Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewa senior David DiLeo was named to the 2019-20 West Division Preseason All-MAC Team.
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewa Men Fourth In MAC Preseason Poll
10/31/2019 10:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Central Michigan men's basketball team was picked to finish fourth in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference in the preseason coaches poll, released today.
The Chippewas return three starters from a team that finished second in the West a year ago, despite being picked to place sixth in the preseason, en route to a 23-12 record. The 23 wins tied for the second most in program history.
One of those returning starters, David DiLeo, was selected to the West Division Preseason All-MAC Team.
A 6-foot-8 senior forward, DiLeo averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season and enters 2019-20 fourth on CMU's career 3-pointers list with 253 and 20th in career scoring with 1,141 points.
Toledo finished first in the West in the poll, while Bowling Green topped the East.
The Rockets received 11 first-place votes and totaled 69 points. Northern Illinois was second in the West poll, followed by Ball State, CMU, Western Michigan, and Eastern Michigan.
"One of the great things about this conference is that there is a lot of parity," said Keno Davis, who is in his eighth year as the Chippewas' coach. "You see us picked anywhere from second in the league to fifth in the west (in various polls) and I think that shows that there is a lot of unknown about teams coming in; a lot of new players this year.
"We like our team. We think we have a chance to compete at the highest level and we're looking forward to the season starting."
The Chippewas open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 (7 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena against UM-Dearborn.
Defending overall league champion Buffalo was second in the East Division poll, followed by Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Akron and Ohio.
Bowling Green earned six, of a possible 12, votes as the MAC Tournament champion. Toledo was second with two votes.
Joining DiLeo on the West Preseason All-MAC squad are Eugene German, a senior guard from Northern Illinois, along with Tahjai Teague, senior forward, Ball State; Marreon Jackson, junior guard, Toledo; Luke Knapke, senior center, Toledo; and Michael Flowers, junior guard, Western Michigan.
Bowling Green placed two players, both guards, on the East preseason squad. They are junior Justin Turner and senior Dylan Frye. Also named to the team were Phillip Whittington, junior forward, Kent State; Nike Sibande, junior guard, Miami; and Jayvon Graves, junior guard, Buffalo.
The Chippewas return three starters from a team that finished second in the West a year ago, despite being picked to place sixth in the preseason, en route to a 23-12 record. The 23 wins tied for the second most in program history.
One of those returning starters, David DiLeo, was selected to the West Division Preseason All-MAC Team.
A 6-foot-8 senior forward, DiLeo averaged 12.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season and enters 2019-20 fourth on CMU's career 3-pointers list with 253 and 20th in career scoring with 1,141 points.
Toledo finished first in the West in the poll, while Bowling Green topped the East.
The Rockets received 11 first-place votes and totaled 69 points. Northern Illinois was second in the West poll, followed by Ball State, CMU, Western Michigan, and Eastern Michigan.
"One of the great things about this conference is that there is a lot of parity," said Keno Davis, who is in his eighth year as the Chippewas' coach. "You see us picked anywhere from second in the league to fifth in the west (in various polls) and I think that shows that there is a lot of unknown about teams coming in; a lot of new players this year.
"We like our team. We think we have a chance to compete at the highest level and we're looking forward to the season starting."
The Chippewas open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 (7 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena against UM-Dearborn.
Defending overall league champion Buffalo was second in the East Division poll, followed by Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Akron and Ohio.
Bowling Green earned six, of a possible 12, votes as the MAC Tournament champion. Toledo was second with two votes.
Joining DiLeo on the West Preseason All-MAC squad are Eugene German, a senior guard from Northern Illinois, along with Tahjai Teague, senior forward, Ball State; Marreon Jackson, junior guard, Toledo; Luke Knapke, senior center, Toledo; and Michael Flowers, junior guard, Western Michigan.
Bowling Green placed two players, both guards, on the East preseason squad. They are junior Justin Turner and senior Dylan Frye. Also named to the team were Phillip Whittington, junior forward, Kent State; Nike Sibande, junior guard, Miami; and Jayvon Graves, junior guard, Buffalo.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball Insider - 11.3.25
Monday, November 03
Mens Basketball Alumni Game
Monday, October 27
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Phat Phat Brooks & Logan McIntire
Tuesday, October 21
2025-26 MBB Preseason Press Conference - Head Coach Andy Bronkema
Tuesday, October 21