Two Games Left...MBB makes trip to DeKalb

Who knows, BG MBB might be making their final bus trip to DeKalb, the worst trip in the MAC.

Look, its been a rough season for the Huskies.  In D1 games, they are 2-24.  Their kenpom is 351 out of 364.  They are 1-15 in MAC play...and have lost last 10 straight, including the Sun Belt game.  They are just really struggling.

I watched their last game, and they were within 4 with 7 to play.  They suffered an epic collapse against EMU, blowing a 7-point lead with 1:21 to play. They took BSU to overtime and they staged a frantic late rally to lose to UT by 4.

Once in a while, they get close to winning.  This is their last home game...if it's close, they will do whatever they have to.  Not to be a voice of doom or Mr. This-is-America's-best-2-24-team, but we still need to play the game.

If they are going to steal a win coming home, let it be Friday against CMU when it does us some good.

BG beat them earlier at the Stroh 84-77.  It was the start of BG's turnaround, breaking a five-game losing streak and opening up a 6-2 stretch.  NIU never led, but they kept it close.  They were within 1 in the 2nd half and it was a 6-point BG lead at the game's last media break.  BG stormed home 13-4 to put the win away.

It was the rare game where you can win while being outshot.  BG was better on all of the other stats and were +8 at the line. 

The rebounding was not surprising, because NIU is the worst offensive rebounding team in the country and in MAC play are the worst in offensive and defensive rebounding.  Overall, they are 11th in offense and 11th in defense in the MAC.  They are last in 2FG shooting and last in FT shooting. They try the highest percentage of 3FGs and are #6 at making them.

They are also last in giving up FTs in the MAC, something BG will probably want to take advantage of. BG is #2 in the MAC in getting to the line.

Their leading scorer is Quentin Jones, who scores 17.5 PPG (MAC Games). That's #4 in the MAC.  He leads the MAC in minutes, so that's a little misleading, but he is efficient, making 50% and 40%. Also 5.9 RPG and 47 assists.  He had 19 in the first game.

James Dent is their 2nd leading scorer at 14.6 PPG, making 44% and 31%.  Gets to the line a lot. 

Their other double figure scorer was Quaran MacPherson, who has missed the last 4 games.  No idea of his status.

Nasir Muhammed averages about 9 points and is #7 in the MAC in 3FG shooting at 41%.

So here we go.  Last road game of the year. BG has won 3 straight on the road.  A win doesn't clinch anything, but it keeps our destiny in our own hands.