Happy new year, Nation! When we last checked in on the five Mitten-made mid-majors, it was the final stretch of non-league games before the calendar flipped as did the scheduling.
Some of the teams finished 2016 strongly, while others are hoping for an immediate bounce-back. As previously, we will project over the next two weeks of play (thru Jan. 15) for all five teams.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
SINCE DEC. 19: W @ MONT ST, 106-103; W vs CHI ST, 90-82
OVERALL: 10-3
An 11-day layoff in between games proved to be beneficial for the Chips as they picked up two more wins to close out the calendar year and enter conference play.
Junior Marcus Keene continues to be a scoring machine. He netted 44 in the victory over Montana State, but did however only muster 16 against Chicago State. It was the first game of the year Keene scored less than 20 points in a single game. Hard to imagine that’s a tough night for a guy of his caliber, a lot of players would love to even average 16. The combined 60 points though keeps his PPG average north of 30 and atop the scoring chart across college basketball.
Keene and the Chips are back in action on Tuesday, where they will open MAC play. Here’s what CMU has coming up:
- Tuesday, 1/3 @ E. Michigan (8-5) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Saturday, 1/7 @ No. Illinois (8-5) – 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Tuesday, 1/10 vs. Akron (10-3) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Friday, 1/13 vs. Toledo (7-6) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
DETROIT MERCY TITANS
SINCE DEC. 19: L vs. FT WYN, 93-86; L vs. NKU, 81-70; L vs. WSU, 85-72
OVERALL: 2-12 (0-2 Horizon)
We kind of had a feeling going into the season that first-year head coach Bacari Alexander would have an uphill battle keeping the Titans of UDM at a competitive level, but it has truly been a rough go. They are back in a losing skid, now at three straight, although the combined record of the three teams they fell to are 30-13.
Scoring is not an issue for Detroit, that script has been written. But they are getting torched defensively. Opponents are shooting better than 50 percent against the Titans this season, the highest mark in the conference. They also hold the worst rebounding margin mark in the Horizon, which means more second-chance opportunities for opposing teams and less such chances for themselves.
Here’s what the next two weeks look like for Detroit:
- Friday, 1/6 @ Illinois-Chicago – 8 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Sunday, 1/8 @ Valparaiso – 1 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Friday, 1/13 @ Oakland – 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU and WatchESPN
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
SINCE DEC. 19: L @ SYR, 105-57; W vs. MC, 101-48; W vs. LBSU, 98-72
OVERALL: 8-5
Eastern was another team that closed out 2016 on a high note, picking up blowout victories over Marygrove and Long Beach State as they too prepare for MAC play and a showdown at home against in-state rival Central Michigan.
Senior guard Ray Lee led the team in scoring in both of their wins, scoring 25 and 20 respectively. EMU head coach Rob Murphy used all three games, given how one-sided the results were, to go 10 or even 11 deep off the bench and allow some guys to receive some modest minutes. It could prove to be very resourceful come conference play when in need of a spark off the bench.
Here is what Eastern’s opening slate of MAC games look like:
- Tuesday, 1/3 vs. C. Michigan (10-3) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Saturday, 1/7 vs. Buffalo (6-7) – 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Tuesday, 1/10 @ Bowling Green (6-7) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Saturday, 1/14 @ Ohio (8-3) – 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3
OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
SINCE DEC. 19: L vs. N’EAST, 61-59; L @ MICH ST, 77-65; W vs. UGA, 86-79; W vs. WSU, 81-62; W vs. NKU, 76-65
OVERALL: 12-3 (2-0 Horizon)
The Grizzlies briefly stubbed their toe with a last-second loss at home to Northeastern and a rough go of it in East Lansing against the Spartans, but they bounced back with three impressive showings, including notching two league victories against the very same teams UDM played that week as well.
There’s a number of reasons why Oakland keeps winning games, and it goes beyond the individual numbers. Their scoring margin is tops in the Horizon league, close to +13 per game and it’s more than doubled the next closest team. They are also the only team in the Horizon allowing opponents to shoot less than 40 percent from the floor. They’re excellent at controlling the ball as well, both offensively and defensively. They rank No. 1 in assists and steals per game, and have the best turnover margin in the conference.
Oakland clearly has the makeup of a team that can do some damage in the big dance should they get there, but we’re still a way’s away from there. Let’s look ahead to the next couple weeks:
- Friday, 1/6 @ Valparaiso (11-3) – 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN
- Sunday, 1/8 @ Illinois-Chicago (7-7) – 5 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Friday, 1/13 vs. Detroit Mercy (2-12) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU andWatchESPN
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
SINCE DEC. 19:Â L @ UCLA, 82-68; W vs. AAMU, 80-50
OVERALL: 4-8
The Broncos didn’t make it easy for the explosive and prolific UCLA offense, but the Bruins were able to dispatch WMU with ease late. Western did however close out 2016 with a huge win at home.
Junior Thomas Wilder continues to be as steady as they get with the basketball. Wilder potted a combined 41 points in the team’s last two games. The team’s leading scorer and best shooter is not getting much help elsewhere however, outside of fellow guard Tucker Haymond. Both he and Haymond are the only Broncos averaging in double-figures through the team’s first 12 games. WMU will need guys like Brandon Johnson (8.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Drake LaMont (8.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG) to step up a bit more as the schedule flips to league play for WMU.
And it won’t be an easy start for the 4-8 Broncos. Here’s what is coming up:
- Tuesday, 1/3 @ Ohio (8-3) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Friday, 1/6 @ Akron (10-3) – 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
- Tuesday, 1/10 vs. Toledo (7-6) – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3
- Saturday, 1/14 vs. Kent St. (8-5) – 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3
