With Mid-American Conference basketball teams about to launch their MAC schedules, MAC Reporter Online takes a look at what they’ve done in non-conference play:
TEAM: Bowling Green Falcons
COACH: Chris Jans (First Year)
TEAM RECORD LAST YEAR: 12-20, 6-12 MAC
Lost in first round of MAC Tournament
EARLY 2014-15 RECORD: 8-3
* All rankings/stats are among MAC teams unless otherwise noted.
As if the 12-20 (6-12 MAC) record wasn’t bad enough, things seemed to really get sour in the Bowling Green basketball program down the stretch. The Falcons flailed to win just one of their last seven and two of the final 11. The end came with a painful 54-51 overtime MAC tourney loss to another struggling team – Northern Illinois.
The setback also marked the end for head coach Louis Orr, a respected man whose teams were struggling over the last several years. BGSU turned to Wichita State assistant Chris Jans, who probably walked into a somewhat better situation than the record suggested. With the addition of some JUCO transfers, Jans has the Falcons sporting an 8-3 record heading into conference play.
Of the three losses, two came on the road: Western Kentucky (62-52) and Dayton (56-52). The most recent loss was an 82-68 setback to Ferris State Dec. 21 in the Stroh Center. Victories over South Florida and Chicago State since then have BGSU on a two-game win streak heading into conference play.
Here’s more on the Falcons:
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
TEAM: Bowling Green Falcons
COACH: Chris Jans (First Year)
TEAM RECORD LAST YEAR: 12-20, 6-12 MAC
Lost in first round of MAC Tournament
EARLY 2014-15 RECORD: 8-3
* All rankings/stats are among MAC teams unless otherwise noted.
As if the 12-20 (6-12 MAC) record wasn’t bad enough, things seemed to really get sour in the Bowling Green basketball program down the stretch. The Falcons flailed to win just one of their last seven and two of the final 11. The end came with a painful 54-51 overtime MAC tourney loss to another struggling team – Northern Illinois.
The setback also marked the end for head coach Louis Orr, a respected man whose teams were struggling over the last several years. BGSU turned to Wichita State assistant Chris Jans, who probably walked into a somewhat better situation than the record suggested. With the addition of some JUCO transfers, Jans has the Falcons sporting an 8-3 record heading into conference play.
Of the three losses, two came on the road: Western Kentucky (62-52) and Dayton (56-52). The most recent loss was an 82-68 setback to Ferris State Dec. 21 in the Stroh Center. Victories over South Florida and Chicago State since then have BGSU on a two-game win streak heading into conference play.
Here’s more on the Falcons:
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )
-- Senior Richaun Holmes was a Third Team All MAC member last year and should again be one of the league’s top big men. He leads the team in scoring (14.0 ppg) and tops the league in blocks (2.1 per game). He is second in the conference in rebounding (8.7 rpg). Holmes is a very athletic player capable of adding some highlight stuff to Falcon performances. Put it on a winning team and in the Stroh center, Falcon fans can enjoy it all the more.
-- The senior class also includes guards Anthony Henderson and Jevon Clarke. The latter had 149 assists last year, but also averaged 12.5 ppg. Through non-conference play this season, Clarke is averaging an even 10.0 ppg. He is hitting 42.1 percent of his trey attempts and is second on the team in 3-point goals (16).
Henderson averaged 10.4 ppg. in 2013-14, but has reached double figures just twice so far this campaign.
Sophomore Zack Denny carries a 9.6 ppg average and is tied for second (MAC) in steals (1.7 spg). He also has the most 3-point goals (17) on the team. He is converting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.
-- Junior Chauncey Orr, the former coach’s son, elected to continue his career with the Falcons. He was redshirted last season due to injury.
-- BG ranks 11th in scoring (64.8 ppg) but is second in scoring defense (58.1 ppg). The Falcons rank fifth in scoring margin (6.7).
-- Bowling Green has connected on 42.4 percent of its field goals (8th) and 33.3 percent of 3-point tries (9th). The Falcons’ 6.1 treys per game average is 10th in the conference.
-- The Falcons convert 69.3 percent of free throws (fifth).
-- Bowling Green is fourth in rebounding margin (3.4).
-- The Falcons own a 1.10 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th). They are fifth in assists (12.91), eighth in steals (6.55) and fifth in blocked shots (4.00).
-- The senior class also includes guards Anthony Henderson and Jevon Clarke. The latter had 149 assists last year, but also averaged 12.5 ppg. Through non-conference play this season, Clarke is averaging an even 10.0 ppg. He is hitting 42.1 percent of his trey attempts and is second on the team in 3-point goals (16).
Henderson averaged 10.4 ppg. in 2013-14, but has reached double figures just twice so far this campaign.
Sophomore Zack Denny carries a 9.6 ppg average and is tied for second (MAC) in steals (1.7 spg). He also has the most 3-point goals (17) on the team. He is converting 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.
-- Junior Chauncey Orr, the former coach’s son, elected to continue his career with the Falcons. He was redshirted last season due to injury.
-- BG ranks 11th in scoring (64.8 ppg) but is second in scoring defense (58.1 ppg). The Falcons rank fifth in scoring margin (6.7).
-- Bowling Green has connected on 42.4 percent of its field goals (8th) and 33.3 percent of 3-point tries (9th). The Falcons’ 6.1 treys per game average is 10th in the conference.
-- The Falcons convert 69.3 percent of free throws (fifth).
-- Bowling Green is fourth in rebounding margin (3.4).
-- The Falcons own a 1.10 assist-to-turnover ratio (4th). They are fifth in assists (12.91), eighth in steals (6.55) and fifth in blocked shots (4.00).
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