There hasn’t been a better time to be a Bowling Green basketball fan.

Literally, there hasn’t.

When the men’s basketball team won Wednesday night’s game against Ball State they moved into sole possession of first place in the West division of the Mid-American Conference with a mark of 9-5, a spot they haven’t been in this late in the season since 2002, when they won the West.

On top of that, the women’s team sits alone atop their half of the MAC with a 10-2 mark.

That marks the first time since divisional play began that the two teams have held the top spot in their division this late in the season.

It’s taken quite a bit to get here.

The men have survived a Mid-American Conference in which any team any night can win. Tuesday night, MAC West cellar dweller Central Michigan knocked off former MAC West leader Western Michigan in a great example of how everyone is fair game.

But the Falcons have avoided that this season.

They’ve lost games to Western (5-0 at the time), Ball State (at the top before a four game losing streak), Ohio (currently in the MAC East race with an 8-6 mark), Akron (9-5 in the MAC East) and Toledo (come one, it’s Toledo).

Needless to say, the Falcons are one of the few teams in the MAC that hasn’t been upset and that is what has kept them afloat.

On top of this, they’ve pulled off some big wins, taking down Toledo and winning at Kent State — the only team to do so this season.

But winning the West is a goal that is far from being accomplished at this point. Four teams are within two games of the Falcons and have a chance to win the division.

Add in that span, the Falcons have another game at Western Michigan and a contest against Miami, who is currently sitting at No. 29 in the RPI rankings.

Needless to say, the Falcons hold their fate in their hands.

On the women’s side of things, the Falcons’ “young” team has put themselves in a solid position to make another run at the MAC title.

The women have four players averaging 9.9 points or better per game and each of them is an underclassman. For BGSU head coach Curt Miller, the best is yet to come.

But for now, I’m sure he’ll settle for his 10-2 mark in the conference.

The Falcons clawed their way to a 17-6 mark overall and have been in tournament atmospheres all season long. They started the season off in Columbus taking on No. 2 Ohio State. Their trip has taken them to “The Pit” to play New Mexico and several games in conference that have had a tournament-like atmosphere.

Making matters better for the Falcons — or worse depending on who you are — is the fact they have games against Eastern Michigan, Marshall and Toledo remaining on the schedule.

Marshall sits atop the MAC East division with a 10-2 mark while Toledo and Eastern Michigan are tied for second with 8-4 marks.

Much like the men, the women get to decide whether or not they are going to win their division.

There are 14 games down and four to go; and for each of the Bowling Green basketball teams, the future is up to them.