Coach’s Quote:

Bowling Green

Bowling Green head coach Louis Orr said his team is preparing for the matchup like it is the biggest game of the year. Orr hopes his team can prepare themselves for the game, and play consistent basketball.

“We have to improve our offense,” Orr said. “We need to be able to run our offense to the last options, and then be able to execute at the end of the shot clock.”

NIU

After the Huskies’ game Jan. 22, NIU head coach Ricardo Patton said his team committed far too many turnovers.

“We were very careless with the basketball,” Patton said. “We started to make our own mistakes. That was the biggest concern because those mistakes also didn’t allow us to run our offense. We were really stagnant on the offensive end at times and so that was more of a concern.”

Last Game:

The Huskies enter Sunday’s matchup after a last second 60-58 win against Ball State. Forward Egan Grafel sealed the win, sinking a layup and 3-of-4 free throws in the last 20 seconds of the game.

Grafel ended the game with 11 points and 10 rebounds, resulting in his second double-double of the season.

Senior Shaun Logan led the team in scoring, tallying 19 of NIU’s 60 points. Logan also grabbed nine boards throughout the game and was 7-for-10 from the charity stripe.

In its last contest, Bowling Green played down to the last second in a 55-52 win over Miami University Wednesday.

Falcons Nate Miller and Darryl Clements both led the team in points, scoring 15 each. The game ended with a missed 3-point buzzer shot from Miami’s Kenny Hayes to bring BGSU the victory.

Orr was satisfied with the way his team played and said he wants to see his team’s production carry on into future games.

“We want to have that type of execution regardless of what kind of man to man defense we see,” Orr said.

Key Player

Newly named Huskie starter Jarvis Nichols leads the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game. The junior guard is shooting .386 from the field, and .338 from behind the arc.

After questioning Nichols’ ability to start games, Patton recently announced that Nichols has earned a starting spot.

“I just felt comfortable at this point that he can handle being in the starting position,” Patton said in a press conference Jan. 22. “I think he is ready to step up to the challenge of being a starter and a guy that we can count on.”

The man to watch from Bowling Green is Chris Knight.

Knight averages 13 points per game and has been the leading scorer in four games this season. He has also led the team in rebounding on eight occasions.

Other Falcons to watch are Ryne Hamblet and Nate Miller, who average 12.5 and 11.8 points per game, respectively. Miller has also led the team in scoring four times and rebounding on five occasions.

Vital Stat:

The biggest challenge for the Huskies coming into Sunday’s game will be hitting the road. NIU is winless on the road coming into its matchup in Bowling Green. The Huskies are 0-8 on the road.

Bowling Green is ranked first in the MAC in scoring percentage defense, only allowing opponents to hit .408 of their baskets. Though strong on defense, the Falcons’ offense ranks near the bottom in the MAC pack.

“If we can string some good performances together, the winning will take care of itself,” Orr said. “We want to become a more consistent team overall.”