KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team returns from its holiday break on Monday afternoon with a visit to East Lansing to battle #18 Michigan State. 
 

GAME INFO

Matchup: Western Michigan (3-8) at #18 Michigan State (10-2)

Date/Time: Monday, Dec. 30 – 3 pm

Site: Breslin Center (East Lansing, Mich.)

Video: Big Ten Network

Radio: Bronco Media Network

Live Stats: StatBroadcast

OPENING TIP

• Western Michigan returns from its holiday break on Monday afternoon as it visits #18 Michigan State.
• Monday's game marks the first time Dwayne Stephens has faced his alma mater as the head coach of the Broncos.
• Western Michigan dropped a 76-73 decision to Valparaiso at home on Dec. 20.
• Six Broncos scored in double-figures against Valpo, a new season high.
• Chansey Willis Jr. led the way with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.
• The Broncos lead the MAC in rebounding margin (+6.6), and are also among the league leaders in total rebounding (39.1, 2nd) and offensive rebounding (13.1, 3rd).
• Michigan State owns a 27-14 advantage in the all-time series.
• WMU's last win in the series was an 83-79 triumph in East Lansing on Nov. 28, 1981.
• Western Michigan is seeking its first ranked win since topping #25 Davidson on Nov. 21, 2007, in Kalamazoo.

FINAL TUNEUP BEFORE MAC PLAY
Western Michigan returns from its holiday break on Monday afternoon with a visit to #18 Michigan State. MSU is the final opponent for the Broncos before the start of MAC play. WMU opens league play with back-to-back home games against Toledo (Jan. 4) and Bowling Green (Jan. 7).

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos are coming off of a 76-73 loss to Valparaiso back on Dec. 20 at University Arena. Western Michigan held a double-digit lead for a majority of the contest, but the Beacons rallied late and hit a game-winning, three-pointer at the buzzer to seal the win.

BALANCED BRONCOS
Western Michigan had a season-high six players score in double-figures against Valparaiso. Chansey Willis Jr. led the way with 16 points, Owen Lobsinger tallied 14, Brandon Muntu netted 12 and the trio of Max Burton, JaVaughn Hannah and Markhi Strickland had 10 apiece. It was the first time WMU had six players score in double-figures since last year's record-setting win over Aquinas.

WILLIS' STRONG DEBUT
After missing the first eight games due to injury, Chansey Willis Jr. has made big contributions in his first three games for the Broncos. Against Valpo, he led the Brown and Gold in both points (16) and assists (7), while tying for the team lead in rebounds (7). The 16-7-7 line was his second game with at least 10+ points, 5+rebounds and 5+ assists this season, making him the lone Bronco to accomplish that feat so far in 2024-25.

CRASHING THE BOARDS
As has been the case in the first two seasons under head coach Dwayne Stephens, rebounding has remained a strength for the Broncos this year. Western Michigan sits atop the MAC and 52nd in NCAA Division I with a +6.6 rebounding margin. The Brown and Gold are also among the league leaders in overall rebounding (39.1, 2nd) and offensive rebounding (13.1, 3rd).

OWEN-ING THE GLASS
After ranking ninth in the MAC in rebounding a season ago, Owen Lobsinger has taken things up a notch this year, ranking second in the MAC at 7.0 rebounds per game. 

GETTING OFFENSIVE
Western Michigan has led the conference in offensive rebounding in each of the first two seasons under head coach Dwayne Stephens'. The Broncos enter Monday third in the league at 13.1 offensive boards per contest, and currently have a pair of players inside the league's top-10, in Max Burton (2.2, 6th), and Owen Lobsinger (1.9, T-10).

PROTECTING THE ROCK
The Broncos have been among the nation's best in protecting the basketball, having yielded an average of just 10.0 turnovers per game. Committing single-digit turnovers in six of 11 games this season has Western Michigan second in the conference and 29th nationally in turnovers committed.

WMU VS THE BIG TEN
This season marks the seventh in a row the Broncos have faced at least one Big Ten foe. Western Michigan's last win over a Big Ten opponent was a 56-52 victory at Michigan on Nov. 30, 2002. The most recent win over a current Big Ten team was a home triumph over then PAC-10 member USC, who WMU defeated 83-65 on Nov. 21, 2003. 

WMU VS THE TOP-25
MSU is Western Michigan's first top-25 opponent since it faced #15 Wisconsin in December of 2022. Friday marks the 13th time since 2010 that WMU has faced a ranked opponent. The last win over a ranked team for the Broncos was an 83-76 victory over a Stephen Curry-led #25 Davidson on Nov. 21, 2007, in Kalamazoo.

SERIES HISTORY
Michigan State owns a 27-14 lead in the all-time series between the two programs. The Spartans have won eight straight meetings, with WMU's most recent victory coming in East Lansing on Nov. 28, 1981.

TIME FOR #MACTION
WMU returns to University Arena on Saturday to take on Toledo in its MAC opener.