Falcon MBB Cruises to Win

As my preview noted, BG was playing the only team in the MAC that has a worse rating than they have and it was at home and BG got what they needed, which was a comfortable W, 83-72.  Having said that, I felt like BG played among their better games of the year.  Certainly, we're not going to look down our nose at the win, which was needed.

Miami led only once, 10-8, about 6 minutes into the game.  A couple minutes later BG was on a +9 run to go up 7.  Over the last 5 minutes of the first half BG outscored Miami 9-2 and let by 15 going into the locker room.  From there on in it was no contest.  The lead was in double digits for nearly the entire 2nd half.  Miami did get it to 9 with about a minute left but in the end the Falcons cruised to the victory.

BG had 1.16 points per possession, their best since the Akron game.  They allowed Miami 1.01 per possession, their best in a MAC game that wasn't played against a team whose name rhymed with Schmall Schmate.  Here's what's weird.  Miami actually shot very well against BG.  They had an effective FG% of 65%, which is really good.  They made 72% of their 2FGs, the most in a couple years by a BG opponent.  They also made 38% of their 3s.

So wha happen?  Well, they had a horrible game for turnovers.  They literally turned the ball over 1 out of every 3 times down the court.  That's the most since BG played WMU in 2012  (on this day, in fact).  Their all-star PG Michael Weathers had 0 assists and 10 turnovers, which is just an incredible line.  He sat most of the second half.

How did BG make it up?  First, BG made 44% from 3FG, their best since the Norfolk State game.  BG took better, if not great, care of the ball.  And then BG had a very good day on the offensive boards and at the FT line.  BG was 23 of 31 from the line while Miami was 12 of 16.  That's 74% for BG, which among their better games this year.

Individually, it was interesting.  BG started the same lineup they used when the four guys were suspended.  The big surprise is Malik Hluchoweckyj.  He was getting zero minutes before, and he has now started twice and played very well.  Coach says he works hard on the defensive end of the floor and he had 10 points on 4 of 5 shooting in 19 minutes.   In this two games, he has made a real difference and adds depth to the overall unit.

The games biggest star was Wes Alcegaire, who scored a career-high 25 on 9 of 15 shooting, including 6 3FGs.  Zack Denny had 10 points but continued to struggle with his shot, shooting 1 of 7.  BG also got contributions from Rasheed Worrell, who had 8 rebounds, and Rod Caldwell, who had 3 assists against 0 turnovers.  Dylan Frye plays with a lot of energy but has been struggling as a starter as well.

Even so, I like our young guys.  They are freshmen.  It happens.  Ask Michael Weathers.

So, in come the Rockets Saturday.  This is a tough one.  BG hasn't won 2 in a row in the MAC since their tournament run this year.  And, kenpom literally projects them to lose out.  There's no better time to turn all of that--including the Rocket streak--around then this Saturday.