After limited action last week due to fall semesters coming to a close and students taking finals and graduating, college basketball picks up again this week leading up to Christmas.
Headlining the action this week is another non-conference, in-state showdown that is a sequel to a prior matchup just two weeks ago.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
RECAP: Central Michigan (8-2) saw their seven-game winning streak snapped this past weekend on the road against Southern Utah, who played at Michigan State just days prior. The Chippewas very well could have won that contest, but a strong start in the second half for the Thunderbirds ultimately decided the game.
UP NEXT (Click here for broadcast information):
- 12/19 – @ UM-Kansas City (3-9) | 8 p.m. ET
- 12/22 – vs. SIU-Edwardsville (3-6) | 7 p.m. ET
PLAYER TO WATCH: Junior Gavin Peppers collected 14 points against Southern Utah, his first game in double-figures since November 18 and just the third instance all season. He was just 1/5 from the floor but knocked down all nine of his free throw attempts. The former JuCo and Cleveland State transfer has been a nice contributor off the bench for Central Michigan this season, averaging 18 minutes per game.
DETROIT MERCY TITANS
RECAP: Detroit (4-7) dropped their fifth straight game when they were routed by Michigan in the Hitachi Basketball Showcase at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, 90-58. The 58 points scored and the 33.3 percent field goal shooting were both by far their lowest respective marks of the season for the Titans… Mercy!
UP NEXT (Click here for broadcast information)
- 12/19 – vs. E. Tennessee St. (6-4) | 7 p.m. ET
- 12/22 – vs. Murray State (7-2) | 7 p.m. ET
PLAYER TO WATCH: Detroit junior and former Michigan transfer Kameron Chatman tallied a team-high 18 points as part of his third double-double of the season for the Titans, albeit in a losing effort. Chatman has eclipsed double-figures in scoring in all but two games for Mercy this season.
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES
RECAP: Eastern Michigan (8-2) upped their win streak to three games after a win on the road against Long Beach State. The Eagles have had no problem scoring the basketball lately, putting up at least 80 points in now four consecutive games played.
UP NEXT (Click here for broadcast information):
- 12/22 – @ Oakland (6-5) | 7 p.m. ET
PLAYER TO WATCH: Freshman Kevin McAdoo provided a nice spark off the bench for EMU against the 49ers, playing in a career-high 17 minutes and matching a career-high 10 points. Granted it is only nine games under his belt for McAdoo, but the West Bloomfield High School product has seen a considerable uptick in playing time over the last two games played.
OAKLAND GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
RECAP: Oakland (6-5) for a while gave No. 2 Michigan State fits at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, but the Spartans managed to grind the Grizzlies down like a pencil late and pull away. Oakland is now 0-16 all-time against the Spartans, but a lot of those previous tilts have been tightly-contested.
UP NEXT (Click here for broadcast information):
- 12/20 – vs. Towson (10-1) | 7 p.m. ET
- 12/22 – vs. E. Michigan (8-2) | 7 p.m. ET
PLAYER TO WATCH: Pardon my language, but Kendrick Nunn played his ass off for Oakland against Michigan State on Saturday. The Illinois transfer scratched 32 points in 38 minutes against the Spartans, his second career game of 30+ points; the first coming in the season opener against Fort Wayne. Nunn is one of those play-makers that will ultimately make Oakland the favorite in the Horizon League this season, and take pressure off guys like Martez Walker and Jalen Hayes.
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
RECAP: Western Michigan (6-4) enjoyed themselves a nice week off from playing. The last time we saw Western, they picked up a pair of wins over a couple of Horizon League foes in Cleveland State and Detroit. They have now held opponents to under 80 points in four straight games, after allowing 80+ in four of the previous six.
UP NEXT (Click here for broadcast information):
- 12/18 – vs. Idaho (7-3) | 7 p.m. ET
- 12/22 – @ UW-Milwaukee (7-5) | 8 p.m. ET
PLAYER TO WATCH: Sophomore Brandon Johnson posted back-to-back games with double-digit points against Cleveland State and Detroit, playing in a season-high 35 minutes in both contests. The Chicago native has seen a minimal increase in playing time this season, which has been reflective in the scoring department as well. Johnson was one rebound shy of his first double-double of the year against Detroit.
