UB Preview for MBB

So on we go.

UB is next up.  The Bulls were picked to win the MAC and had 2 projected All-MAC first-team players.  It has not unfolded like that.

The Bulls are 7-4 in the MAC.   They beat BG back in early January 5 to go 1-2 in the MAC.  That was the start of a 4-game winning and they have won 7 of their last 9, starting with the BG game.  The only losses in that run were to OU and UT.  Their other losses are to MU and @UA.

In the first game, UB beat BG 99-88 at Alumni Hall without Josh Mballa and Tra'von Fagan.  It was the kind of game we have become used to.  BG scored 1.14 points per possession, which is good, but allowed 1.29 points per possession, which is very poor.  In fact, 5 weeks later it is still the second-worst game of the season for BG on the defensive end.

UB made 66% of their 2FGs, without Mballa. UB had almost 30% on the offensive boards and got to the line 35 times, making an incredible 33.  It was the highest Free Throw Rate allowed by BG by a big margin.

Meanwhile, BG shot only 50% on EFG, which was 56% on 2FG and 27% on 3FG.

The game was played at a very fast pace...77 possessions per game. BG was down 3 with 9 minutes left, but UB went on a run and led by more than 8 for the remainder of the game.

UB had 3 guys put 20+ on the Falcons and another at 16.  Williams had 21 (6-12 2FG and 1 of 2 3FG), 6-6 at the line and 7 rebounds.  Ronald Segu scored 20 (5-6, 0-2) 10-11 at the line and 7 assists over 2 TOs.  David Skogman had 20, making all 6 of his shots, all 6 of his FTs and added 15 rebounds.  Maceo Jack scored 16, shooting poorly but going 8-8 on the line.

Curtis had a big game for BG with 25 points, (6 of 7 and 2 of 5) and 7-9 at the line. Joe Reece had 15 points (5 of 8 shooting) and all 5 FTs. Plowden had a rough 14 (4 of 11 and 2 of 3) and 9 rebounds.

The season could not be going more poorly right now.  It has been  BG has not being one of the MAC's top teams this season and you have a hard time seeing it happen here.  But who knows?