Mid-major Basketball: Early 2020-21 preview for Bowling Green Basketball

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 31: Justin Turner #1 of the Bowling Green Falcons brings the ball up court during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls at Alumni Arena on January 31, 2020 in Buffalo, New York. Bowling Green beats Buffalo 78 to 77. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 09: Dylan Frye #5 of the Bowling Green Falcons (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

The return of Justin Turner has Bowling Green Basketball primed to have one of the best seasons in program history. It has also positioned the Falcons for a potential Cinderella run in March.

When Justin Turner (18.8 Pts, 4.6 Reb, 2.5 Ast) announced his intention to return to Bowling Green Basketball for his final year of eligibility in mid-April the entire complexion of the Mid-American Conference changed. Turner, one of the most sought-after graduate transfers this past offseason heard from just about everybody, which makes sense given his ridiculous consistency in his three seasons of college basketball. He scored 16 points per game as a freshman, 18 points an outing as a sophomore and 19 points per contest as junior and was named First Team All-MAC.

When a guy like that comes back after being recruited by basically all the major conference programs with scholarship availability, you know you’ve got a special kid, and one who many of the top coaches in college basketball thought could play serious minutes and contribute to a national championship run.

Nobody, regardless of the top-notch facilities, national television opportunities, or flashy blue blood names could lure Turner away from Bowling Green, Ohio, and it positions the Falcons to emerge as one of the best mid-majors in the country heading into the 2020-21 basketball season.

The return of the two-time All-MAC selection sets the table for what could be the most momentous season in Bowling Green history. The Falcons have not been to the NCAA tournament since 1968 and have only made the NIT three times since the turn of the century.

The Midwest town is filled with sports-crazed Bowling Green fans that have seen its football team compete for conference championship consistently the past couple of decades, playing in eight bowl games since 2003. Basketball success and a possible run in March would put Turner and sixth-year Head Coach Michael Huger into legendary status in Northwest Ohio.

Perhaps it was that unfinished business and a chance to live forever in Bowling Green folklore that compelled Turner to come back. Whatever the exact reasoning, the Falcons now have the pieces to win a MAC Championship and flip the NCAA tournament upside down.