Central Michigan University Athletics
100th Season of Hoops Timeline
11/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 11, 2003
January 19, 1906
at Central Michigan 20, Alma 10
The Normalites of coach Charles Tambling down arch-rival Alma at Normal Hall for their first victory over a collegiate foe.
March 15, 1907
at Central Michigan 52, Eastern Michigan 15
CMU defeats Michigan Normal for the first time ever with its biggest point spree against a college opponent until 1918-19. The lopsided win also caps the school's first 10-victory season.
January 22, 1909
at Central Michigan 30, Alma 25
The first basketball game played in the new Central Hall (the Normalites home for the next 42 years) sees the home team celebrate with a close win over Alma as Bruce Stickles scores 16 points for the winners.
March 13, 1914
at Central Michigan 39, Eastern Michigan 38
Frank Main's 17 points lead Central past one of its biggest rivals to record the Normalites' sixth win in-a-row and climax its best season (9-2) under Coach Harry Helmer.
February 13, 1926
Central Michigan 46, at Ferris Institute 24
The Central five really needed just one player, Jack Williams, who scored as many points as the Ferris team did, 24.
February 18, 1927
Central Michigan 25, at Wayne State 22
Visit to Detroit by Coach Wally Parker's quintet results in the now Dragons upsetting their host to register the first win in the new Michigan Collegiate Conference. Eino Pulkiner scores 10 points.
December 22, 1927
Central Michigan 45, at Detroit Y.M.C.A. 40
The Lodewykites end the world champion Detroit Y.M.C.A.'s 26-game winning streak on the final date of a six-game road trip before the holiday break.
Central Hall was the home of the basketball team for 42 years before Finch Fieldhouse opened.  | |
February 16, 1929
Central Michigan 38, at Wayne State 24
Bill Kelly scores 14 points and CMU bounces back from its only league loss (at home versus Eastern Michigan) to defeat host WSU and capture its first conference title.
January 11, 1947
at Central Michigan 49, Western Michigan 42
Dan Rose's Chippewas stun nationally-ranked Western Michigan as Ted Kjolhede leads the scoring with 12 points and team captain Bobb Wardrop is the defensive leader in nullifying the efforts of WMU star Hal Gensichen.
February 17, 1948
Central Michigan 68, Eastern Michigan 58
The No. 1-ranked Chippewas, coached by Dan Rose in his third season, close the finest season in school history with a 10-point home win over Eastern Michigan to post a 15-1 record (.938). The lone blemish on slate is a 54-48 setback to Northern Michigan.
December 1, 1951
Central Michigan 60, Michigan 43
The Chippewas dedicate their new Finch Fieldhouse with a come-from-behind conquest of coach Rose's alma mater. Jimmy Doyle scores 14 and Dick Parfitt 11 to pace the winners. The win would be CMU's only victory against Michigan until the 2002-03 squad repeats the feat in Ann Arbor.
Coach Harry Helmer's leather tossers went 9-2 in 1914, including six straight victories. | |
March 1, 1954
Central Michigan 72, Eastern Illinois 69
Dan Rose's final game as the basketball mentor sees CMU surprise Interstate Intercollegiate Athletics Conference champion and national power Eastern Illinois to tie for second place in the league. Dick Kackmeister tallies 21 for the victors.
December 6, 1954
at Central Michigan 104, Ferris State 72
The Chippewas light up the scoreboard for 100 points for the first time in history. Dick Kackmeister and Tim Burdon each score 22 points for Central.
December 3, 1956
at Central Michigan 54, Ferris State 47
CMU opens the season with a win over Ferris State. The victory was the first coaching triumph of Ted Kjolhede who would go on to become the winningest coach in CMU history with 216 victories.
March 7, 1964
The Chippewas sent Dan Rose out as a winner in his final games as head coach. CMU knocked off powerful Southern Illinois and Eastern Illinois in the final two games of his career. | |
at Central Michigan 65, Northern Illinois 62
Tom Pelkey scores 20 points, Don Edwards 16, and Dave Nelson 14 as the Chippewas defeat NIU to win their first IIAC crown in 13 tries. CMU ends the season with a school-record 18 victories in Ted Kjolhede's eighth season.
March 5, 1965
Central Michigan 83, Jackson State 78
NCAA Division II Regionals - Carbondale, Illinois
Solid team effort plus the 21-point scoring of both Don Edwards and Bob Bruder enable CMU to ambush the highly regarded Mississippians in the opening-round of the NCAA college division regional at Carbondale, Ill.
March 2, 1966
at Central Michigan 86, Northern Michigan 83
NAIA District Finals - Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Chippewas shock nationally-ranked NMU in NAIA District finals at Finch Fieldhouse behind a 28-point performance by Don Edwards.
March 14, 1967
Central Michigan 71, Albany State 70
NAIA Nationals - Kansas City, Missouri
Seeded Georgians go to the sidelines in the first round of the NAIA Nationals at Kansas City, Missouri, as John Berends' 17 points pace Central to the narrow win.
Don Edwards was nicknamed "Animal" for his ferocious play. He led CMU to two IIAC championships and 71 career victories. | |
1968
Summer
Willie Iverson becomes the first CMU basketball player drafted by a professional team when the Miami Floridians of the ABA select the Chippewa in the eighth round. Iverson plays one season with the team.
December 31, 1969
Central Michigan 98, Buffalo State 87
Cleveland State Holiday Tourn. - Cleveland, Ohio
Chippewas claim the championship of the Cleveland State Holiday Tournament by pulling upset victories twice (beat Central State, 66-59, in first round). Paul Botts has 20 and 23 points as top player in the tournament.
January 12, 1970
at Central Michigan 82, Wayne State 66
The Chippewas win their 12th straight game with a 16-point home victory. The 12-game winning streak still stands as the longest in CMU history. The stretch ended with a double-overtime loss at Western Illinois (97-91).
March 1, 1971
Central Michigan 83, at Indiana State 75
CMU overcomes a good host Sycamore team to qualify for the NCAA college division playoffs for the second year in a row. Ben Kelso's 27 points and Paul Botts' 21 do the damage.
December 30, 1972
at Central Michigan 70, Western Michigan 69
CMU's first ever Mid-American Conference victory is a one-point triumph over its rival. Ben Kelso tosses in 29 points and Dan Roundfield adds 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Finch Fieldhouse, known as the "House that Danny (Rose) Built," was completed in 1951 with a $1.2 million price tag. The building was dedicated in December 1951 as CMU defeated Michigan, 60-43. | |
December 1, 1973
Michigan State 78, at Central Michigan 70
James McElroy hits a 10-footer for the first basket scored in the new $5.6 million Rose Arena. MSU held a slim lead, 69-68, with 2:37 remaining and the Spartans went on a 9-1 run to close the game.
February 13, 1974
at Central Michigan 90, Bowling Green 59
Youthful CMU romps to its most impressive victory over a major college rival behind the 27-point scoring of Jim Helmink.
December 27-28, 1974
at Tangerine Bowl Classic - Orlando, Florida
Central Michigan 78, Stetson 77
Central Michigan 106, Richmond 83
The Chippewas hold off a late desperation rally by favored Stetson and then blow away from Richmond in the final half of the championship game to win their first major college tournament behind the play of Jim Helmink, Dan Roundfield, and James McElroy.
Willie Iverson was a second team NAIA All-America selection who went on to play in the ABA. He was nicknamed the "Humble Tiger." | |
March 8, 1975
Central Michigan 82, at Bowling Green 80
Central needs one overtime to outlast BGSU and capture the Chippewas' first MAC title as James McElroy hits all five points in the extra period. WMU's win at Toledo put the Chippewas into the NCAA playoffs. Dan Roundfield notches his 1,000th rebound in the game. He remains the only Chippewa to tally 1,000 career boards.
March 15, 1975
Central Michigan 77, Georgetown 75
NCAA Mideast Regionals - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Leonard Drake's two free throws after time had expired handed the Chippewas a win in their first appearance in the NCAA tournament. Dan Roundfield and James McElroy tally 19 points each and Jim Helmink 18.
March 20, 1975
Kentucky 90, Central Michigan 73
NCAA Mideast Regionals - Dayton, Ohio
CMU trails by only two, 61-59, with 8:04 to play against the fifth-rated Wildcats but falter down the stretch. Dan Roundfield scores 20 points, grabs 11 rebounds, and rejects eight Kentucky shots to power the Chippewas while James McElroy adds 17 points and Leonard Drake 12 rebounds. Kentucky went on to become the national runner-up.
March 22, 1975
Central Michigan 88, Oregon State 87 NCAA Mideast Regionals - Dayton, Ohio
The Chippewas finish the NCAA Mideast Regionals with an impressive 2-1 record following a consolation triumph over the No. 13-ranked Beavers. CMU leads by as many as 13 points at 82-69, with 6:54 remaining when OSU roars back but never overtakes the Chippewas. Dan Roundfield scores 25 points and James McElroy 21 for the winners.
The 1975 team was the first to win a MAC title. The Chippewas had to win their final four games of the season to take the conference crown and they went on to beat Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. | |
November 29, 1976
at Central Michigan 81, Michigan State 76
CMU withstands superior rebounding and shooting by the visiting Spartans to post its first win ever over MSU. Ben Poquette's three-point play with 12 and a half minutes to go breaks a 54-all tie. Jud Heathcote swears he will never play in Mount Pleasant again ... and doesn't.
December 18, 1976
at Indiana State 80, Central Michigan 62
Indiana State sophomore Larry Bird records the only triple-double in CMU basketball history with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in a Sycamore win. The following year Bird scores 45 points in Rose Arena, an arena record that stands until 2000 when CMU's David Webber hung 51 on the board.
CMU fell to Kentucky in the 1975 NCAA Tournament despite eight blocks by MAC "Player of the Year" Dan Roundfield. | |
December 21, 1976
at Michigan 104, Central Michigan 63
The No. 1-ranked Wolverines post a lopsided victory over CMU in the Chippewas' only meeting ever with a top-ranked Division I team.
January 15, 1977
Central Michigan 78, at Miami 76
The visiting Chippewas stun preseason MAC favorite Miami in front of a regional television audience. Ben Poquette hits 17 of his 21 points in the second half and grabs 11 rebounds, blocks three shots, and has three steals. It's CMU's first victory in Oxford. Miami and CMU tie for the regular season MAC title and the Chippewas sweep the two meetings.
February 16, 1977
at Central Michigan 57, Bowling Green 56
A driving layup by Dave Sutton with four seconds to play apparently hands BGSU an upset win in Rose Arena; but coach Dick Parfitt plots a play ("The Sting") during the ensuing timeout that leaves CMU fans talking for years. On the out-of-bounds play, seniors Leonard Drake and Ben Poquette combine to lure a BGSU defender into a pushing foul; and the cool Drake sinks both free throws with two seconds to go for a badly needed CMU homecourt win. The victory keeps CMU in the hunt for the MAC title.
CMU's All-America campaign for Melvin "Sugar" McLaughlin including mailing sugar packets with his photo and highlights to national and local media. McLaughlin was the MAC "Player of the Year" in 1982 and scored the most points in CMU history with 2,071. | |
March 2, 1977
Central Michigan 80, at Northern Illinois 78 (OT)
Playing before a large, noisy NIU crowd in DeKalb, the poised Chippewas pull out a crucial overtime win. Val Bracey's 22-footer with two seconds to go forces the extra period and a Leon Guydon-to-Jeff Tropf pass produces the winning basket with 31 seconds to play in the overtime. Ben Poquette blocks three NIU shots in the final 20 seconds.
March 4,1978
Central Michigan 109, at Toledo 107 (5OT)
With the host Rockets bidding to gain at least a share of the Mid-American title and CMU hoping to stay in the race with one game remaining, an NBC-TV regional audience witnesses one of the greatest, and longest, games in conference history. The teams battle to ties at 68, 76, 88, and 97. In the fifth overtime, the Chippewas go ahead for good at 104-103 on a rebound putback by Jeff Tropf. However, CMU needs two free throws by K.C. Janer (31 points) with five second left to clinch the win. CMU and Toledo ended up tying for second place.
February 28, 1979
at Central Michigan 72, Bowling Green 66
A 70 percent shooting mark in the second half enables CMU to protect a five-point halftime lead and clinch a share of its third MAC title in five seasons. Dave Grauzer's 19 points and 12 assists pace CMU's 12th win in 13 outings. Val Bracey's 16 points make him CMU's 12th 1,000-point scorer.
September 24, 1979
Atlanta Hawks 96, Chicago Bulls 82
Rose Arena hosts its first ever NBA game, an exhibition between the Hawks and the Bulls. CMU alum Dan Roundfield scores two points and grabs four rebounds in the game. His two points are a basket-jarring jam.
November 29, 1980
Central Michigan 89, at Michigan State 66
CMU wins the Spartan Cutlass Classic by defeating the host Spartans after routing Detroit in the opener, 93-70. Mike Robinson's 26 points in the final help him earn tournament MVP honors.
In the late 1980s, Chippewa fans would celebrate the first CMU basket of each game in Rose Arena by showering the court with rolls of toilet paper. | |
November 16, 1982
Central Michigan University head coach Dick Parfitt can barely control his excitement when announcing the signing of 6-6 Dan Majerle of Traverse City to a national letter-of-intent. Considered the finest prep player in the history of the city, Majerle averaged 20.7 points and 12.2 rebounds as a junior.
January 5, 1983
at Central Michigan 79, Eastern Michigan 51
Melvin "Sugar" McLaughlin sets CMU's career scoring record by stealing a pass and hitting a short bank shot with 11:00 left in the second half. McLaughlin surpasses Ben Kelso's mark of 1,627 points. Sugar goes on to tally 2,071 career points, a mark that still stands.
December 17, 1983
Georgia Tech 71, Central Michigan 69
Casaba Club Classic - Stockton, California
After defeating host Pacific in the opening round of the Casaba Club Classic on an 18-footer at the buzzer by James Mitchell, the Chippewas had two shots to tie the game in the final nine seconds against the heavily favored Yellowjackets but neither fell. Jeff Heide had 44 points for CMU in two games and was named to the all-tourney team.
December 11, 1986
Central Michigan 73, at Western Kentucky 65
Despite losing two starters to fouls, the Chippewas claim one of their biggest upsets of the 1980s with a win over No. 8-ranked Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Dan Majerle has 23 points, Ervin Leavy 19, and James Murray 11 as CMU shoots 59.6 percent from the field.
February 18, 1987
at Central Michigan 85, Western Michigan 71
In the second to the last home game of the 1987 MAC championship season, a Rose Arena-record 6,455 packs the gym as CMU took on its rival from Kalamazoo. The Chippewas go undefeated at home during the season (13-0). Senior Jim Murray leads the Chippewas with 25 points.
Dan Majerle earned a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympics. He was Team USA's leading scorer. Majerle later played on Dream Team II during the World Championships in 1994. | |
March 7, 1987
Central Michigan 64, Kent State 63
MAC Tournament - Toledo, Ohio
After trimming Eastern Michigan (80-76) in their opening MAC tourney contest, the Chippewas claimed an NCAA berth with a thrilling 64-63 win over the Golden Flashes in Toledo's Centennial Hall. Dan Majerle scores 25 points to set a tourney record of 61 (he had 36 in the win over EMU). Ervin Leavy chips in 15 and Tommie Johnson 10.
March 1987
UCLA 92, Central Michigan 73
NCAA West Regional - Salt Lake City, Utah
CMU's banner season comes to an abrupt halt as UCLA and Reggie Miller race out to a 53-21 halftime lead. Miller scores 32 points while Tommie Johnson (18), Dan Majerle (17), Ervin Leavy (14) and Jim Murray (13) pace the Chippewas.
November 11, 1987
Alabama 83, Central Michigan 80
Hawaii Pacific Tournament - Honolulu, Hawaii
The Chippewas fall in the finals of the Hawaii Pacific Tourney to the Crimson Tide on a last second three-pointer that banks in off the top corner of the backboard. CMU reaches the finals by whipping host Hawaii Pacific (112-89) and New Mexico State (87-86). Dan Majerle tallies 31 in the final game and averages 34 points for the tourney.
The Rose Rowdies student section was formed shortly after Jay Smith began pacing the CMU sidelines. The team posed with members of the group following the last home game of the 1998-99 season. | |
December 3, 1987
at Central Michigan 127, Oakland 116
The Chippewas post a school-record 127 points on the board in this high-scoring regulation affair. Each team has three players with 20 or more points, including CMU's Ed Wilcox with a game-high 41.
December 22, 1987
Central Michigan 97, at Wright State 68
Chippewa senior Tommie Johnson accounts for over half of CMU's scoring by setting a school record with 53 points. He hits 10 three-pointers in 14 attempts.
August 1988
Dan Majerle leads the bronze medal-winning USA Olympic team in scoring with a 14.1 points per game average in the Americans' eight games in Seoul, Korea. He also averages 4.8 rebounds.
December 22, 1989
Central Michigan 67, Youngstown State 66
YSU Holiday Classic - Youngstown, Ohio
The Chippewas win their first holiday tournament since capturing the Spartan Cutlass Classic in 1980 with a one-point triumph over host Youngstown State in YSU Holiday Classic. Carter Briggs meshes 31 points in the championship clash. CMU downed Appalachian State in the opening game, 77-69.
March 10, 1990
Central Michigan 78, Miami 76
MAC Tournament - Detroit, Michigan
Four players score in twin figures at Detroit's Cobo Hall as the Chippewas set a MAC-tourney record with 11 three-pointers to reach the finals. Carter Briggs nets 24 points and Jeff Majerle 19 to lead CMU. The Chippewas, an 82-65 winner over Kent State in the first game, fell in the finals to Ball State, 78-56.
December 14, 1991
at Indiana 99, Central Michigan 52
A crowd of 16,862, the largest to ever watch a CMU basketball game, sees No. 13-ranked Indiana post a lopsided win over the Chippewas in the championship game of the Indiana Classic. Despite IU's big lead, Hoosier coach Bob Knight still manages to get a technical foul in the game.
David Webber lays in two of his Rose Arena-record 51 points against Ball State in 2000. | |
December 29, 1995
Central Michigan 69, at Michigan State 62
Oldsmobile Spartan Classic - East Lansing, Michigan
CMU scores 25 points off 18 Michigan State turnovers to upset the host Spartans in the first round of the Oldsmobile Spartan Classic during Tom Izzo's first season in East Lansing. Central makes 12-of-18 free throws down the stretch to complete the upset and give CMU its first win over a Big Ten opponent in nine years. Thomas Kilgore leads all scorers with 24 points.
February 23, 1998
at Central Michigan 73, Ball State 71
In the last home game of the year, Tim Kisner hits a 15-footer with one second left to down West Division-leading Ball State and star Bonzi Wells. It marks the first significant win under head coach Jay Smith.
February 24, 2000
Ball State 91, at Central Michigan 80
David Webber breaks Larry Bird's Rose Arena scoring record by pouring in 51 points, including seven three-pointers.
November 21, 2000
Central Michigan 67, at Purdue 66
The Chippewas silence a Mackey Arena crowd of 13,554 as David Webber hits Todd Schrotenboer on a fast break layup for the game-winning basket as time expires.
February 14, 2001
at Central Michigan 70, Toledo 68
Chad Pleiness hits a baseline jumper as time expires to give CMU its 11th straight win and at least a share of the MAC West Division title. The 11 consecutive wins are the second most in school history and the streak is the fourth longest active string in the country at the time.
Tim Kisner and the Chippewas cut down the nets as MAC regular season champs in 2001. Kisner is the only player in CMU history with 1,000 career points and 400 career assists. | |
December 3, 2002
Central Michigan 85, at Michigan 78
Chris Kaman becomes the first CMU player to post at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a game when he tallies 30 points and 21 rebounds in leading CMU to its second victory ever against the Wolverines.
March 15, 2003
Central Michigan 77, Kent State 67
MAC Tournament - Cleveland, Ohio
The Chippewas win the MAC tournament by knocking off two-time defending champion Kent State in the finals. Chris Kaman earns MVP honors after averaging 24.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks in the Chippewas' three double-digit wins.
March 20, 2003
Central Michigan 79, Creighton 73
NCAA West Regional - Salt Lake City, Utah
The Chippewas advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history with a six-point victory over No. 15-ranked Creighton. CMU jumps out to a 26-point lead and holds on thanks to 29 points by senior Mike Manciel.
Chris Kaman joins NBA Commissioner David Stern on the stage at the 2003 NBA Draft in New York City. Kaman is selected sixth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. | |
March 22, 2003
Duke 86, Central Michigan 60
NCAA West Regional - Salt Lake City, Utah
Duke shoots 62 percent from the floor and 67 percent from three-point range to end CMU's run. Chris Kaman tallies 25 points and 10 rebounds in his final game as a Chippewa. J.R. Wallace adds 14, including four three-pointers.
June 26, 2003
At The Theater at Madison Square Garden, NBA commissioner David Stern announces that the Los Angeles Clippers select Chris Kaman of Central Michigan University with the sixth pick in the draft. The seven-footer becomes the highest professional draft pick in any sport in school history.
