Central Michigan University Athletics
Men's Basketball 2006-07 News and Notes
10/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Coach Z
Ernie Zeigler takes over the helm of the Central Michigan University men’s basketball program in 2006-07. He is the 19th head coach in Chippewa history. It is his first collegiate head coaching job after spending seven seasons as an assistant, the last five under Ben Howland at Pittsburgh (two) and UCLA (three). A native of Detroit, Michigan, Zeigler spent one season in the Mid-American Conference at Bowling Green (2000-01).
All Five Starters Return
The Chippewas return all five starters in 2006-07, marking the fifth time since CMU joined the MAC in the 1972-73 season that all five regulars return. CMU previously returned all five starters in 1978-79, 1986-87, 1996-97, and 1999-2000. The first two teams went on to win the Mid-American Conference championship that season.
Quality Opposition
The Chippewas face at least four nonconference teams this season which were in the postseason last year, with the possibility of a fifth. CMU meets three NCAA Tournament teams from 2006 with a home date against Wisconsin-Milwaukee (November 29) and road contests at Arkansas (December 5) and Southern Illinois (December 20). The Chippewas travel to NIT participant Cincinnati (November 25). CMU could also face NCAA participant Michigan State in the second round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer on November 9.
MAC Honorees
CMU returns a pair of conference honorees this season honorable mention All-MAC selection Giordan Watson and MAC All-Freshman Team pick Chris Kellermann. Watson averaged 13.8 points per game and ranked among the MAC leaders in five statistical categories. He also led the league in minutes played (37.8). Kellermann averaged 8.8 points as a true freshman and his 5.1 rebounds per game ranked 13th in the league overall and tops among freshmen.
S.W.A.T. Team
The Chippewas led the MAC in blocked shots last season while averaging 4.36 per game. Individually, three CMU players ranked in the top 15 Sefton Barrett (third, 1.56), Drew Walker (fifth, 1.18), and Justin Blevins (ninth, 0.82). In MAC play only, Barrett tallied a league-leading 1.76 swats per game.
Chasing a Grand
Two CMU players have a chance to eclipse the 1,000-career point milestone this season. Senior Sefton Barrett enters the year needing 296 points while junior Giordan Watson needs 327. If both players match their production from last season they will hit the mark this year. CMU has 24 1,000-point scorers in its history. The last two to reach the plateau were Mike Manciel and Chris Kaman, and they both did it during the 2002-03 season.
Dynamic Duo
Teammates Giordan Watson (13.8 ppg) and Sefton Barrett (13.6) ranked 11th and 12th in the MAC in scoring last season, respectively. Only one pair of teammates ranked better, Buffalo’s Calvin Cage (18.5) and Yassin Idbihi (14.0) who were fourth and ninth in the standings.
Import Players
With the addition of Marko Spica from Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, the Chippewas now have five foreign-born players on the roster. Spica joins four Canadians senior Sefton Barrett, junior Reynold Walters, and redshirt freshmen Brandon Ford and Andre Smyth.
Stat Sheet Stuffer
In addition to leading the MAC in minutes played at 37.8, Giordan Watson ranked in five other categories. He was 11th in scoring (13.8), fifth in assists (4.43), tied for eighth in steals (1.54), 14th in free throw percentage (.762), and ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.08).
BracketBusters on the Road
After hosting a BracketBusters game each of the past three seasons, the Chippewas will hit the road for the event this year on February 16 or 17. An event-record 102 teams representing 16 conferences are participating in this year’s extravaganza. The wild-card match-ups will be made in late January. Of the 51 games, 13 will be televised by the ESPN family of networks. CMU’s past BracketBusters matchups have included Evansville, Cleveland State, and Morehead State. All 12 MAC schools are participating in the fifth annual event.
Crashing the Boards
Sefton Barrett ranked eighth in the MAC in rebounding last season with 6.5 boards per game. Most of his work on the glass was on the offensive end as 76 of his 176 caroms kept alive a possession for CMU. Barrett ranked fourth in the MAC overall in offensive rebounds (2.81) and second in league play (3.18).
Cleveland Rocks
In a new MAC Tournament format this season, all 12 league teams will head to Cleveland, Ohio to play in Quicken Loans Arena. In the past, first-round games were held at campus sites. CMU’s last game in The “Q” was the 2003 MAC Tournament championship, when the facility was called Gund Arena. CMU had advanced to Cleveland four of the seven years that first-round games were played at campus sites.
Cutting Down the Turnovers
CMU was able to win the MAC title in 2003 despite averaging a league-high 18.0 turnovers per game. In the three years since, CMU has also led the conference in turnovers but without so much success. The Chippewas coughed up the ball 17.7 times per game in 2003-04, 17.5 in 2004-05, and 19.1 in 2005-06.
All-Around Athletes
Two of CMU’s incoming freshmen were multi-sport standouts in high school. Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman both earned all-state honors in three sports each football, basketball, and baseball. Bitzer quarterbacked his team to back-to-back state championship game appearances, including winning the title as a junior. He also led his hoops team to a state runner-up finish as junior. Harman’s teams won conference championships in all three sports, and he was named the Traverse City Record Eagle Male Athlete of the Year for 2006.
Richie’s Got the Touch
Sophomore Aaron Richie shot a team-high .377 from three-point range last season as a rookie. He drained 23-of-61 attempts from behind the arc, including a career-high four treys against Rochester College. He also had one of the top two free throw percentages on the team at .786 (22-for-28).
Defensive Double Threat
Senior Sefton Barrett was one of only two MAC players to rank among the league leaders in both blocked shots and steals last season. The other was Kent State’s Jay Youngblood. Barrett ranked third in the league in blocks (1.56) and 12th in steals (1.37). He was also 12th in scoring (13.6) and eighth in rebounding (6.5).
Kellermann Leads Freshman Rebounders
Sophomore Chris Kellermann had a strong finish to his MAC All-Freshman Team campaign last year. The 6-8 forward averaged 15.5 points in the final six games of the year while hitting 19 three-pointers over the stretch. His 5.1 rebounds per game were tops among league freshmen while his 8.8 points were third. Kellermann finished the year with 40 three-pointers, one shy of the team high.
Barrett’s Blocks Rank Ninth
Sefton Barrett enters his final season ranked ninth in the CMU record book for career blocked shots with 75. His total of 42 last year was just two shy of making the single season top 10. If Barrett matches his production from last season, he could climb to as high as fourth. The top four on the career list all went on to careers in the NBA Ben Poquette (234), Chris Kaman (182), Dan Roundfield (175), and Dan Majerle (95).
Spencer Looking to Step Up
Eddie Spencer started 26 games last season and was one of three Chippewas to average over 30 minutes per contest. While he struggled with his shot, Spencer averaged a career-high 7.8 points per game and his 4.4 rebounds a night ranked 18th in the MAC. Spencer is listed as a senior but he is in just his third season as an academic non-qualifier. He will get a fourth year of eligibility next year if he completes 80 percent of his degree requirements by the end of this academic year.
In the Book
Giordan Watson etched his name in the CMU record book a couple of times last year. His 13 assists at Eastern Michigan on February 1 not only was a league-high for the year but also tied for second in CMU single game history. Watson also racked up 51 steals on the year which tied for sixth on the single season list. The point guard has 94 career steals and needs 41 more to join the career top 10. He also needs 63 more assists to join that career top 10 list.
Man in the Middle
Despite standing just 6-7, Justin Blevins started 24 games at center last season. He led CMU with a .500 field goal percentage, and his 0.82 blocked shots per game ranked ninth in the MAC. The junior also tallied 5.8 points and 3.6 boards per game.
Playing for a Good Cause
CMU opens the year as one of 16 teams playing in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. The Chippewas are playing in the East Lansing Regional at Michigan State. Youngstown State is CMU’s opening opponent, and the Chippewas will face either Michigan State or Brown in the consolation/championship round. The four regional winners advance to New York City’s Madison Square Garden on November 16-17 for the championship round. Other teams participating in the event are: Austin Regional Texas, Alcorn State, Chicago State, and St. Bonaventure; New York Regional St. John’s, North Florida, Loyola (Maryland), and Navy; and College Park Regional Maryland, Hampton, Vermont, and New Orleans.
Waiting for Their Chance
CMU welcomes five newcomers to the program, but two of them were in the Chippewa system last year. Redshirting last season were 6-10 forward/center Brandon Ford and 6-7 guard/forward Andre Smyth. Both are expected to contribute this season.