Last season, BGSU men’s basketball lost their first two games and five of their first seven contests of the year, foreshadowing the rough campaign.
However, the start of this season has been much brighter, with the Falcons starting 3-0 for the first time in 11 years and just the second time since 1999.
The Falcons have been downright dominant to begin the year, outscoring opponents 286-173. BG has scored at least 83 points every game and has not allowed more than 65 points so far.
BGSU’s scoring margin of 37 points paces the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and is the 12th-best mark in the country.
“Proud of this group. They practice hard every day; we really haven’t had any bad days. They’re very tight-knit, they support each other and lift each other up,” head coach Todd Simon said. “The little things are what excite me about this group. We’re able to pull a full 40 minutes. It’s really, really hard to defeat Division I teams by two possessions, three possessions, four possessions; that’s really, really hard to do. I just thought our depth and team unity is able to kind of really show itself over a 40-minute game.”
Bowling Green has already set a program record, tallying 27 steals against Bethany College, shattering the previous mark of 22.
All of the success has been led by the team’s stifling defense.
“It’s rewarding, and the way that we’re doing it, we’re a team that’s going to get stops. We’re gritty, and we’re forcing shot clock violations and five-second violations, getting 20-plus deflections, 24 steals; we want to make it tough day every time you step on the floor against us,” Simon said.
The Falcons lead the nation with 25.0 turnovers forced and 17.3 steals per game.
Leading the charge on defense has been senior guard Javontae Campbell, a preseason First Team All-MAC selection.
Campbell has been one of the best players in the country in the young season, leading the nation with 17 steals. He is averaging a steal every five minutes played on the court.
“We’re so fortunate he’s here. He’s everything that’s good about Bowling Green and basketball. He wanted to be here, chose to be here and sacrificed to stay here,” Simon said. “He’s just a great human being who just happens to be an absolute fierce competitor. So, when that light comes on, he’s a different gear, and at some point, people will just stay away from him.”
Bowling Green’s depth has also been elite, with the Falcons scoring 41.0 bench points per game through the first three contests, the 30th-best mark in the country.
There are currently four Falcons averaging double-digit points. Campbell and sophomore guard Josiah Shackelford lead the way with 20.7 and 13.0 points per game, respectively.
However, junior forward Mayar Wol and Javon Ruffin are averaging double figures off the bench, scoring 13.0 and 11.7 points per game, respectively.
The only knock on the Falcons early in the season is a legitimate point, as the Orange and Brown have not been tested with a high-level opponent through the first three games.
Bowling Green’s wins have come against Texas State, Bethany College and Le Moyne, who went a combined 32-57 last season. Additionally, Bethany is a Division II school, and Le Moyne is only in its third year at the Division I level.
But it is a very good sign that the Falcons have taken care of business in games they should be dominating. It should also not be forgotten that BG fell to Michigan State, the No. 22 team in the country, by just nine points in the preseason, albeit in an exhibition.
Simon and the Falcons will seek to stay focused and not let the fast start result in the team becoming complacent.
“We’re 0-0 after every game, and you don’t get any points for the last one, and you don’t get any points for the next one. We’ve got to win this next four minutes that we play, recalibrate and all that good stuff,” Simon said.
Next, Bowling Green will head on the road for the first time this season, traveling to North Carolina to battle Davidson on Saturday at 6 p.m.
