KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team steps outside of conference play on Saturday afternoon as it welcomes Georgia Southern to University Arena for the second game of this year's MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
GAME INFO
Matchup: Western Michigan (7-15) vs Georgia Southern (12-12)
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 8 – 1 pm
Site: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Tickets: wmubroncos.com/tickets
Video: ESPN+
Radio: Bronco Media Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
OPENING TIP
- Western Michigan steps outside of conference play on Saturday as it hosts Georgia Southern in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
- The Broncos dropped the first game of this year's challenge, 60-56, on Opening Night at Coastal Carolina.
- WMU is coming off of a 94-69 loss to Ohio on Tuesday evening in Athens.
- Chansey Willis Jr. led the Broncos with 20 points, while Markhi Strickland added 12.
- WMU remains atop the MAC in offensive rebounding at 13.2 per game, and in conference play is at 13.5 per contest.
- Western Michigan is 0-3 in the first two seasons of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
- WMU's last win over an SBC foe was on Nov. 17, 2017, against Appalachian State.
- Saturday marks just the second all-time meeting between Western Michigan and Georgia Southern.
- The two teams met at the Owl Invitational in Houston back on Nov. 20, 2022, with GSU coming out on top, 63-57.
STEPPING OUT OF CONFERENCE
Western Michigan steps out of MAC play on Saturday afternoon as it welcomes Georgia Southern to University Arena in its second game of this year's MAC-Sun Belt challenge. In the first game of this year's challenge, the Brown and Gold dropped a 60-56 decision at Coastal Carolina on Opening Night.
LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos are coming off of a 94-69 loss at Ohio on Tuesday evening.
Chansey Willis Jr. led the way for the Brown and Gold with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Markhi Strickland was also in double-figures for WMU, as he notched 12 points.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, WILLIS
Chansey Willis Jr. paced Western Michigan in scoring for the team-leading eighth time with his 20 points on Tuesday. The junior also handed out a team-high five assists and tied for the team lead with five rebounds. It marked the fourth time this season Willis has racked up at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game. For the season, he's averaging 15.4 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals per contest. In conference play, Willis is tied for fourth in assists (5.3), is fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8) and ninth in steals (1.5).
MAKING HIS MARK
Markhi Strickland netted 12 points in Tuesday's setback against Ohio. It was the 15th double-digit scoring performance of the campaign for Strickland, who hadn't scored in double-figures in 26 career games at the NCAA Division I level prior to this season.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Broncos continue to rank among the league's best in rebounding, as they lead the MAC in offensive rebounding (13.2), are second in overall rebounding (37.9) and are third in rebounding margin (+3.6). Western Michigan is also leading the way in offensive rebounding in conference play (13.5) and is second in overall rebounding (37.4) in MAC contests. WMU's
Owen Lobsinger (7.5, 3rd),
Max Burton (5.6, 15th) and
Donovan Williams (5.3, 19th) are all among the league's top-20 rebounders this season.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
After leading the conference in offensive rebounding in each of the last two seasons, Western Michigan is atop the MAC once again in 2024-25, averaging 13.2 per contest which ranks 33rd in NCAA DI. Four Broncos rank in the league's top-15 on the offensive glass;
Owen Lobsinger (2.2, 8th),
Max Burton (2.0, T-9),
Donovan Williams (1.9, 13th) and
JaVaughn Hannah (1.7, 15th). WMU is also averaging a league-best 13.5 in league play.
OWEN-ING THE BOARDS
Senior
Owen Lobsinger has been the top rebounder for WMU all season, and ranks third in the league at 7.5 rebounds per game. In MAC play, he is up to 8.4 per contest.
PROTECTING THE ROCK
Western Michigan committed just nine turnovers on Tuesday at Ohio, the eighth time this season the Broncos have had single-digit miscues. At 11.0 per contest, WMU is committing the second-fewest turnovers per game in the conference.
WMU VS THE SUN BELT
Outside of former MAC member Marshall, Western Michigan has played just 13 games against current Sun Belt members in its history. The Broncos are 5-8 against current SBC foes, and 0-3 in the first two years of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. WMU's last win against the SBC was a neutral site victory over Appalachian State on Nov. 17, 2017.
SERIES HISTORY
The Broncos and Eagles have met just once prior to Saturday's encounter. The two teams came together at the Owl Invitational in Houston back on Nov. 20, 2022, with Georgia Southern picking up a 63-57 win.
GAUGING GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Georgia Southern is coming off of an 83-82 home win over Louisiana on Wednesday. At 5-7, the Eagles are part of a five-way tie for eighth in the Sun Belt standings. Like Western Michigan, GSU is strong on the offensive glass, averaging 12.8 per game, which is third in the SBC and 44th nationally. Their bench averages 30.9 points per game, which leads the Sun Belt and ranks 17th in DI.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Western Michigan resumes MAC play on Tuesday night as it travels to Akron to take on the league-leading Zips.
