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The Falcons will be in action for the first time this season at Saturday's exhibition. Some key points from the most recent press conference:

- BG has 12 on the roster but will likely be playing 10 on Saturday. Freshman Leah Bolton has not been at practice; she tore her meniscus in an early practice and had successful surgery. She is in rehab now but has not yet practice - timeline is indefinite. Freshman Kennedy Kirkpatrick just returned to practice after a torn muscle and may not play Saturday.
- Transfer Erica Donovan will see her first time as a Falcon. Roos says Donovan can play inside and outside - a versatile player.
- Katrina Salinas will play the 2 this year; according to Roos, she hasn't even done reps at the point. I'm looking forward to seeing Salinas in more of a scoring role.
- Jillian Halfhill and freshman Rachel Konieczki will be handling the point.
- Jasmine Matthews should finally be back. Her stress fracture took a very long time to heal and required a great deal of rehab.
- There have been several rule changes (very strict handcheck rules, very strict contact rules, 10 second backcourt). Expect a lot of fouls for the first several games. The aim of the changes is "freedom of movement"... effectively trying to increase scoring in the women's game by trying to cut down on player contact. Also expect more zone from the Roos staff
- Roos is excited about the versatility and depth of this team, especially considering the rules changes; players may get in foul trouble very fast until they adjust to the new rules, so depth is important.
- And random fact, new uniforms this year. They're the same design as the black uniforms last year - block "Bowling Green" with the number below.
- And on that note, anyone know if they're bringing back the "garage sale" this year? I'd love to pick up a jersey.

My projected Falcon lineup:
G: Halfhill/Konieczki
G: Salinas/Matthews/Hoekstra
F: Donovan/Justinger/[Kirkpatrick)]
F: Rogers/(Donovan)/[Bolton]
C: Stein/Siefker


Looking forward to seeing what this team can do this year! Go Falcons

ccollin13 wrote:
- There have been several rule changes (very strict handcheck rules, very strict contact rules, 10 second backcourt). Expect a lot of fouls for the first several games. T

This has been a point of emphasis for referees in college and high school ball for the past couple years. They want us to really crack down on the hand-checks all over the place. Anything that restricts the movement of an opponent with contact is a foul by the rulebook. It hasn't really been enforced over all levels of the sport.

I never understood why college women didn't have a 10 second backcourt rule, but I guess now it's there.

Anyway, GO FALCONS and ROLL ALONG to another great season!!!

musicman2343 wrote:

ccollin13 wrote:
- There have been several rule changes (very strict handcheck rules, very strict contact rules, 10 second backcourt). Expect a lot of fouls for the first several games. T

This has been a point of emphasis for referees in college and high school ball for the past couple years. They want us to really crack down on the hand-checks all over the place. Anything that restricts the movement of an opponent with contact is a foul by the rulebook. It hasn't really been enforced over all levels of the sport.

I never understood why college women didn't have a 10 second backcourt rule, but I guess now it's there.

Anyway, GO FALCONS and ROLL ALONG to another great season!!!

Yeah, I'm personally glad they're emphasizing contact fouls. Especially after the way Brittney Griner got mauled by Lousiville last year in the tournament, which gave L'ville the win. But I'm not still bitter

If they're cracking down on handchecks and physical play...should CMU still be picked to win the west?

Any observations of those attending this exhibition? Boxscore looks good but that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Starting line-up was Halfhill, Justinger, Donovan, Rogers and Stein. Erica Donavan scored the first 7 points for BG. I think Erica Donovan will be an impact player in the MAC. Runs the court well, has a 3 point shot and drives to the basket. Really balanced scoring. There were times when Alexis Rogers brought the ball down court on the fast break. We shot the ball well, but of course we were playing a DII team. We probably won't get as many open looks against better competition. Rebounding is a little bit of a concern, we got outrebounded by a smaller team. But I'm sure the coaching staff will fix that. We do have nice depth, a lot of interchangeable parts. Katrina Salinas did play at the off guard position. She showed a lot of range and shooting ability. Kennedy Kirkpatrick did play some. She looked smooth and has a good shooting stroke. Leah Bolton is still out but hopes to begin practicing in about 2 weeks. Overall the coaching staff was pleased. I am looking forward to seeing how they do against Michigan on Friday.

Flipper wrote:If they're cracking down on handchecks and physical play...should CMU still be picked to win the west?

Hah! CMU's "hand checking" always looked more like outright molestation to me.