Falcons Fly South for the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic on Nov. 21-23

Saturday, November 21

Fort Myers, Fla.

4:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

North Dakota

Photo by: Kara Fallon

Falcons Fly South for the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic on Nov. 21-23

November 20, 2015 | Men's Basketball

By: by Kevin Davis, BGSU Assistant Director for Athletic Communications

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

GAMEDAY CENTRAL

STARTING FIVE
(1) The Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic will feature FGCU, BGSU, Youngstown State and North Dakota playing a round robin style tournament with each team playing three games over three days from Nov. 21-23.

(2) BGSU is opening up its road slate for the 2015-16 season with three straight games from Nov. 21-23. The Falcons will play North Dakota on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m., Youngstown State on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. and FGCU on Monday night, Nov. 23, at 7:05 p.m. The FGCU game will be streamed live on ESPN3.

(3) The Falcons are coming off their first loss of the season, an 83-50 home loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday, Nov. 18. BGSU is enters play this weekend at 1-1 overall on the year.

(4) Bowling Green is coming off its worst shooting night of the season, in which the Falcons shot just 29.3 percent (17-of-58) from the field, 28 percent (7-of-25) from the three-point line and just 52.9 percent (9-of-17) from the free throw line in the loss to Cincinnati.

(5) BGSU has 10 players that are averaging over 11.0 minutes per game this season. In fact, nine different Falcons have played double digit minutes or more in both of BGSU's contests so far this season.

(6th man) The 2015-16 is the Centennial Season for the BGSU men's basketball program, which began playing basketball in 1915-16.

SCOUTING NORTH DAKOTA
UND, who just adopted the name of the Fighting Hawks, are 1-1 on the season and is coming of a 78-64 road loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 17. North Dakota, who was picked to finish eighth in the Big Sky this season, has four players averaging double digit points on the season, highlighted by Geno Crandall's 19 point effort at Wisconsin in which he was 6-of-6 from behind the three-point line. UND is averaging 81.5 points per game this season and are shooting over 52.1 percent from the floor as a team on the season. The Fighting Hawks are averaging 14.5 points more in the second half then in the first half of play thus far this season.

FALCONS VERSUS UND ALL-TIME SERIES
BGSU is 1-1 all-time versus North Dakota all-time in men's basketball action. UND defeated the Falcons 56-53 in North Dakota back on Dec. 28, 2012. BGSU answered with a 79-69 home win over UND the following year on Dec. 11, 2013. This is the two teams' third meeting in the last four years.

SCOUTING THE YSU PENGUINS
Youngstown State men's basketball team, who was predicted to finish ninth in the Horizon League preseason poll of the league's head coaches and selected media, are 0-2 to start the season with losses to Kent State and Toledo. Senior forward Bobby Hain was selected to the Preseason All-Horizon League Second-Team and is averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Matt Donlan leads the Penguins with 16.5 points per game and is shooting 50 percent from the floor overall, while Cameron Morse is pouring in 15.5 points per outing this season. YSU is averaging 74.0 points per game this season, however, the Penguins are allowing 89.5 points per game and their opponents are shooting 49.6 percent from the field overall. The Penguins like the long range jumper, as they are averaging 9.0 made three-pointers per game this season.

FALCONS VERSUS YOUNGSTOWN STATE ALL-TIME SERIES
The two Ohio times will meet for the first time since the 2011-12 season. BGSU holds a 9-4 all-time series lead over the Penguins. However, YSU has won each of the last two contests over the Falcons, after BGSU won eight straight contests from 1947-2005.

SCOUTING THE FGCU EAGLES
Picked to finish second in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll this year, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is 1-1 overall to start the season coming off an 85-62 home win over Texas Wesleyan on Nov. 16. Heading into the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic this weekend, the Eagles have posted a home record of 44-7 overall at Alico Arena since 2012-13. The Eagles have four players in double digit points thus far this season led by Marc-Eddy Norelia's 18.0 points per game average. FGCU is averaging 80.0 points per game over its first two contests this season and are shooting at a clip of 45.9 percent from the floor overall as a team in 2015-16.

FALCONS VERSUS FGCU ALL-TIME SERIES
Monday night's meeting between BGSU and the Eagles will be the first-ever meeting between the two basketball programs.

COACH'S CORNER
"We are excited to be playing in the Hilton Garden Inn FGCU Classic this weekend in Florida. This early season tournament will help prepare us not only for MAC play, but also for the MAC Championship Tournament in March. This will be a good test for our team both mentally and physically to play tough competition on the road three straight days. We are looking forward to the challenge and competing each time out."

WINTER ESCAPE - FALCONS FLY SOUTH TO THE SUNSHINE STATE
For the second straight year and the third time over the last four years, the Falcons will be playing a non-conference game in the Sunshine State. BGSU played in Tampa, Fla. at South Florida last season and in 2012-13, after playing in Miami at Florida International during the 2011-12 season. The Falcons have gone 2-1 in their last three contests in Fla.

RETURN TO THE SUNSHINE STATE FOR A NUMBER OF FALCONS
A number of Falcons will be returning to the Florida for the first time since joining the BGSU program this summer. BGSU head coach Michael Huger spent the last four years on the sidelines as an assistant coach at Miami (Fla.). Falcon assistant coach Louis Rowe is a Florida native who played two years at Florida (1990-92) and coached the last two years as an assistant at Florida International University. Assistant Coach Mike Summey, Director of Operations Kevin Noon and Video Coordinator Ryan Kardok all spent time on the staff at Miami prior to coming to BGSU. Kardok, another Florida native, played two years of college basketball at South Florida (2008-10). Current Falcon Wes Alcegaire is from Miami, Fla. in will be playing in his home state for the first time as a BGSU Falcon after spending last year with the Daytona State College Falcons. Senior guard David Joseph played one year of high school basketball at Westlake Prep in Fla.

LAST TIME OUT - CINCY 83, BGSU 50 (NOV. 18)
In the second annual Bill Frack Challenge on Nov. 18, the Falcons fell at home to Cincinnati 80-53 in front of 3,411 fans at the Stroh Center. BGSU battled point for point with the Bearcats in the first half, as Cincy held a 35-31 lead at the halftime break. However, in the second half, UC outscored the Falcons 48-19 to pull away for the win. BGSU, who shot 35.5 percent in the first half, was just 6-of-27 (22.2 percent) from the field over the final 20 minutes of play. Cincinnati was 20-of-41 (48.8 percent) shooting in the second half and used an 18-2 run out of the halftime break to pull away from BGSU.

3,411 TAKE PART IN THE SECOND ANNUAL BILL FRACK CHALLENGE
A total of 3,411 fans were in attendance at the second annual Bill Frack Challenge on Nov. 18 versus Cincinnati. The crowd is the fifth largest announced attendance to watch a BGSU men's basketball game inside the Stroh Center in the buildings five-year history.

MINUTES, MINUTES, EVERYONE GETS MINUTES!
A total of 10 players are averaging double digit minutes of playing time on the court thus far this season for the Falcons. In fact, nine different players notched 14 minutes or more of playing time over the 40 minute contest versus New Orleans (11/14), while nine different Falcons logged 13 minutes or more against Cincinnati (11/18).

FALCONTASTIC DEBUTS
A number of Falcons have turned in strong BGSU debuts this year. Head coach Michael Huger picked up the 79-61 win versus New Orleans in his head coaching debut in the season opener. Redshirt-freshman Rasheed Worrell had a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds in his Falcon debut versus UNO, while junior transfer Wes Alcegaire finished with 14 points in his BGSU debut in the opener. Freshman Antwon Lillard added 13 points in his Falcon and intercollegiate debut on Nov. 14, while freshman Demajeo Wiggins finished with five points and five boards in 16 minutes of play in his debut against Cincinnati.

TOTAL TEAM EFFORT
In BGSU's lone contest thus far this season, the Falcons used a team effort in a 79-61 home win over the UNO Privateers. BGSU had four players in double figures scoring - Rasheed Worrell - 15, Wes Alcegaire - 14, Antwon Lillard - 13, and Zack Denny - 11 - while a total of 10 different Falcons scored two points or more in the win.

GETTING TO THE CHARITY STRIPE
Bowling Green got to the free throw line 32 times in the win over New Orleans, knocking down 23 of those free throws and shooting 71.9 percent overall. Six different Falcons made multiple foul shots for the game. BGSU's 23 made free throws was two more free throws than the Privateers attempted for the entire game (13-of-21).

SEASON OPENER - BGSU 79, NEW ORLEANS 61 (NOV. 14)
In the Falcons' last contest, BGSU defeated New Orleans 79-61 on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Stroh Center. BGSU used a 14-0 run four minutes into the first half of play to pull away and lead by as much as 24 late in the second half in the win. The Falcons had four players in double figures, led by Rasheed Worrell's 15 points, and shot 45.5 percent (25-of-55) from the field overall, including knocking down 12-of-24 shots (50 percent) in the second half. The Falcons made 23 free throws (23-of-32), which was two more free throws than the Privateers' had on the game (13-of-21).

#MAKEHISTORYNOW
Falcons' head coach Michael Huger recorded his first career win as a head coach in the 79-61 win over New Orleans in the season opener.

THAT 70'S STROH
BGSU is an impressive 20-1 at the Stroh Center when scoring 70 points or more in a contest. BGSU is 1-0 at the Stroh this season when scoring 70 points or more.

HOME SWEET STROH
BGSU has called the Stroh Center home since the 2011-12 season and has posted an overall record of 42-24 at the venue. The Falcons have won seven or more games at home every season since the Stroh's opening for the 2011-12 season and have recorded double digit home wins at the Stroh in three of the last four years. BGSU is off to a 1-1 start this season at home in the Stroh with a win over New Orleans and a loss to Cincinnati.

STREAKING SINCE 1992-93 IN HOME OPENERS
With BGSU's home opening 79-61 win over New Orleans on Nov. 14, the Falcons have now won 24 straight home openers. The Falcons last dropped their home opener back in 1991-92 against Findlay, 68-79, when Coach Huger was a junior guard on the team.

SEASON OPENERS FOR THE FALCONS
The Falcons have fared well in season openers since starting basketball in 1915-16, as BGSU has posted a record of 74-27 in their 101 season openers. BGSU has won each of its last five season openers and seven of their last eight regular season opening contests with their 79-61 win over New Orleans on Nov. 14.

HISTORY IN HOME OPENERS
BGSU has been almost unbeatable in their home openers over the program's 100 year history. With their win over New Orleans in the home opener on Nov. 14, the Falcons have posted an overall record of 88-13 in home openers since tipping-off the inaugural season in 1915-16.

EXAMINING THE EXHIBITION WIN
With a new coach and a total of six new players taking the court when counting redshirt-freshman Rasheed Worrell, the Falcons were able to outscore the Notre Dame College Falcons 17-8 in the overtime period to come away with the 74-65 exhibition win. BGSU had 12 different Falcons step on the court for game action with 11 of those players getting into the scoring column. The Falcons got to the free throw line often, as BGSU shot 57 free throws overall. In fact, BGSU made more free throws (34) than NDC attempted (29) for the game. Three players scored in double figures led by freshman Antwon Lillard's 20 points, while junior guard Zack Denny registered a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds.

A FALCON NOW LEADING THE FALCONS
It seems fitting that a former Falcon would lead the program during its Centennial Season, as former BGSU standout and 1994 graduate Michael Huger returns to his alma-mater as the head coach in 2015-16. Huger, who returns to his alma mater where he was a standout player for the Falcons from 1989-93. While a player at BGSU, Huger helped the Falcons to a pair of NIT appearances. Tabbed the BGSU Team MVP in 1992-93, he earned all-conference honors in his final two seasons, and was a Naismith Award nominee and the runner-up for MAC Player of the Year his senior year.

DENNY DIALING IN FROM LONG DISTANCE
Entering his junior season this year in 2015-16, guard Zack Denny has been lights out behind the three-point line over his first two years at BGSU. Denny, who made a team-high 50 three-pointers last season, enters the year ranked fifth on BGSU's career three-point field goal percentage list shooting at a clip of 40.2 percent overall. He is 53-for-132 overall from long range over his short Falcon career.

SCORING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
Scoring opportunities will be abound in 2015-16, as the Falcons lost 64 percent of their scoring from last year's 2014-15 team that averaged 66.5 points per game overall, highlighted by the graduation of three of their top four scorers in Richaun Holmes, Jehvon Clarke and Anthony Henderson.

WATCH ME: BGSU ON ESPN3, BCSN AND THE TWC SPORTS CHANNEL
Every Falcons' home game over the 2015-16 season will broadcast live on ESPN3. A number of road contests will also be video steamed live over the ESPN3 network, while the Falcons will also appear locally on the Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) on Jan. 6 vs. Miami (Ohio) and Jan. 19 vs. Toledo. BGSU will also be on the TWC Sports Channel on Jan. 12 at Ohio and Mar. 1 at Kent State. A number of BGSU games could be chosen for TV by eight ESPN or the CBS Sports Network throughout the season as wildcard selections.

CAPTAINS NAMED FOR 2015-16
The Falcons have three team captains for the 2015-16 season in junior JD Tisdale, junior Wes Alcegaire and redshirt-sophomore Garrett Mayleben.

PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN THE MAC EAST IN PRESEASON POLL
With the loss of its top three scorers from last season in Richaun Holmes to the NBA, and both Jehvon Clarke and Anthony Henderson due to graduation, the Falcons were picked to finish sixth in the MAC East Division in the 2015-16 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Poll, which was determined by a 23-member MAC News Media Panel. The Falcons garnered 42 points overall.

FALCONS INK TWO DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD
On Nov. 11, Bowling Green State University head men's basketball coach Michael Huger announced the signing of Dylan Frye (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Mater Academy) and Rodrick Caldwell (Dayton, Ohio/Wayne H.S.) to National Letters of Intent to continue both their academic and athletic careers at Bowling Green State University in 2016.

UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU will return home after the Thanksgiving break to host Urbana on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 2 p.m. The game is part of the Hilton Garden Inn Classic event, but will be played at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio.

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