Don’t even bother to look at the records of Bowling Green and Toledo. They are insignificant when it comes to this rivalry.
Both teams have bolstered superior teams over the years only to watch their weaker rival rattle them. Take the 1962-63 Falcons for instance. BG had some of its purest shooters of all-time in Howard Komives and rebounding giant Nate Thurmond. Yet the two future NBA stars were not enough to shatter the Rockets in the Glass City, losing 60-56. Later that season, the Falcons blew out Toledo with a lopsided 80-48 victory.
Skip ahead nearly 40 years, and you’ll find the two schools with diverse records. BG is eying its 20th win of the season and a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament. The Rockets were in the same predicament last season, but have sputtered in conference play this year with a 6-7 record.
No one is assuming that the Rockets are going to be a cake-walk, even after the Falcons put on a dominating performance in the first meeting. The Falcons were lead by senior Len Matela, who scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the January 19 contest the Falcons won 76-57. Matela was joined in double-figures by teammates Keith McLeod (15), Josh Almanson (14) and Brandon Pardon (10).
“We just couldn’t control Matela inside,” Toledo coach Stan Joplin said after the defeat. “We didn’t have an answer for him.”
BG has the momentum swinging their way, winnning five of their last six games, while Toledo is coming off a road loss to Ball State Saturday. However the Rockets have won the last two contests between the teams at Savage Hall.
This is a crucial week for the Falcons. With Ohio’s win over Marshall Saturday, BG needs a win to stay in sole position of second place in the MAC East Division and more importantly stay ahead of the pack for the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament. Whichever team gets that third seed will get a first-round bye in the Tournament
