161 in the country and #4 in the MAC in tempo. The MAC was the #25 conference out of 33 in pace of play, so I suspect that BG would like to be at least at the top of that pile.

Just to re-orient ourselves:

Returning Contributors:

Trey Thomas G 6' 0'' 160 Sr. Toronto, Ontario, Canada / Crestwood Prep Vanderbilt

Former SEC player who battled injuries last year.  If healthy, I see him being the glue for this team as they gel.

DaJion Humphrey G 6' 4'' 185 Sr. Detroit, Mich. / Southfield Christian Garden City CC

Started 13 games, averaged 5.7 PPG.

Sam Towns F 6' 9'' 200 Sr. Columbus, Ohio / Pickerington Central Ohio

Strong contributor, played 19 games last year.  

Returning:

Jamai Felt F 6' 10'' 210 R-Fr. Boston, Mass. / Our Saviour Lutheran

Two years of knee injuries, Felt is 6'10" and if he is back to being healthy he has huge upside.  Has yet to play for BG.  Simon told Blue Ribbon that he might be the most athletic big man in the MAC...Huger thought the same.

New:

Alijah Adem  G 6' 2'' 160 Fr. Las Vegas, Nev. / Spring Valley

One of two FR on the roster. Is from Nevada, averaged 26 points and 7.8 assists per game.  The latter number led the state.

Derrick Butler G 6' 2'' 195 Sr. Charlotte, N.C. / Quality Education Academy (N.C.) Central Michigan

Started 26 games for CMU last year, led team in 3FG and 3FG%. Had 17 points in Stroh against BG.

Javontae Campbell G 6' 2'' 155 Jr. Muskogee, Okla. / Muskogee Northern Oklahoma

#67 JUCO recruit.  Scored 26 PPG and 31% 3FG. #2 JUCO scorer.  Was injured but played on the BG foreign trip.

Wilguens Jr. Exacte F 6' 6'' 236 So. Montreal, Canada / College Notre Dame Utah

Played in Latin American NBA Academy.  Missed all of last year with injury, played 32 games as FR. Also a stretch.  Could be rehabbing.

Braelon Green G 6' 3'' 180 So. Southfield, Mich. / Southern California Academy Arizona State

Averaged 5.5 minutes per game at Az. State. Highly recruited out of Michigan. Will play 1 and 2 for BG.

Marcus Johnson F 6' 7'' 265 Sr. Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary Wheeling

DII player.  Shot 45% from 3FG.  Kind of an Anderson Mirambeaux-body. Was hurt this summer.

Youssef Khayat F 6' 9'' 215 Jr. Beirut, Lebanon / Limoges CSP (France) Michigan

Averaged about 6 minutes per game in two years at UM. Had huge game against Spain in Olympic Qualifier. Simon says is a "three level scorer."

Mohamed Maxamud F 6' 10'' 190 Jr. Westerville, Ohio / Westerville Labette CC

Averaged 9.2 PPG and 4.4 RPG in JC

Jaxon Pardon G 6' 4'' 170 Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll

Other FR on roster.  Son of BG legend Brandon Pardon. 1,000 point HS scorer.

Preston Squire F 6' 11'' 225 So. Ephraim, Utah / Layton Salt Lake Community College

Stretch-4 like Jason Spurgin.  37% 3FG shooter.

OK, big picture.

The MAC has four signature programs: OU, UT, Kent and Akron. They are good almost every year. The fight, including BG, MU, BS and CMU, is who breaks into that group.  There can't be 8 competitive teams.

Who can break in?

Blue Ribbon picked BG #5 as did the MAC.  Kenpom projects BG #7.  Kenpom ranks BG #264 which is compared to the #239 from last year, projecting 14-15 and 8-10.

When I look at the roster, it seems like we might be a tough team to stop and have a shot with our coaches, but who really knows.  There certainly seems to be depth.

We had a foreign trip this year.  I always think that's a good way for a team to build a cohesive core before the season starts.

BG has 2 non-D1 games on the schedule.  They play @MSU and host Davidson, which is the top non-conference game. We don't have to play in the JAR.

I'm excited and looking forward to the season. I like our Coaches and I think they give us a shot and I think we will see a fast-paced, exciting team.  Off we go.