RedHawk Preview

I don't know when I have looked so forward to a Falcon basketball game....it extends back years, I am sure of that. I will be on pins and needles tomorrow night. It has all the elements. The upstart Orr against the evil genius, Charlie Coles. Miami and BG is always a rivalry. Either team could get the #1 seed. This is what you play the season for.

When we played Miami the first time, I mentioned that I think our team is modeled on theirs. When Coach Orr was hired, the first comment was from Coach Coles, who said he would be the Tony Dungy of the MAC.

We play a lot alike....defensive, shot clock draining basketball. On average, Miami has scored better, but our scorers are coming to the fore lately, and I have every hope that the Falcons can continue an improbable set of road wins.

Miami has the best RPI in the MAC, and probably played the best non-conference schedule too. This has been the Coles M.O....regardless of what happens during the regular season, they are dangerous in Cleveland.

They feature Michael Bramos, who might be the best player in the MAC, and who went off for 34 in their gut check win over Kent in the last game. Further, they have accomplished what they have this year without their second leading scorer and PG, Kenny Hayes.

On the other hand, we are playing without two of our top 7 players, so we are doing without during our hot streak, too.

The bottom line of both teams is that they are great examples of the team concept. The end product is always better than you would expect when you look at players individually.

The RedHawks are sporting a win at Anderson Arena earlier this year, winning by 7 in a game where the Falcons clawed their way back into the game, only to fall short. The biggest thing Miami did well that night is shoot 53.7%...records show the Falcons are much more successful when teams shoot below 45% (I know, duh!).

NCAA Basketball Stats

So, what can we expect for this huge game from Millett. Looking at MAC statistics only, offensively the teams are very similar, scoring between 61-62 points per game. Miami has allowed only 56 points per game in MAC play, and overall BG's number is in the 61 range. Falcon fans are banking on the idea that things have been a lot better lately. In fact, in the 10 MAC games since BG-Miami played, opposing teams have been held to 61 or below 7 times.

That's precisely what needs to be delivered out there Thursday...lock down D. Miami is patient, has offensive playmakers and loves to get inside, and we will have to play 35 seconds of D every time down the floor. (Miami is the second best FG% team in the MAC in conference play).

On the plus side, Miami is the 11th best team in 3FG%, and 3FGs in the league. If the Falcons can get hot from out there, it will help us to score the points we need to win.

Elsewhere, the teams are very comparable, in rebounds and in turnovers. Miami has a slight edge in turnovers, but not huge.

This game will be, as Coach Orr says, "a grind." With the scoring low, each possession will be critical.

To win, I think the Falcons will need to (as mentioned) play close down D, keep Bramos from going crazy, and then get some shooting on our end. It is hard to say who it will be, but in some senses it doesn't matter. If the Falcons win, we will see that Nate Miller and one or two other guys were enough of an offensive presence to get the team over the top.

The best thing is that we have to have terrific confidence on the road....so if things start to turn and the place starts to rock, I think we are confident we can withstand the blow.

I have always thought that Miami's teams under Coles were not flashy, but knew how to win. I am thinking we are showing the same traits.

Both teams have a huge amount to play for...this just has the makings to be a really good college basketball game. I can't wait for it to start.