Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Basketball Opens Season at NABC Classic
November 04, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 4, 2005
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NABC Classic, Nov. 10-13, Virginia Tech University BGSU (18-11 in 04-05) vs. W. Carolina (8-22 in 04-05), Nov. 10, 9 p.m. BGSU vs. Virginia Tech (16-14 in 04-05), Nov. 12, 1 p.m. BGSU vs. Radford (12-16 in 04-05), Nov. 13, 1 p.m. Cassell Coliseum (9,847) - Blacksburg, Virginia Radio: BGSU Radio Network Series Record: Tied 1-1 with Virginia Tech. This will be first meeting with Radford and Western Carolina.
FALCONS OPEN 05-06 SEASON
The BGSU men's basketball team opens its ninth season under head coach Dan Dakich at the NABC Classic in Blacksburg, Va. The Falcons are 5-3 in season openers since the 1997-98 season, but are 2-0 whenever the season begins at a tournament during that span. BGSU also opened the 1999-00 season at the Nextell Challenge in Hawaii (defeating Jackson State, 60-43) and began the 2001-02 campaign at the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska (defeating Mississippi, 82-78).
FALCONS TAKE FLIGHT
The Falcons return seven lettermen and two starters from a team which finished 18-11 and led the MAC's West Division entering the final week of the 2005 regular season. BGSU will begin the season with five freshmen and a junior college All-American joining the roster. Senior Steven Wright (11.0 ppg., 3.8 rebs.) is the top returning scorer for the Falcons but has missed the preseason due to a broken left foot. Junior guard John Floyd (7.0 ppg., 5.2 assists) is the other returning starter and was second in the MAC in assists last season. Junior guard Martin Samarco, an All-American at Schoolcraft JC averaged 21 ppg., last season and will be counted on to pick up the slack left by the graduation of two of the top scorers in the MAC last season John Reimold (1st, 18.5 ppg.) and Josh Almanson (3rd, 17.2). With 18 wins last year, the Falcons clinched the school's 51st winning season in 89 years of competition.
WESTERN CAROLINA
The Catamounts return four starters from a team which finished 8-22 and 3-13 in the Southern Conference. Former Ohio head coach Larry Hunter begins his first season at WCU after spending the last few years on the staff at NC State. He was 204-148 in 12 seasons of guiding the Bobcats.
VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies return four starters from a club which was 16-14 and finished fourth in the ACC. They advanced to the second round of the NIT. Virginia Tech is led by junior guard Zabian Dowell who averaged 14.4 points last season. Teams have met twice before with the Falcons capturing an 83-77 overtime win in 1969 in BG and losing 77-71 in Blacksburg in 1968.
RADFORD
The Highlanders also return four starters from a team which finished 12-16 and 7-9 in the Big South. Senior guard Whit Holcomb (15.1 ppg.) and junior forward Chris Oliver (14.9 ppg.) lead Radford.
BACK TO THE EAST DIVISION
After spending three years in the MAC West Division, BGSU will return to the MAC East following the loss of Marshall to Conference USA. BGSU was in the East Division from 1997-2002.
COACH Dan Dakich
Dan Dakich ranks 11th all-time in conference game winning percentage and is 11th in MAC history in overall winning percentage. He also is one of just 19 MAC coaches to ever win 125 games or more at his institution and his 81 league wins rank 12th all-time in MAC history. In addition, the Falcons have posted a 74-52 MAC record since 1999, the second best among the 12 league members in that span. Overall at BGSU, Dakich is 134-101 and is second in BGSU men's basketball history in winning percentage (57.0) and fifth in victories. In addition, he has seen 13 of 16 seniors complete their degree requirements and had 12 former players sign professional contract. With his 18 wins last year, Dakich and John Weinert are the only Falcon coaches since 1963 to have four 18-win or better seasons at BGSU. In addition, he and Miami's Charlie Coles are the only league coaches to take their teams to the MAC Tournament in Cleveland each of the last six years.
