BG-NIU Preview II (MBB)

BG has NIU in the Stroh Saturday, the first team they are playing for a second time.  Just like the first time, they come into the game needing a win against one of the MAC's lower-ranked teams.  Since the January 18 BG game, NIU has gone 1-4, losing @MU, @OU, Ball State and CMU and then beating WMU by 19 in Kalamazoo.  They are 3-6 in the MAC and BG is 4-7.

WMU is now ranked as out of the 15 worst teams in the country.

BG won the first game by outscoring their poor defense.  BG allowed 1.12 points per possession, which is not good, but scored 1.24 points per possession on their way to a 92-83 win.  Their offense hasn't been close since then, and it was among the top 3 offensive games of the season for the Falcons.

The key was shooting.  They've only shot that well one other time in the last 10 years.  It was enough to make up for turnovers and offensive rebounding, and they got to the line a lot.  As you can see though, they allowed NIU to shoot well and didn't turn them over.  BG was strong on the defensive boards and OK at keeping them off the line.

From the Falcon side, Curtis had 21 points and 5 assists in the game.  Plowden had 18.  Diggs had 16--and then 24 in the next 5 games.  Fulcher had 13 in 25 minutes, Matiss had 12 and Myron Gordon had 10.

BG played without Joe Reece in that game.  He also missed the CMU game, and I don't know his status for this game.

NIU's line up has only changed a little since the BG game.  At that time, they were bringing leading scorer Keshawn Williams off the bench, but he's back in the starting lineup now.  He's effective, scoring 18 a game on 54% 2FG shooting and 55% 3FG shooting--leads the MAC there. He lived up to his billing, hanging 32 on the Falcons in 29 minutes, shooting 7 of 10 and 5 of 6.  He is a transfer from Tulsa.

Trendon Hankerson and Kaleb Thornton are their other 10+ scorers.  They scored 11 and 13 against BG, respectively.  Thornton also had 9 assists over 1 turnover.

BG is really struggling and is only 2-3 at home in MAC play. (Thus far, home teams have only won 52% of MAC games.).  To get anywhere near 9 wins, this is one you need.