2009–10 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team

2009–2010 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball
Conference Mid-American Conference West Division
2009–2010 record 18–15 (8–8 MAC)
Head coach Steve Hawkins
Assistant coach Bacari Alexander
Assistant coach Clayton Bates
Assistant coach Rick Carter
Home arena University Arena
2009–10 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   PCT     W   L   PCT
East
Kent State 13 – 3   .813     24 – 10   .706
Akron 12 – 4   .750     24 – 11   .686
Miami 9 – 7   .563     14 – 18   .438
Buffalo 9 – 7   .563     18 – 12   .600
Ohio† 7 – 9   .438     22 – 15   .595
Bowling Green 6 – 10   .375     14 – 16   .467
West
Central Michigan 9 – 7   .563     15 – 15   .500
Eastern Michigan 8 – 8   .500     17 – 15   .531
Western Michigan 8 – 8   .500     18 – 15   .545
Ball State 8 – 8   .500     15 – 15   .500
Northern Illinois 6 – 10   .375     10 – 20   .333
Toledo 1 – 15   .063     4 – 28   .125
† Conference tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009–10 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team was a NCAA Division I college basketball team representing Western Michigan University. The team was the two-time defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division champion. WMU was coached by Steve Hawkins who was in his seventh season as head coach of the school. The Broncos played their home games at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They finished the season 18–15, 8–8 in MAC play and lost in the semifinals of the 2010 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament.

Pre-season

Western Michigan was picked to finish fifth in the MAC's West Division by members of the MAC News Media Panel.[1] The Broncos received four first-place votes.[1] Senior guard David Kool was selected to the All-MAC West Division Pre-season team.[1]

This season also marked the return of assistant coach Clayton Bates who had left the team for a season in order to work in the private sector.[2] Bates previously served as assistant coach at Western Michigan for eight seasons.[2] Bates replaced former assistant coach Andy Hipsher. Hipsher left WMU to become director of basketball operations at USF.[3]

Awards

Diamond Head Classic

Diamond Head Classic surprise Alex Wolf, in a game against the University of Illinois.

The Broncos finished fifth out of eight teams in the December 2009 Diamond Head Classic. After losing the first game to eventual champion USC, WMU defeated Northeastern and the College of Charleston to finish the tournament 2–1. Western Michigan led USC 27–18 at the half and 47–46 with 4:24 to go in the game.[8] WMU gave champion USC their toughest game of the tournament.[9]

The tournament was the breakout performance for junior walk-on guard Alex Wolf, who scored 28 total points in the final two games of the tournament. Wolf had scored only 11 career points until the point. In the tournament, Wolf earned career highs in points (15) and rebounds (5) and made his first career three-point field goal. Wolf averaged 11 points, four rebounds and one assist per game and made six out of eight three-point field goals and four out of six free throws. For his accomplishments, Wolf was named MAC West Co-Player of the Week.[10]


Roster

No. Name Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown (Previous school)
25 David Brown G 6'3" 213 Fr. Roscoe, IL (Hononegah)
32 Muhammed Conteh F/C 6'7" 232 So. Bloomington, IN (Providence School)
5 Mike Douglas G 6'0" 177 So. Detroit, MI (Finney)
22 Austin Harper G 6'2" 176 Fr. Grand Haven, MI (Grand Haven)
11 Nate Hutcheson F 6'7" 206 Fr. Marion, IA (Linn-Mar)
23 David Kool G 6'3" 213 Sr. Grand Rapids, MI (South Christian)
24 Donald Lawson C 6'10" 243 Sr. Chicago, IL (Leo Catholic)
3 Martelle McLemore G/F 6'5" 205 Sr. Detroit, MI (Consortium Prep)
10 Brandon Pokley G 6'4" 176 Fr. Clarkston, MI (Clarkston)
50 Nick Stapert C 6'8" 230 Fr. Gobles, MI (Gobles)
1 Demetrius Ward G 6'3" 208 So. Detroit, MI (Pershing)
33 Flenard Whitfield F 6'7" 222 So. Detroit, MI (Martin Luther King)
21 Shayne Whittington C 6'10" 210 Fr. Paw Paw, MI (Lawrence)
15 Alex Wolf G 6'0" 198 Jr. Parchment, MI (Parchment)

Schedule

Date Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (Attendance)
Exhibition
11/7/09* Kalamazoo College W 78–52[11]  0–0 University Arena (2,097)
11/11/09* Spring Arbor W 81–51[12]  0–0 University Arena (2,644)
Regular Season
11/15/09* at Detroit L 86–80[13]  0–1 Calihan Hall (3,840)
11/18/09* VCU W 83–67[14]  1–1 University Arena (2,654)
11/23/09* at Loyola (IL) L 60–58[15]  1–2 Gentile Center (1,848)
11/28/09* Holy Cross W 64–54[16]  2–2 University Arena (2,671)
12/1/09* Temple L 76–70[17]  2–3 University Arena (3,086)
12/9/09* at Eastern Illinois W 69–58[18]  3–3 Lantz Arena (1,033)
12/13/09* at Illinois L 88–53[19]  3–4 Assembly Hall (14,886)
12/19/09* Kennesaw State W 72–64[20]  4–4 University Arena (2,612)
12/22/09* vs. USC
(Diamond Head Classic)		 L 55–51[21]  4–5 Stan Sheriff Center (6,892)
12/23/09* vs. Northeastern
(Diamond Head Classic)		 W 75–60[22]  5–5 Stan Sheriff Center (N/A)
12/25/09* vs. College of Charleston
(Diamond Head Classic)		 W 66–63[23]  6–5 Stan Sheriff Center (5,402)
1/3/09* Sam Houston State W 74–73[24]  7–5 University Arena (2,693)
1/5/09* Michigan–Dearborn W 86–45[25]  8–5 University Arena (2,362)
1/9/09 Eastern Michigan
(Michigan MAC Trophy)		 W 61–47[26]  9–5 (1–0) University Arena (3,224)
1/13/09 at Northern Illinois L 87–77[27]  9–6 (1–1) Convocation Center (1,463)
1/16/09 Central Michigan
(Michigan MAC Trophy)		 W 70–61[28]  10–6 (2–1) University Arena (4,656)
1/20/09 at Ball State L 75–68[29]  10–7 (2–2) Worthen Arena (3,032)
1/23/09 Toledo W 73–41[30]  11–7 (3–2) University Arena (3,521)
1/27/09 Akron L 79–70[31]  11–8 (3–3) University Arena (3,041)
1/30/09 at Kent State L 74–73[32]  11–9 (3–4) Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (3,961)
2/1/09 at Buffalo W 85–70[33]  12–9 (4–4) Alumni Arena (1,301)
2/4/09 Miami L 56–54[34]  12–10 (4–5) University Arena (3,032)
2/6/09 Bowling Green W 65–64[35]  13–10 (5–5) University Arena (3,515)
2/9/09 at Ohio L 90–74[36]  13–11 (5–6) Convocation Center (2,880)
2/14/09 at Eastern Michigan
(Michigan MAC Trophy)		 L 66–52[37]  13–12 (5–7) Convocation Center (1,094)
2/17/09 Northern Illinois W 90–81[38]  14–12 (6–7) University Arena (3,016)
2/20/09* at Southern Illinois
(BracketBusters)		 L 89–72[39]  14–13 SIU Arena (4,151)
2/24/09 at Toledo W 61–41[40]  15–13 (7–7) Savage Arena (3,398)
2/27/09 at Central Michigan
(Michigan MAC Trophy)		 L 74–66[41]  15–14 (7–8) Rose Arena (3,504)
3/4/09 Ball State W 67–52[42]  16–14 (8–8) University Arena (3,121)
MAC Tournament
3/7/09 Bowling Green
(MAC Tournament First Round)		 W 75–73[43]  17–14 University Arena (1,786)
3/11/09 vs. Central Michigan
(MAC Tournament Quarterfinals)		 W 69–60[44]  18–14 Quicken Loans Arena (N/A)
3/12/09 vs. Akron
(MAC Tournament Semifinals)		 L 66–64[45]  18–15 Quicken Loans Arena (N/A)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. ( ) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=204822429
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Clayton Bates Rejoins Men's Basketball Coaching Staff - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Tampa Bay, Florida news | Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times". tampabay.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  4. ↑ http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=204848349
  5. ↑ http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=204860556
  6. ↑ "Men's Basketball Wins Back-to-Back MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=204839162
  8. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos vs. USC Trojans - Play by Play - December 22, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. December 22, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ Greenberg, Seth. "College Basketball Experts Blog - ESPN". espn.go.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ http://mac-sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=42971&SPID=3803&DB_OEM_ID=9400&ATCLID=204862498
  11. ↑ "Men's Basketball Pulls Away Late to Win Exhibition Opener, 78-52 - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ "SAU-WMU MBB Box Score - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "WMU-Detroit MBB Box - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Virginia Commonwealth Rams vs. Western Michigan Broncos - Box Score - November 18, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. November 18, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos vs. Loyola (IL) Ramblers - Box Score - November 23, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. November 23, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Holy Cross Crusaders vs. Western Michigan Broncos - Box Score - November 28, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. November 28, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  17. ↑ "TU-WMU MBB Box - WMUBroncos.com—Official Web Site of Western Michigan Athletics". wmubroncos.com. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers - Box Score - December 09, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. December 9, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos vs. Illinois Fighting Illini - Box Score - December 13, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. December 13, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Kennesaw State Owls vs. Western Michigan Broncos - Box Score - December 19, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. December 19, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Western Michigan Broncos vs. USC Trojans - Box Score - December 22, 2009 - ESPN". espn.go.com. December 22, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  22. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=293572711
  23. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=293592711
  24. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300032711
  25. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300052711
  26. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300092711
  27. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300132459
  28. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300162711
  29. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300202050
  30. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300232711
  31. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300272711
  32. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300302309
  33. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300322084
  34. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300352711
  35. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300372711
  36. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300400195
  37. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300452199
  38. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300482711
  39. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300510079
  40. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300552649
  41. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300582117
  42. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300632711
  43. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300662711
  44. ↑ http://espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300702117
  45. ↑ http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=300712006