Men’s basketball trying to return favor on Temple’s opening night

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Last year Central Michigan men’s basketball opened up McGuirk Arena against Temple.

The Owls spoiled the opening night of the new venue, beating the Chippewas 65-53. At 4 p.m. tomorrow CMU has the chance to return the favor as the Owls are opening their own brand new court, the Liacouras Center.

“I figure if we go and get this win, we will get revenge for us,” said CMU junior guard Finis Craddock.

If the Chippewas are able to seek revenge, it will have a lot to do with their ability to shut down the Temple backcourt. Last year Juan Fernandez and Ramone Moore had 34 points combined against CMU.

“Those two senior guards combined make one of the best backcourts in the country,” said CMU head coach Ernie Zeigler. “We’re going to have our hands full. We need to do a much better job getting to them.”

Fernandez was 4-for-7 from 3-point land.

“Moore can really create his own shot off the dribble,” Zeigler said. “Fernandez can knock ‘em down. He’s a catch-and-shoot player. We’re going to get them the attention they need defensively.”

Graduate student with senior athletic eligibility Micheal Eric is averaging a double-double for Temple. The 6-foot-11 center snags 11.3 rebounds per game and scores 10.5 points per game.

Zeigler seems to be more confident about the match up this time around.

“Our team chemistry and our confidence is at a better stage then when it was a year ago when we played them,” Zeigler said.

The Chippewas were beating the Owls 32-24 at halftime. Jalin Thomas, who has graduated, had 17 first-half points, helping CMU to the big lead.

Trey Zeigler, then a freshman, struggled, shooting 2-for-11 from the field. He only scored five points and recorded two rebounds. This year he’s already racked up three double-doubles.

“We played well for 30 minutes,” Ernie said. “Then the wheels came off for us.”

For CMU, it will be its fifth consecutive road game.

“Its going to be a great test for us,” Ernie said. “Going on the road, playing a team that’s one of the top teams in the Alantic-10.”