http://www.yardbarker.com/colleges/western_michigan_broncos/288 Recent articles about Western Michigan Broncos en-us As one Brandon Paul (pictured above. Yes I know that you know that, but I have to do this other wise some meathead will comment that’s not Darius Paul, that’s Brandon Paul) leaves the Illini, his younger brother Darius Paul joins the Illini. Brandon Paul graduates and heads for the NBA Combine while Darius Paul comes to Champaign. Darius Paul left the Western Michigan University men’s basketball program as Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. Which is fitting, the Illini got both their college football coach and their college basketball coach from the MAC. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Gurnee, Ill., led all MAC freshmen in scoring and rebounding throughout the season and finished with 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. As you obviously know, the Illini need help in the front line. Especially at the four. Darius Paul announced via Twitter: It’s a privilege to be put in this situation I’ve been put in..will be wearing orange & blue for the rest of my college c... Sun, 05 May 2013 09:51:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illini_add_brother_of_brandon_paul_darius_paul_to_the_mix/13553516 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/illini_add_brother_of_brandon_paul_darius_paul_to_the_mix/13553516 Illini add brother of Brandon Paul, Darius Paul to the mix http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/illini_add_brother_of_brandon_paul_darius_paul_to_the_mix/13553516 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Brandon Paul's little brother Darius is leaving Western Michigan and transferring to Illinois. That alone would be enough to write this one off - if he was good enough to play high major basketball, being Brandon's little brother he would have gotten plenty of scouting in high school, and so he'd already be playing high major basketball. Right? Neither ESPN nor Rivals even gave Darius Paul a grade out of high school. He was in the 2012 class, and played just north of Chicago. He ended up at Western Michigan, and that's where things got interesting. The 6-8 freshman started all but two games and averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 boards on his way to becoming the MAC Freshman of the Year. When the coaching staff at Western Michigan changed, Paul decided to look around. Florida came calling. And Marquette. And Miami. Obviously the high-school scouts missed on this kid. At 6-8 he's versatile enough to handle the ball in transition. He made 51% of his 2s and ... Sun, 05 May 2013 08:38:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/evaluating_darius_paul_to_illinois/13554062 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/evaluating_darius_paul_to_illinois/13554062 Evaluating Darius Paul to Illinois http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/evaluating_darius_paul_to_illinois/13554062 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Alma (Mich.) junior Curtis Doyle makes the decision to stay in-state and play for P.J. Fleck and the Western Michigan Broncos. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:02:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/broncos_further_strengthen_2014_ol_class/13488976 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/broncos_further_strengthen_2014_ol_class/13488976 Broncos Further Strengthen 2014 OL Class http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/broncos_further_strengthen_2014_ol_class/13488976 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Draft Zone Spotlight: Freddie Bishop, DE, Western Michigan University Freddie Bishop is one of the most under rated football players in this years draft, and I am sure Freddie doesn’t mind me saying that.  Freddie is a superb athlete who understands his position and does a great job at getting after the ball.  I can see Bishop on a team that uses either a 3-4 or a 4-3 because of his strength. He was a very solid starter in the MAC division which had guys such as Eric Fisher of Central Michigan. Freddie Bishop will be in an NFL mini camp come summer. How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision? Towards the end of my Junior…Senior year, I had been fortunate enough to be scouted by Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State, Western Michigan and Central Michigan’s College Recruiters. After first verbally committing to Michigan State, I later realized thatWestern Michigan University’s Football organization was my home. I made my decision once I r... Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:33:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_freddie_bishop_de_western_michigan_university/13263835 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_freddie_bishop_de_western_michigan_university/13263835 Draft Zone Spotlight: Freddie Bishop, DE, Western Michigan University http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/draft_zone_spotlight_freddie_bishop_de_western_michigan_university/13263835 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Shayne Whittington scored 23 points and Western Michigan pulled away from Eastern Michigan 70-55 in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament Thursday night. The third-seeded Broncos (20-11), who led 36-32 at intermission, made 17 of 21 free throws in the second half compared to the seventh-seeded Eagles' 3 of 3. Darius Paul added 14 points, David Brown 12 and Brandon Pokley 11 for Western Michigan, which plays No. 2 seed Ohio in Friday's semifinals. Eastern Michigan (16-18), which defeated 10th-seeded Northern Illinois and 11th-seeded Miami (Ohio) in the first two rounds, led by six before the Broncos closed the first half with a 13-3 run. Western Michigan pushed the lead to 10, but the Eagles climbed back to 50-49 on Jamell Harris' dunk with 8:31 left. The Broncos then used an 8-0 spurt to end the threat. Daylen Harrison's 14 points and Da'Shonte Riley's 10 rebounds led Eastern Michigan. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:08:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_70_e_michigan_55/13147930 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_70_e_michigan_55/13147930 W. Michigan 70, E. Michigan 55 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/w_michigan_70_e_michigan_55/13147930 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Shayne Whittington had 16 points and 14 rebounds as Western Michigan defeated Central Michigan 71-68 on Saturday to earn a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title. Brandon Pokley scored 15 points for the Broncos (19-11, 10-6), who tied for first in the West with Toledo and will be the No. 3 seed in next weekend's MAC tournament in Cleveland. Darius Paul scored 12 points and Connar Tava scored 11. Austin Richie had a game-high seven assists for the Broncos. Western Michigan overcame a 33-point effort by Kyle Randall, who was 6 for 10 from 3-point range for Central Michigan (11-19, 4-12). Chris Fowler made all five of his shots and had 11 points for the Chippewas. The win also gave Western Michigan possession of the Michigan MAC trophy, as they finished with the best record (3-1) in games among Western, Central and Eastern Michigan. Sat, 09 Mar 2013 16:20:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_71_cent_michigan_68/13096447 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_71_cent_michigan_68/13096447 W. Michigan 71, Cent. Michigan 68 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/w_michigan_71_cent_michigan_68/13096447 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MAC-tion is about to get a youthful injection as reports have Western Michigan naming Buccaneers assistant and former Northern Illinois wide receiver P.J. Fleck as their head coach. Are you ready to feel either really old or really unaccomplished in your life? If not then look away, avert your eyes, because Fleck is the first head coach in FBS history to be born in the 1980's. Yep, a child of the 80's is now a head coach in college football's top division. Fleck is 32 years old and his ties to the MAC are quite deep. He was a wide receiver at Northern Illinois and ended his career with a 1,000 yard receiving season in 2003, earning all-conference honors that year. He returned to coach that position in from 2007-2009 and then moved on to Rutgers under Greg Schiano. Fleck will be taking over a program that hasn't won a division championship since 2000 and a MAC title since 1988. The Broncos finished 4-8 this past season, the 8th and final under Bill Cubit. Addi... Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:24:38 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/first_child_of_the_80s_becomes_head_coach_as_western_michigan_hires_fleck/12457924 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/first_child_of_the_80s_becomes_head_coach_as_western_michigan_hires_fleck/12457924 First Child of the 80's becomes head coach as Western Michigan hires Fleck http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/first_child_of_the_80s_becomes_head_coach_as_western_michigan_hires_fleck/12457924 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Senior forward Nate Hutcheson scored 30 points and had nine rebounds to lead Western Michigan to an 81-71 victory over Loyola-Chicago in the University of South Florida Invitational on Friday night. Darius Paul, Austin Richie and Brandon Pokley added 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Western Michigan (2-1). Ben Averkamp paced Loyola-Chicago (2-1) with 24 points. Matt O'Leary added 14 points, and Jordan Hicks scored 13 for the Ramblers. The game featured seven ties and 14 lead changes before Hutcheson scored six unanswered points to spark a late surge. "You're not going to count on the kid to go for 30 every night, but you want to play some offense through one of your senior's hands," Broncos coach Steve Hawkins said. Hutcheson finished 8 of 13 from the floor and missed only twice in eight attempts from long range. He made 8 of 12 from the free-throw line, where Western Michigan held a 20-12 scoring advantage. "That was basically the game," Hawkins said. His counter Sat, 17 Nov 2012 11:53:39 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_81_loyola_of_chicago_71/12235303 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_81_loyola_of_chicago_71/12235303 W. Michigan 81, Loyola of Chicago 71 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/w_michigan_81_loyola_of_chicago_71/12235303 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Matt Stainbrook, a 6-foot-9 starting center at Western Michigan last season, is transferring to Xavier. Musketeers coach Chris Mack announced Wednesday he has received the signed scholarship papers for Stainbrook, who will be eligible as a redshirt junior beginning with the 2013-14 season. He will be eligible to play two more seasons after sitting out next season due to transfer rules. Stainbrook played in 33 games as a sophomore this past season, starting 28 times. He led Western Michigan in rebounding (6.8 per game) and was second on the team in scoring at 11.4 points a game while shooting 58 percent from the field. Xavier loses four starters from last year's team that went 23-13 and lost to Baylor 75-70 in an NCAA regional semifinal. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:42:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/center_matt_stainbrook_transferring_to_xavier/10643164 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/center_matt_stainbrook_transferring_to_xavier/10643164 Center Matt Stainbrook transferring to Xavier http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/center_matt_stainbrook_transferring_to_xavier/10643164 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Matt Stainbrook, a 6-foot-9 starting center at Western Michigan last season, is transferring to Xavier. Musketeers coach Chris Mack announced Wednesday he has received the signed scholarship papers for Stainbrook, who will be eligible as a redshirt junior beginning with the 2013-14 season. He will be eligible to play two more seasons after sitting out next season due to transfer rules. Stainbrook played in 33 games as a sophomore this past season, starting 28 times. He led Western Michigan in rebounding (6.8 per game) and was second on the team in scoring at 11.4 points a game while shooting 58 percent from the field. Xavier loses four starters from last year's team that went 23-13 and lost to Baylor 75-70 in an NCAA regional semifinal. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:21:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/western_michigan_center_transfers_to_xavier/10641373 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/western_michigan_center_transfers_to_xavier/10641373 Western Michigan center transfers to Xavier http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/western_michigan_center_transfers_to_xavier/10641373 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It isn't often that you can actually see a set play develop in hockey. But, if you watch closely, you can see what the Western Michigan Broncos (who are wearing white) are trying to create here. On the power play in a recent game against Notre Dame, the Broncos set up a fake one-timer. The play starts at the near point with winger Shane Berschbach. He and defenseman Dennis Brown pass the puck back and forth to let defenseman Matt Tennyson get into position. When Tennyson was set, Berschbach passes the puck toward Brown, who fakes a one-time but instead lets the puck go between his legs to Tennyson. Tennyson obviously needs to get good wood on the shot and he obviously did. It's one of the better set ups you'll see in hockey. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:02:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/western_michigan_hockeys_double_one_timer_goal/9468887 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/western_michigan_hockeys_double_one_timer_goal/9468887 Western Michigan hockey's "Double One-Timer" goal http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/western_michigan_hockeys_double_one_timer_goal/9468887 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Western Michigan won't even have to leave its home state to play in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Tuesday against Purdue at Detroit's Ford Field. Coach Bill Cubit was thrilled after he found out his Broncos (7-5) were picked for the game, but they'll need more than supportive fans to beat the Boilermakers (6-6). Western Michigan hasn't beaten a Big Ten team since 2008. Western Michigan is led by wide receiver Jordan White, a third-team All-American who has 127 catches for 1,646 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Although he's played in relative obscurity in the Mid-American Conference, this will be a chance for White to shine on a bigger stage. Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:04:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/western_michigan_takes_on_purdue_in_pizza_bowl/8953405 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/western_michigan_takes_on_purdue_in_pizza_bowl/8953405 Western Michigan takes on Purdue in Pizza Bowl http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/western_michigan_takes_on_purdue_in_pizza_bowl/8953405 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png   Purdue Boilermakers (6-6) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (7-5) On December 27, the Purdue Boilermakers will play the Western Michigan Broncos in the Little Ceasars Pizza Pizza Bowl. Purdue (6-6 B1G) is a 2.5 point favorite to beat Western Michigan (7-5 MAC). Purdue finished the year with a .500 record in the B1G including wins over a ranked Illinois team and Ohio State.  However, the Boilermakers also recorded a loss to Rice (4-8 C-USA). Western Michigan finished 3rd (5-3) in the MAC Western Division.  The Broncos had a win over Connecticut (5-7 Big East) and were narrowly defeated 23-20 at common opponent’s stadium Illinois in early September. When Western Michigan has the ball expect pass.  The Broncos rank 8th in the country in passing yards averaging 328.8 yards per game through the Read the full article... Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:30:46 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/purdue_boilermakers_vs_western_michigan_broncos_little_caesars_bowl_preview/8931349 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/purdue_boilermakers_vs_western_michigan_broncos_little_caesars_bowl_preview/8931349 Purdue Boilermakers vs Western Michigan Broncos – Little Caesars Bowl Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/purdue_boilermakers_vs_western_michigan_broncos_little_caesars_bowl_preview/8931349 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Austin Richie scored 22 points and Mike Douglas added 19 to lead Western Michigan to a 91-76 victory against Oakland on Friday night. Matt Stainbrook had 16 points and Nate Hutcheson and Demetrius Ward 12 apiece for the Broncos (5-7). Reggie Hamilton scored 27 points, Travis Bader 17 and Drew Valentine 10 for the Golden Grizzlies (8-6). Western Michigan never trailed, and an early 3-point spree helped it build a 27-12 lead with 8:49 left in the first half. Hutcheson hit two shots from behind the arc and Ward, Richie and Douglas added one each during the run. Oakland trailed 45-27 at the break and got no closer than 10 in the second half. The win was the 150th at Western Michigan for coach Steve Hawkins. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:45:41 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_91_oakland_76/8920330 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_91_oakland_76/8920330 W. Michigan 91, Oakland 76 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/w_michigan_91_oakland_76/8920330 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ??? Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:34:19 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_60_winthrop_55/8859400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/w_michigan_60_winthrop_55/8859400 W. Michigan 60, Winthrop 55 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/w_michigan_60_winthrop_55/8859400 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tyler Van Tubbergen threw six touchdown passes and ran for another score as Akron routed Western Michigan 68-19 on Friday. The Broncos (7-5, 5-3 Mid-American) led 10-5 early in the second quarter. But Dervon Wallace's 56-yard run set up Van Tubbergen's 9-yard TD pass to Chleb Ravenell, and began a streak of eight Western Michigan touchdowns without any Akron points. Van Tubbergen was 19 for 21 for 252 yards. He threw two TD passes apiece to Jordan White - who had 138 yards receiving - and one each to Ravenell, Eric Monette, Dallas Walker and Matt Cutler. He also scored on an 8-yard run and finished with 60 yards rushing. Receiver Robert Arnheim also threw a touchdown pass to Ravenell. It was 66-5 before Akron finally scored again, on Mike Perish's 2-yard run midway through the third quarter. The Zips (1-11, 0-8) lost three fumbles during the Broncos' eight-TD spree. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:39:24 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/w_michigan_68_akron_19/8324977 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/w_michigan_68_akron_19/8324977 W. Michigan 68, Akron 19 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/w_michigan_68_akron_19/8324977 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Wednesday night brings a MAC conference battle between the Western Michigan Broncos and the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks. The 'Hawks opened as a 2.5 point favorite at home, but that has been bet down and they currently sit at -1.5. Western Michigan comes in off a crushing 63-60 defeat against Toledo. That game was a must-win for the Broncos if they were going to win the conference. They fought gamely as the 12 point underdog, but in the end they came up short.  It is the type of game that could easily leave a team deflated. Miami (Ohio) comes in off a 3 point loss as well, falling 24-21 at Temple. The loss stopped a 2 game win streak. They had also won 4 of their previous 5. The Redhawks play their best football at home. They have won their last 3 home games, including blowout wins over Buffalo and Akron. Meanwhile, Western Michigan has lost their last 3 on the road, while giving up the 63 points to Toledo and 51 to Northern Illinois.  They are 1-5 in their last 6 road games. ... Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:52:57 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/wednesday_night_college_football_pick_western_michigan_broncos_vs_miami_ohio_redhawks/8125285 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/wednesday_night_college_football_pick_western_michigan_broncos_vs_miami_ohio_redhawks/8125285 Wednesday Night College Football Pick: Western Michigan Broncos vs Miami (Ohio) Redhawks http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/wednesday_night_college_football_pick_western_michigan_broncos_vs_miami_ohio_redhawks/8125285 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 87 seconds of highlights can't really do a game with 18 touchdowns (and 1 field goal) justice, but Toledo played their second straight game in the 60s in defeating Western Michigan 66-63 on Tuesday night. This came a week after their 63-60 loss to Northern Illinois last week. The MAC! It's Faaaantastic! (Hey, it's not like the NBA is using that slogan right now.) Football is a funny, funny game. Those two Toledo games sandwiched the newest Game of the Century between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama on Saturday night where the Tigers needed overtime to win 9-6. Depending on your own football philosophy or your region of the country, you may have thought Bama-LSU was as ugly as a Nick Saban comedy tour... or, you may have thought that it was a beautiful work of smashmouth defensive artistry. Similarly, you can either love or hate the video game numbers and seven on seven drills that are featured in these MAC shootouts. But it's amazing to think that what we saw in Tol... Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:27:09 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/inside_the_numbers_the_toledo_western_michigan_shootout/7975135 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/inside_the_numbers_the_toledo_western_michigan_shootout/7975135 Inside the numbers: The Toledo-WMU shootout http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/inside_the_numbers_the_toledo_western_michigan_shootout/7975135 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/6/16ea66d971fe5ebf9d0cda9a75342b5fe6a0c89c/mini/score.jpg