Bulls open MAC play against Bowling Green on Saturday night

SCOUTING REPORT

2010-11 Record: 5-9

2009-10 Record: 14-16 (6-10 Mid-American Conference)

All-Time Series: BGSU leads 14-7

Last Season: Bulls swept season series (68-65, 64-51)

Game Notes:

BULLS:

• Shot 50 percent or better in each of the last four games
• Rank 24th in the nation in field goal percentage (48.8)
• Freshman forward Javon McCrea leads the MAC in field goal percentage (68.9)
• Junior forward Mitchell Watt is now fifth all time on the career blocks list with 79
• Senior guard Byron Mulkey is second in the nation with 41 steals
• With 3.6 3-pointers per game, junior guard Zach Filzen ranks second in the nation

FALCONS:

• Has won four of its last five games, shooting 50.7 percent during that stretch
• Are 0-4 this season in games decided by five points or less
• Senior guard Joe Jakubowski has made eight of his last 11 three-point attempts and leads BGSU in three-point percentage on the year (.429)
• Junior guard Dee Brown won MAC East Player of the Week honors on Monday (1/03) for the second time in his career.
• Leads the MAC and is ranked 10th in the nation in steals (10.1 per game)

Players to Watch:
SCOTT THOMAS (Jr. Forward)

Thomas is the do-everything guy for the Falcons. He currently leads the team in virtually every category including assists (3.6 per game) at the forward position. He is second on the team in scoring (9.6) after leading the team a season ago, but the production from every part of his game is what makes Thomas such a scary advisory.

He can make shots from anywhere on the court and he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Junior forward Dave Barnett will have his hands full with Thomas and he will need the rest of his teammates to help contain the veteran on Saturday night. Thomas scored 21 points in each matchup with the Bulls a year ago so you can bet head coach Reggie Witherspoon will highlight the importance of containing him in this game.

DEE BROWN (Jr. Guard)

It’s been a coming out party for Brown so far this season and he is really proving to be a viable leader for the Falcons. The 6-foot-3-inch shooting guard has really caught fire recently and has been a catalyst for the turnaround for BGSU. In his teams 67-61 victory of St. Louis, Brown led the Falcons with 21 points and is really starting to come into his own as the number one scoring option for BGSU.

Brown has improved his free throw shooting this season and is shooting 72 percent from the line. Brown’s ability to get to the line will be something to watch in the game as the Falcons will need to manufacture points wherever they can.

CAMERON BLACK (Fr. Center)

Much like McCrea for the Bulls, Black has surprised most with his strong play so far this season. He is the only Falcon to start every game for Bowling Green head coach Louis Orr and he’s been a key contributor. He is averaging 6.7 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game while leading the team in blocked shots.

This game will be a true test for Black as he goes up against the deepest frontcourt in the MAC. Watt will most likely battle Black early on and expect McCrea and the 6-foot-10-inch freshman to hook up at some point in the game as well. The play of Black could be the difference between a win and a loss for the Falcons.

Getting to know Bowling Green:

The Falcons have been exactly what most people thought they’d be so far this season. They haven’t really played many tough games and none of their five victories would really be considered a quality win.

BGSU’s road win against St. Louis was their first of the season and they’ll follow that up by heading to Buffalo where the Bulls have proved to be almost unbeatable this season at Alumni Arena.

Senior point guard Joe Jakubowski has been playing better of late but his assists and points per game are down this season. He struggled against the Bulls this season and his matchup against Mulkey will present an even bigger challenge this time around.

The Falcons do have a bit of depth with junior Torian Oglesby and sophomore’s Jordon Crawford and A’uston Calhoun. Calhoun and Crawford both contribute on the offensive end of the floor with 9.1 and 7.1 points per game, respectively. Crawford averages 2.8 assists per game off the bench and Calhoun is second on the team with 4.2 rebounds per game. Oglesby is a defensive specialist and really gives the Falcons a spark off the bench.

Keys to Game:

Senior point guard Byron Mulkey will be the difference against the Falcons on Saturday night.

BUFFALO

Has to win the battle down low. In the Falcons last game, they didn’t make a single three-point basket in their win over St. Louis.

If the Bulls play its signature style, in-your-face defense, they should be able to take the air right out of the Falcons attack early.

Mulkey must be a factor. He has to force the Falcons guards into turnovers and keep his team focused throughout all 40 minutes. The Falcons may not be the toughest team but every team in the MAC will be difficult to beat in conference play.

BOWLING GREEN

Must shoot the lights out. The Falcons aren’t the best shooting team in the MAC but they have to find a way to make shots against a tough Bulls defense.

The play of the bench will be huge in this game because the Bulls usually get strong contributions from theirs.

Zach Filzen will guard Brown and this is a potential matchup that Orr and his staff will look to take advantage of. Filzen showed some signs of improvement on the defensive end early on but has taken a few steps back in recent games.

If the Bulls shut down either Thomas or Brown completely it will be a tough game for the Falcons.

Prediction:

I think this game will be close early but the Bulls are playing too well for the Falcons to pull off n upset.

Aside from the game against BYU, Mulkey doesn’t let his team lose at home. He didn’t like how it tasted after Jimmer Fredette came in and lit the house on fire so look for him to go for the jugular early against the Falcons.

Interested to see how McCrea plays in his first taste of MAC play and the rest of the youngsters as well.

Look for this one to be competitive until the Bulls run away in the second half.

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MATTHEW PARRINO
Senior Sports Editor