Oh Boy! Undefeated Redhawks At Millett

Well, the Falcons drop into the national spotlight tonight, battling the undefeated Miami Redhawks in what will be a rocking Millett Hall.

Miami might be having the most remarkable season in MAC history.  It is certainly the most successful.  Nobody goes undefeated anymore.  It's just been incredible to watch.  What an experience.

And yet, I think they feel like nothing's been accomplished yet.  Don't get me wrong--in a sane, just world, they would be locks for an at-large bid to the tournament even if they don't go undefeated, even if they lose more than one. But they can't feel that way, because teams with, for example, 30-3 records have been left out before.

Lunardi has them at #11, which is right where he has the play-in games, meaning they are ranked right at the cut line.  The problem is the pre-MAC schedule, which was among the lowest in D1.  To me, at 25-5 that would make a difference.  They have carried it through conference play... so far... and they should be playing in the tourney.

I'd like to take you back to March 5, 2000.  Quarter-finals.  BG is 22-6 and #1 seed. Having a special season. They are up 3, and time is running out.  Jason Grunkemeyer hit a 35-footer at the buzzer to force OT, in which BG scored only 2 points and lost.  No at-large bid came for the Falcons.  It is probably the greatest heartbreak in our program's history.  It's basketball's Fat Punter.

Let's return the favor. It has been long enough.

Today, Jason is the Deputy AD at Maine, btw.

BG played them back in the dark days of December, between Christmas and New Year.  The final deficit was 10, but the game was not close.  Miami ripped off a 29-4 run, led by 26 at the half and by 17 with 10 left.

Miami is just a scoring machine.  They are #1 in the MAC in offensive efficiency, #1 in shooting, and #3 in the country.  They take 46% of their FGA from 3FG and make 37% (#4 in MAC, #13 in D1) and they lead the make with 64% on 2FG, #3 in the country).

They combine that with being 4th in taking care of the ball and 2nd at getting to the line, where they make 78%, #2 in the MAC.  That's enough to be a formidable scoring machine. The only thing they aren't great at is offensive rebounds, where they rank #12, undoubtedly because they don't crash the boards.

They are #3 in defense. They are #7 in defending the shot, #6 against the 3FG, and #8 on the 2FG. They are 5th at forcing turnovers, #4 on the defensive boards, and #3 at keeping teams off the line.

This is just a locked-down team.  BG's going to have to play great in every phase.  They are going to have to play great defense and make some shots.  Probably a lot.

Peter Suder is their leading scorer with 16.5 PPG on 59%/37%/78% shooting.  He adds 5.2 RPG and 64 assists.  He had 17, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the first game.

Brant Byers scores 15.9 PPG, making 62%/43%/80%.  He's #1 in the MAC in total shooting, which is those three added up. He had 17 and 6 in the first game.

Eian Elmer is scoring 14.3 PPG on 67%/43%/77%, #2 in total shooting.  He leads the team with 5.8 RPG.  He is #1 in the MAC in EFG%. 

Luke Skaljac scores 13 PPG on 65%/31%/75% shooting. He has 62 assists. He scored 15 PPG and 5 assists in the first game.

Antwone Woolfork scores 10.5 and leads the MAC in 2FG at 75%.  He scored 14 in the first game without missing a FG or FT attempt.