In 1951, the Bowling Green men’s basketball team won the MAC championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament. The team, led by head coach Harold Anderson, finished the regular season with a record of 16-7, including a 10-2 mark in conference play.
In the MAC tournament, Bowling Green defeated Toledo in the semifinals and then knocked off Western Reserve in the championship game by a score of 68-59. The win secured the team’s first conference title since 1939 and earned them a spot in the NCAA tournament.
In the NCAA tournament, Bowling Green faced off against the University of Kentucky in the first round. Despite putting up a strong fight, the Falcons ultimately fell to the Wildcats by a score of 77-59. The loss ended their season with an overall record of 16-8.
The 1951 MAC championship and NCAA tournament appearance marked a significant achievement for the Bowling Green men’s basketball program, and helped set the stage for continued success in the years to come.