The Bowling Green State University (BGSU) men’s basketball team is set to start its 2025-26 season with two exhibition games on the road. The Falcons will first travel to East Lansing to face Michigan State on October 23, followed by a matchup against the Dayton Flyers on October 27. The game against Michigan State will be broadcast on BIG+, while the Dayton contest will not be streamed.
Under head coach Todd Simon, now entering his third season, BGSU has recorded a 34-32 record. The team will return six players from last season, including Javontae Campbell, who was named to the MAC Preseason All-MAC First Team. Campbell previously earned All-MAC Third Team and All-Defensive honors and set a program record with 90 steals last season despite injuries to both hands. He is now 58 steals away from entering BGSU’s Top 10 for career steals. The current record of 226 steals is held by Anthony Stacey, now an assistant coach for the Falcons.
The team’s roster will feature 17 players this year, with 10 newcomers. Five of the new players are transfers from Division I or II programs, two are from junior colleges, and three are true freshmen. This marks the third consecutive year that BGSU has added 10 new players to its roster.
Michigan State is coming off a 30-7 season and an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Spartans are led by Tom Izzo in his 31st year as head coach. Key returning players include captains Coen Carr, Carson Cooper, Jeremy Fears Jr., and Jaxon Kohler. Last season, Michigan State defeated Bowling Green 86-72 after a late-game run.
Dayton finished last season with a 23-11 record and participated in the NIT tournament. Three Flyers—Javon Bennett, Amael L’Etang, and Keonte Jones—received Atlantic 10 Preseason Awards. Dayton recently beat Penn State 78-62 in an exhibition game.
Sam Towns returns for his fourth year with BGSU, making him the team’s longest-tenured player. His previous season was cut short due to injury after averaging 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds over six games.
New additions include Troy Glover II, the former Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year; Jason Kimbrough Jr., who recorded 181 assists last year at Highland Community College; Josiah Shackelford, named Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year; and Makhi Leach from Whitmer High School in Toledo.
BGSU also welcomes Javon Ruffin from Colorado and Justin “JT” Thomas from Florida State. Aiden Goins joins after earning All-TCCAA First Team honors at Walters State.
The official start of the regular season for BGSU will be at home against Texas State on November 3.
For updates on the team, fans can follow BGSU men’s basketball on social media platforms including Twitter (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB), Instagram (‘bgfalcons’ and ‘bgsumhoops’), Facebook (‘BGSU Athletics’ and ‘BGSU Men’s Hoops’), and YouTube (‘Falcon Athletics’).
