BOWLING GREEN — Todd Simon and his coaching staff successfully maneuvered their way through the NCAA transfer portal last year after taking over Bowling Green State University’s men’s basketball program.
The second time around might end up being a lot easier because of what the Falcons accomplished on the court during the 2023-24 campaign.
“Winning certainly helped. Last year at this time, me and the staff were held up in a rental while our families were away, and we’re just working 24 hours a day and just trying to sell the vision of Bowling Green basketball,” said Simon, who led BGSU to a sharp turnaround in his first year coaching the Falcons. “When you’re trying to sell something that maybe hasn’t happened yet, that’s a little difficult.
“Now, we’ve got something to say, we’re a successful program. You win 20 games, you can play in front of a lot of fans. So we have something now that’s more tangible, and the returns on that are already being seen.”
Moments after BGSU’s season-ending loss to Purdue University Fort Wayne in the CollegeInsiders.com Postseason Tournament on March 20, Simon said that work has “already started” regarding re-recruiting the players on his team, as well as checking out players in the transfer portal. The Falcons’ mentor has plenty of positives from the season that he can use when talking to players who could end up in northwest Ohio.
BGSU went 20-14 overall (10-8 Mid-American Conference), reached the league tournament semifinals for the first time since 2019, and made its first postseason appearance since 2021. The Falcons were one of only 10 teams in the country to go from 20 losses last season to 20 wins this season.
Since the Falcons’ season ended last week, at least four BGSU players have reportedly entered the transfer portal. Both of the team’s all-MAC honorees — junior guard Marcus Hill (first team, 20.5 points per game) and senior forward Rashaun Agee (second team, 13.3 points, 9.9 rebounds) are two of them, along with sophomore guard P.J. Edwards and freshman guard EJay Greer, both of whom showed bright spots off the bench this season.
“It’s a unique place to be as a strong mid-major conference because guys can transfer down and stay Division I, guys can transfer up and get poached by the poachers, and it’s OK. It’s no problem,” Simon said. “To be honest with you, I’m OK with all of it.
“We build a team, we enjoy it like crazy, you teach, we get them between the lines, and the ones that want to be at BG and get better will be here. The ones that have different opportunities, hat’s off to them. That’s how things are going to work, and I think if you fight it or get distressed by it, it’s kind of just negative energy.”
Several seniors will make the decision of whether to use their final year of eligibility, as well, meaning BGSU could have to replace nearly half of its roster. A year ago, Simon brought in 10 new players (nine transfers).
BGSU senior guard Da’Shawn Phillip, the lone player on the 2023-24 roster who was in his final year of eligibility, has confidence that Simon will be able to build a talented roster again for next season.
“We’ve got to keep it pushing,” Phillip said. “Coach Simon’s going to get the next batch of guys and returners ready to go for next year.”
For Simon, identifying things that worked and didn’t work during the season is also a focus of his at this point in the year as the Falcons aim to take another step forward next season.
“You’ve got to have some end of the season meetings with guys and kind of see where their head’s at, and it’s that time of year where we’ve got to start building next year’s roster and fill some deficiencies,” Simon said. “Obviously, we didn’t shoot it great this year. That’s going to be a big thing that we’ve got to address.
“We’ve got to continue to build depth, and we’ve got to get guys healthy, and we’ve got to be really, really good in the weight room. That’s an area we need to be stronger in and try to prevent some of these injuries. So you just kind of go through and say these are what we’re really good at.”
First Published March 27, 2024, 10:24 p.m.
