Motor City Bowl Coverage...

As this game begins with a CMU pick taken inside the Purdue 20...my first thought cannot help but settle on the fact that WMU should be in this bowl game as MAC Champs.

If nothing else...it appears CMU has something WMU just doesen't have yet...a legitimate swagger that helps against big ten teams.

(I know, I know...Iowa, Iowa, Iowa.)

More to come...

Bronco Head Basketball Coach Steve Hawkins on 590 KZO Sports Tonight...

Sorry everyone for the delay on the posting...and thanks to WKZO for letting me post the audio from their interview.

http://www.zshare.net/delete.html?5708200-e240bea9993521e4af16a0564409665d

Broncos Get Set for Southern Illinois...

It's been a tough week or so with the loss to Northwestern as well as the road loss to IUPUI. I know IUPUI is picked to win their conference this season but there is something to be said about a loss to a team named IUPUI and it hurts for Bronco fans right now.

A win against perennial mid-major powerhouse Southern Illinois would do wonders for a Bronco team looking for a confidence booster.

The reality of the situation is that Steve Hawkins may need to start worrying about a WMU football problem: losing early to solid teams on the road causing a mental confidence issue throughout the season.

The Bronco football team came back to beat Iowa and Temple but too late to salvage the season.

Hawkins will have to guard against that strain in order to keep his team motivated towards a MAC Championship.

This team needs to be much more consistant and until that happens they will continue to lose on the road to tough teams.

With that said; Steve Hawkins is the guy to turn it around.

Coverage immediatly following the game on the Bronco Insider with Interviews, Analysis and discussion right here.

71-63 loss to IUPUI starts to raise some questions...

Is this Bronco Basketball team as good as everyone thought? Can a team that lost to IUPUI...two universities in one compete in the MAC?

It would appear so because of the outstanding shooting that IUPUI came out with as well as their 27 attempts from the free throw line, but Steve Hawkins has been talking all season about defense and this team has simply lacked it.

For spurts they can come close to shut down...then other times they fail.

Southern Illinois just turned into an even BIGGER game than the Broncos expected Tuesday.

Full coverage of Southern Illinois immediatly following the game right here on the Bronco Insider with interviews, stats and more coming Tuesday.

71-63 loss to IUPUI stars to raise some questions...

Is this Bronco Basketball team as good as everyone thought? Can a team that lost to IUPUI...two universities in one compete in the MAC?

It would appear so because of the outstanding shooting that IUPUI came out with as well as their 27 attempts from the free throw line, but Steve Hawkins has been talking all season about defense and this team has simply lacked it.

For spurts they can come close to shut down...then other times they fail.

Southern Illinois just turned into an even BIGGER game than the Broncos expected Tuesday.

Full coverage of Southern Illinois immediatly following the game right here on the Bronco Insider with interviews, stats and more coming Tuesday.

2007 Bronco Football Banquet...

The Western Michigan Bronco Football team held it's annual Football banquet Sunday December 9th inside the downtown Kalamazoo Radisson hotel.

The list of awards goes like this:

John Gill Award: Anthony Gephart

Mike Gary Award: Nick Saad

Community Service Award: James Blair

Outstanding Special Teams: Jim Laney

Outstanding Offensive Player: Brandon West

Outstanding Defensive Player: Anthony Gephart

Outstanding Team Player: Jamarko Simmons

A very eventful banquet filled with alot of promise from next season. These seniors had been through alot after going 1-10 in their first season at WMU.

Coach Bill Cubit it seemed couldn't thank them enough for their support and unwavered professionalism within the program.

He talked about how just under 30 guys had less than 2.0 averages when he took over and now 34 have over 3.0...which is really an incredibly statistic considering the amount of tutoring that was available then and still is now.

This banquet centered on the Seniors and what they have done for the program but it also looked forward to next season and getting the underclassman fired up for 2008.

If you were sitting in the banquet room at the Radisson you had to get a feeling that the players are expecting special things in 2008 and it began Sunday night with sending the Seniors off.

Should be a fun year in 2008 for Bronco fans.

Bronco Football Banquet Tonight...

Check in near 10 tonight for full coverage of the Bronco Football Banquet...right here on the Bronco Insider...

Broncos Fall To Northwestern 65-63...

It was one of those games that could have given WMU a solid win over a Big Ten opponent...but it wasn't to be.

Joe Reitz scored 20 in the loss in which the Broncos moved quick early but fell lax on defense while the Wildcats pummeled them with threes down the stretch.

Bronco Head Basketball Coach Steve Hawkins has said all along that their defense is what will kill them and thats what happened against Northwestern.

Up next the Broncos take on IUPUI Saturday on the road...again.

The Broncos could be in for a tough season.

Northwestern Comes To University Arena Saturday at 2pm...

In the late 90's and early double o's Michigan realized why it shouldn't play Western Michigan in basketball and has apparently continued with that philosophy the last 4 years refusing the play the Broncos.

After Saturday at what will most likely be a raucous University Arena the Northwestern Wildcats might employ the same ideas as the Wolverines.

Simply put...there are ideas that Big Ten schools go by and one of them happens to be; don't play teams that can beat you out of conference unless the team is ranked.

Coming to University Arena may be the biggest mistake Northwestern can make early in the season. A school that will not bring alot of fans to Kalamazoo and will be in a very hostile environment is in real danger of losing to the Broncos.

Bronco fans need to start wondering how good this Bronco team really is and if these younger players still need one more season to understand how to win on the road.

After what can only amount to a ridiculous amount of road games to begin the season the Broncos finally come home Saturday and it couldn't come at a better time.

After suffering through the road woes and coming home from the early season trips 4-4..the Broncos have to be incredibly happy.

Western Michigan Will Open Against Nebraska In 08...

After a game was originally scheduled for September 27th...the Broncos and Cornhuskers have now agreed on an August 30th season opener for both teams in Lincoln.

Broncos Lose To San Diego State 72-61...

From: WMUBRONCOS.COM:

David Kool scored 14 points and Derek Drews added 11 points off the bench, but San Diego State avenged last year's loss to Western Michigan in winning 72-61 in front of 7,122 at Cox Arena on Saturday night.

Derek Fracalossi hit a three-pointer with 12:41 to go in the second half to even the score at 42-all, but that would be the final points for 5:01 as the Aztecs (7-1) rattled off a 10-0 run to take control of the game. The Broncos (4-4) never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

The Aztecs jumped out to a 5-2 lead, but WMU scored seven straight on a pair of Martelle McLemore free throws, a Kool jumper and Michael Redell three-pointer to go up by four, 9-5.

The opening stages continued to go back and forth with five ties and six lead changes, but WMU maintained a four-point edge, 18-14, with 8:49 to go on a McLemore jumper. The Aztecs answered with a 7-0 lead to regain the lead for good, 21-18.

The Aztecs built their lead to seven, 30-23, with 2:09 to go and then again with 1:06 remaining, 32-25, but the Broncos ended the half with five straight on a McLemore layup and a Kool three-pointer with nine seconds to go in the half to pull within two, 32-30, at intermission.

Joe Reitz added 10 rebounds and a career-high three assists, while Shawntes Gary scored eight points.

The Broncos shot 35.7 percent (20-56), while SDSU converted on 51 percent of their attempts (26-51).

It Continues...Broncos lose 3-2 at Lawson...

Full write up on the future coming up...

Lack Of Swagger Surrounds Bronco Hockey...

I want to make this clear as I begin...this is not an attack on a coach, this is not an attack on a program...it's merely an observation that the Western Michigan hockey team is not living up to the standards born in the mid-80's and 90's Bronco Hockey teams.

It has often been said that the only true place WMU can compete on a national level in Varsity athletics is on the ice. Even as the Football and Basketball programs continue to get more exposure...the national championship statement reigns true today.

In an NCAA Sport in which Ferris State can win the CCHA and make it to the NCAA playoffs...the Broncos are falling terribly short. In College Hockey their is no mid-major, there is no mountain to climb to be noticed, and yet the Broncos still approach it that way.

It is often said that Michigan State has an inferiority complex with Michigan...Western Michigan may have one with itself. Why does the athletics department settle for mediocrity in "THE" sport that could bring them the most glory?

After a 4-0 loss to Ferris Friday night in Grand Rapids...shouldn't the University be asking itself...why are we allowing this to happen?

Build on the great resources you have...don't let them fall to the wayside.

Bring a swagger back to Lawson.

Tonight: Broncos VS Ferris State Bulldogs from Lawson at 7:35.

From The WMU Website...

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=1329726

Broncos Head To San Diego...

Full breakdown and write up coming tonight around 8 to preview Saturday's game...

It's Tough To Win When You Shoot 36.5 Percent...

The 15 turnovers hurt, but it was the 19-52 that killed the Broncos Wednesday Night in Valparaiso. The Crusaders used a strong performance from Shawn Huff and his 19 points to secure the win over the Broncos.

The loss drops WMU to 4-3 on the season heading into a tough road game with San Diego State at 10 Saturday.

Broncos Stat Line:

A. Hershberger, F 15 1-2 0-2 2 2 0 3 2
D. Fracalossi, G-F 14 0-2 0-0 1 3 0 2 0
J. Reitz, C 29 4-6 8-8 3 5 0 5 16
D. Drews, G-F 20 2-7 0-0 0 2 0 2 4
S. Gary, G 24 2-11 2-2 1 4 1 2 7

BENCH MIN FGM-A FTM-A OFF REB AST PF PTS
S Laku 5 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0
M. Redell, G 27 2-4 6-6 0 1 4 4 11
A. Ricks, G 11 1-6 0-0 0 0 0 0 2
D. Kool, G 30 3-7 3-4 0 2 1 0 11
D. Lawson, C 9 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 4 1
M. McLemore, G 11 4-6 1-5 1 2 0 2 10
A Wolf 5 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 1

Chance At 4 Straight Wins Falls Short To Valpo 77-65...

More to come...

Quick Hits From The Baseball Diamond Today...

Bronco Baseball Announces 2008-2009 Recruiting Class:

The Broncos signed Casey Hall, (Grass Lake) Michael Frigo, (Lockport, IL) Jack Scanlon, (Jenison) Casey Webber, (Tinsley Park IL) Sam Weinberg, (St. Charles IL) and Dave Brelinski (Clarkston, MI, KVCC)

Casey Hall: (6-4, 175 Lbs) Perfect 10-0 season in 2007 at Grass Lake in 75.2 innings pitched and a 1.02 ERA. Chosen as a pre-season Under Armour All-American heading into Senior year.

For more statistical information head to: http://www.wmubroncos.com

Watch The Broncos Take On Valpo Free Tonight...

Catch the game tonight free at:

http://www.horizonleaguenetwork.tv/live.aspx?ScheduleID=695

It will ask you to register...but the registration is free. Then it should stream the game live.

Great stuff from the Horizon.