After missing the Mid-American Conference Tournament the past two seasons, changing head coaches after a disappointing 2022-2023 campaign, establishing a new program culture and virtually rebuilding the roster this season, the Bowling Green men’s basketball team (18-12, 9-8 MAC) is heading to Cleveland to compete for a conference championship for the first time since the 2020-2021 season.
The Falcons began the week with a chance to clinch a postseason berth with a win against Ohio on Friday.
However, BG was outscored by seven points in the second half and fell short in Athens, Ohio, falling to the Bobcats 66-59.
Both teams were similar in the offensive box score, as Bowling Green shot 41.3% (19-46) from the field, 27.3% (3-11) on three-pointers and 90% (18-20) on free throws, while Ohio shot 42.3% (22-52) from the field, 29.6% (8-27) from beyond the arc and 87.5% (14-16) from the charity stripe.
While BGSU outrebounded OU by seven boards, they also committed seven more turnovers, scored 11 fewer points off turnovers and had 15 fewer fast-break points than Ohio.
However, on Tuesday, the Falcons responded to their second straight loss by clinching a spot in the MAC Tournament with a 73-65 victory over Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
For the second straight game, both teams were very similar at first glance, as BG shot 46.7% (28-60) from the field, 29.4% (5-17) on three-pointers and 75% (12-16) on free throws, while WMU shot 43.1% (25-58) from the field, 28.6% (6-21) from beyond the arc and 69.2% (9-13) from the charity stripe.
But BG scored 16 more points in the paint, 13 more fast-break points and nine more points off turnovers than the Broncos.
Senior forward Rashaun Agee had another great week, tallying two more double-doubles. Agee has 16 double-doubles this season, the second most in the MAC and tied for the 10th most in the country.
The Chicago, Illinois, native led BG in scoring and rebounding in both games this week, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Bobcats and 17 points, 15 rebounds and four assists against the Broncos.
Over the two games, Agee shot 63.2% (12-19) from the field and 83.3% (10-12) on free throws. He is just two rebounds away from breaking into the top-10 list for most rebounds in a single season in program history.
Junior guard Marcus Hill had an uncharacteristic outing against Ohio. The Rockford, Illinois, finished with 12 points on just 5-13 shooting from the field, three rebounds, three steals, three personal fouls and six turnovers against the Bobcats.
However, Hill responded with a solid performance against Western Michigan, finishing with 13 points on 6-11 shooting from the field, six rebounds and a team-high five assists.
With 615 points this season, Hill has scored the seventh-most in a single season in program history.
Senior guard Trey Thomas tallied two double-digit scoring performances this week, adding 15 points against Ohio and 10 against Western Michigan.
Meanwhile, Jason Spurgin added two solid performances this week.
The Toowoomba, Australia, native finished with eight points, five rebounds and a team-high three assists against OU and 16 points and five rebounds against WMU.
Although the Orange and Brown have struggled down the stretch this year, losing five of their past seven and eight of their last 12 games, this season can still be chalked up as an overwhelming success.
Over the past two seasons, the Falcons went 24-38 overall and 11-27 in conference play, missing the MAC Tournament both years.
If you look at last season alone, the team went 11-20 overall, 5-13 in conference play, lost 10 of their last 11 games and went on a nine-game losing streak down the stretch, their longest since the 1971-1972 season.
When head coach Todd Simon took over the program, he overhauled the roster, adding 10 new players, and rebuilt the program’s culture.
While everyone always wants to win a conference championship and go dancing in the madness in March, Simon had one clear goal and expectation in mind for this team.
“I think making the MAC Tournament needs to be something we do every year in, year out, and this team certainly has that expectation,” he said before the start of the season.
Although this team will not raise a regular-season banner, reach 20 wins or be the favorites in Cleveland, they have rebuilt their culture and reached their goal of going to the MAC Tournament, which has been the measuring stick for this team all season long.
While all eyes on the outside may be on the conference tournament, the Falcons still have one regular-season game remaining.
On Friday, the Orange and Brown will return to the Stroh Center for the final time this season to battle Ball State, who is still fighting for a spot in the MAC Tournament. Tip-off between the Falcons and Cardinals is set for 7 p.m.
