BG MBB Bounces Back

It was a game with a little attention on it.  Loser of two in a row, BG was on the road--the last thing you want when trying to keep a short streak from turning into a long streak and then a season-ending streak.  Nonetheless, BG rallied, put together a strong performance, and notched the road W.  At the halfway mark of the season, BG is 6-3 and in sole possession of 4th place.  They have a 3-game lead on the #9 team.

BSU came out and led for most of the first 14 minutes. BG rallied and led for the remainder of the half.  They were up 7 with :47 left and BSU scored 5 to cut the lead to 2 at the break.

BG came out strong in the second half, scoring the first 7 points to lead by 9.  That set the tone for the half.  BG's lead circulated between 4 and 9 until the 10-minute mark when BG hit 3FGs on 3 straight possessions and added a FT to put the lead at 10 with 7:28 left.  It was never a one-possession game again.  BSU got it to 4 with 3:04 left, but BG scored the next 6 to make it 10 with 1:41 left.

The last points in the run were a dagger in the truest sense. BG was running clock and it was getting to the end.  Hill was in the paint and surrounded by 3 guys.  Rather than force a shot up, he realized Spurgin was wide open at the top of the key and Spurgin drained the shot to put the game away.

The game was played at 67 possessions.  In the preview, I highlighted that BG was #2 in the MAC in offensive rebounding and BSU was #1 in defensive rebounding.  That was clearly going to be a flashpoint, and BG took it big time. BG got 38% on the offensive boards, their 3rd best of the year and Ball State's 2nd worst game of the year.

BG also shot the ball really well.  They made 53% on 2FG and 50% from 3FG--2nd best of the year.  Only 29% of shots were from 3FG. BSU was 18 of 22 at the line and BG was 15 of 20.

All that came out to 1.21 points per possession, 2nd best of the year. BSU scored 1.08.  They made 47% and 43%.

Marcus Hill had an incredible night.  He scored 28 on 11 of 16 and 2 of 2 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 block and 1 steal.  If that will work for you.  Spurgin had 17, on 3 of 5 and 2 of 3 shooting, 5 of 6 at the line, all in the last minute, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 turnovers.

Rashaun Agee had 14, on 5 of 8 2FG shooting and 4 of 6 at the line. Add 10 rebounds. Thomas had 9 points, 4 assists and 1 turnover.

Sam Towns did not play after playing once coming off injury.  Let's hope it was not a serious relapse.

Coach had said since the last game that he had to increase bench minutes to keep guys fresh.  He did...BG had 55 bench minutes compared to 36 in the Kent game, for example. 

Next up is CMU, who is in 3rd place right now and playing great defense.  It will be a good test for the Falcons at home.

Falcon MBB Looks for Bounceback in Muncie

Losers of two straight and facing their first meaningful adversity of the season, BG's MBB team returns to action Tuesday against Ball State.  CMU will be at the Stroh on Saturday.

This is why conference play is so tough.  You lose in OT to Kent, you lose @UT and before you can blink an eye, you have some pressure on you.

Ball State was picked 8th in the MAC poll and 9th in Blue Ribbon.  That's pretty much where they are.  They came out of the gate 0-4, but @KS, CMU, UA and @UT, so four of the tougher teams in the MAC. Since then, they are 3-1...winning @EMU, @UB, NIU and losing at home to MU....so four of the lesser teams in the MAC.

We will see which team we get.  And which team we give.  We have been resilient to date.

The teams have split the last 10 meetings, but BSU has won the last four. BG's last win in Muncie was in 2021 (and in the series overall). Turner with 27, Metheny with 21. 

BG is playing at 70 possessions a game, BSU at 68.

BG is #4 in offense and Ball State is #6, while BS is #5 in offense and BG has slipped to #9 in defense.  That's largely influenced by allowing over 1.2 PPP to UT and KSU in a small sample size.  This is an opportunity against a good but not great offensive team to flex some muscle.

Ball State is #5 in shooting and BG is #10 defending the shot.  They take 40% from 3FG and make 37%, which is #3 in the MAC.  BG has been poor defending the 3FG, #10 in the MAC.  So that represents the first challenge. Both teams are average on 2FGs.

The Cards do turn the ball over, but BG doesn't force turnovers. They are not good at offensive rebounding and BG is excellent on the defensive boards.

They do get to the line....and they make 83% which is top in the MAC. They are 2nd in percentage of points from FTs and BG is 1st.

Shooting and turnovers are pretty even.  The key battle will be on the offensive boards, where BS is the top defensive rebounding team in the MAC and BG is 2nd in offensive rebounding.  BG does get to the line, but makes only 69.8% and will probably need more in this one

They are led by Basheer Jihad.  He's a 6'9" JR who made a huge jump this year.  He scored 7 PPG last year and is scoring 21.3 PPG this year, which is #3 in the MAC. He's shooting 47% from 2FG, which is OK, but 46% from 3FG.  He is 4th in rebounding with 8.6 per game. He also makes 82% of his FTs.  He's also 3rd in blocked shots.  He's playing really well.

Jalin Anderson is their 2nd leading scorer.  He's 6'3" Jalin Anderson, a transfer from Loyola-Marymount.  He's scoring 14.8 PPG, making 58% and 31%.  He leads the MAC in assists and steals and makes 82% of his FTs.  He has played 95% of their MAC minutes.

Davion Bailey is scoring 13.6 PPG, making 48% and 40% and 89% at the line. Mickey Pearson is scoring 10.9 PPG on at 47% and 30%, but is the MAC's leading FT shooter.  He is 28 out of 29.

They play a very short rotation.  They are 360th in the nation in bench minutes.

Hated Rockets Beat Falcons

 It was far from a disaster.  BG played tough much of the way, lead more than half the game, etc.  But as Coach said after the game, you can't have self-inflicted wounds in a game like this.  It only takes a small lapse--especially in the second half, especially on the road--and you don't win that game.  It is why winning games and championships is hard and requires teams to be really good and consistent.

We are still having more success than I expected.  Better days ahead.

UT had a couple of sparks, mini-runs, crowd gets amped up and BG always reeled them back in.  With 12:15 left, BG led by 5.

Here is how it went after that....

UT hits a 3FG (BG +2)

    BG Turnover

UT hits a 2FG (Tied)

    BG hits a 2FG (+2)

UT misses 3FG

    BG missed 2FG

UT hits 3FG (-1)

    BG misses 3FG

UT misses 2FG

    BG misses 2FG

Mattox hits 3FG (-4)

    BG turnover

Mattox hits 3FG (-7)

    BG turnover

Cochran with 2FG off his steal (-9)

That goes from 12:15 to 7:49, about 4:30 of game time.  One team executing at a ridiculous level, one team not.  

It was decisive.  Game never got closer than 8, Falcons faded coming home and lost by 16.

UT scored 1.26 PPP, a winning number in most games.  They did it with a 65% EFG. They shot 67% from 2FG and 42% from 3FG. And they took good care of the ball.

BG's last win over a team that shot that well was over UT in that crazy OT game at the Stroh in the Jans year when Zack Denny came off a double screen for the winning shot.

We know--and Coach Kowalcyzk mentioned in his post-game--that BG relies on getting to the line and on offensive rebounds.  They took those things away.  BG did nothing on the offensive boards and shot only 7 FTs.  UT is notoriously good at defending without fouling, and they executed it.  

BG actually had a decent shooting game. BG made 55% on 2fg and 33% on 3FG. It was third 2nd best in MAC play and 5th best overall.  Not enough, in the end.  

Marcus Hill scored 25 points for BG.  He shot 9 of 18 from 2FG and 1 of 4 from 3FG, which is OK efficiency. He added 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers. Phillip had 13 on 2 of 2 and 3of 3 shooting and 6 rebounds. Spurgin had 12 on 3 of 4 and 2 of 5 shooting. Trey Thomas had 12 on 3 of 4 and 2 of 7 shooting, with 1 assist and 3 TOs. Agee had 10 on on 4 of 7 2FG shooting, 0-2 from 3, and held to 5 rebounds. 3 turnovers.

Sam Towns was back, playing 14 minutes.

In MAC play, when you lose two in a row, the walls start to close in a little.  Next up is a Ball State team that has won 3 of 4, and the game is in Muncie.  On we go.  Always compelling.

The Hated Rockets MBB Preview

And here come the Rockets.

You have to give Tod Kowalczyk credit.  He has built an outstanding program at UT. They have won the MAC regular season title the last three years.  They lost their top 3 scorers, including the MAC POY, and they are still 6-1 in MAC play and in the hunt. Overall they are 12-7 with a kenpom of 142, which would be their worst since the end of the 2020 season.  But they are in the hunt. They are haunted by a long non-NCAA streak--1980 in their case--but this program is as healthy today as it has ever been.

They have also won 7 out of the last 10 against BG and the last 4.  BG's last win at Savage was in 2021.

UT plays at 68 possessions a game and BG at 70, which is #2 in the MAC.  When you play UT, you play a well-rounded team.  They are #2 in offense and #3 in defense, while BG is #4 in offense and #8 in defense. BG is actually only +6 points in MAC play, unusual for a 5-2 team.  

UT shoots the fewest 3FGs in the MAC. They make 36%, so they are selective. They made 52% on their 2FGs, which is #7.  Overall, they are 7th in shooting.  They take excellent care of the ball, are #6 on the boards and get to the line the 2nd most in the MAC.  BG gets to the line the most, which is an indication of a key point of this game.  The difference is that UT also allows the fewest FTs in the MAC, whereas BG is 3rd.

In 7 MAC games, UT has been called for 101 fouls, the opponents 139.  BG has been 124 and their opponents 163.  UT has a 127-61 FT advantage.  BG's is 138-91.

On defense, UT is about average against the shot.  They are good against the 3FG, but vulnerable against the 2FG, which might open the door for BG.  They do force some turnovers and are OK but not great on the defensive boards, another opportunity for BG.  And, as already discussed, they do not give up FTs whereas BG has relied on making them.  They are #19 in the country in keeping opponents off the line.

Their leading scorer is Ra-Heim Moss, at 18 PPG on 52% 2FG shooting (decent) and 28% 3FG shooting (not good). He also averages 5 rebounds, is 3rd in the MAC in steals and makes 78% at the line.  He has 19 turnovers. 

Dante Maddox is the 2nd leading Rocket scorer. He scores 16 PPG.  He led the MAC last year in and has the same percentage this year, but is #9.  He shoots 41% and 46%. Also 5.4 rpg and 19 assists over 10 turnovers.

Tyler Cochran, a Ball State transfer, scores 14 a game on 57% and 33% shooting, and leads the team with 7.1 rpg, despite being 6'2".

Javan Simmons is scoring 12 PPG. He red-shirted last year and is scoring 12 a game on 58% 2FG shooting. He has committed 28 of UT's 101 fouls.

UT is not tall....they are #325 in the nation in average height.  They have won their last 12 home games in conference.  

So this is a big one.  First rivalry game for the new regime.  I like where we are.  We seem more adaptable and to have specific game plans for different teams.  BG is a heavy underdog on paper.  But we are tough and I'm betting its a dogfight.

Flashes (MBB) Pick Up Road Win At Stroh

BG and Kent ended up in overtime, but this time Kent was the one that closed things out and BG was the one who went home with the L.  I'm disappointed but still thrilled with how the season is rolling out.

Kent was back at full strength with Cli'Ron Hornbeak playing against for the first time in MAC play.  The Flashes started out hot and had a 10-point lead with 10 left in the first half. The lead was 11 with 8:21 left. BG closed the half on a 20-9 run to head into the locker room tied.

It was a tightly contested 2nd half and excellent basketball.  For the first 11 minutes, the teams traded leads and no one led by more than 4.  Almost all of the time it was a one-possession game.  Kent applies relentless pressure and BG cracked a little and an 11-4 run put Kent up 7 with 6:27 left.  Three minutes later, BG had it tied again.  BG went up 3 with 1:38 left and Santiago nailed a 3FG to tie it with 1:19 left.

BG's ball.  They run clock into single digits, Hill drove to the hole and did not score and Agee had the board and was fouled.  He split the pair, BG up one.  BG put up some real defensive pressure and Kent had to call time to reset.  Edwards was fouled by Spurgin and he split the pair to tie the game... unfortunately, Kent got the rebound and Spurgin fouled Payton with :30 to play. Seemingly all 10 players raced into the corner after a loose ball.

He missed them both and Agee cleared the board. BG ran the clock to :05 and sent Hill to the rim, but he missed in heavy traffic.  Ball went out the baseline to BG, but the Falcons failed to get a shot off and off to OT it was.

Kent led wire to wire in the OT. KSU came out and scored the first 5 points in the first minute of OT.  The lead got to 6 with 2:20 left.  

BG was game, though. Down 4, they got a shot clock violation and then a Spurgin block, and with :34 Turner missed but Hill had the offensive board completed the putback (he is a tough dude) AND drew the foul.  He was at the line, down 2.  He missed the FT....but it was BG's turn to get the rebound. BG called time and coming out Agee missed a layup.  Payton was fouled, this time he made them both and it was a lead of 4 with :25 left.

Hill scored a 2FG with :18 left.  BG fouled Sullinger, and he made both to put it back to 4 with :15 left.

On BG's last possession, Hill missed, BG got the board, Turner missed a 3FG, BG got the rebound, Turner missed another 3FG and that was it.  Two late FTs gave Kent the 6-point OT win.

Honestly, it was a crazy game.  Kent was just a little better at key times.  They are so physical. It was a rough game.  BG never wilted, was able to get back into the game a couple of times and had a shot in the last minute of regulation to win the game and just couldn't convert. Maybe next time.  It was by no means a disappointing effort.

The game went off at 74 possessions for an OT game, equivalent to 66 for regulation.  Both teams had efficient offense.  BG scored 1.14 points per possession, normally a winning rate.  Unfortunately, Kent had 1.22.  That's the 2nd worst in MAC year, right after Akron, our other loss.  Kent came in as the top 3FG shooting team in the MAC, and they made 47% from distance.  BG made 26%.  BG was outshot.  However, unlike other games when they overcame that, this time they had their worst turnover rate in MAC play.

Those two combined could not even out, even with a big advantage on the boards, and a +7 advantage at the line.  BG made 77% at the line.

A couple things.  That's an outstanding night on the defensive boards. The only games where Kent had fewer offensive boards were Oregon and St. Mary's.  That's good work.  On the other side, BG has been outshot in 5 of its 7 MAC games, and the other two were really close.  That's a bit of a high wire act. Teams with better EFG% win 62% of the time.  What BG is doing is tougher to sustain, and you have to take care of the ball.

Sullinger had a career-high 30 for Kent.

For BG, Hill had 21.  It was a rough night though. He made 6 of 17 from 2FG and 0 of 2 from 3FG. Also 5 turnovers.  He did make 9 of 10 at the line, added 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Spurgin had 19 on 6 of 7 and 1 of 3 shooting, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, two of them in crunch time. Made 6 of 7 at the line. Agee had 17, on 4 of 8 and 0 of 2 shooting, 9 of 12 at the line and 10 rebounds. Trey Thomas had 12, 3 of 8 from 3FG with 3 assists and 3 turnovers.

BG is 5-2, with losses @Akron and Kent.  Saturday at Savage is a test. The next week is @Ball State and CMU at home on Saturday.

Football Update

 Two updates from football...

One is that Julian Campienni, our d-line coach, will head to Rutgers to coach defensive ends.  Best of luck to him.  I will say this, we seemed to have really strong talent development on the defensive line over the last couple of years and I believe he will be missed.  He was also an assistant head coach and had been the run-game coordinator.  For example, Demetrious Hardamon transferred from an NAIA school.  Karl Brooks is in the NFL.  And I think overall d-line play was a strength for BG in the last couple years.  This will be a key hire.

BG picked up another portal transfer.  This one is Justin Eklund, a LB whose portal window opened when San Jose's coach left.

New Chapter… #AyZiggy #Committed @BG_Football @CoachSLawanson pic.twitter.com/xpqlXB3Cmb

— Justin Eklund (@Justin_Eklund) January 20, 2024

Eklund was a 3-star recruit from the Sacramento area. 247 has his with offers from Arizona State, Air Force, both Idahos and some FCS schools.  He did not play much at all, appearing in 3 games each of his two seasons with the Spartans.  No idea if he was injured.

Anyway, farewell Julian.  And welcome Justin.

Flashes Limp Into BG for MBB Clash

Kent State is in an unusual position this year.  They are not doing well in men's basketball. They are as much a blue blood as the MAC has...26 straight non-losing season...1 losing record in MAC play over that time. 7 Tournament appearances and of course, that Elite Eight game.

The defending champs lost Sincere Carry (1st team all-MAC), Malique Jacobs (second team All-MAC) and Miryne Thomas (3rd leading scorer).  They were still picked #2 in the MAC poll and #3 by Blue Ribbon.

So far, it hasn't worked out that way.  They are 2-4 in MAC play.  I went back and looked....in 2017 they were 2-4....and they were a 6-seed in the MAC Tourney, won it and went to the NCAAs.

They won at home over Ball State and @NIU, and lost @EMU, and @CMU and at home to UT and UA.  The teams they have beaten are 1-10.

They are playing without Cli'Ron Hornbeak, who was injured on December 21. 

The key takeaway here is that Kent is terrible on defense. Last year they led the MAC in defensive efficiency and were top 40 in the country. This year, they are 11th in the MAC.  They are decent on offense and play the league's slowest pace. They are respectable on offense. BG is 4th in offense and 5th in defense.

Kent shoots the ball really well.  They take 40% of their shots from 3FG and they make 40%, which is top in the MAC.  That's scorching the nets.  BG is #8 in 3FG defense, mostly due to Owen Lobsinger.  They are turnover prone (#9) and good but not great on the offensive boards.  Same with FTs, they make 73%.

As mentioned, Kent is terrible on defense.  That is 100% on the shot.  They are 2nd on TO%, 5% on defensive rebounding and 3rd keeping teams off the line.  But, they are 9th defending the 2FG and 10th defending the 3FG.  Also---and this is total luck--MAC teams are making 81% of their FTs against Kent.  BG is not a great shooting team.  They win despite getting outshot more than is typical.  Still, would be a nice time to get some baskets.

KSU is led by VonCameron Davis, who is scoring 15.3 PPG on 53% and 50% shooting. Also, 4.7 RPG. Jalen Sullinger, last year's 6th man of the year, is scoring 14.8 PPG  on 58% and 38% shooting. Chris Payton, Jr., is scoring 12.8 PPG on 52% 2FG shooting.  Is terrible at the line.  Reggie Bass, the FR of the year last year at CMU, is scoring 10.6 PPG on 56% and 47% shooting. Giovanni Santiago--the lead character in the classic book "The Old Man and the Three" leads them with 25 assists.

So, here we go.  Can BG keep the beat rolling on?  It will be interesting to see.  I'll believe Kent isn't a contender when I see it.