Although BGSU men’s basketball is not even halfway through the 2024-25 season in terms of games played, the Falcons have reached the true beginning of their season — conference play.
While non-conference play matters for teams in Power 4 conferences, with results affecting poll rankings or seeding for the NCAA Tournament, non-conference play serves as a warm-up and testing period for teams in conferences such as the Mid-American Conference (MAC), who only receive one bid to March Madness.
However, BGSU’s results in non-conference play were not what the Falcons had hoped for. After finishing last season 10-4 in non-conference play in the first season under head coach Todd Simon (the best record in the MAC), Bowling Green sits at just 5-7 heading into the new year.
Inconsistency has been one of the major weaknesses for the Orange and Brown. While they sit just two games under .500, the Falcons have won back-to-back contests just one time this year, limiting the team from gaining any sort of momentum.
BG’s performances in their wins compared to their losses are pretty jarring.
In wins, Bowling Green’s offense averages 86.6 points per game, 50.2% shooting from the field, 38.3% from deep and 38.6 rebounds per game. However, in losses, the Falcon’s offense averages just 72.6 points per game, 42.9% shooting from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 30.1 rebounds per contest.
The Orange and Brown’s defensive performances have also been extremely inconsistent.
In victories, the Falcon’s defense holds opponents to 62.8 points per game, 36.8% shooting from the floor and 28.1% on three-pointers. However, in losses, BG’s defense allows 83.6 points per game, 50% shooting from the floor and 34.1% from three-point range.
Injuries have also been a major setback for the Falcons.
Junior forward Youssef Khayat and senior forward Sam Towns have combined to play just 12 games and are currently both out indefinitely with lower body injuries. Senior guard DaJion Humphrey, who has not played since Nov. 19 against Niagara, is also out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury.
Meanwhile, Greg Spurgin, who recently returned and has played just two games this season, missed significant time with a leg injury.
Additionally, Sophomore guard Braelon Green recently left the St. Thomas game with an injury; his status is currently unknown.
Overall, the Falcons have been unlucky with injuries.
“Hopefully, we got the calvary coming at some point here with some of the other guys, and that’ll really help give us some depth and some length. It’s been tricky because the injuries have been at kind of the similar positions, so we’re kind of playing guys out of their natural position,” Simon said. “We look forward to kind of getting guys back in their natural roles. But they’re doing what’s asked, and they’re stepping up and just try to find a way.”
However, there have been bright spots up to this point in the season.
Two of the major highlights for the Falcons have been the performances of senior forward Marcus Johnson and junior guard Javontae Campbell.
Johnson currently leads the MAC with 17.3 points per game. He also ranks second in the conference with 94.3% shooting on free throws, fifth with 30 three-pointers made and ninth with 40.5% shooting from beyond the arc.
Campbell has also been electric for the Orange and Brown, recently recording the first triple-double by a Falcon since 2007.
Campbell leads the MAC and ranks third in the nation with 41 steals. He also ranks third in the conference with 68 field goals made, fifth with 15.8 points per game, seventh with 52.7% shooting from the field and 10th with 36 assists.
Overall, BGSU’s shooting has been much improved this season.
Last year, it was the biggest weakness for Bowling Green, as they shot just 43.1% from the field, 29.6% on three-pointers and 71.5% on free throws.
However, this season they are shooting 46% from the floor, 35.5% from beyond the arc and a MAC-best 80.2% from the charity stripe.
While the season has had bright spots, it has been an underwhelming start for a team with its eyes set on a MAC Tournament championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1968.
The Falcons will begin conference play at home against the Akron Zips, the reigning MAC champions, on Friday at 6 p.m. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Tyler Kavalecz and Artie Abrego will have the call on Falcon Radio, beginning at 5:45 p.m. for pregame.