The Toledo Rockets host the Bowling Green Falcons in the MAC tournament. March Madness with a heated rivalry mixed in. Awesome. The last time these two teams played, it was a double overtime thriller in which the Falcons got the win on their home court. In their first meeting this season, the Rockets won by twelve.

The winner of this game goes on to face the number 2 seed, the Ohio University Bobcats, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Game Details

When: Monday, March 6th, at 8 p.m.

Where: Savage Arena, Toledo, Ohio

Watch: ESPN3 or via stream at the WatchESPN app

Listen: WFRO Eagle 99 in Bowling Green or stream at utrockets.com

Line: Toledo -9

Scouting the Falcons

Bowling Green is a small team that doesn’t shoot the ball very well. They are dead last in the conference in free throw percentage, and second to last in field goal percentage.

If they are in the game, it’s probably because they are hitting from outside.

The good news, if you are a Falcons fan, is that they are extremely scrappy and competitive. If they are in the game late, they usually find a way to close it out. They have won both their overtime contests this season, and knocked off number 1 seed Akron, 66-65.

Scouting the Rockets

The Rockets are second in the MAC in scoring offense, and second from the bottom in scoring defense.

They are a middle of the road rebounding team statistically, finishing the season 6th in the MAC.

Their offense consists of Steve Taylor Jr. working down low, or Jonathan Williams slashing to the basket. Both are very good at it. They also have several players on the perimeter that can fill it up when they get hot.

Players to Watch

Jonathan Williams, Toledo: One of the most explosive players in the MAC, Williams is also one of the more consistent scorers. He has scored in double digits in every game but one this seasons, and is averaging 19.7 on the season.

Steve Taylor Jr., Toledo: A versatile big man that is an excellent passer. He third in the country in rebounds, at 12.5 per contest.

Zack Denny, Bowling Green: The 6’5 senior is the Falcons leading scorer, at 12.9 points per game, and is second on the team in rebounding, with 5.1 per contest.

Demajeo Wiggins, Bowling Green: The sophomore from Toledo has one of the highest ceilings in the MAC. He has been slumping a bit as of late, but had good games the both times he faced the Rockets this year.

Keys to the Game

Bowling Green needs to get turnovers on defense and convert them to easy buckets at their end of the floor.

For the Rockets, it’s all about doing the best they can on defense. They gave up 104 in the loss to the Falcons. I fully expect them to be able to score. The Falcons haven’t been able to keep them under 80 this season.

Prediction

The Rockets will prevail on their home court, 80-70.