MBB Schedule Released...

 

So, the MBB basketball schedule has been released.  As a reminder, if you need one, when last we saw this team they were getting humiliated against UT and failing to make the MAC Tourney.  It was a very disappointing season, obviously.  Both starting G's were injured or out for the year, two other transfers were dismissed.  Since then, it was a typical year in portal-land, with BG losing and adding players. Coach Huger got a secret COVID-extension and there's a new AD coming in.

The schedule is above.  It's decent and not the worst schedule BG has played.  It isn't going to earn an at-large bid, but there are decent games.  It's a little harder than it used to be to anticipate this stuff, since there is so much turnover every year.

A few notes:

BG will open with Air Force, at home.  This is at least a name team to play in our gym.  They play in MWC, which was the #7 conference last year.  I'd make it the most interesting non-conf opponent in BG since Florida Gulf Coast. That's both notable and a little sad.  They have been in the big tourney (2004 and 2006) and made the NIT semis in 2007. They were 11-18 last year.

The early part of the schedule has some familiar but tough opponents.  BG will be at Oakland (20-12).  BG beat the GG as one of their bigger wins last year.  

Next is Wright State, who won a Play-in in the NCAA and made the field last year.  They were 22-14 and beat BG by 18 a couple years ago in Dayton.

Then BG moves into the Gotham Classic, which is one of these MTE's where BG never gets anywhere near anything like Gotham.  It will be the toughest part of the schedule.  First is St. Bonaventure, 23-10, made the semis of the NIT.  And then Notre Dame, 24-11 and in the Sweet 16 last year.

Then, a game in BG against Southern Indiana, still part of the Gotham Classic.  Southern Indiana is moving from DII to DI (in the OVC) and they were 18-8 last year.

BG's next game is against Queens.  No, not from NY, from Charlotte. They are also moving from DII to DI (Atlantic Sun).  They were 30-4 last year and the #4 DII team in the country.

Things get a little easier after that.  BG hosts Morgan State (13-15) and then makes a road trip to Virginia.  First is @Hampton (9-19) but then BG is at Norfolk State (24-7).  Made the big dance, beat BG by 6 at the Stroh.

The last D1 non-MAC game is UT-Martin, 8-22 last year.  For the non-D1 games, BG will host Fairmont State, they are DII and took BG to overtime in an exhibition last year on their way to being 23-8.  And then it ends with Ohio Dominican (7-21 last year, also DII).

Of course, it's the MAC play that matters most.  Make it to Cleveland, win 3 games and make the tourney.  BG will take on Emoni Bates in his MAC debut at EMU.