For the first time since the state playoffs last March, the freshman forward will return to his old stomping grounds today when the Central Michigan men’s basketball team plays its only exhibition game of the season against Marygrove College at Mount Pleasant High School.

“I had four great years there, so I hope the (reception) is great,” Zeigler said after practice Monday with a laugh. “I think there’s going to be a lot of people there, so I’m going to have fun.”

During his four seasons at MPHS, Zeigler scored 1,644 points and grabbed 648 rebounds while earning every award you could think of. Now, he comes into the gym he once starred in as an unproven freshman with high expectations.

“It’s a really unique situation when any student is able to come back and be a part of something at their high school as a college student,” said CMU head coach Ernie Zeigler. “For Trey, that first opportunity in familiar surroundings will make things a little bit easier for him. Hopefully it’ll be a good and really special time for him and for Mount Pleasant High School.”

New offense

Wednesday’s game will also serve as the debut of the Chippewas new up tempo, run-and-gun style offense. Installed at the beginning of practice earlier this month, the team will look to utilize its young, more speedy, roster to look for shots sooner in possessions.

Given the lack of experience on the team — just four players with Division I experience — defense has been a concern for Zeigler, who said it really showed in the team’s scrimmage at IPFW on Saturday.

“We’ve been very inconsistent defensively in terms of our rotation and communication, and I’m looking for our seniors to lead the way,” he said. “Hopefully having this game action will allow us to continue to build our team chemistry and getting comfortable with what we’re doing.”

Marygrove, a small school located in Detroit, plays in the NAIA. The Mustangs finished the 2009-10 season 10-22 overall but won a pair of postseason games to finish fifth in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

They are led by 6-foot-1 junior guard Marcus Hopkins and 6-6 senior forward Justin McKinney. Hopkins averaged better than 14 points per game last season while McKinney led the team in rebounds (8.9 per game), assists (3), steals (1.97) and blocks (1.07).

Both were held silent in CMU’s 85-38 exhibition game last season as the Chippewas look to use this game as a barometer as to how far along the new offense has come along.

“We’re starting to figure it out. We got off to a slow start (against IPFW), but we battled back,” Trey said. “We had some good moments, but we still got to continue to get better on defense and communicating. Even on offense, pushing the (pedal) like we want to, so that’s something we’re going to look to do on Wednesday.”

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Notes

Senior forward Will McClure may not play after sitting out practice Monday with bronchitis.

McClure, expected to have a big year in the post for the Chippewas, averaged three points and 4.5 rebounds while starting in 28 games last season.

CMU received 22 votes in collegeinsider.com’s preseason Mid-Major Top 25 poll released Monday.

Mid-American Conference favorite Ohio came in 13, while Akron (61), Kent State (51) and Ball State (42) all finished ahead of the Chippewas. Miami (seven) and Eastern Michigan (three) also received votes. Ernie Zeigler is one of two MAC coaches on the voting panel.