Step Two of the Journey

BG hits the second round game in the Q on Wednesday, taking on the Eastern Michigan Hurons in a #5 seed vs. a #8 seed.

BG and EMU played on January 21 at the Stroh.  It was the kind of game you like from a Falcon perspective, with the BG taking  lead about 10 minutes into the game and gradually stretching the lead to an 11 point lead at the half.  From there, BG held a steady and safe lead throughout the second half and won by 16 in the end.

NCAA Basketball

EMU is known for playing really tough defense from a 2-3 zone in the Syracuse style.  In fact, in MAC play they were the toughest team to score against on a per possession basis and also the toughest team to shoot against--and the 6th hardest to shoot against in the whole country.

That wasn't the scenario in the first game.  BG scored 1.16 points per possession--the 4th most allowed by EMU during the year.  BG shot 46% and 44% and picked up 40% of the available offensive rebounds, which is a pretty potent combination.  BG held EMU to .91 points per possession, shooting 35% and 29%.  The Eagles did get 35% of their offensive rebounds, which is above average.

College Basketball Stats

Henderson had 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting and 6 rebounds.  Both Holmes and Denny double-doubled--Holmes at 13/10 and Denny at 10/10.  Dickerson had 12 points.  For EMU, Tim Bond came off the bench for 13 points on 4 of 11 shooting.  Raven Lee had 11 points on 3 of 11 shooting.

I have already written about the EMU defense.  Beyond defending the shot effectively, they also lead the MAC in forcing turnovers by percentage of possessions.  They are vulnerable on the offensive boards, as zone teams often are and they give up a lot of free throws.  One last thing.  They are only in the middle of the MAC defending the 3, so if BG can get its shooters untracked, that could be very helpful.

On offense, they are 10 th in the MAC with 1 point per possession.   They are last in shooting, which they partly mitigate by being 4th in turnover percentage and leading the MAC in FT attempts.  They do not rebound especially well.  They are last in 3FG% and just an average FT shooting team at 71%.

Individually, they are led by All-MAC 3rd team Raven Lee.  He scored 17.6 PPG (2nd in the MAC) on 43% shooting and is respectable from 3FG at 38%.  All-MAC Honorable Mention Karrington Ward averages 12 points on 42% shooting and added 6.2 rebounds.  (Ward was also a JUCO teammates of Richaun Holmes).  PG Mike Talley averages 14 PPG and 4.4 assists per game.

Finally, there is no word on what to expect with Richaun Holmes.  That obviously makes a big difference, though BG has played well without him.  BG's guards are really playing well and it will be interesting to see if BG could put that together with Holmes here in the last few games.  But, Richaun will play if he is healthy and if he is not, BG will have to figure out how to shoot against this very tough defense and stay out of foul trouble.  They are sorely hurting for minutes in the paint.  In fact, it would not surprise me to see BG go to a zone.

Anyway, the fun begins Wednesday at 6:30.  Looking very forward to see if BG can make a run.