MBB Preview: WMU

 BG heads to WMU tomorrow in a game they will really want to put into the win column...as will WMU.

The Broncos are the second-lowest ranked team in the MAC at #309 in kenpom, with only EMU lower and BG beat them by 26, also on the road.

For years, WMU had a consistent and successful MAC program under Steve Hawkins.  They made the NCAAs twice.  Then, they hit some transfer issues and were 8-24 in 18-19.  Hawkins lasted one more year before he was let go. It was COVID and the AD didn't feel right doing a coaching search, so she elevated Clayton Bates off the staff, and he was 13-39.  He was fired and Dwayne Stephens is in his first year after being an assistant for 19 years for MSU.

They were predicted to be 8th by the MAC and 10th by Blue Ribbon. They are 5-11 this year, but 2-11 in D1 games with wins over Houston Christian (#352) and EMU (#320). 5 of their 11 losses were to teams ranked over 200.  They are 1-2 in the MAC with a win over EMU (see above) and losses to Kent and UT, arguably the two best teams in the MAC.

BG has won 6 of the last 10 against WMU, and the last 3 in Kzoo.

The Broncos like a slower pace at 66 possessions a game.

What you expect with a record like WMU's is a negative point disparity, and you definitely see it here.  They are #231 in offense and #356 in defense, out of 367 teams.  They played the #126 ranked schedule non-conference.

Offensively, their only real strength is on the offensive boards....and they make 73% at the line, though they don't get there much.  They have poor shooting and turn the ball over too much.  They try a lot of 3FGs (#80 in the country), but they only make 31%.  They shoot 50% on 2FG which is just about average.

The defense is just astounding.  They do rebound well.  However they are #351 in defending the shot and #350 in forcing turnovers and they give up a lot of FTs, too.  They are #349 on 3FGs and #318 on 2FGs.  When your defense is poor in those first two categories, it is very hard to compete.  BG has scored on poor defense teams and we'll be looking to see the same tomorrow.

Individually, they are led by Lester Norman, who is scoring 17.5 PPG. He makes 53% on 2FGs, but shoots most of his shots from 3, where he is 36%, which is a lot for a high volume 3FG shooter.  Tray Maddox, who played at CSU-Fullerton and Oakland, scores 12 PPG on 56% and 28% shooting, with most of his shots coming from 3FG.  Markeese Hastings averages 10.3 RPG, #2 in the MAC. 

B. Artis White had off-season knee surgery and has yet to play this season.