Conference Roundup and Preview

[jscottfitzwater]

Taking a look at everyone heading into MAC play. Does BG's recent surge mean anything?

http://macreportonline.com/index.php/20 ... -play.html

[Globetrotter]

Bowling Green
"The Falcons started out absolutely terribly, losing their first eight contests against Division-I opponents, including bottom-feeding Howard and Niagara. That was followed by a 4-1 stretch, highlighted by what was perhaps the conference's best win, a 67-61 decision at St. Louis Saturday. As one might expect with a Louis Orr squad, BG has been getting it done with defense. Since a Dec. 4 drubbing at Michigan State, the Falcons have only allowed a point per defensive possession once. Not coincidentally, that was a 72-69 loss to Milwaukee. If the offense had been even remotely productive against Western Kentucky (.731 points per offensive possession), they would have beaten the Hilltoppers. The defensive effort has produced a pair of performances that dipped below the .9 mark in the last three games.

St. Louis aside, the schedule hasn't been exactly impressive, but a win over the Billikens will give BG some confidence heading into the East gauntlet. They will need it, as computer models predict a winless initial run through the division. The offense has started to show some promise and looks quite balanced. In the last 8 games, the Falcons have had seven different leading scorers. Dee Brown has cut down on the three-point attempts, which is good because he's bad at it (28.9%). He is a good slasher, however, converting 48.5% of his attempts inside the arc.

Scott Thomas is a decent defender and rebounder, but he's a complete liability on the offensive side. He can pass and get to the line, but that's not a great thing because he's only 56.3% from there. From the field? He shoots 43.9% from two and 29.6% from three, a fact made worse by the fact he's made the most attempts on the team, - 17 more than Brown. Freshman Cameron Black is showing promise and should get more of an opportunity. Finally, what happened to Joe Jakubowski? He has always been a steady, if unspectacular, point guard and can shoot the long ball. Still, he's barely getting any run."

This is a shiny ball report....Whats happening right now in front of my face must always be true and the only thing happening..
Scott Thomas a liability on offense?
Dee Brown bad at threes?

Anyone who posts on this board could do a better job.

[JoeFalcon]

Does BG's recent surge mean anything?

The surge was not very popular initially when it was launched. It was seen as the last attempt to save a failing cause, but the current conventional wisdom is that it has been effective at stopping the bleeding and getting us back on the offensive. Debate rages on today about the best approach to take going forward.

[jscottfitzwater]

This is a shiny ball report....Whats happening right now in front of my face must always be true and the only thing happening..
Scott Thomas a liability on offense?
Dee Brown bad at threes?

I'll allow Brown may be just in a slump, as he was good at it last year (42%). But this year, he's struggled.

I'll stand by my statement on Thomas. I just don't see it, and from talking with other coaches, they don't, either. He shoots the ball a lot and makes little.

[factman]

.

[factman]

Are you a Toledo grad?

[jscottfitzwater]

Heh. No.

I do appreciate and enjoy the feedback, positive or negative. I spent the fall finishing my thesis and was sick for most of December, so I haven't gotten to watch as many games as in previous years. I'm feeling well now and am ready to dive into conference season.

[Globetrotter]

Liability is a strong word for someone who is 26th overall in scoring for the MAC and 9th in assists. I want more Offensive Liabilities.

[jscottfitzwater]

First, points per game is a terrible metric for assessing scoring.

Second, 26th in the conference isn't good.

[Hdog]

Scott Thomas IS a good scorer. 26th in the conference IS good considering there are roughly 170 kids on all the rosters jsf I think you are confusing good and great.

I love Scott Thomas' game...he flat out competes and isn't afraid of any situation on the basketball court. He is as the old timers say, a "gamer". I trust him with the ball in his hands during crunch time. He will either take a good open shot or get it to someone who can knock down a shot. I also love that he looks for contact and gets to the line. His foul shooting will improve during MAC play.

[Hdog]

Scott Thomas played 46 out of 50 minutes tonight at Buffalo and scored 19 points and gathered 11 rebounds and had several assists and steals. The guy can play. The free throws will come. So lay off the guy...

[jscottfitzwater]

Really good game from him tonight. Maybe I should criticize him more often?