Bowling Green Falcons

1-0 overall, 0-0 MAC, margin +3.0 · Coach Todd Simon (since 2023) · Picked 7th in the MAC preseason poll
TV scheduleTravel mapNewsRatings
+2.5
net rating per 100 · #135 in D-I · model
105.3
adjusted offense · #181
102.9
adjusted defense · #120
71.9
pace, possessions / 40 · #118
-6.2
strength of schedule so far · #178

Rotation

#PlayerPosClHtGP/GSMINPTSREBASTeFG%TS%Rating
7 Zach Howell transfer GSR6' 5" 1/1 39.0 28.0 8.0 1.0 92.9 94.1 +3.2
4 Josiah Shackelford GJR6' 5" 1/1 35.0 12.0 9.0 3.0 30.0 35.8 -0.5
3 Makhi Leach GSO6' 2" 1/1 32.0 12.0 3.0 2.0 33.3 46.3 -1.4
0 Tristan Beckford transfer GSO6' 7" 1/1 27.0 12.0 7.0 1.0 83.3 60.2 +3.3
13 Preston Squire FJR6' 11" 1/0 25.0 8.0 4.0 2.0 70.0 68.0 -0.3
8 Juan Cranford Jr. GJR6' 4" 1/0 17.0 2.0 3.0 1.0 50.0 50.0 -3.5
15 Camden Karel FSO6' 9" 1/0 10.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 +1.6
1 Trey Simmons transfer GJR6' 1" 1/0 9.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.5
22 Christ Essandoko transfer FSR7' 1" 1/1 5.0 2.0 0.0 2.0 100.0 100.0 +1.1
2 KJ Torbert FR GFR6' 3" 1/0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 – – +0.5
34 Aiden Goins FSR6' 9" 0/0 – – – – – – –
5 Christian Dedivanaj GSO6' 3" 0/0 – – – – – – –
10 Jayden Johnson GJR6' 1" 0/0 – – – – – – –
35 Leek Ateny FR FFR6' 11" 0/0 – – – – – – –
11 Talan Staley FR GFR6' 3" 0/0 – – – – – – –
Box scores from ESPN. eFG% weights threes; TS% includes free throws.

Schedule

DateOpponentWatchResultLineRestMiles
Mon 11/2 at Georgia State Panthers ESPN+ W 76-73 +3.5 cover – 528
Mon 11/9 vs Cleveland State Vikings ESPN+ 7 PM ET -13.0model -22.7 6 528 odds
Thu 11/12 vs Niagara Purple Eagles ESPN+ 7 PM ET –model -18.9 2 –
Tue 11/17 at William & Mary Tribe FloSports 7 PM ET –model +2.6 4 467
Sat 11/21 vs Northern Illinois Huskies ESPN+ 2 PM ET – 3 467
Tue 11/24 vs Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs ESPN+ 7 PM ET – 2 –
Fri 11/27 at Indiana Hoosiers BTN 6 PM ET – 2 215
Wed 12/2 at Kent State Golden Flashes MAC ESPN+ 7 PM ET – 4 335
Sat 12/5 vs Western Michigan Broncos MAC ESPN+ 2 PM ET – 2 120
Wed 12/16 vs Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC ESPN+ 7 PM ET – 10 –
Sat 12/19 at Akron Zips MAC ESPN+ 2 PM ET – 2 113
Tue 12/22 vs Cornerstone CORNERSTNE – 2 PM ET – 2 113
Tue 12/29 vs Aquinas Saints – 6 PM ET – 6 –
Sat 1/2 vs Ohio Bobcats MAC – 2 PM ET – 3 –
Tue 1/5 at Central Michigan Chippewas MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 164
Sat 1/9 at Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC – 3:30 PM ET – 3 110
Tue 1/12 vs Ball State Cardinals MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 60
Sat 1/16 at Buffalo Bulls MAC – 2:30 PM ET – 3 266
Tue 1/19 vs Massachusetts Minutemen MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 266
Fri 1/22 vs Kent State Golden Flashes MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 –
Tue 1/26 at Western Michigan Broncos MAC – 7 PM ET – 3 118
Sat 1/30 vs Toledo Rockets MAC – 5 PM ET – 3 118
Tue 2/2 at Ball State Cardinals MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 122
Tue 2/9 at Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC – 7 PM ET – 6 263
Sat 2/13 vs Buffalo Bulls MAC – 1 PM ET – 3 141
Tue 2/16 vs Akron Zips MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 –
Sat 2/20 at Toledo Rockets MAC – 2 PM ET – 3 21
Tue 2/23 vs Central Michigan Chippewas MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 21
Sat 2/27 at Massachusetts Minutemen MAC – 6 PM ET – 3 576
Tue 3/2 at Ohio Bobcats MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 543
Fri 3/5 vs Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 163
Line is this team's spread (DraftKings via ESPN for finished games, our snapshots for upcoming). "cover" / "miss" is against that number. Click a result for the box score. Rest is full days off; miles are estimated travel into the game, with any time-zone change. Season total: 5,838 miles. See the route on the travel map · TV schedule.

Storylines

Zach Howell's 28 powers 76-73 season-opening win at Georgia State Drury transfer Zach Howell scored 28 in his BGSU debut as the Falcons won the MAC-SBC Challenge opener in Atlanta on Nov 2, 2026. source

Division II scorers reshape the offense Howell (Drury, 17.6 ppg, 44% 3PT) and Trey Simmons (Frostburg State, 24.2 ppg, MEC Player of the Year) headline a shooting-first makeover after losing MAC Defensive Player of the Year Javontae Campbell to Cincinnati. source

Mr. Basketball KJ Torbert arrives Michigan's Mr. Basketball signed Nov 14, 2025; the Blade profiled him Feb 5, 2026 ('I'll do it all'). Former four-star recruit Tristan Beckford signed April 27, 2026. source

Simon extended through 2030 Extension announced May 28, 2026 runs through March 31, 2030; Simon is 52-46 at BGSU, most wins by a BGSU coach through three seasons. source

Center is the open question Goins, Squire and Karel return, joined by freshman Leek Atney and South Carolina transfer Christ Essandoko; sMACk Talk calls the five-spot the team's biggest question. source

Lost exhibition at Western Kentucky BGSU fell in the Oct 20 'Battle of Bowling Green' exhibition at WKU (score not captured). source

Recent news

2026-11-02 Men's basketball soars to season-opening 76-73 win at Georgia State MAC-Sun Belt Challenge opener in Atlanta. Zach Howell scored 28 in his debut (Sentinel-Tribune headline). Full box score and Simon quotes not captured (official recap, ESPN recap and Sentinel-Tribune gamer could not be fetched). ESPN game page: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401910994/bowling-green-georgia-st; NCAA.com: https://www.ncaa.com/game/6651125. source

2026-11-03 Sentinel-Tribune: Howell's 28 leads Falcons past Georgia St. Local-paper gamer on the opener; page refused the fetch. source

2026-11-09 Upcoming: Cleveland State home opener at the Stroh Center, then Niagara Nov 12 First home game of 2026-27; Niagara follows Nov 12 before trips to William & Mary (Nov 17) and Indiana (Nov 27). source

Fieldhouse Notes

+ Add dispatch

Latest headlines

All MAC news →

On Reddit: r/CollegeBasketball search. Reddit is closing its free feeds, so these are links, not part of the ticker.

Preseason previews

Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): 2026-27 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season 2026-11 (living page) · projected 7th (MAC preseason coaches poll, 63 points)

Bowling Green was picked seventh in the Oct 20, 2026 MAC preseason coaches poll with 63 points, behind UMass (79) and ahead of Western Michigan (58). Todd Simon is in his fourth year with a 52-46 record at BGSU and 27-27 in the MAC. Josiah Shackelford was featured in the league's preseason preview. No BGSU player was named preseason All-MAC first or second team.

sMACk Talk (Substack): 2026-27 Mid-American Men's Basketball Overview 2026-10-21 · Foster Roesti (Bowling Green section) · projected 7th (cites MAC preseason poll)

BGSU went 18-14 (9-9 MAC) in 2025-26, finished fifth and had one of the league's best defenses (71.6 ppg allowed), but has not won a MAC Tournament game since 2023-24. Simon's fourth-year team shifts to a shooting-driven offense built around two Division II transfers: Drury's Zach Howell (17.6 ppg, 44% 3PT, All-GLVC First Team) and Frostburg State's Trey Simmons (24.2 ppg, Mountain East Player of the Year). Junior guard Josiah Shackelford (11.3 ppg) is the top returner and freshman KJ Torbert is Michigan's Mr. Basketball. Center is the biggest question: returners Aiden Goins, Preston Squire and Camden Karel plus freshman Leek Atney and South Carolina transfer Christ Essandoko. Departures: Javontae Campbell (Cincinnati) and Mayar Wol (Seton Hall) transferred; Justin Thomas, Sam Towns, Troy Glover II and Javon Ruffin graduated. Road tests at William & Mary (Nov 17) and Indiana (Nov 27).

BGSU Athletics: BGSU Men's Basketball Announces Full 2026-27 Schedule Highlighted By Cleveland State Home Opener 2026-08-12 · BGSU Athletics

Schedule release: exhibition at Western Kentucky Oct 20 ('Battle of Bowling Green'); opener at Georgia State Nov 2 (MAC-Sun Belt Challenge); home opener vs. Cleveland State Nov 9; Niagara Nov 12; at William & Mary Nov 17 (first BGSU trip to Kaplan Arena); Northern Illinois Nov 21; Gardner-Webb (date TBA); at Indiana Nov 27; Cornerstone Dec 22; Aquinas Dec 29; MAC-SBC Challenge round two Feb 6, 2027. Six players return from 2025-26. The incoming class brings a combined two Player of the Year awards and five all-conference honors. Simon: 'We are excited for the challenge for the team this season,' noting the 22-game MAC slate makes league play a three-month season starting in December.

BG Falcon Media: BGSU men's basketball 2026-27 season preview

Campus-paper season preview located via search; could not be read (fetch budget exhausted). Author, date and player claims unverified.

The Blade (Toledo): Revamped BGSU men's basketball shaping identity ahead of 2026-27 season 2026-10-28

Regional-paper preview on the rebuilt roster finding its identity. Located via search; could not be read (fetch budget exhausted). Author and player claims unverified.

BGSU Athletics: Men's Basketball Open Regular Season at Georgia State in MAC/Sun Belt Challenge 2026-10-30 · BGSU Athletics

Official opener preview. Located but not read (fetch budget exhausted).

Players

Zach Howell #7 · G · Senior · 6' 5" · 212 lbs

Springfield, MO · from Drury (D-II) · transfer in · ESPN
28.0 pts8.0 reb1.0 ast39.0 min 10-14 FG6-10 3PT2-2 FT 94.1 TS%15.3 shots+TO/40
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17.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 44% 3PT (99-225), All-GLVC First Team at Drury. Scored 28 in BGSU debut, the 76-73 win at Georgia State (Nov 2, 2026). source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Redshirt senior G/F, transfer from Drury (D-II); 17.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, All-GLVC First Team, 44% from three (99-225). source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 392810-146-102-281000

Josiah Shackelford #4 · G · Junior · 6' 5" · 210 lbs

Sanford, FL · returner · ESPN · @JosiahShackelf1
12.0 pts9.0 reb3.0 ast35.0 min 4-15 FG1-5 3PT3-4 FT 35.8 TS%20.3 shots+TO/40
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Top returner. 2025-26: all 32 games, 11.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 41 threes (35.3%). Represented BGSU with Simon on the MAC Tip-Off Show Oct 20, 2026. Scored 21 vs. Siena Heights in Dec 2025. Signed in April 2025 as PBC Freshman of the Year. source source source

Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): Featured as BGSU's representative in MAC preseason preview materials. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Junior guard, returning; 11.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 35.3% from three in 2025-26. source

BGSU Athletics: Junior guard; played all 32 games in 2025-26, averaged 11.3 ppg and made 41 three-pointers. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 35124-151-53-493110

Makhi Leach #3 · G · Sophomore · 6' 2" · 180 lbs

Toledo, OH · ESPN · @leach_makhi
12.0 pts3.0 reb2.0 ast32.0 min 3-9 FG0-1 3PT6-9 FT 46.3 TS%16.2 shots+TO/40
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Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 32123-90-16-932010

Tristan Beckford #0 · G · Sophomore · 6' 7" · 205 lbs

Maple, Canada · transfer in · ESPN
12.0 pts7.0 reb1.0 ast27.0 min 5-6 FG0-1 3PT2-9 FT 60.2 TS%23.6 shots+TO/40
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Former four-star recruit signed April 27, 2026 (release not read; previous school unknown). source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 27125-60-12-971611

Preston Squire #13 · F · Junior · 6' 11" · 235 lbs

Ephraim, UT · returner · ESPN
8.0 pts4.0 reb2.0 ast25.0 min 3-5 FG1-3 3PT1-2 FT 68.0 TS%14.2 shots+TO/40
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Returning center (originally a JUCO transfer). source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Returning center. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 2583-51-31-242300

Juan Cranford Jr. #8 · G · Junior · 6' 4" · 220 lbs

Dayton, OH · unknown · ESPN
2.0 pts3.0 reb1.0 ast17.0 min 1-2 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT 50.0 TS%11.8 shots+TO/40
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Graduated; 45 blocks in 2025-26. source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Graduated. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 1721-20-00-031300

Camden Karel #15 · F · Sophomore · 6' 9" · 220 lbs

Byron Center, MI · returner · ESPN · @CamdenKarel
0.0 pts1.0 reb0.0 ast10.0 min 0-1 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT 0.0 TS%4.0 shots+TO/40
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Returning center. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Returning center. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 1000-10-00-010010

Trey Simmons #1 · G · Junior · 6' 1" · 190 lbs

Gaithersburg, MD · from Frostburg State (D-II) · transfer in · ESPN
0.0 pts1.0 reb0.0 ast9.0 min 0-2 FG0-1 3PT0-0 FT 0.0 TS%8.9 shots+TO/40
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Mountain East Conference Player of the Year; 24.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 38% 3PT. Signed April 22, 2026. source source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Junior guard, transfer from Frostburg State (D-II); 24.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, Mountain East Player of the Year, 38% from three (54-142). source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 900-20-10-010000

Christ Essandoko #22 · F · Senior · 7' 1" · 290 lbs

Clichy, France · from South Carolina · transfer in · ESPN
2.0 pts0.0 reb2.0 ast5.0 min 1-1 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT 100.0 TS%8.0 shots+TO/40
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Played 21 games at South Carolina last season; part of the center rotation. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Center, transfer from South Carolina; played 21 games last season. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 521-10-00-002000

KJ Torbert #2 · G · Freshman · 6' 3" · 180 lbs

East Lansing, MI · freshman · ESPN
0.0 pts1.0 reb0.0 ast1.0 min 0-0 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT – TS%0.0 shots+TO/40
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Michigan Mr. Basketball; signed Nov 14, 2025 as 'top Michigan recruit'. Blade feature Feb 5, 2026. (BG Falcon Media spelled it 'Tolbert' in March 2026.) source source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Incoming freshman; Michigan 'Mr. Basketball'. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 100-00-00-010000

Aiden Goins #34 · F · Senior · 6' 9" · 280 lbs

Knoxville, TN · returner · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
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Played 25 games in 2025-26. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Returning center; played 25 games last season. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 DNP

Christian Dedivanaj #5 · G · Sophomore · 6' 3" · 175 lbs

Flint, MI · ESPN · @christiandediv
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 DNP

Jayden Johnson #10 · G · Junior · 6' 1" · 165 lbs

Brooklyn, NY · ESPN · @JaydenJ_10
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 DNP

Leek Ateny #35 · F · Freshman · 6' 11" · 195 lbs

Rungis, South Sudan · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 DNP

Talan Staley #11 · G · Freshman · 6' 3" · 186 lbs

Blythewood, SC · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-02at GASTW 76-73 DNP

Departures and others in coverage

PlayerStatusNotes
Leek AtneyfreshmanFreshman center in the rotation competing at the five. source
Javontae CampbellunknownTransferred out to Cincinnati. 2025-26: 18 ppg, program-record 96 steals, MAC Defensive Player of the Year. source source
Mayar WolunknownTransferred out to Seton Hall. source
Sam TownsunknownGraduated after 2025-26; multi-year starter under Simon. source source
Justin ThomasunknownGraduated; rotated in and out of the starting lineup in 2025-26. source source
Javon RuffinunknownGraduated after 2025-26. source
Named in previews or news but not on ESPN's current roster: mostly transfers out and graduates, sometimes a late addition ESPN has not listed yet.

Who covers Bowling Green

SourceTypeHandleBeat writersNotes
BG Falcon Media (BGSU student media)campus paper Artie Abrego, Foster RoestiStudent paper/Falcon Media Sports Network. 2026-27 items: 'BGSU men's basketball 2026-27 season preview' (https://bgfalconmedia.com/183593/sports/mens-basketball/bgsu-mens-basketball-2026-27-season-preview/), WKU exhibition recap (https://bgfalconmedia.com/183346/...), opener preview (https://bgfalconmedia.com/183733/...). Abrego and Roesti bylined the March 30, 2026 season wrap. 2026-27 pieces could not be read (fetch budget exhausted).
Sentinel-Tribune (Bowling Green, Ohio)city paper Nicholas HuenefeldLocal daily. Nov 3, 2026 gamer 'Howell's 28 leads Falcons past Georgia St.' (site refused fetch). Huenefeld wrote an earlier practice-opening feature as 'special to the Sentinel-Tribune'.
The Blade (Toledo)city paper Regional paper with dedicated BGSU section. 2026-27 pieces: 'Revamped BGSU men's basketball shaping identity ahead of 2026-27 season' (Oct 28, 2026, https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/bgsu/2026/10/28/revamped-bgsu-men-s-basketball-shaping-identity-ahead-of-2026-27-season/stories/20261028021) and KJ Torbert feature (Feb 5, 2026). Not read; author not captured.
WTOL 11 (Toledo CBS)tv radio Toledo-market TV; linked preview is from an earlier Simon season (opener vs. Chicago State), not 2026-27.
The Falcons Nest Coaches Show with Todd Walkerpodcast Official weekly in-season coaches radio show hosted by Todd Walker at Fricker's; Simon appears regularly.
BGSU Athletics (BGSUFalcons.com) men's basketballofficial Official site. 2026-27 releases: schedule (Aug 12), MAC Tip-Off Show (Oct 20), Georgia State preview (Oct 30), Georgia State recap (Nov 2). Roster: https://bgsufalcons.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster.
sMACk Talk (Substack)blog Foster RoestiMAC-wide newsletter; Roesti wrote the Bowling Green section of the Oct 21, 2026 overview.
BVM Sportsblog Aggregator; BGSU schedule item (headline references Fred Chmiel, the women's coach).
HoopDirtblog Reported Simon's extension through March 31, 2030 (May 30, 2026).
Hustle Belt (SB Nation MAC site)blog No 2026-27 BGSU basketball preview surfaced in searches.
Coverage research as of 2026-11-08.