Amir Rashid leads young CMU backcourt

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When two senior guards graduate, it can be tough to replace them.

When those two guards were the team’s leading scorers, it can be even tougher. But that is just the challenge that the CMU men’s basketball is facing this season.

Senior guard Amir Rashid will have a big role in trying to help replace the team’s main offensive sources, Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman. Both players averaged a combined 30 points, nearly half of the team’s points.

Head coach Ernie Zeigler said it’s nice to have a senior for the young guys to look to.

“It’s huge to have a senior that’s going through the trials and tribulations of game situations and practice and what we’re asking on a daily basis,” Zeigler said. “I think Amir has done a nice job mentoring Derek (Jackson), and hopefully he can continue to grow here as he continues to get more minutes.”

Freshmen guards Derek Jackson and Trey Zeigler will also have a big role in replacing the seniors lost to graduation. Jackson has been a nice surprise for the Chippewas and has made some big contributions off the bench for the team so far this season. He had a career-high 19 points and five rebounds in the team’s 82-76 overtime loss against South Alabama on Saturday.

Zeigler is averaging 18.7 points per game and has already shown that he wants to lead this team. His presence alone in the back court can cause matchup problems for opposing teams.

“We’re two freshmen coming in trying to make an impact. Trey is a great player and I’m trying to be a great player,” Jackson said. “Coach stresses defense, so I’m just trying to come in and play defense.”

While Jackson is averaging just less than nine points per game, it is his defensive skills that make his presence felt. He currently leads the team with 11 steals.

Ernie Zeigler said that Jackson brings a nice skill set to the team and will definitely have a future in the program.

“He brings (something) that we have lacked in the past. He’s a guy that can really pressure the ball,” Zeigler said. “His skills defensively are going to bode well for us as we continue to come together and build an even better chemistry and continuity as a team.”

Rashid is averaging just 5.3 points per game so far but it is his senior leadership makes him such an important piece to this team. When you lose top scorers like Bitzer and Harman, you have to find a leader to step up help the younger guys.

“(Rashid’s) already been through the program so he knows what the coaches like and expect,” Jackson said. “He’s leading the way for me and showing me what I have to do to get comfortable in this program.”