Previewing BGSU Men's Basketball

The following article appeared in Wednesday night's (Nov. 12) BGSU football game program...

The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team tips off the 2014-15 season in just three days when the Falcons travel to Des Moines, Iowa for a contest with the Drake Bulldogs.

For the first time in eight years, the Falcons' sideline will be patrolled by someone new. On March 25, Chris Jans was named the 16th head coach in BGSU men's basketball history. His resume includes six years as head coach at four junior colleges. He compiled a 159-45 record and one national championship during those six seasons.

More recently, Jans was an assistant head coach under Gregg Marshall at Wichita State for seven seasons. The Shockers were 174-71 during Jans' tenure as an assistant. That run included an NIT championship and an NCAA Final Four appearance. Last season, Wichita State became the first team since 1991 to enter the NCAA Tournament with an undefeated record.

Jans inherits a BGSU team that seeks a turnaround after finishing 12-20 during the 2013-14 season. It was the program's first 20-loss season in eight years, and it marked the third straight season without a win in the MAC Tournament.

However, the team he brings into his first season with the Falcons is very experienced. Nine of the 11 letterwinners, including four of the five starters, return from last year's squad. Jans explained that roster turnover is usually a given after a coaching change, but that did not happen here.

"We met with the team as a group and then had individual meetings, and every one of them expressed a desire to continue their education and athletic careers at BGSU," Jans said. "I thought that was great news for our staff moving forward. Even though they may not have experienced the winning they anticipated when they signed, they still enjoyed the experience of being a student-athlete here. I really felt like that was a big deal for us. It's a good place to be."

The true returning "center"-piece will be Richaun Holmes, who led all returners with 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Holmes nabbed 36 steals and was one of the nation's premier shot-blockers, with a BGSU-record 88 last season.

"Richaun has a ton of ability. He's got a great frame; he's strong and very athletic. He just turned 21 years old, so he's still maturing," Jans said. "His best basketball is still ahead of him. For us to have a good season, he's going to have to be very good individually, and he's capable of that."

On the bench, the Falcons will have JD Tisdale back, after Tisdale played 32 games and averaged over 16 minutes last season. Jans also hopes to get full seasons out of Zack Denny and Chauncey Orr. Injuries limited them to four combined appearances last season.

In addition, Jans welcomes five newcomers. Rasheed Worrell and Matt Fox are both freshmen. Fox attended Anthony Wayne High School in Maumee, Ohio. The other three new faces are junior college transfers. Forward Delvin Dickerson and guard Jovan Austin played at Paris Junior College, while guard David Joseph played at Howard College, where Jans served as head coach from 2001 to 2003.

"Joseph is a versatile guy who can play the one or the two. He shoots the ball well and is a steady influence," Jans said. "He's good at changing pace and not allowing a defense to speed him up. I think his ability to play and defend multiple positions will help us this year."

Jans believes that signing those five was the most important thing he did after arriving. The additions provided competition at every position, for starting jobs, playing time and rotation spots. He also believes that stoking that level of competition is important going forward. "I'd prefer to have that every season. If we can continue to recruit quality players, it will keep raising the bar," said Jans.

For this season, Jans expectations are simple: for the team to get better every day and to put an exciting product on the floor. He wants his team to play a style of basketball that's fun and up-tempo for fans and players. He'll also be learning about the other teams in the MAC along the way.

The Falcons play 11 non-conference games this season, including six at home. Three are against teams that played post-season basketball a year ago. The team then begins the MAC schedule on January 7th against Kent State.

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Jovan Austin

Zack Denny

Delvin Dickerson

Matt Fox

Richaun Holmes

David Joseph

Chauncey Orr

JD Tisdale

Rasheed Worrell

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