The Purdue Boilermakers finished last season strong, making it to the Big Ten Tournament finals and then winning their first round game in the NCAA tournament. The Central Michigan Chippewas were 23-9 and 15-3 in the MAC last season.

Game Details

When: Friday, Nov. 10th, 7pm

Where: McGuirk Arena, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Watch: Via Stream on ESPN3

Scouting the Chippewas

The Chippewas return 4 of 5 starters from their team a year ago. The team was fast paced and high scoring, averaging 78.3 points a game last year. The top 3 scorers return from last season. Presley Hudson led the team with 16.8 points per game, Tinara Moore added 16.2, while Cassie Breen averaged 14.1. Also returning is Reyna Frost, who averaged 9.4 points and 11.3 rebounds. Gone is Jewel Cotton, who was impressive on both sides of the court.

Scouting the Boilermakers

The Boilermakers lost quite a bit of talent from the team last season, including leading scorer Ashley Morrissette. They also lost a pair of talented forwards, Bridget Perry and Dominique McBryde, who combined for over 17 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The cupboard isn’t bare, however. They have a pair of talented guards, Andreona Keys and Dominique Oden. Keys logged 21 points and 10 rebounds in the 88-39 exhibition win over Saint Francis. The 6’1 Ae’Rianna Harris looks to build on a fantastic freshman season where she had 75 blocks, third all-time for a Boilermaker. Harris averaged 12 points and 7.5 rebounds in the NCAA tournament.

Prediction

Both teams are loaded with talent, and they seem to mirror each other. It will be especially fun to watch Harris and Frost do battle. The Chippewas have more experienced players and are on their home court, so I am giving them a slight edge, 72-69.