Broncos Sports First Blog

DeKalb, IL (WKZO) – After going winless in their last 4 contests the Western Michigan men’s basketball team was looking for someone to take their frustrations out on.  Unfortunately for the Northern Illinois Huskies they were next on the Broncos schedule.

 The Broncos made a season high 13 three pointers en route to their largest margin of victory, demolishing NIU 76-53 Wednesday night. Demetrius Ward had a game high 18 points and Flenard Whitfield had 17 as the Broncos improved their record to 11-15 and 5-7 in MAC play.

WMU outscored the Huskies by 15 in the 2^nd half after leading 34-24 at halftime.

NIU’s starters managed only 25 points and shot only 33% from the floor. Tony Nixon scored 12 points for the Huskies (3-21, 2-10 MAC) in 18 minutes off the bench.

WMU returns to action on Saturday as their travel to Fargo, ND to take on Summit League member North Dakota State in the 2012 Bracketbuster Game. Tip-off is set for 8pm.   

Tonight in DeKalb, Illinois the Western Michigan University Men’s basketball team will take on the Northern Illinois Huskies in a MAC West divisional showdown. The two teams met earlier this season with the Broncos coming out victorious 77-68. This will be the 79th meeting between these two teams, with the Broncos holding a 49-29 advantage in the all-time series. The Broncos are 12-5 against Northern Illinois under head coach Steve Hawkins, including a 3-4 record in DeKalb. WMU enters the game with a record of 10-15 and 4-7 in MAC play. The Broncos have dropped 4 games in a row for the first time since opening the season 0-6. The last 3 games for the Broncos they have lost by a total of 10 points including 2 games that went into overtime.

The Huskies (3-20, 2-9 MAC) are led by senior forward Tim Toler. Toler is averaging a team high 10.8 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. NIU has struggled offensively this year, averaging only 55 points per game, ranking them 340^th in the NCAA. Defensively they are allowing 68 points per game to opponents.

During the Broncos last game against Buffalo, Matt Stainbrook recorded his 3rd double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Flenard Whitfield and Demetrius Ward also scored in double figures against Buffalo.   

WMU is currently 8^th in the MAC and must remain in the top 8 to open the MAC tournament with a home game. NIU in last place in the MAC. The Broncos are an 8 point favorite. 

BUFFALO, NY (WKZO) --With 1.1 seconds left in the game and Western Michigan trailing by a point, Matt Stainbrook stepped to the free throw line with 2 attempts to give his team a chance to tie or take the lead. But the sophomore missed both shot attempts and the Broncos have now lost four games in a row, falling to Buffalo Saturday night 59-57.

While Stainbrook will be looked at as the scape goat for tonight’s loss, it was his effort that kept the Broncos in the game as he was the top scorer for WMU, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 24 minutes of action off the bench.

WMU trailed at halftime 27-23 and trailed by as much as 10 points in the first half.

Demetrius Ward and Flenard Whitfield also scored in double figures.

Mitchell Watt scored 16 points for the Bulls.

With the loss the Broncos drop to 10-15 and 4-7 in the MAC.

The Broncos return to action on Wednesday as they travel to DeKalb, Illinois to take on the Huskies of Northern Illinois. 

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Wednesday night had the potential to be a special night in Kalamazoo.

University Arena had the feel of a playoff environment as the crowd was into the game from the opening tip and both teams battled as if it were their last game of the season. The Broncos knew what was at stake with a victory over Akron.  With Eastern Michigan and Ball State falling earlier in the night, a win for the Broncos would move them into a tie atop the MAC West and in position for that all important 1^st round bye in next month’s MAC tourney. But just like numerous other games this season the Broncos missed key opportunities at important moments late in games. This time it was against Akron, as the Broncos dropped their third game in a row, falling in overtime 69-66 to the Zips.

With less than 10 seconds to play and down by 2 points, Mike Douglas missed an 8 foot tear-dropper that would have forced a second overtime and as Akron big man Zeke Marshall came away with the rebound, it all but ended the Broncos chance of an upset.

The ending put a damper on what should have been a special night for the Broncos and especially for Mike Douglas, as he became the all-time leader in assists at Western Michigan University. Douglas entered the game needing only 6 assists to move into 1^st place all-time. But even with the assists record, the senior floor general would give them all away for a victory over the top ranked team in the MAC.

The Broncos held a 9 point advantage over Akron at halftime and lead by as much as 11 in the first half. The Zips switched to a 3-2 zone in the 2^nd half, forcing WMU into contested shots and holding them to only 25% shooting.

The Broncos had the chance to end the game before it entered overtime but Flenard Whitfield missed the 2^nd of 2 free throws and the game went to an extra period tied at 59.

GAME NOTES: WMU is now 0-3 in overtime in MAC play…Douglas and Whitfield were the only Broncos to score in double figures, finishing with 15 and 12 respectively…Douglas finished with 8 assists…WMU out-rebounded Akron 47-37…Alex Abreu had 15 points to lead the Zips in scoring…Both teams struggled from behind the arc. Western went 3-17 and Akron 3-20…While the Broncos struggled from 3 point land, they only missed 4 free throws (23-27)…Western returns to action on Saturday as they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bulls. Tip-off is set for 6pm. 

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – After 2 seasons as the Broncos defensive coordinator, Dave Cohen announced on Tuesday night that he will be leaving WMU to become the linebacker coach at Rutgers. Cohen was also the linebackers coach for the Broncos.

“Moving forward, I’m extremely excited,” said Cohen. “I’m kind of torn about leaving Western. At the end of the day, it gives my wife and children a chance to see grandparents and family on a weekly basis. Kalamazoo is great, but family is family.”

Cohen was born in Huntington, New York about 90 minutes away from the Rutgers campus.

Cohen arrived at WMU after 4 seasons as the head coach at Hofstra where he compiled a record of 18-27. At the end of 2009 season, Hofstra dropped its football program due to economic and popularity considerations.  Before his tenure at Hofstra, Cohen spent 4 years at Delaware as the defensive coordinator under new Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood.   

Under Cohen the Broncos ranked 12^th out of 13 teams in the MAC in total defense in 2011 and 9^th in 2010. However, under Cohen the Broncos were able to produce 5 defensive all-conference honorees and 2011 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Drew Nowak.  

Last season Cohen made $132,500. He will make double that at Rutgers.

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Tonight at University Arena the Western Michigan men’s basketball team looks to bounce back after dropping their last 2 games as they face off against MAC East leader Akron. After losing a tightly contested game against Kent State on Saturday, the Broncos have now lost 2 games in a row for the first time since starting the season 0-6. Akron enters tonight’s matchup with a record of 16-7 and 8-1 in the MAC. The Zips are currently on a 5 game winning streak, after defeating EMU last Saturday 77-47. Before the two teams tip-off tonight at 7pm, here are a few notes of interest.

* This will be the 38th meeting between the two teams, with Akron owning a 21-17 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Broncos are 11-5 all-time against Akron in University Arena.

*WMU is 9-1 at home this season, with their only loss coming last week against Bowling Green.

*The Broncos are currently tied with Ball State for 2^nd in the MAC West with a conference record of 4-5.

*The Zips defeated Western Michigan in the 2011 MAC Tournament semifinals en route to winning the tournament championship.

*Broncos sophomore forward Shayne Whittington is averaging 10.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in his last four starts.

*Since returning to the starting line-up after missing six games for injury, Flenard Whitfield is averaging 11.2 points per game.

*Mike Douglas is only 6 assists away from becoming the Broncos all-time leader in assists.  Billy Stanback currently leads with 427.

*Akron leads the MAC in points per game, averaging 73.5 points per game.

*Akron also leads the MAC in 3 point field goal percentage.

*Zeke Marshall leads the MAC in blocked shots, averaging 3.2 per game. Marshall has 23 blocks during the Zips 5 game winning streak.

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Tonight at University Arena the Western Michigan Men’s Basketball Team will host the Bowling Green Falcons. WMU is coming off a 73-64 win over Miami (OH) last Saturday, improving their record to 10-11 and 4-3 in MAC play. The Broncos are currently tied with Ball State for 2^nd place in the MAC West, 1 game behind EMU for the overall lead. Bowling Green is 9-11 and currently rank 5^th in the MAC east with a 3-4 conference record. WMU is a 3 point favorite over the Falcons. Here are a few notes of interest before tonight’s game.

*This will be the 112th meeting between these two teams, with the Falcons holding a 66-45 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Broncos are 11-1 against the Falcons under head coach Steve Hawkins and 6-0 against the Falcons at home.

*The Broncos are a perfect 9-0 at home this season, while Bowling Green is 2-8 on the road.

*Broncos point guard Mike Douglas is just 9 assists away from passing Billy Stanback as the all-time leader in assists in WMU history.

* The Broncos are out-rebounding MAC opponents by an average of 8.9 rebounds per game and are 29^th in the country averaging 38.8 rebounds a game.

*Bowling Green junior forward A’uston Calhoun leads the Falcons in scoring with 13.3 points and is 2^nd on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.3 per game.

* Shayne Whittington averaged a double-double of 12.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in his two starts last week. Whittington is expected to start again against Bowling Green.

*In Austin Richie’s six starts this season, he is averaging 12.0 points per game and shooting 43.2 percent from the floor. Richie is expected to start again as Demetrius Ward nurses a knee injury.

*WMU is allowing 71 points per game, the most points allowed to opponents in the MAC

*Matt Stainbrook is 2^nd in the MAC with a .579 field goal percentage.

KALAMAZOO, Mich . - The Western Michigan men's basketball team will participate in the 2012 Sears Bracketbuster event, and will travel to face North Dakota State on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Fargo in a non-televised game. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ET). As part of the Sears BracketBusters format, North Dakota State will play one game at Western Michigan next season on a date to be determined. 

This will be the second all-time meeting between the schools, with the Broncos holding the 1-0 advantage in the all-time series. WMU defeated the Bison 79-57 in Kalamazoo on Dec. 8, 1956. The Broncos are 1-1 against the Summit League this season, having fallen to South Dakota State on the road but defeating Oakland on the road earlier this year. NDSU is 2-2 against the Mid-American Conference teams since beginning Division I play in 2004-05 (Eastern Michigan 1-2, Northern Illinois 1-0). 

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Shayne Whittington is making the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup. Against Ohio earlier this week he had a career high with 13 rebounds. Today against Miami (OH) Whittington finished with a career high 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his first career double-double as the Broncos topped the Redhawks 73-64.

With the win the Broncos improved to 9-0 at home and moved into a tie for 2^nd place in the MAC West.

Flendard Whitfield tied his season high of 22 points as he and Whittington were unstoppable in the low post.

“We didn’t expect Whittington to do what he did,” Miami head coach Charlie Cole said. “Whittington was marvelous. Whitfield was marvelous. They did a great job.”

Whitfield gave everyone a scare when he landed on his ankle awkwardly in the first half. After heading to the bench for a few minutes he reentered the game and scored 15 of his 22 points in the first half.

“It was my mandatory tweak,” Whitfield said jokingly of the ankle injury. “I think I’ve tweaked it every game since I’ve been back. I stretched it out it out a little bit, but it’s one of those things. I had to keep battling.”  

The first half was one of the weirdest 20 minutes of basketball anyone had ever seen before. Miami missed all 11 attempts from inside the 3 point line but made 11 of 13 from 3 point land, including 8 in a row to start the game. Miami did not score their first 2 point shot until the 18:10 mark of the 2^nd half.

WMU took a 36-35 lead into halftime and came out strong in the 2^nd, extending their lead to as much as 15 with 10:36 remaining in the game.

The Broncos were without Demetrius Ward for the first time all season after he hyperextended his knee against Ohio. Ward will be reevaluated on Monday. Austin Richie started in place of Ward and finished with 13 points in 36 minutes. Mike Douglas also scored in double figures as he had 12.

GAME NOTES: WMU had only 8 turnovers after averaging 19 turnovers their previous 3 games…Miami finished with 30 attempts from downtown, making half of them…Brian Sullivan and Julian Mavunga led the way for the Redhawks with 20 and 19 points respectively…Today was Hayden Hoerdemann’s birthday. He went scoreless in 15 minutes, missing his only field goal attempt; a 3 pointer…Mo Conteh injured his calf in the 1^st half and didn’t return. Conteh injured the same calf 2 years ago and missed considerable time with the injury…The Broncos return to action on Wednesday as the Bowling Green Falcons make a trip to Kalamazoo. Game time is set for 7pm.

Athens, OH (WKZO) – Austin Richie’s 16 points were not enough Wednesday night, as the short-handed Broncos were defeated by the Ohio Bobcats 56-51.

The Broncos were already without Matt Stainbrook, who didn’t make the trip to Ohio due to a matter that coach Steve Hawkins said would stay in house. Then late in the 1^st half, the Broncos also lost Demetrius Ward, who went down with a knee injury. However, Western was able to keep the game close for the majority of the contest.

Ohio started fast, pulling out to a 10-1 lead and extended that lead to 26-12 with 6:50 remaining in the half, before Western went on a 18-4 run to end to the first half tied at 30.

The 2^nd half saw the lead bounce back and forth before Bobcats guard D.J. Cooper made 2 free throws, putting Ohio up 44-42 and Western was never able to regain the lead.

With the loss, Western falls to 9-11 and 3-3 in the MAC.

GAME NOTES: Mike Douglas was the only other Bronco to score in double figures as he finished with 12…WMU shot only 30.2% from the floor…Flenard Whitfield fouled out with 25 seconds left with only 4 points…D.J. Cooper scored 18 points for the Bobcats…Shayne Whittington started in place of Stainbrook and finished with 9 points and 13 rebounds…The Broncos committed 23 fouls and had 17 turnovers…WMU returns to action on Saturday against Miami (OH). Tip-off is set for 4pm at University Arena.  

Today the Western Michigan men’s basketball team takes on the Ohio Bobcats in Athens, Ohio. This will be the Broncos first MAC crossover game against a MAC East team. WMU is coming off a 64-61 victory last Saturday against arch-rival Central Michigan and enters the game with a 9-10 record and 3-2 in the MAC. Ohio is 15-4 and 3-2 in the MAC. The Bobcats are favored to win by 10.5 points. Here are a few notes before the two teams tip off tonight at 7pm.

* This will be the 121st meeting in the all-time series, with the Bobcats holding the 62-59 advantage in the rivalry. The Broncos are 18-43 in road games played against Ohio and are 4-6 against the Bobcats under head coach Steve Hawkins, and have never won in Athens under Hawkins. WMU won last year’s meeting 85-83 in Kalamazoo.

*The Broncos are 1-7 on the road during the 2011-2012 season.

* Nate Hutcheson was named the MAC West Player of the Week by the writers of the blog, theMACDaily.com.

* Against Central Michigan, Mike Douglas passed Brian Snider for second on the WMU career assists list; with 407 career assists, he needs 20 more assists to reach Billy Stanback’s program record of 427.

* Demetrius Ward and Matt Stainbrook are the only players to have started every game for the Broncos this season.

* D.J. Cooper leads the Bobcats in scoring with 14.2 points per game. Cooper also leads the MAC in steals with 2.6 per game.

* The Broncos rank 28^th in the nation in rebounds per game with 38.8.

*Matt Stainbrook leads the MAC in shooting percentage at 58.3%.

*Hayden Hoerdemann is 2^nd in the MAC in 3 point shooting, making 53% of his attempts from downtown. Ohio leads the MAC in 3 point defense.

*The Bobcats have the highest home attendance in the MAC, averaging 5796 per game.