MAC Basketball Season Preview: Central Michigan Chippewas

An extensive if not comprehensive look at all 12 Mid-American Conference college basketball teams. The opening game is November 10, so we better get started.

Last year: 15-15 (9-7), 1st MAC West; lost to Western Michigan in MAC tournament quarterfinals; no postseason tournament

This year: Picked 2nd in MAC West (8 of 24 first-place votes), picked by 4 of 24

Coach: Ernie Ziegler enters his fifth season with the Chips. His record: 54-69.

First Game: Friday, November 12 vs. Cal State Fullerton in Honolulu

Can a member of the Chippewa tribe dribble a basketball? Yes, but only if the NCAA gets approval from the tribe.

Departures

Jordan Bitzer (graduated)
Tyler Brown (transferred)
Tyler Denike (???)
Brandon Ford (graduated)
Robbie Harman (graduated)
Chris Kellermann (graduated)
Marko Spica (forwent senior season)

Returning Award-Winners

None

Big Nonconference Games

12/1 vs. Temple
12/11 @ LSU
12/30 @ UNLV

A Paragraph of Thought on Central Michigan Basketball

Trey Zeigler. Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler  Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler Trey Zeigler ... oh, wait, I'm not the national media! I can say other things about the team! What shouldn't be lost from the Zeiglergeist is that Harman, Bitzer, Spica, Kellerman ... hey, all those guys were important last year. And that team win the MAC West, albeit in a very weak, open competition for the division. They're already trying to swear Zeigler into the role of "the MAC's best player in a few years" before he has drained a basket in the record books. This may happen, but I don't know many freshmen that are able to carry teams — ANY team — with efficiency. Hey, it'll probably happen eventually. But don't be surprised if the coach's son struggles.