@ Akron (3/5)

[mbenecke]

Tuesday night at the JAR sees our BG men's basketball team taking on Akron (15-14, 7-9 MAC) at 7:00pm. The game is available for stream on ESPN+.

BG came out on top in the first meeting here at the Stroh 2 weeks ago, 73-69, so Akron will be looking for some payback in this game. Having already officially clinched a first-round bye straight to Cleveland, BG is now playing for seeding position. Currently sitting in 2nd place in the MAC, BG needs to win this game to keep the pace for the regular season MAC championship and the #1 overall seed in the MAC tournament. It's possible, but we're gonna need some help. First thing's first, though - have to control what we can control and win some ballgames.

We have to get the job done, getting to win #21 overall and win #13 (most since 1999-2000) in MAC play.

It's March, folks. Go Falcons!

[mbenecke]

I decided to purchase ESPN+ so that I can actively participate in the discussion tonight and all throughout the MAC tournament run. Let's go, Falcons!

[Matty B]

Ugh, we get Michael Reghi and his hair plugs calling the game. Over under first media timeout until I mute.

[mbenecke]

First 2 possessions go to Wiggins. First ends in a travel, 2nd ends in a forced layup that doesn't even hit the rim.

Not a great start.

[mbenecke]

Started off down 6-0, then turned around and went on a 13-1 run.

Timeout Akron. BG leads 13-7. 15:30 left in the first half.

[mbenecke]

3rd possession that works through Wiggins, he gets to the free throw line and misses them both.

[mbenecke]

We miss a lot of layups, and we don't defend the perimeter nearly well enough. That's something I've noticed in every game this year.

Akron is on a 10-0 run, and they lead 17-13.

Hopefully that's the only scoreless stretch tonight.

[mbenecke]

Sierra and Laster have scored our last 9 points. I can't say enough about how good those guys have been for this program, and I'm happy that they'll be next year.

BG and Akron pretty much traded buckets during that stretch, and Akron leads 27-20 with less than 8 left in the first half. Defense needs to get it tightened up, though I'll admit Akron has had some insanely lucky bounces on threes so far in this game.

[Matty B]

Akron has banked in a 3, had one go off the rim, off the top of the board and in, and 2 more NBA 3s.

Worse yet, just like the OU and Miami games, every time the opponent throws in a bad shot, we seem to have the need to attempt a worse one on the next possession.

[mbenecke]

Akron has banked in a 3, had one go off the rim, off the top of the board and in, and 2 more NBA 3s.

Worse yet, just like the OU and Miami games, every time the opponent throws in a bad shot, we seem to have the need to attempt a worse one on the next possession.

This is super true.

They're 6/10 from deep to start this one.

[mbenecke]

Dylan can't find the bottom of the bucket. Hoping he figures it out soon.

[mbenecke]

Under 4, Akron leads 33-26. Wiggins to the line for an important 2 after the media timeout.

Need to start playing harder defensively. We're a step slow, and we're taking bad fouls because of it. If we get stops, our offense runs a lot better - we just gotta do it.

Side note: we haven't won at Akron since March 1, 2009 - that's 10 years and 4 days ago.

Time to finish the first half strong and get some momentum for the rest of the game.

[hammb]

Ugh, we get Michael Reghi and his hair plugs calling the game. Over under first media timeout until I mute.

How do people not like Reghi?

He's the only decent announcer on the ESPN+/3 MAC circuit.

And he genuinely knows the MAC players and history. Yeah he's an Akron Homer now that he's on their call, but he's still a damned good announcer. Probably the best the MAC has ever had

[mbenecke]

Wiggins missed both, again.

[hammb]

Wiggins missed both, again.

Couple huge buckets by Turner