2006 Air Force Falcons Basketball Preview

2006 Air Force Falcons Basketball Predictions

The Air Force Falcons were 27- 7 overall and 12- 4 in the MWC under new head coach Jeff Bzdelik. That tied them for second place with the BYU Cougars. It also got them into the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Illinois 78- 69 in round one. The Falcons return just about every key player from their successful 2005- 06.

Junior guard Tim Anderson (4.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.5 APG), a fine defensive player, is expected to provide more offense this season, while shooting guard Matt McGraw (10. 8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG) offers a hot hand from the perimeter.

In the frontcourt, the Falcons are powerful. Forward Dan Nwaelele (11.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.3 APG) led the league in threes, shooting at 48.2%. Senior Nick Welch (12.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG in 2004- 05) is coming back from a medical redshirt. A good jumper with fine speed, Welch gives the Falcons a potent force in the paint. Senior forward Jacob Burtschi (12.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.5 APG) is poised to contribute in a major way.

Bzdelik got the Falcons to improve their defensive field goal percentage last season as the team went from last in the MWC to third. He also had the Air Force club speed up their Princeton offense, which proved to be beneficial. The departure of guard Antoine Hood (14.9 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.8 APG) has left an offensive hole, which Bzdelik expects to fill with more than one player.

The Air Force Falcons will offer more of the same winning ways in 2006- 07. The NCAA tourney is clearly in their sites. This team will be in the top tier of the MWC once again.

If you want more info on the 2006 Air Force Falcons College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check view other mid major previews from MadduxSports.com of universities like the Akron Zips and BYU Cougars.