Wednesday, March 12th, 5:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Quicken Loans Arena (20,562) -- Cleveland, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: BGSU 8-5, Toledo 9-3. Away Record: BGSU 4-10, Toledo 1-15. Neutral Record: BGSU 1-1, Toledo 0-0. Conference Record: BGSU 7-9, Toledo 7-8. Series Record: Toledo leads, 82-75.

GAME NOTES: Opening round action in the Mid-American Conference Tournament will take place this evening at the Quicken Loans Arena, when the eighth- seeded Toledo Rockets take on the ninth-seeded Bowling Green Falcons. The Falcons struggled down the stretch, closing out their regular-season with five losses in their last seven games. The late slide left BGSU with a mere 13-16 overall record, which included a 7-9 mark in MAC play. The Falcons have not had much success in this tournament, posting a 16-25 ledger all-time, while never claiming the title. As for the Rockets, they finished their schedule with a small two-game winning streak, pushing their league ledger to a mere 7-8. Toledo won the first-ever MAC title back in 1980, but since then the squad has lost three championship games.

The Falcons have put forth a strong effort at the defensive end of the floor and head into this matchup surrendering just 68.5 ppg, while limiting the opposition to just 41.5 percent shooting from the floor. Unfortunately the team's defensive play has been wasted by inconsistent efforts at the other end of the floor, as the Falcons are producing just 64.0 ppg. Nate Miller has been the main scoring threat for Bowling Green, as the forward is netting 13.3 ppg to go along with 6.4 rpg. Miller has also dished out 79 assists and is pacing the team with 43 steals. Chris Knight has also been solid in the paint for the Falcons, and heads into this game with 10.7 ppg to go along with a team-high 7.3 rpg and 29 blocks.

The Rockets have had issues offensively, averaging just 60.2 ppg on the year. Toledo comes into this matchup shooting a woeful 39.7 ppg, and an equally terrible 30.9 percent from behind the arc. The Rockets have also struggled on the glass, losing the rebound battle by 6.2 rpg. Tyrone Kent is leading the team with 17.1 ppg, but the forward has struggled for the most part this year. Kent is shoot a horrendous 36.7 percent from the floor and has more turnovers (134) then assists (87). Jonathan Amos has been a solid backcourt player for Toledo, netting 12.4 ppg to go along with 5.2 rpg and a team-high 71 steals. Jerrah Young has been the most physical option for Toledo, and is currently chipping in 10.3 ppg to go along with a team-highs in rebounds (6.5 rpg) and blocks (41).

The Rockets have been inconsistent offensively, but the team has enough weapons to grab a first round victory over Bowling Green. Expect a close matchup, but Toledo should get the win.

Predicted Outcome

Toledo 67, Bowling Green 64