CLEVELAND – Senior experience is important if a team wants to compete for a Mid-American Conference title.

But as Ohio proved last season by going to the NCAA Tournament, its not all that important.

CMU coach Jay Smith hopes that is the case this season after his team was picked last in the MAC West preseason rankings Thursday by the MAC News Media Association.

“To get good experience you have to go through suffering,” Smith said. “The thing about our young kids we have right now is they have started, they all have played. And were not talking about mop up minutes, they have played significant minutes and made significant starts.”

First-year Eastern Michigan coach Charles Ramsey is in the same predicament with only two seniors on his roster. His seniors though are preseason All-MAC pick John Bowler and Danny McElhinny.

“We have the best, we only have two, but I don’t think we could have been more blessed to have these two guys,” Ramsey said.

CMU isn’t blessed with any seniors but returns two core players in sophomore point guard Giordan Watson and junior forward Sefton Barrett.

Keeping turnovers to a minimum, defense and rebounding will be key for a successful season, Smith said.

The first two days of practice there were well over 20 turnovers committed at practice, now that number has significantly dwindled.

“It’s not like we don’t try to get it corrected,” Smith said. “You try to get your kids to focus.”

Scoring points may be at a premium this season as 2004-05 leading scorer Kevin Nelson left the program. Nelson averaged 17 points per game last season.

Smith will rely on Watson, Barrett and junior forward Eddie Spencer to provide offense.

Watson started all but one game during his freshman season, averaging 10.3 points and 3.5 assists per game. He is the team’s second leading returning scorer.

Barrett missed nine games last season because of injury and suspension. He averaged 11.2 points per game and was the team’s leading rebounder.

Smith said Barrett is one of the most athletic swing players he has ever coached when healthy.
“We need a healthy Sefton,” Smith said.

Sophomore Drew Walker was establishing himself as the starter at the center position, until he fractured his right foot last week. He is expected to miss four to five weeks.

Freshman forward Chris Kellerman has impressed coaches and Smith said he may crack into the starting lineup at some point this season.

Redshirt freshman John Tiemeyer also will compete at the center position.

Sophomore forwards Justin Blevins and Jeff Bohnhoff also are competing at the power forward position.

The Chippewas open their regular season at Michigan Nov. 19.

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