Loeffler Presser

Coach Loeffler had his presser Wednesday to kick off the Spring practice season.

From a news standpoint, I think the most important news was that there's a one-time exception that lets BG bring in 7 transfers or HS players in May.  Loeffler says BG will use those slots and most of them on the Oline and Dline.  If you follow offers, they have continued to offer lineman since signing day.  Also, there have been visits.  Loeffler says we are recruiting a difference-making DL, for example.

If you are looking for a QB being brought in, it didn't sound like it to me.  Coach spent some time rhapsodizing about McDonald at BC when he had protection.  (Most have been in practice.  He threw 8 passes in actual game action). Seems that McDonald is locked into the starting position for this year.

Loeffler was asked directly whether expectations had changed given the improved line, WRs and RB.  He said, " Championship type performance is expected."

OK then.

He was asked (or maybe he volunteered) about why he didn't go to the o-line portal before last season and he said that we "never would have gotten old."  I've never understood this.  So you start those guys for a whole season, let them get destroyed, and then the next year they are on the bench...I don't see what that accomplishes.  You say they should have red-shirted...why not bring in guys last year and let them red-shirt?

Maybe I am missing something.

He made the point that he feels that the program is on track and he feels better and better.  Time will tell.  The program is definitely where he said it would be.  I think we are set for a 6-7 win season this year.  If so, then things remain on track.

90% of BG's production is returning.  I would add that BG needs its players to be more productive, not just return at existing productivity.

One last thing that wasn't addressed.  I believe there will be a wave of transfers across football after spring practice ends.  We may be able to add 7 guys, but we could also lose some.

Portal Hits MBB

Thank you BG for helping me growing for the last 2 seasons! I am extremely blessed to be apart what is in the process of being built in the MAC conference. After talks with my family I have entered the transfer portal! pic.twitter.com/hYTvL3LfmP

— Cam Young (@Camyoung45) March 16, 2022

So, some disappointing news from the portal today.  Cam Young and Caleb Fields are reported to be entering the portal.  Young confirmed it on his twitter, but nothing was on the Fields twitter.  (Update: it’s now on his twitter as well). Wish both of these young men the best.  

Fields played 87 games for BG, making 78 starts.  He was a really strong defender and solid role player for the team's run to the MAC Finals.  Young played 2 years and had some potential but had yet to fully fully develop as a player.

From a roster standpoint--even if no one else leaves--we are looking at severe number issues for next year, especially on the inside.  Of course, there's the portal, but bringing in five portal guys this year seemed to cause problems, and the problem with the portal is that we are right back on the treadmill again.

BG Football Hires New LB Coach

Coach Loeffler has filled the outside linebackers coaching position vacated when Cato June went to work in the NFL.

The man's name is Sammy Lawanson, who was a college teammate of Eric Lewis, who is BG's DC.  He's coached in HS, college and the pros, if you count the XFL. Most recently he was at Northern Arizona, where the head coach was happy to get him after the XFL shutdown, citing his energy and teaching ability.  Before that he was DC at Sacramento State.  He was also at Arizona State, Cal Poly and Tulsa, as well as almost a decade of coaching in (brace yourself) Texas High Schools.  At some point he crossed paths with Todd Graham, so let's hope nothing rubbed off.

Welcome to the Falcons, Sammy

Now 54 years

Now 54 elapsed years since BG has been in the NCAA tournament.  Here is the company we live with now.  Sadly, this list remains static this year...after our best shot in years three years ago, a canceled tourney and then a disastrous season this year.

Columbia: Last appeared in 1968
Tennessee Tech: Last appeared in 1963
Maine: Division I since 1962
New Hampshire: Division I since 1962
Dartmouth: Last appeared in 1959
Army: Division I since 1948
Citadel: Division I since 1948
St. Francis (N.Y.): Division I since 1948
William & Mary: Division I since 1948

Plowden Honored by MAC

Daeqwon Plowden was honored by the MAC today, being named to the MAC third-team and the MAC All-Defensive team.

It is his third time on the All-MAC team.  He has now been 2nd team once and 3rd team twice.  It is his first appearance on the defensive team. 

Daeqwon was a warrior for our program.  In his five years, he never missed a game.  He played more games for us than anyone ever did, though he did get that COVID year thrown in.  

Thanks for everything.  You gave it all and you are a Falcon forever.

MBB Season Finally Ends in Humiliating Defeat

 It is difficult to imagine a worse ending than that.

The Rockets just humiliated BG last night at Savage.  The 40-point margin is their largest win in the rivalry, by 15 points or so, by my count.  Even at the program's lowest points, like early in the Haley or Dakich years, this kind of loss did not occur to Toledo.

It was BG's worst defensive game since a 2018 game....at Savage Hall.  Meanwhile, the only worse offensive game this year was Ohio State.

Look, UT is better than BG, there isn't any doubt about that.  The first game was only 13 points, and BG was short-handed.  This is something else.  It was a team that completely failed to show up.  It was a low point for the program.  Honestly, I can't imagine a point where it was much worse.

It's Saturday morning.  The sun did come up.

The program has a huge amount of uncertainty.  This won't help.  Will BG buy out 3 years of Huger's salary?  Prior to last night, I would have thought the answer was no, but this might have pushed key supporters over the edge. If Huger is back, can he turn this around?  Will guys transfer?  How will we rebuild our talent base without going to 5 transfers, like we did this year?  Or are we in a rebuild situation (and if so, should a new coach do that)?  What is the path to being competitive every (or most) seasons, like the top teams in the MAC are....UT, UA, KS, UB, OU?

 It is difficult to imagine a worse ending than that.

UT MBB Preview

So, the regular season and probably the season ends Friday at Savage Hall.  BG needs a win and then a CMU loss to Akron to make it to Cleveland, where we would probably play UT again.  So, if we beat UT twice in a row, once on their floor, we'd have a shot to play in the semi finals.

Kenpom says BG has a 5% chance to win Friday.  So there is a chance.

It was another crazy day in the Falcon Nation, as David Briggs revealed that Huger was "quietly" given a one-year extension after the pandemic, meaning he has three years left on his deal, not two.  For fans demanding he be fired, I believe it got a little less likely, just for the cost.  I thought he would be back before, but it's even more likely now.

May also explain why he has seemed no unconcerned.

UT is just really good this year.  They beat BG by 13 in the first game at the Stroh.  They are 24-6 and 16-3 and have a kenpom of 81, which is actually slightly worse than they had last year.  They are #1 in the MAC in offense and #2 in defense. They are the best shooting team and the best team against the shot. They are #1 in 3FG shooting and #2 in 2FG shooting.  They are #2 in FT shooting and #1 in taking care of the ball.

Defensively, they allow the fewest FTs, are #1 defending the 2FG and #2 defending the 3FG. This is a complete team that excels on both ends of the floor.

They have lost only once at home this year (Kent) and did the same last year.

Worst yet, they have something to play for.  They would be the #2 seed if they lost to us and Kent won.  I expect Savage to be rocking.

BG played better on Tuesday against OU, but they would need a performance at least that good and probably better on Friday.

OMG BG>OU

 And there you have it....that's a WOW.  From out of nowhere, BG put together their best game of the year, the kind of game I think everyone felt they were capable of but never put together.  BG after losing 8 of 9, including to WMU, CMU and Miami, beat Ohio, who came in at 23-6 and still in the running for the conference title.

As I said on twitter, for all the heartbreaking moments, sometimes out of nowhere comes an exhilarating moment like that.  So happy for Daeqwon, Trey and Mattiss, who will leave the Stroh Center floor for the last time as winners.  It was a great night.

It's worth noting that this was BG's best win of the season...and it isn't close.

BG has won 11 D1 games.  Here is where the opponents are ranked on kempon.  Remember, there are 358 teams in D1.

• OU (115)
• Oakland (183)
• Miami (264)
• Duquesne (284)
• NIU two times (301)
• EMU (310)
• WMU (327)
• Robert Morris (328)
• Milwaukee (336)
• Chicago State (338)

All of BG's wins (until the OU game) were against teams in the bottom half of D1 and most of them in the bottom 16%.  It is difficult to capture how distinct this win was for BG.

The key here is the very first stat.  The most important skill in basketball is shooting the ball in the basket or stopping the other team from doing so.  In the 8 losses in 9 games streak, BG only outshot their opponent once and it was the game BG won against NIU.

BG made 63% of their 2FGs and 35% of their 3FGs--and took 46% of their shots from 3FG--the most in a MAC game this year.  Meanwhile, OU took an astounding 55% of their shots from 3FG and made 32%, but the key was the face they made only 38% of their 2FGs.  BG had a bad game for turnovers and a terrible game on the defensive boards, but got to the line (which includes the FTs that closed the game out) and made 76%.

You can't talk about the game without talking about Jason Carter.  Here's the scene.  With about 7 minutes left BG was up 13.  OU then went on a 12-0 to cut the lead to 1 and you could kind of feel them taking over.  Carter was called for a foul and had words with the BG huddle on his way to his bench.  Plowden made both FTs.  Then, with 3:41 left and BG leading by 3 on a big run, Carter was called for traveling.  

I don't want to impugn the young man, because I have known plenty of athletes who are very different on and off the court.  He had, however, complained insufferably on every call against him the entire game.  It was Bill-Laimbeer-whingeing, but with Jason-Carter-talent.  This time, he went too far and got T'd up.  Plowden made both FTs to make it a 5-point lead.  Carter got T'd up a second time, and left the floor egging the Falcon fans on as they cheered him off the court. Plowden made one more and then Matiss hit a 2FG and BG had a five-point play off the T and led by 8.

It was still 9 with :39 left.  OU rallied hard and had the ball with :11 left and a 3-point deficit, but missed their shot, BG cleared the board and that was that.

Plowden, Diggs and Matiss excelled in their last home games.

Plowden had 18 on 3 of 6 and 2 of 3 shooting, 6-8 at the line, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocked shots.

Matiss had 18 (career high) on 7 of 8 and 0 of 2 shooting, 4-4 at the line, 7 rebounds and 4 turnovers.

Diggs had 13 points on 2-2 and 2-6 shooting, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Samari Curtis also had a strong game, with 16 points on 2 of 2 and 2 of 6 shooting, making all 6 FTs, five assists and 4 turnovers.

So that's that.  If BG beats UT and CMU loses Friday, BG will advance to Cleveland, probably to turn around the play Toledo again.  That's going to be a tall order.  UT is playing for the regular season title--if they tie Kent, then the Flashes would be #1 because they beat UT twice.  The place will be rocking and they are really good.

But who knows?  On paper we didn't have a shot in this one.

Last thing.  Here's an interview Jordan Strack did with Coach Huger.  I find it hard not to root for the guy.