Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Clash with Rival Western Michigan Tuesday
2/19/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2018
GAME PREVIEW
Central Michigan (16-11, 5-9 MAC) will kick off a week of road trips on Tuesday, Feb. 20 when it first visits rival Western Michigan (15-12, 7-7 MAC) for a 7 p.m. game at University Arena in Kalamazoo.
TRENDING
• Sophomore guard/forward Kevin McKay is coming off a career week, averaging a double-double (23.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg). Against NIU, he recorded a career-high and team season-high 33 points. Versus Eastern Michigan, he notched his second double-double in the last three games, totaling 14 points and 16 rebounds in addition to posting a career-high seven assists.
• Senior guard Josh Kozinski needs four 3-pointers to become Central Michigan basketball's (men's or women's) career leader. NIki DiGuilio, who played from 2010-14, currently holds the record with 288. Kozinski broke the men's record vs. NIU on Jan. 30. Women's team member senior guard Cassie Breen is close on his heels, needing six to break the record.
• Kozinski ranks No. 2 in the nation in turnover percentage (4.1) and also ranks second among all NCAA players since 2007-08 in that stat category (2.86).
• Central Michigan is tied for No. 1 in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting .800 from the line.
• Kevin McKay leads the MAC in steals per game (2.4 spg) and ranks No. 2 in offensive rebounds (3.5 rpg) (MAC games only).
• McKay has recorded at least one steal in 22 of the 25 games in which he has played this season, including in 16 straight.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
• Led by 15-year head coach Steve Hawkins, Western Michigan enters Tuesday's contest in the midst of two-game losing streak, including a 75-67 setback to Northern Illinois in its last outing.
• Ranked seventh in the MAC in scoring offense (75.0 ppg) (5th in MAC play only, 73.9 ppg), Western Michigan features two players who average double figures -- senior guard Thomas Wilder (18.9 ppg) and junior guard/forward Josh Davis (11.0 ppg).
• Wilder, a candidate for MAC Player of the Year, ranks No. 2 in the MAC in scoring (18.9 ppg) and leads WMU in assists (115) and steals (55).
• Davis shoots .482 from the field and leads the Broncos in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game.
• Junior guard Bryce Moore (9.6 ppg), sophomore guard/forward Reggie Jones (9.6 ppg), sophomore Brandon Johnson (9.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and senior center Drake Lamont (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) are also significant contributors.
• Western Michigan takes care of the ball, as it leads the MAC (No. 20 in the NCAA) in fewest turnovers (10.9 per game) and turnover margin (+3.1).
LAST TIME OUT
• Eastern Michigan outscored Central Michigan, 10-4, over the final 47 seconds in handing the Chippewas a 72-67 Mid-American Conference loss at McGuirk Arena.
• Kevin McKay finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists to lead CMU. The rebound and assist totals were both career highs for the sophomore guard, who continued his late-season ascension as he posted his second double-double in his last three games. His performance came four nights after he scored 33 points in a win at Northern Illinois.
• Luke Meyer added 13 points and Cecil Williams had 12 for the Chippewas.
• The Chippewas found success against Eastern's vaunted zone defense, finishing 11 for 26 (42.3 percent) from 3-point range.
• CMU finished 12 for 13 (92.3 percent) from the free throw line.
• The game featured six lead changes and six ties.
UP NEXT FOR THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan will head back out on the road later this week, visiting MAC West frontrunner Toledo (19-8, 11-3 MAC) for a 6:30 p.m. game on Friday, Feb. 23 at Savage Arena. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network.
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Central Michigan (16-11, 5-9 MAC) will kick off a week of road trips on Tuesday, Feb. 20 when it first visits rival Western Michigan (15-12, 7-7 MAC) for a 7 p.m. game at University Arena in Kalamazoo.
TRENDING
• Sophomore guard/forward Kevin McKay is coming off a career week, averaging a double-double (23.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg). Against NIU, he recorded a career-high and team season-high 33 points. Versus Eastern Michigan, he notched his second double-double in the last three games, totaling 14 points and 16 rebounds in addition to posting a career-high seven assists.
• Senior guard Josh Kozinski needs four 3-pointers to become Central Michigan basketball's (men's or women's) career leader. NIki DiGuilio, who played from 2010-14, currently holds the record with 288. Kozinski broke the men's record vs. NIU on Jan. 30. Women's team member senior guard Cassie Breen is close on his heels, needing six to break the record.
• Kozinski ranks No. 2 in the nation in turnover percentage (4.1) and also ranks second among all NCAA players since 2007-08 in that stat category (2.86).
• Central Michigan is tied for No. 1 in the nation in free throw percentage, shooting .800 from the line.
• Kevin McKay leads the MAC in steals per game (2.4 spg) and ranks No. 2 in offensive rebounds (3.5 rpg) (MAC games only).
• McKay has recorded at least one steal in 22 of the 25 games in which he has played this season, including in 16 straight.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
• Led by 15-year head coach Steve Hawkins, Western Michigan enters Tuesday's contest in the midst of two-game losing streak, including a 75-67 setback to Northern Illinois in its last outing.
• Ranked seventh in the MAC in scoring offense (75.0 ppg) (5th in MAC play only, 73.9 ppg), Western Michigan features two players who average double figures -- senior guard Thomas Wilder (18.9 ppg) and junior guard/forward Josh Davis (11.0 ppg).
• Wilder, a candidate for MAC Player of the Year, ranks No. 2 in the MAC in scoring (18.9 ppg) and leads WMU in assists (115) and steals (55).
• Davis shoots .482 from the field and leads the Broncos in rebounding, averaging 7.1 boards per game.
• Junior guard Bryce Moore (9.6 ppg), sophomore guard/forward Reggie Jones (9.6 ppg), sophomore Brandon Johnson (9.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) and senior center Drake Lamont (6.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg) are also significant contributors.
• Western Michigan takes care of the ball, as it leads the MAC (No. 20 in the NCAA) in fewest turnovers (10.9 per game) and turnover margin (+3.1).
LAST TIME OUT
• Eastern Michigan outscored Central Michigan, 10-4, over the final 47 seconds in handing the Chippewas a 72-67 Mid-American Conference loss at McGuirk Arena.
• Kevin McKay finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists to lead CMU. The rebound and assist totals were both career highs for the sophomore guard, who continued his late-season ascension as he posted his second double-double in his last three games. His performance came four nights after he scored 33 points in a win at Northern Illinois.
• Luke Meyer added 13 points and Cecil Williams had 12 for the Chippewas.
• The Chippewas found success against Eastern's vaunted zone defense, finishing 11 for 26 (42.3 percent) from 3-point range.
• CMU finished 12 for 13 (92.3 percent) from the free throw line.
• The game featured six lead changes and six ties.
UP NEXT FOR THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan will head back out on the road later this week, visiting MAC West frontrunner Toledo (19-8, 11-3 MAC) for a 6:30 p.m. game on Friday, Feb. 23 at Savage Arena. The game will be televised nationally by CBS Sports Network.
Players Mentioned
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