Saturday, December 8
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
4:30 p.m. ET
Central Michigan University
vs
Southern Utah
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewas Set to Entertain Thunderbirds
12/7/2018 4:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CMU hosts Southern Utah on Saturday in McGuirk Arena at 4:30 p.m.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Following a 100-94 triple overtime victory at Youngstown State Tuesday, Central Michigan looks to win their second straight and remain undefeated at home this season Saturday against Southern Utah (4:30 p.m.).
The Chippewas, currently 7-2, are 3-0 this season in McGuirk Arena and winners of their last five home contests dating back to the 2017-18 campaign. The Thunderbirds of the Big Sky Conference are 4-2 this season, with both losses coming on the road.
CMU head coach Keno Davis is pleased with his team's performance through nine games and its continued growth and maturity.
"We knew we were going to gain some experience quickly with the tournament in the Bahamas and with three-straight road games," Davis said. "I feel like we're a better team for it, and to gain that experience and win puts us in a good position to finish out the non-conference part of our schedule strong."
LEADERS
Senior Larry Austin Jr. leads CMU and ranks second in the Mid-American Conference, scoring 19.6 points per game. He is coming off his first career double-double against Youngstown State (24 points, 11 rebounds). Junior Kevin McKay is averaging 16.3 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds.
Shawn Roundtree Jr. is scoring 15.0 points per game with a 75.5 free throw percentage. The senior guard scored nine clutch points in triple overtime versus Youngstown State en route to a season-high of 23.
ONE TO WATCH
Both Southern Utah (No. 3, 11.2 spg) and Central Michigan (No. 8, 10.2 spg) rank in the top 10 in NCAA Division I in steals per game.
The Chippewas lead the MAC in steals, averaging 1.7 more per game than the No. 2-ranked team, Buffalo. Austin and McKay are tied for second in the conference (2.3) while Roundtree is fourth (1.9)
SCOUTING
The Thunderbirds enter Saturday's game coming off an 82-71 road loss to Long Beach State on Dec. 5. Southern Utah defeated San Jose State 66-59 on the road earlier this season, a team CMU downed, 76-74, on Nov. 18 at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.
The Thunderbirds feature a high-scoring offense, currently averaging 83.5 points a game, while shooting just under 45 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from 3-point range. Southern Utah also forces 19.2 turnovers per game.
Cameron Oluyitan leads the Thunderbirds with 13.7 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from 3-point range and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. Dwayne Morgan and Andre Adams average 13.0 and 10.7 points per contest, respectively, while Harrison Butler leads SUU with 6.4 rebounds.
NEXT
The Chippewas are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m., hosting UMKC in McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas, currently 7-2, are 3-0 this season in McGuirk Arena and winners of their last five home contests dating back to the 2017-18 campaign. The Thunderbirds of the Big Sky Conference are 4-2 this season, with both losses coming on the road.
CMU head coach Keno Davis is pleased with his team's performance through nine games and its continued growth and maturity.
"We knew we were going to gain some experience quickly with the tournament in the Bahamas and with three-straight road games," Davis said. "I feel like we're a better team for it, and to gain that experience and win puts us in a good position to finish out the non-conference part of our schedule strong."
LEADERS
Senior Larry Austin Jr. leads CMU and ranks second in the Mid-American Conference, scoring 19.6 points per game. He is coming off his first career double-double against Youngstown State (24 points, 11 rebounds). Junior Kevin McKay is averaging 16.3 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds.
Shawn Roundtree Jr. is scoring 15.0 points per game with a 75.5 free throw percentage. The senior guard scored nine clutch points in triple overtime versus Youngstown State en route to a season-high of 23.
ONE TO WATCH
Both Southern Utah (No. 3, 11.2 spg) and Central Michigan (No. 8, 10.2 spg) rank in the top 10 in NCAA Division I in steals per game.
The Chippewas lead the MAC in steals, averaging 1.7 more per game than the No. 2-ranked team, Buffalo. Austin and McKay are tied for second in the conference (2.3) while Roundtree is fourth (1.9)
SCOUTING
The Thunderbirds enter Saturday's game coming off an 82-71 road loss to Long Beach State on Dec. 5. Southern Utah defeated San Jose State 66-59 on the road earlier this season, a team CMU downed, 76-74, on Nov. 18 at the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.
The Thunderbirds feature a high-scoring offense, currently averaging 83.5 points a game, while shooting just under 45 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from 3-point range. Southern Utah also forces 19.2 turnovers per game.
Cameron Oluyitan leads the Thunderbirds with 13.7 points per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the floor, 34.6 percent from 3-point range and 87.5 percent from the free throw line. Dwayne Morgan and Andre Adams average 13.0 and 10.7 points per contest, respectively, while Harrison Butler leads SUU with 6.4 rebounds.
NEXT
The Chippewas are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m., hosting UMKC in McGuirk Arena.
Players Mentioned
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