COLUMN: Football, men’s basketball have bright futures

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In sports, the only thing that matters are wins and losses.

That’s not debatable. You are only as good as your last game or play.

But if you think about Central Michigan’s future, it looks bright for men’s basketball and football.

This is what the average CMU fan probably says:

“Matt, you are an idiot, the football team is 3-7 and basketball went 10-21 last year. Quit drinking the maroon and gold Kool-Aid.”

After I set down my juice box, I thought more about it. Yes, this year the football team is struggling and it won’t surprise me if it loses the next two games. But are you seeing how talented these freshmen are?

Wide receiver Titus Davis looks like the second comingof Antonio Brown, wearing number 84 and hauling in everything Ryan Radcliff throws to him. He’s coming off a 10-catch, 197-yard two-touchdown performance.

Courtney Williams isn’t far behind him. The fellow true freshman caught six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown against Kent State.

“They have a lot of confidence, very athletic, good size and attack the football,” said CMU head coach Dan Enos. “It amazes me sometimes to watch these guys practice and think they’re only true freshmen.”

True freshman running back Anthony Garland earned the start last week and is showing how effective he has been in his first year.

The football team has struggled this year, but these freshmen should only improve and their potential is high.

On the hardwood it’s more of the same, only the results might be coming sooner than football.

Sophomore Trey Zeigler isn’t a freshman finding his way. He’s the leader and captain of the Chippewas. And he actually has weapons to work with.

He spoke after the first exhibition game about how he’s confident passing to any of his teammates and they will score. I have the feeling he didn’t have that last year.

Newcomers Austin McBroom and Olivier Mbaigoto figure to be double-digit scorers.

McBroom, a true freshman, already looks capable to run the offense, while consistently knocking down threes.

Mbaigoto a junior college transfer, adds an instant presence inside for rebounding and scoring.

Andre Coimbra is the only senior in the starting five. Surrounding him is youth that will continue to grow and improvethrough each game they play together.

CMU students might assume they are in the dark days of CMU sports (for football and men’s basketball), but stay tuned. As long as you’re not a senior, I think you will see a few Mid-American Conference titles before you leave Mount Pleasant.