1997–98 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team

The 1997–98 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team was a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college basketball team that played in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Broncos, 21–8 overall and 12–4 in the conference, shared a piece of the MAC West Division title and earned an at-large bid in the 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.[1]

1997–98 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball
MAC West Division Co-Champions
NCAA Tournament, Second Round
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Division	West Division
1997–98 record	21–8 (14–4 MAC)
Head coach	Bob Donewald
Home arena	University Arena

1997–98 Mid-American Conference men's basketball standings
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		PCT			W		L		PCT
East
Akron	13	–	5		.722			17	–	10		.630
Kent State	9	–	9		.500			13	–	17		.433
Miami	9	–	9		.500			17	–	12		.586
Marshall	7	–	11		.389			11	–	16		.407
Bowling Green	7	–	11		.389			10	–	16		.385
Ohio	3	–	15		.167			5	–	21		.192
West
Ball State	14	–	4		.778			21	–	8		.724
Western Michigan	14	–	4		.778			21	–	8		.724
Eastern Michigan †	13	–	5		.722			20	–	10		.667
Toledo	10	–	8		.556			15	–	12		.556
Northern Illinois	6	–	12		.333			10	–	16		.385
Central Michigan	3	–	15		.167			5	–	21		.192
† Mid-American Conference Tournament winner Rankings from AP Poll

As an 11-seed, WMU upset six-seeded Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual Final Four team Stanford in the second round.

Preseason

MAC West preseason poll
School	Points
Eastern Michigan (47)	311
Toledo (2)	223
Ball State (3)	219
Western Michigan (1)	167
Northern Illinois	134
Central Michigan	59
First place votes in parentheses.

The Broncos were picked to finish fourth in the MAC West Division and received one first-place vote.[2] They won their two exhibition games, defeating Marathon Oil, 83–66[3] and the Ohio All-Stars, 93–71.

Season

WMU defeated Michigan 68–63 in the opening game of the season. Senior guard Saddi Washington scored 33 point on 10–22 shooting and the 12 point underdogs[4] overcame an 11-point deficit with a 26–10 run to end the game.[5]

Hoosier Classic

Western Michigan participated in the 1997 Hoosier Classic, the 16th-annual holiday tournament held at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.[6] The Broncos played UNC Charlotte in the first game of the tournament, winning 81–65. In the championship game against Indiana, WMU held a 31–29 lead at the half before losing 70–63.[6] Saddi Washington was named tournament MVP.[6]

Conference tournament

Western Michigan finished the season tied with Ball State with the best conference record but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker and was given the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. In the first round of the tournament, WMU faced No. 7 seed Miami on their home court in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Miami upset the Broncos 67–63 but the notable event of the game was Miami coach Charlie Coles collapsing midway through the first half.[7] The game was stopped while Coles was transported to a local hospital. Without Coles, the game resumed about two hours later.

NCAA tournament

Western Michigan received an at-large bid in the 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and were seeded No. 11. In the first round, they upset No. 6 Clemson 75–72. Their second round opponent, No. 3 Stanford defeated No. 14 College of Charleston in the first round. Stanford defeated WMU 83–65 to end the Broncos season.

Roster

The following table lists WMU's roster.[8]

1997–98 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown F 10 Ryan Black 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) — Jr Waukesha South H.S. G/F 32 Isaac Bullock 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) — Jr Whetstone H.S. G/F 35 Tony Collins 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) — Fr Richton P. (IL) Bloom Twp. F 23 Carlos Horton 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) — So Glenn Hills (PA) H.S. G/F 33 Shaun Jackson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) — Jr Norfolk (VA) Maury G 22 Josh Jansen 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) — Fr Mount Pleasant H.S. G 20 Rashod Johnson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) — Sr Rogers H.S. G 5 Kylo Jones 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) — Fr Orchard Lake St. Mary's H.S. G 4 Jason Kimbrough 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) — Sr de Porres H.S. C 50 Ryan Schultz 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) — Jr Coon Rapids H.S. F 34 Aaron Toothman 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) — Sr Granville H.S. F 44 Brad Van Timmeren 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) — So Allendale H.S. G/F 24 Saddi Washington 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) — Sr Sexton H.S.	Head coach Bob Donewald Assistant coach(es) Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible (W) Walk-on Injured Current redshirt Roster Last update: January 23, 2018

Schedule

Date time, TV	Rank^#	Opponent^#	Result	Record	Site (attendance) city, state
November 15, 1997* 7:30 pm[9], None		at Michigan	W 68–63	1–0	Crisler Arena (12,237[10]) Ann Arbor, MI
November 25, 1997* 7:00 pm		Indiana State	W 74–58	2–0	University Arena ([11]) Kalamazoo, MI
November 29, 1997* 5:00 pm		at Wisconsin–Milwaukee	W 84–47	3–0	Milwaukee Arena ([12]) Milwaukee, WI
December 3, 1997* 7:00 pm		Chicago State	W 106–62	4–0	University Arena ([13]) Kalamazoo, MI
December 6, 1997* 2:00 pm		at Detroit	W 77–59	4–1	Calihan Hall ([14]) Detroit, MI
December 10, 1997 7:00 pm		Ball State	W 81–76	4–2 (0–1)	University Arena ([15]) Kalamazoo, MI
December 22, 1997* 7:00 pm		Wright State	W 88–74	5–2	University Arena ([16]) Kalamazoo, MI
December 27, 1997* 9:00 pm		vs. UNC Charlotte Hoosier Classic	W 81–65	6–2	Market Square Arena (15,918[17]) Indianapolis, IN
December 28, 1997* 7:00 pm		vs. Indiana Hoosier Classic	W 70–63	6–3	Market Square Arena (12,501[18]) Indianapolis, IN
December 31, 1997 3:00 pm		at Northern Illinois	W 79–73	7–3 (1–1)	Chick Evans Field House ([19]) DeKalb, IL
January 3, 1998 2:00 pm		Bowling Green	W 81–75	8–3 (2–1)	University Arena ([20]) Kalamazoo, MI
January 5, 1998 7:00 pm		Miami	W 63–47	9–3 (3–1)	University Arena ([21]) Kalamazoo, MI
January 8, 1998 7:00 pm		at Kent State	W 65–63	9–4 (3–2)	Memorial Gym ([22]) Kent, OH
January 10, 1998 3:00 pm		at Akron	W 89–83 ^OT	10–4 (4–2)	Rhodes Arena ([23]) Akron, OH
January 17, 1998 2:00 pm		Central Michigan	W 81–63	11–4 (5–2)	University Arena ([24]) Kalamazoo, MI
January 21, 1998 7:00 pm		Eastern Michigan	W 96–85	12–4 (6–2)	University Arena ([25]) Kalamazoo, MI
January 24, 1998 7:00 pm		at Toledo	W 86–76	13–4 (7–2)	Savage Hall ([26]) Toledo, OH
January 29, 1998 7:00 pm		Akron	W 77–63	14–4 (8–2)	University Arena ([27]) Kalamazoo, MI
January 31, 1998 2:00 pm		Kent State	W 88–53	15–4 (9–2)	University Arena ([28]) Kalamazoo, MI
February 5, 1998 7:00 pm		at Marshall	W 78–63	15–5 (9–3)	Cam Henderson Center ([29]) Huntington, WV
February 7, 1998 3:00 pm		at Ohio	W 86–68	16–5 (10–3)	Convocation Center ([30]) Athens, OH
February 14, 1998 7:00 pm		at Central Michigan	W 87–68	17–5 (11–3)	Rose Arena ([31]) Mount Pleasant, MI
February 18, 1998 7:00 pm		Toledo	W 86–76	18–5 (12–3)	University Arena ([32]) Kalamazoo, MI
February 21, 1998 7:00 pm		at Eastern Michigan	W 102–82	19–5 (13–3)	Bowen Field House ([33]) Ypsilanti, MI
February 23, 1998 7:00 pm		Northern Illinois	W 80–71	20–5 (14–3)	University Arena ([34]) Kalamazoo, MI
February 25, 1998 7:00 pm		Ball State	W 80–71	20–6 (14–4)	University Arena ([35]) Muncie, IN
February 28, 1998* 2:00 pm		vs. Miami MAC Tournament first round	W 75–72	20–7	University Arena (4,293[36]) Kalamazoo, MI
March 13, 1998* 12:00 pm, CBS		vs. Clemson NCAA First Round	W 75–72	21–7	United Center ([37]) Chicago, IL
March 15, 1998* 2:00 pm, CBS		vs. No. 10 Stanford NCAA Second Round	W 83–65	21–8	United Center ([38]) Chicago, IL
*Non-conference game. ^#Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Eastern Time.

References

1. "WMU Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved November 18, 2011.
2. McCabe, Mick (November 6, 1997). "MAC hasn't started its engines, but Eastern already has the poll". Detroit Free Press. p. 7D. Retrieved January 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Sharp, Drew (November 5, 1997). "Kelley sparks MSU comeback, 86-73". Detroit Free Press. p. 2F. Retrieved January 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
4. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16811376/detroit_free_press/
5. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16811349/the_des_moines_register/
6. "Even Knight Pleased With Ill's Victory In Hoosier Classic". Pharos Tribune. December 29, 1997. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
7. "Charlie Coles Heart Attack | Heart Attack in Game Fells Miami of Ohio Coach - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. September 27, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
8. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16810560/detroit_free_press/
9. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16811560/detroit_free_press/
10. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16811454/the_courierjournal/
11. "INDIANA STATE 58, WESTERN MICHIGAN 74". November 25, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
12. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 84, MILWAUKEE 47". November 29, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
13. "CHICAGO STATE 62, WESTERN MICHIGAN 106". December 3, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
14. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 59, DETROIT 77". December 6, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
15. "BALL STATE 81, WESTERN MICHIGAN 76". December 10, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
16. "WRIGHT STATE 74, WESTERN MICHIGAN 88". December 22, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
17. "CHARLOTTE 65, WESTERN MICHIGAN 81". December 27, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
18. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 63, INDIANA 70". December 28, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
19. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 79, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 73". December 31, 1997. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
20. "BOWLING GREEN 75, WESTERN MICHIGAN 81". January 3, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
21. "MIAMI (OH.) 47, WESTERN MICHIGAN 63". January 5, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
22. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 63, KENT STATE 65". January 8, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
23. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 89, AKRON 83". January 10, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
24. "CENTRAL MICHIGAN 63, WESTERN MICHIGAN 81". January 17, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
25. "EASTERN MICHIGAN 85, WESTERN MICHIGAN 98". January 21, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
26. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 90, TOLEDO 89". January 24, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
27. "AKRON 63, WESTERN MICHIGAN 77". January 29, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
28. "KENT STATE 58, WESTERN MICHIGAN 88". January 31, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
29. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 63, MARSHALL 78". February 5, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
30. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 86, OHIO 68". February 7, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
31. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 87, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 68". February 14, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
32. "TOLEDO 76, WESTERN MICHIGAN 86". February 18, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
33. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 102, EASTERN MICHIGAN 82". February 21, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
34. "NORTHERN ILLINOIS 71, WESTERN MICHIGAN 80". February 23, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
35. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 71, BALL STATE 80". February 25, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
36. "MIAMI (OH.) 67, WESTERN MICHIGAN 63". February 28, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
37. "CLEMSON 72, WESTERN MICHIGAN 75". March 13, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
38. "WESTERN MICHIGAN 65, STANFORD 83". March 15, 1998. Retrieved November 12, 2013.

External links

• Western Michigan University men's basketball media guide