The first month of BGSU men’s basketball is in the books. The Falcons are hitting their stride as a team with a full, healthy roster of players. One player that has found his footing early is and that would be senior guard Justin Thomas.
The guard has been a glue guy for the Falcons. Leading the Orange and Brown in assists with 29 and second in rebounds, steals, blocks and minutes.
Playing 30.2 minutes per game, Thomas has held a key role in the team’s early success this season. Even though he is getting plenty of playing time, Thomas only averages 5.1 points per game, but has plenty of other places on the court where he excels.
In the biggest win of the season, the Falcons took down Kansas State 82-66. Thomas got 35 minutes of playing time, second on the team behind Javon Ruffin with 37, adding six points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Every team needs a player to go out there and be willing to do everything on the court, and that is exactly what Thomas provides, especially when it comes to assists.
“I’m a pretty big guard, and a lot of times when I go down to the paint, people just collapse. So, I just love to kick to anybody open, try to see over the defense, just try to give my teammates their shots,” Thomas said.
“Plays the one point guard and always gets guys a shot. He can get deep in the paint and score when he needs to. He’s a very good defender, and you saw those full-court passes; he is a very smart player.”
It’s not just the offense that Thomas brings to the Falcons, but his defensive identity and intensity.
“Just simply defense wins championships, I feel like it generates our offense. We can’t let our offense dictate the defense, and it just takes over the game,” Thomas said.
As the season continues and the Falcons continue to push towards a Mid-American Conference championship, having a player who can do everything on the court can provide an essential role down the line.
Thomas and the Falcons are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 6, as they play host to the Utah Valley Wolverines. Falcon Media Sports Networks, Foster Roesti, and Dawson Pelter will have the live radio broadcast. The tip-off is set to begin at 1 p.m., and the pregame show starts at 12:30 on Falcon Radio.
