BOWLING GREEN — A big start to the 2023-24 season has Bowling Green State University’s men’s basketball team in an exciting position entering league play.
After winning their past seven games, the Falcons enter Mid-American Conference play with the best record among the 12 teams in the league at 9-3. BGSU, which has quickly learned how to win under first-year Falcons’ coach Todd Simon, hosts Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night in its MAC opener.
“This group has a great way where we’ve figured out that, ‘Hey, I’ve got to be the measure of accountability and hold guys to our standard,’” Simon said after BGSU’s win against Hampton on Dec. 19.
“The guys are great at being the emotional barometer that makes sure that the temperature in the room stays where it needs to be in those moments where you’ve got to correct stuff. That’s part of this journey.”
BGSU has comeback wins and dominating victories during its seven-game winning streak, which is its longest since getting eight straight during the 2019-20 season. The Falcons’ 9-3 record is their best 12-game start to a season since going 9-3 in the 2020-21 campaign.
Here is what we know and don’t know about BGSU men’s basketball at midseason.
Know: Falcons are a force defensively, on the glass
BGSU has been winning with defense and rebounding. The Falcons lead the MAC in scoring defense (65.1 points per game), opponent field-goal defense (40.5 percent), total rebounds (38.8), and defensive rebounds (28.8).
BGSU is also fourth in the league in steals (6.8) and blocks (3.3) per game.
The Falcons have held 11 of their opponents to less than 50 percent shooting, including six under 40 percent. Only five opponents have eclipsed 70 points in a game.
BGSU has outrebounded its opponent in nine games this season. Seven players are averaging at least 3.3 rebounds per game, including forward Rashaun Agee (8.1), forward Sam Towns (6.5), center Jason Spurgin (5.5), and guard Da’Shawn Phillip (4.2).
Don’t know: Can 3-point shooting improve?
Simon is confident that the law of averages will even out regarding his team’s 3-point shooting. Through 12 games, it has been a struggle for the Falcons behind the arc.
BGSU is 11th in the MAC and 284th in the country in 3-point percentage (30.8). The Falcons surpassed 40 percent just twice this season (56 percent in win over Lipscomb, and 47 percent in win over Canisius in back-to-back games in late November).
Senior guard Trey Thomas has been BGSU’s top 3-point threat. He is shooting 40.5 percent in six games since returning from an injury.
DaJion Humphrey (39.2 percent) leads the Falcons with 20 made 3-pointers, while Spurgin is shooting 38.5 percent.
Know: Marcus Hill is a flat-out scorer
BGSU had some unknowns with almost an entire new roster for the 2023-24 season. Four returners from last year’s squad and 10 newcomers, including nine transfers, made up Simon’s first squad.
The Falcons certainly found a go-to scorer who can create his own shot in a variety of ways.
Marcus Hill, a third-team National Junior College Athletic Association all-American for Southern Union State Community College last season, has been stellar at the Division I level. He leads BGSU and is second in the MAC in scoring at 19.3 points per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 79.2 percent from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-4 junior guard, who led the NJCAA in total points (780) and was third in points per game (26) last year, has scored at least 14 points in 10 games this season, including at least 26 in five. He had a season-high 33 points on 15 of 23 shooting against Lipscomb.
Hill’s ability to score in the post — as well as by driving to the basket — has been key this season.
Don’t know: How will BGSU stack up against top MAC teams?
BGSU has done a lot of winning, but it has been against one of the easiest schedules in the country.
According to kenpom.com, BGSU’s strength of schedule rating is 347th out of 362 teams. The Falcons are the lowest-rated MAC team in that category.
Two of BGSU’s wins have come against non-Division I teams (Division II Ohio Dominican and NAIA Siena Heights). Of the 12 teams BGSU has faced, only Western Kentucky (11-3) and Lipscomb (9-6) currently have winning records.
BGSU is fourth among MAC teams and 168th overall in NET rankings. Akron (121st), Kent State (131st), and Toledo (159th) are the top three teams in the league.
First Published December 31, 2023, 11:29 p.m.
