Bowling Green’s trip to Athens to battle Ohio tomorrow loses a portion of its drama because it will have no effect in seeding for the Mid-American Conference Tournament for BG.

The Falcons plan on treating the game like every other, though, using their hard play and attitude that have helped them accomplish their second 20-win season in the last three years.

“The Ohio game doesn’t have significance in terms of the conference,” BG coach Dan Dakich said. “It has significance in terms of what our goals are and what we are trying to accomplish. The fact that Bowling Green basketball is playing a game means we want to play well.”

Ohio’s 69-68 loss to Toledo eliminated the Bobcats’ chances of getting a first-round bye in the tournament. OU is fighting with Toledo for the No. 4 seed, so the game still holds vital importance for the Bobcats. Even in BG’s case, though, it would be good to go in the tournament with a four-game winning streak.

“You don’t want to slip anywhere at any time,” Dakich said. “So we’re going to come into tomorrow and be ready for that game.” Combined with Ball State’s 69-68 loss to Northern Illinois Wednesday night, BG’s stock is once again rising for an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament.

According to Dan Wetzel of CBSSportsline.com, “As Ball State falls, BG stock rises as the second MAC team that is an at-large possibility. The Falcons have quietly had an exceptional season, 22-6, 12-5 after drilling Buffalo 73-58. After a rough overtime loss two weeks ago to Toledo, Dan Dakich’s team has won three consecutive by an average of 20.”

In their meeting earlier this month at Anderson Arena, the Falcons routed Ohio by a score of 80-64, led by BG center Len Matela’s 25 points. Matela controlled the inside, going 10 of 11 from the floor.

Another big key was BG guard Keith McLeod’s defensive performance on Ohio’s Steve Esterkamp, who averages almost 14 points per game. McLeod held Esterkamp to only six points.

Crawford healing

Falcon freshman Erik Crawford went down to the ground wincing in pain in the first half of the Buffalo game. Crawford, who suffered a high ankle sprain against Toledo over a week ago, reaggravated the injury against the Bulls.

“He could have played the second half, but Chad (BG trainer) told me, ‘Don’t play him if you don’t have to,’ ” Dakich said. “He got hurt against Toledo, and it hasn’t totally healed for him yet.”