1997–98 Western Michigan Broncos men's basketball team

Preseason

The Broncos were picked to finish fourth in the MAC West Division and received one first-place vote. They won their two exhibition games, defeating Marathon Oil, 83–66 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 overcame an 11-point deficit with a 26–10 run to end the game.

Hoosier Classic

Western Michigan participated in the 1997 Hoosier Classic, the 16th-annual holiday tournament held at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Saddi Washington was named tournament MVP.

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. 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 Division I men's 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.

• Bob Donewald

Schedule

|- !colspan=9 style=| Regular season |- !colspan=9 style=| MAC tournament |- !colspan=9 style=| NCAA tournament

References

References

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