Central Michigan University Athletics
2011-12 By Position Preview: Point Guard
10/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CMU’s starting point guard battle might be the most contested of the preseason as the Chippewas have three players vying for the position, including two newcomers.
Junior John Morris (5-10, 157) is the lone returnee in the mix after starting six games last season and leading the team to a win in four of those contests.
Two talented freshmen are expected to challenge for the role as well in Austin McBroom (6-0, 162) and Jorddan Myrick (5-11, 177).
“We have guys who are pass-first point guards that will be able to push the ball and get us into our transition offense,” head coach Ernie Zeigler said. “We will be a more balanced team this season and our point guard needs to get the ball to our playmakers in a position to score.”
Morris, a walk-on, played in 16 games last season and averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 assists per game. He was 7-for-14 from three-point range.
“John is our glue guy,” Zeigler said. “He holds us together by doing all the little things. He doesn’t ‘wow’ you, but he has the right mentality to compete for time in the rotation.
“Starting last year gave him some confidence to take shots and he understands what we are asking of him.”
Morris will have his hands full with a pair of highly regarded freshmen pushing him.
McBroom comes to CMU from Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood, Calif. There he averaged 25 points and 3.9 assists per game as a senior while earning all-state honors in both basketball and football.
“Austin is a studious player with good quickness and change of speeds,” Zeigler said. “He has a tough ‘football player’ mentality and we like the fact that he can score and distribute. We are working with him on getting better guarding the ball.”
As a freshman, McBroom scored 30 points in the state final game to lead Campbell Hall to a Class IV title while his senior teammate, Jrue Holiday (current starting point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers), battled foul trouble. During his senior year, McBroom had eight games of 30 or more points.
Myrick’s niche is his defense and that could earn him plenty of time in the rotation as CMU struggled keeping quick guards in check last season.
“Jorddan is the best defender of the group and he’s extra quick and athletic,” Zeigler said. “He’s the strongest of our freshmen and is a tough, ‘team first’ guy. Jorddan can make plays and he’ll need to work on improving his outside shot.”
Myrick was a standout at West Ottawa High School in Holland, Mich. He was all-state as a senior while averaging 20 points and four assists per game.
CMU will have to deal with some youthful mistakes this season at the point but the Chippewas look to be set at this position for the next four years.
Keel Changes Numbers
Freshman Austin Keel has changed uniform numbers. The shooting guard will now wear No. 12 this season.
Air Time
The Chippewas will have at least three games televised this season, with the possibility of more. CMU’s game at Minnesota on Dec. 13 will air nationally on ESPNU. Two home games will air as part of the MAC’s regional package — Jan. 31 versus Kent State and Feb. 26 against Northern Illinois. SportsTime Ohio is the flagship station for the MAC package with potential clearances on Comcast Michigan (channel 900) depending on the network’s syndicated schedule. Eight other MAC games will be selected as wildcard games on a 21-day advance. Three of the wildcard games will air on the MAC Network and the other five on the ESPN Family of Networks.
The Magic Mark
Under Ernie Zeigler, the Chippewas have a goal of holding their opponent under 40 percent shooting from the field each game. During Zeigler’s five seasons, CMU is 26-8 (.764) overall when holding the opposition below that mark. On the flip side, Central shot better than 40 percent from the floor in 13 games last year and the Chippewas won nine of those contests.
Playing Professionally
Four recent CMU players are currently playing overseas this season — Sefton Barrett, Robbie Harman, Marko Spica and Giordan Watson. Barrett is currently in France (Saint-Vallier), Harman in Holland (Stepco BS Weert), Spica in Slovenia (Maribor Messer) and Watson in Iceland (U.M.F. Grindavik). All four of the Chippewas were teammates together on the 2006-07 squad.
Another BracketBusters Appearance
The Chippewas will play in the ESPN/Sears BracketBusters event for the ninth straight year. CMU will host a wildcard opponent the weekend of Feb. 17-19. The Chippewas are 5-3 all-time in the series. All five wins have come in home matchups while all three losses were when CMU was a road team. Past opponents have included Evansville, Cleveland State, Morehead State, Illinois-Chicago, Missouri State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee State and Niagara.
Packing Their Bags Early
The Chippewas will be road-tested by the time they enter MAC play. CMU’s nonconference schedule includes just three home games to 10 road contests. Central will take only four trips to play those games as the junket includes a four-game trip (Pepperdine and three games at the Great Alaskan Shootout), a three-game trip (Iowa State, Nebraska and Wright State) and a two-game trip (Tennessee State and Minnesota). The only nonconference game that will be played on a single trip is Temple.
Junior John Morris (5-10, 157) is the lone returnee in the mix after starting six games last season and leading the team to a win in four of those contests.
Two talented freshmen are expected to challenge for the role as well in Austin McBroom (6-0, 162) and Jorddan Myrick (5-11, 177).
“We have guys who are pass-first point guards that will be able to push the ball and get us into our transition offense,” head coach Ernie Zeigler said. “We will be a more balanced team this season and our point guard needs to get the ball to our playmakers in a position to score.”
Morris, a walk-on, played in 16 games last season and averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 assists per game. He was 7-for-14 from three-point range.
“John is our glue guy,” Zeigler said. “He holds us together by doing all the little things. He doesn’t ‘wow’ you, but he has the right mentality to compete for time in the rotation.
“Starting last year gave him some confidence to take shots and he understands what we are asking of him.”
Morris will have his hands full with a pair of highly regarded freshmen pushing him.
McBroom comes to CMU from Campbell Hall High School in North Hollywood, Calif. There he averaged 25 points and 3.9 assists per game as a senior while earning all-state honors in both basketball and football.
“Austin is a studious player with good quickness and change of speeds,” Zeigler said. “He has a tough ‘football player’ mentality and we like the fact that he can score and distribute. We are working with him on getting better guarding the ball.”
As a freshman, McBroom scored 30 points in the state final game to lead Campbell Hall to a Class IV title while his senior teammate, Jrue Holiday (current starting point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers), battled foul trouble. During his senior year, McBroom had eight games of 30 or more points.
Myrick’s niche is his defense and that could earn him plenty of time in the rotation as CMU struggled keeping quick guards in check last season.
“Jorddan is the best defender of the group and he’s extra quick and athletic,” Zeigler said. “He’s the strongest of our freshmen and is a tough, ‘team first’ guy. Jorddan can make plays and he’ll need to work on improving his outside shot.”
Myrick was a standout at West Ottawa High School in Holland, Mich. He was all-state as a senior while averaging 20 points and four assists per game.
CMU will have to deal with some youthful mistakes this season at the point but the Chippewas look to be set at this position for the next four years.
Keel Changes Numbers
Freshman Austin Keel has changed uniform numbers. The shooting guard will now wear No. 12 this season.
Air Time
The Chippewas will have at least three games televised this season, with the possibility of more. CMU’s game at Minnesota on Dec. 13 will air nationally on ESPNU. Two home games will air as part of the MAC’s regional package — Jan. 31 versus Kent State and Feb. 26 against Northern Illinois. SportsTime Ohio is the flagship station for the MAC package with potential clearances on Comcast Michigan (channel 900) depending on the network’s syndicated schedule. Eight other MAC games will be selected as wildcard games on a 21-day advance. Three of the wildcard games will air on the MAC Network and the other five on the ESPN Family of Networks.
The Magic Mark
Under Ernie Zeigler, the Chippewas have a goal of holding their opponent under 40 percent shooting from the field each game. During Zeigler’s five seasons, CMU is 26-8 (.764) overall when holding the opposition below that mark. On the flip side, Central shot better than 40 percent from the floor in 13 games last year and the Chippewas won nine of those contests.
Playing Professionally
Four recent CMU players are currently playing overseas this season — Sefton Barrett, Robbie Harman, Marko Spica and Giordan Watson. Barrett is currently in France (Saint-Vallier), Harman in Holland (Stepco BS Weert), Spica in Slovenia (Maribor Messer) and Watson in Iceland (U.M.F. Grindavik). All four of the Chippewas were teammates together on the 2006-07 squad.
Another BracketBusters Appearance
The Chippewas will play in the ESPN/Sears BracketBusters event for the ninth straight year. CMU will host a wildcard opponent the weekend of Feb. 17-19. The Chippewas are 5-3 all-time in the series. All five wins have come in home matchups while all three losses were when CMU was a road team. Past opponents have included Evansville, Cleveland State, Morehead State, Illinois-Chicago, Missouri State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Tennessee State and Niagara.
Packing Their Bags Early
The Chippewas will be road-tested by the time they enter MAC play. CMU’s nonconference schedule includes just three home games to 10 road contests. Central will take only four trips to play those games as the junket includes a four-game trip (Pepperdine and three games at the Great Alaskan Shootout), a three-game trip (Iowa State, Nebraska and Wright State) and a two-game trip (Tennessee State and Minnesota). The only nonconference game that will be played on a single trip is Temple.
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