Senior Night: vs. Bowling Green (15-11, 10-4)
Since their 7 point loss at home to Miami, the Falcons have won 9 of their last 11, winning at Akron Sunday to put them in a 1st place tie with Buffalo. But those 2 losses were to a bottom half MAAC team (Canisius) and a bottom half MAC team (Eastern) and were both at home! So in a rarity, BG has a better road conference record than home with their only loss coming at Kent. BG's climb up the standings is thanks to improved defensive play, solid guard play, and the all-MAC form exhibited by Nate Miller.
*BG's 2 non-Division 1 wins weren't included in their overall record
Projected Starters (Conference-only Statistics)
Joe Jakubowski, 6'2" 191 So. 6 pts, 3 ass. 39% FG, 41% 3PFG, 78% FT. 4 points, 0 assists, 4 turnovers in 1st meeting.
Darryl Clements, 6'4" 191 Sr. 9 pts, 4 reb, 3 ass. 36% FG, 22% 3PFG, 77% FT. 13 pts, 6/15 shooting, 1/6 from 3, 4 ass, 3 reb. in 1st meeting.
Brian Moten, 6'4" 175 Sr. 11 pts, 2 reb. 39% FG, 38% 3PFG, 85% FT. 7 pts, 3/9 shooting, 0/2 from 3 in 1st meeting.
Nate Miller, 6'4" 250 Sr. 13 pts, 8 reb. 45% FG, 34% 3PFG, 52% FT. 17 pts, 6/13 shooting, 2/5 from 3, 3/3 FT, 5 reb, 4 ass. in 1st meeting.
Otis Polk, 6'9" 285 Jr. 6 pts, 6 reb. 52% FG, 73% FT. 2 pts, 1 reb. in 1st meeting.
Off the Bench
Chris Knight, 6'7" 197 So. 7 pts, 5 reb. 48% FG, 40% 3PFG, 60% FT. 7 pts, 10 reb. in 1st meeting. Injured, listed as game-to-game.
Marc Larson, 6'9" 236 Jr. 4 pts, 3 reb. 42% FG, 82% FT. 4 pts, 2 reb. in 1st meeting.
Erik Marschall, 6'7" 224 Jr. 4 pts, 2 reb. 51% FG, 58% FT. 2 pts, 2 reb. in 1st meeting.
Scott Thomas, 6'6" 183 Fr. 4 pts, 2 reb. 39% FG, 37% 3PFG, 67% FT. 2 pts, 4 reb, 2 ass. in 1st meeting.
Offensively, with Richburg running the point, we're going to try and play a little quicker and not slow the tempo way down, which is what BG will want to do. BG wants to set their half-court defense, whether it be man or zone and keep you out of the paint. So we have to play with a little pace while making sure we move the ball. We did a great job of that in the 1st meeting, which led to 54% shooting and 67 points. BG is only forcing 11 turnovers a game in conference play; they won't put an incredible amount of pressure on us. If we don't settle for the jump shot we can get anytime and move the ball for that open jumper, we should be able to score efficiently.
Defensively, BG's lineup presents problems because who will guard Miller? Right now, I would say Dierkers, but I can easily see Miller getting into him foul trouble as Miller looks to drive and Dierkers, though much longer, may not be quick enough to stop Miller's initial step to the basket. In the 1st meeting, we let Miller have the 3 because he was barely shooting 20% from distance. In conference play, he's improved that mark to where you can't give him the 3 anymore, which is allowing him to get to the basket more. He's not quick enough to beat a guard off the dribble, but he's big enough to seal you off on the drive and post you up. If you put a forward on him, his 1st step is good enough to go by you. And if you help too much on Miller, that leaves Moten on the other side for open 3s, which he will knock down. I would make the others beat us, especially if Knight is out with his injury. Miller and Moten will make some plays, but if we can keep Jakubowski out of the lane, and keep their bigs off the boards, we can limit their scoring opportunities.
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