Bowling Green’s men’s basketball preview vs Niagara: Bowling Green looking for bounce-back win after loss at Michigan State
After a one-game road trip, Bowling Green returns to the Stroh Center, now with a 1-3 record on the season. The Falcons will take on the Niagara Purple Eagles on Tuesday, Nov. 19, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Tyler Kavalecz and Sam Morris will have the call on Falcon Radio, with pregame at 6:45.
Matchup History
BG’s all-time record vs Niagara stands at 3-6, with their last matchup in 2011 — a 65-61 loss in Detroit, Michigan.
Bowling Green has lost four straight games to Niagara, dating all the way back to 1968.
Scouting Bowling Green
Bowling Green’s record currently stands at 1-3 on the season, and they are second to last in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings.
The Falcons return to the Stroh Center after an 86-72 loss to Michigan State this past weekend. The Falcons were scoreless for 7 minutes and 11 seconds to close out the game, allowing the Spartans to end on an 18-0 run.
However, it wasn’t all bad for the Orange and Brown at the Breslin Center, as they scored 40 points in the paint, led for 24:30 (most of the game) and even held multiple double-digit leads against MSU.
Senior forward Marcus Johnson scored 23 points against the Spartans, capturing the hearts of social media, with clips of his game going viral on X. Johnson drew comparisons to Magic Johnson, Nikola Jokic and Popeye Jones from legendary Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo postgame.
Statistically, Bowling Green is averaging 83 points per game, tied for first place in total scoring with Toledo while shooting 47.8% from the field and 38.7% from three.
Defensively, the Falcons are holding opponents to just a 22.4% three-point percentage, the seventh-best mark in the country.
Scouting Niagara
Niagara enters the Stroh Center sporting a record of 1-2 and currently rests in first place in the Metro Atlantic Alliance Conference (MAAC).
After a 100-65 victory against Houghton to open the season, Niagara has dropped two straight to Michigan State and Detroit Mercy.
Unlike the Falcons game against MSU, Niagara’s was not competitive, losing handily to the Spartans.
Heading into the Stroh, the Purple Eagles are 0-2 on the road.
On the season, the Purple Eagles are averaging 79.3 points, 31.3 rebounds and 15.3 assists per game.
While Niagara shoots an impressive 46.1% from the field, they also shot a less than impressive 66.1% from the free throw line as a team.
The Purple Eagles make 11.3 three-pointers per game, the 25th-best mark in the nation.
However, Niagara’s defense has struggled mightily to open the season, allowing 81.7 points per game, the second most in the MAAC.
Falcon Four players to watch
Marcus Johnson (Bowling Green #6)
The 6-foot-7-inch, 265-pound senior forward has been far and away the most exciting player to watch for Bowling Green this season.
Johnson is averaging a team-best 18.8 points per game on 46.6% shooting to begin the season.
Javontae Campbell (Bowling Green #2)
Campbell has been the number two scorer for Bowling Green in the first three games of the season, averaging 17.5 points.
Campbell is a force defensively as well, averaging three steals per game.
The 6-foot-5-inch senior forward from Alberta, Canada, is averaging a team-high 16.5 points per game and shooting 48.5% from the field.
Adelodun scored 20 points in the 84-78 overtime loss to Detroit Mercy.
Jahari Williamson (Niagara #11)
Williamson is the second-leading scorer for the Purple Eagles, averaging 11.7 points per game.
Williamson is coming off a struggling performance where he only scored seven points against Detroit Mercy.
