Prediction: BG gets #5 seed, hosts #12 Ball State

[BGSU33]

Two weeks ago BG looked almost like a lock to get a bye and FINALLY get back to Cleveland. Now, we're likely to be the odd team out of the five teams battle for the four byes. How important it one one of top two seeds??? You only have to win two games and you're in the NCAA Tournament. If you get the #3 or #4 seed, you need to win three games. For a team looking to get back to the NCAA Tiurnanent fir the first time in nearly 50 years, it's almost critical to get one of the four byes. But it looks like we're going have to do it the hard way and try and win four. Which has rarely been done.

As good as we've been on the road - and we've been great the last several weeks- I just don't see us beating Buffalo up there with all they have riding on this game as well. I look for Buffalo to be joined by CMU, Kent State and Toledo as the four who get byes to Cleveland. I expect one of those to win the MAC Tournament. Ball State has lost 15 consecutive games. That is not a typo....15....and it would seem like the perfect matchup for BG to have in the first round. But with the way we have been losing all these home games, coupled with what has happened to us the last several years in the first round of the MAC Tournament included games we hosted and lost, not even a matchup with Ball State would be easy. And let's not forget, they gave us a heck of a fight at home last month when we played them at the Stroh. If this season has taught us anything, it is that nothing comes easy and visiting teams sure seem to find their mark in the Stroh.

It'll be an interesting Friday to close out the season, but that's my prediction, BG will be the team to miss out on a bye and will have to get to Cleveland the hard way as the #5 seed and hosting Ball State. Any other predictions?

[AyZiggy97]

It would be hard to see a scenario where anyone in the MAC could go to Buffalo and win right now. That would relegate BG to the #5 seed, which is just as painful as it gets.

But, the current bracket with BG, Ball State, EMU, Miami, Toledo, and Central Michigan on one side is very doable. But the 2 extra games are really a hard life.

[jpfalcon09]

Funny how the hockey and men's basketball seasons have mirrored each other with both faltering down the stretch.

[TG1996]

Funny how the hockey and men's basketball seasons have mirrored each other with both faltering down the stretch.

And I would argue that both have played far beyond expectations for the first 3-4 months of the season. Taken in a vacuum, if you'd have asked me in September if I would take a nationally-ranked hockey team that is hosting in the first round of the WCHA tourney and most likely controls their own destiny for the NCAA on March 4 *and* a basketball team that would lose a 1 (or 4, if you want to pick nits about the three at the horn) point game to Kent State to win the MAC East and guarantee a top 4 (and maybe 2) seed in the MAC tourney... after the past decade, I'd have jumped all over it.

Yes, it's sick to come so close in some of these games and (possibly, but still maybe not) come up short, but even with the results of the past couple weeks, I'll keep waving the flag proudly. Things are moving the right direction.

But yeah, it's also fun to win the "I told you so" and "these guys are chokers" race on a message board, too.

[jpfalcon09]

Funny how the hockey and men's basketball seasons have mirrored each other with both faltering down the stretch.

And I would argue that both have played far beyond expectations for the first 3-4 months of the season. Taken in a vacuum, if you'd have asked me in September if I would take a nationally-ranked hockey team that is hosting in the first round of the WCHA tourney and most likely controls their own destiny for the NCAA on March 4 *and* a basketball team that would lose a 1 (or 4, if you want to pick nits about the three at the horn) point game to Kent State to win the MAC East and guarantee a top 4 (and maybe 2) seed in the MAC tourney... after the past decade, I'd have jumped all over it.

Yes, it's sick to come so close in some of these games and (possibly, but still maybe not) come up short, but even with the results of the past couple weeks, I'll keep waving the flag proudly. Things are moving the right direction.

But yeah, it's also fun to win the "I told you so" and "these guys are chokers" race on a message board, too.

I agree totally, this has been the best winter sports year for BGSU in quite a long time. Very exciting things ahead for both programs and as a non-hoops fan I'm extremely intrigued with what Jans will be able to do with his own recruits. His fire coupled with the effort on the court this year has definitely made me more interested in basketball than any other time in my life.

[TG1996]

Funny how the hockey and men's basketball seasons have mirrored each other with both faltering down the stretch.

And I would argue that both have played far beyond expectations for the first 3-4 months of the season. Taken in a vacuum, if you'd have asked me in September if I would take a nationally-ranked hockey team that is hosting in the first round of the WCHA tourney and most likely controls their own destiny for the NCAA on March 4 *and* a basketball team that would lose a 1 (or 4, if you want to pick nits about the three at the horn) point game to Kent State to win the MAC East and guarantee a top 4 (and maybe 2) seed in the MAC tourney... after the past decade, I'd have jumped all over it.

Yes, it's sick to come so close in some of these games and (possibly, but still maybe not) come up short, but even with the results of the past couple weeks, I'll keep waving the flag proudly. Things are moving the right direction.

But yeah, it's also fun to win the "I told you so" and "these guys are chokers" race on a message board, too.

I agree totally, this has been the best winter sports year for BGSU in quite a long time. Very exciting things ahead for both programs and as a non-hoops fan I'm extremely intrigued with what Jans will be able to do with his own recruits. His fire coupled with the effort on the court this year has definitely made me more interested in basketball than any other time in my life.

I'm hearing good things about this freshman shotblocker we're bringing in next year, "Hichaun Rolmes." Kind of a funny name, but he could be pretty good.

Was just thinking during the gut-twisting moments after last night's loss that it was actually kind of nice to feel that kind of pain again in March. Now let's stop with that, beat the Hurleys and get down to business!

[transfer2BGSU]

I'm hearing good things about this freshman shotblocker we're bringing in next year, "Hichaun Rolmes." Kind of a funny name, but he could be pretty good.

Was just thinking during the gut-twisting moments after last night's loss that it was actually kind of nice to feel that kind of pain again in March. Now let's stop with that, beat the Hurleys and get down to business!

Watching Jehvon fly off the court last night after hitting that three as the buzzer went off at halftime reminded me of someone.But who?

[HoopsFan]

Jamie Bosley?

[Falconfreak90]

BG will beat UB...we play better on the road. I don't think Akron will beat Kent but its a BiG rivalry so anything can happen. Root for WMU to beat CMU and EMU to beat tsun. We still have a chance for a bye. As crazy at this season has been, I wouldn't bet against it. I refuse to give up...

[TG1996]

I'm hearing good things about this freshman shotblocker we're bringing in next year, "Hichaun Rolmes." Kind of a funny name, but he could be pretty good.

Was just thinking during the gut-twisting moments after last night's loss that it was actually kind of nice to feel that kind of pain again in March. Now let's stop with that, beat the Hurleys and get down to business!

Watching Jehvon fly off the court last night after hitting that three as the buzzer went off at halftime reminded me of someone.But who?

Not sure. Is there a video that might jog your memory?

[TG1996]

BG will beat UB...we play better on the road. I don't think Akron will beat Kent but its a BiG rivalry so anything can happen. Root for WMU to beat CMU and EMU to beat tsun. We still have a chance for a bye. As crazy at this season has been, I wouldn't bet against it. I refuse to give up...

Cheer for a BG win and a UT loss? I can do that...

I was thinking heading into the Kent game that this season wouldn't surprise me for BG to lose at home to Kent and beat UB on the road.

Didn't we win a big game at UB a few years ago after going in as huge underdogs? Seems familiar, but all that really comes to mind is Buzzergate.

[transfer2BGSU]

I'm hearing good things about this freshman shotblocker we're bringing in next year, "Hichaun Rolmes." Kind of a funny name, but he could be pretty good.

Was just thinking during the gut-twisting moments after last night's loss that it was actually kind of nice to feel that kind of pain again in March. Now let's stop with that, beat the Hurleys and get down to business!

Watching Jehvon fly off the court last night after hitting that three as the buzzer went off at halftime reminded me of someone. But who?

Not sure. Is there a video that might jog your memory?

I SURE HOPE NOT!!!

Oh, about the shot? There just might be....

[MarkL]

With or without my orange glasses on, I like our chances at UB. It's going to be a tight game I think. UB is not winning in blowouts (except for blowing OU out of the water and many other teams are blowing OU out of the water), and we show toughness down the stretch. We have been playing far better on the road than at home and we took Kent down to the wire at home. I have a tendency to think this is going to be a tight, tight game and I think we can win.

Regardless ... this has been the best winter sports season in a long time and I think next year could be even better. Hockey has arrived. Men's basketball has arrived .... a year or so early. Women's basketball would have been far better had it not been for the injury plague. Next year could be monumental for winter sports. And possibly for more seasons than just winter seeing as football offense could be out of this world.

[Rollo83]

UB is reporting they will set an attendance record tonight with almost 7,000 people. The place reportedly only sits 6,100. They are selling standing room only tickets.

I think the environment is going to be crazy. Everything it should of been at our place the last three home games...

[AZZZZ]

I think the environment is going to be crazy. Everything it should of been at our place the last three home games...

Agree completely...I think 500-600+ students going nuts at a game can make a difference. Especially when it is a 1 point contest.