Bowling Green Falcons @ Ohio Bobcats: Preview, How to Watch, Listen, Stream

The Ohio University Bobcats come into the game in good position to get a top 4 seed, and a bye in the MAC tournament. The Bowling Green Falcons are 2 games out of 4th place. Every game is must win for the Falcons at this point if that’s the goal. They might be able to manage with 1 loss, but with Akron up next, they’ll likely need this one.

Game Details

When: Saturday, February 18th, 2 p.m.

Where: Convocation Center, Athens, Ohio

Watch: ESPN3 or stream at WatchESPN

Listen: WFRO Eagle 99 in Bowling Green/ IMG Ohio Sports Radio Network @ohiobobcats.com

Scouting the Falcons

The Falcons are 11-15 overall, and 5-8 in the MAC.

Bowling Green is one of only 3 teams in the MAC that have a negative scoring margin, at minus 2.3 points a game. That stat is a little misleading, because Bowling Green has been inconsistent this season. A scrappy, if not particularly tall, team that can get after it.

What’s not misleading is that they are dead last in the MAC in field goal and free throw percentage. Their Achilles heal all season has been their inability to get the ball in the basket. In basketball, there is always a tendency to not play as well overall when the shots aren’t dropping. However, when Bowling Green does get hot, they are a competitive team.

Scouting the Bobcats

The Bobcats are 16-8 overall and 8-5 in the MAC.

The main reason the Bobcats were able to overcome losing Antonio Campbell is their defense. They are second in the MAC in overall defense, and number 1 in field goal percentage defense.

Offensively, the Bobcats lead the conference in three point shooting percentage, and still have a variety of weapons. Last time against the Falcons, they hit 18 threes.

Players to Watch

Jaaron Simmons, Bobcats: The 6’1 junior from Dayton is 4th in the country in assists per game, at 6.9. Simmons sets up everything the Bobcats try to do on offense.

Jordan Dartis, Bobcats: The sophomore is averaging 21 points per game over his last three contests.

Dylan Frye, Falcons: Frye is averaging 14.6 points over his last three games. Scoring is the Falcons main problem, and a boost from the freshman can really help this team.

Demajeo Wiggins, Falcons: Still raw, Wiggins has all the potential in the world.

Keys to the Contest

The Falcon’s weakness is going against Ohio’s strength. They are going to have to figure out a way to score, possibly with Wiggins taking advantage of Campbell being out in the middle.

Ohio needs to avoid a letdown. After smashing the Falcons in their place, motivation might be an issue.

Predictions

I just don’t see the Falcons being able to score enough points in this one. Bobcats win this one, 85-72.