By Quincy Burns

GAME NOTES

https://wmubroncos.com/documents/2024/12/2/WMU_MBB_Game_Notes_at_Dayton_120324.pdf

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men’s basketball team continues its four-game road stretch on Tuesday evening as it visits Dayton.
GAME INFO

Matchup: Western Michigan (3-4) at Dayton (6-2)

Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec. 3 – 7 pm

Site: UD Arena (Dayton, Ohio)

Video: ESPN+

Radio: Bronco Media Network

Live Stats: StatBroadcast

OPENING TIP

• Western Michigan continues its month-long stretch without a home game on Tuesday night as it visits Dayton.
• The Broncos began their four-game road stretch with a 73-62 victory at Youngstown State last Wednesday.
• Max Burton posted career highs in points (18) and rebounds (12) for his first collegiate double-double in the victory.
• Markhi Strickland added 16 points, his third straight game with 15 or more.
• WMU had a double-digit rebounding edge for the third straight game (49-30).
• The Broncos lead the conference in both overall rebounding (41.6/game) and rebounding margin (+7.7).
• WMU is also second in the league in offensive rebounding at 13.6/game.
• Dayton owns a 3-0 edge in the all-time series between the two programs.
• Western Michigan is seeking its first victory over an A-10 program since a 65-51 win at St. Louis on Nov. 28, 2017.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Western Michigan continues its four-game road stretch on Tuesday night as it visits Dayton. The Broncos are currently in the midst of a month-long stretch without a home game, with their most recent game at University Arena coming back on Nov. 20, and their return to Kalamazoo scheduled for Dec. 20 against Valparaiso.

LAST TIME OUT
The Broncos opened up their four-game road stretch with a 73-62 victory at Youngstown State last Wednesday. Max Burton’s first collegiate double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds) led the way for Western Michigan, while Brandon Muntu (18) and Markhi Strickland (16) were also in double-figures. WMU enjoyed a 49-30 advantage on the glass and its defense held the Penguins to 35.9 percent from the floor and 18.5 percent from three-point range in the victory.

CRASHING THE BOARDS
Western Michigan dominated on the glass in its victory at YSU, as it owned a 49-30 rebounding advantage. It was the third straight game with a double-digit rebounding edge for the Broncos, and their largest advantage on the boards since posting a plus-22 mark (43-21) on the glass in last season’s trip to Northwestern. The Broncos reeled in 18 offensive boards against the Penguins, their fifth double-digit offensive rebounding game of the season.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Max Burton posted the first double-double of his collegiate career against Youngstown State, putting up career highs in both points (18) and rebounds (12). It was the second consecutive double-digit rebounding game for Burton, who had 11 on Nov. 20 against South Dakota. For the season, he is up to 11th in the MAC at 6.1 rebounds per game.

CLEANING THE GLASS
After last Wednesday’s dominant rebounding performance against Youngstown State, Western Michigan remained atop the conference in total rebounding (41.6/game) and rebounding margin (+7.7), while ranking second in offensive rebounding (13.6). Nationally, the Broncos rank 30th in NCAA Division I in rebounds per game, 46th in offensive rebounds per game and 52nd in rebounding margin.

OWEN-ING THE GLASS
After finishing ninth in the conference with 6.3 rebounds per game last season, Owen Lobsinger has grabbed six or more in six of WMU’s first seven games of the new campaign. The senior is currently third in the MAC with an average of 7.6 per contest.

MAKING HIS MARK
Markhi Strickland tallied 16 points against Youngstown State, his third straight game with at least 15 for the Broncos. After having not recorded a double-digit scoring effort in 26 career games at the DI level prior to this season, the Miami, Fla., native has been in double-figures in five of WMU’s seven games in 2024-25. Strickland is the team’s leading scorer at 12.4 points per contest.

PROTECTING THE ROCK
Western Michigan has committed single-digit turnovers in four of its first seven games this season. For the year, Western Michigan is averaging 10.0 turnovers per game, the second-fewest in the conference and 35th-fewest in NCAA Division I.

DIALING LONG DISTANCE
After going 6-for-9 from three-point range at Youngstown State, the Broncos have made at least one three-pointer in 430 straight games, dating back to the 2010-11 season. Brandon Muntu is the team’s leading sharpshooter at 45.2 percent (9th in the MAC).

SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday night’s contest marks the fourth all-time meeting between the Broncos and Flyers. Dayton has won each of the previous three, all of which have been at home. The most recent meeting was on Nov. 30, 2022.

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Like WMU, Dayton has had a week since its last game, an 85-67 victory over #2 UConn to wrap up the Maui Invitational. Four Flyers are averaging double-figures, led by Enoch Cheeks at 15.3 points per game.

THE ROAD AHEAD
The Broncos continue their four-game road stretch next Friday, Dec. 13, at St. Thomas.

COURTESY WESTERN MICHIGAN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS