Central Michigan University Athletics
Men's Hoops Begins Exhibition Season Sunday
11/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT After battling itself for the last three weeks, the Central Michigan University men’s basketball team finally gets to face some outside competition on Sunday when the Chippewas open exhibition play.
CMU welcomes Hillsdale College on Nov. 4 for the first of two exhibition contests. Tipoff in Rose Arena is set for 4:30 p.m., or 30 minutes after the completion of the CMU women’s basketball game against Aquinas.
The men also face Northwood in an exhibition contest on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
“We need to face some outside competition and we’ll finally get that Sunday against Hillsdale,” second-year coach Ernie Zeigler said. “We are gradually making progress in practice but we are not where we need to be defensively.”
The Chippewas return nine letterwinners and four starters from last year’s team that finished 13-18 overall and 7-9 in the Mid-American Conference.
In the early going, Zeigler has liked what he’s seen on the offensive end of the floor.
“I think our ability to share the ball has been a positive,” he said. “The players have been very unselfish and willing to make the extra pass. That is going to bode well for us if it continues. Overall, the energy and attitude we’ve displayed has been good. I also like the consistency.”
Headlining the returnees is first team All-MAC point guard Giordan Watson, who averaged 18.8 points and 4.2 assists per game last season. He enters his final season with a shot at breaking the CMU career records for assists, steals and three-pointers made.
Also returning are 2007 MAC All-Freshman Team selection Marko Spica (7.1 ppg in 2006-07), sophomore Jordan Bitzer (7.4 ppg), junior Chris Kellermann (8.8 ppg), senior Eddie Spencer (6.9 ppg) and Justin Blevins (5.1 ppg). All six of those players started at least 13 games last season with Kellermann missing 12 games with a foot injury.
Four newcomers are expected to make immediate impacts this season and each could potentially be a starter. Junior college transfers Nate Minnoy (Schoolcraft CC) and Marcus Van (Wabash Valley CC) will challenge for starting jobs in the post while true freshmen Chase Simon (Detroit Community HS) and Jeremy Allen (Detroit Cass Tech HS) are battling for spots on the perimeter.
“The exhibition games will let us know where our newcomers are at in terms of grasping the intricacies of our offensive sets and defensive system,” Zeigler said.
“I’m also anxious to see how our returning players handle their roles and step up as leaders.”
The regular season begins Nov. 12-13 as CMU travels to Missouri for a regional of the O’Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience Classic. The Chippewas face the host Tigers on Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CST and then either Fordham or Central Missouri on Tuesday, Nov. 13 (4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.).
CMU welcomes Hillsdale College on Nov. 4 for the first of two exhibition contests. Tipoff in Rose Arena is set for 4:30 p.m., or 30 minutes after the completion of the CMU women’s basketball game against Aquinas.
The men also face Northwood in an exhibition contest on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m.
“We need to face some outside competition and we’ll finally get that Sunday against Hillsdale,” second-year coach Ernie Zeigler said. “We are gradually making progress in practice but we are not where we need to be defensively.”
The Chippewas return nine letterwinners and four starters from last year’s team that finished 13-18 overall and 7-9 in the Mid-American Conference.
In the early going, Zeigler has liked what he’s seen on the offensive end of the floor.
“I think our ability to share the ball has been a positive,” he said. “The players have been very unselfish and willing to make the extra pass. That is going to bode well for us if it continues. Overall, the energy and attitude we’ve displayed has been good. I also like the consistency.”
Headlining the returnees is first team All-MAC point guard Giordan Watson, who averaged 18.8 points and 4.2 assists per game last season. He enters his final season with a shot at breaking the CMU career records for assists, steals and three-pointers made.
Also returning are 2007 MAC All-Freshman Team selection Marko Spica (7.1 ppg in 2006-07), sophomore Jordan Bitzer (7.4 ppg), junior Chris Kellermann (8.8 ppg), senior Eddie Spencer (6.9 ppg) and Justin Blevins (5.1 ppg). All six of those players started at least 13 games last season with Kellermann missing 12 games with a foot injury.
Four newcomers are expected to make immediate impacts this season and each could potentially be a starter. Junior college transfers Nate Minnoy (Schoolcraft CC) and Marcus Van (Wabash Valley CC) will challenge for starting jobs in the post while true freshmen Chase Simon (Detroit Community HS) and Jeremy Allen (Detroit Cass Tech HS) are battling for spots on the perimeter.
“The exhibition games will let us know where our newcomers are at in terms of grasping the intricacies of our offensive sets and defensive system,” Zeigler said.
“I’m also anxious to see how our returning players handle their roles and step up as leaders.”
The regular season begins Nov. 12-13 as CMU travels to Missouri for a regional of the O’Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience Classic. The Chippewas face the host Tigers on Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CST and then either Fordham or Central Missouri on Tuesday, Nov. 13 (4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.).
Tamario Adley Video Feature
Thursday, March 05
MBB vs. Western Michigan Highlights
Monday, February 23
Men's Basketball Western Hype
Friday, February 20
Nathan Claerbaut Video Feature
Wednesday, February 18