Keys to the Game: Men's basketball's MAC Tournament semifinal showdown with Toledo
There are many storylines heading into the Central Michigan University men's basketball team's matchup with the University of Toledo tonight in a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal.
High scoring offenses, stingy defenses and All-Conference talent will be on display when the Chippewas and Rockets square off at 6:30 p.m. inside Quicken Loans Arena.
With a chance to go to the MAC Championship Game on the line, here are three thing to watch for during tonight's game:
1. Toledo’s postgame:
Senior First Team All-MAC guard Julius Brown has been a consistent scorer for UT all season. Brown oftentimes looks for opportunities to drive inside or dish it off to a teammate on the wings.
The beneficiaries of Browns' daunting presence near the rim has been senior Third Team All-MAC forward J.D. Weatherspoon or junior center Nathan Boothe.
CMU’s ability to limit the scoring chances of UT's three bigs inside will be key.
2. CMU must limit turnovers:
Finding the best opportunity to score on every possession will be important for the Chippewas, if Head Coach Keno Davis' squad wants to keep up with UT's balanced scoring attack.
Making the extra pass to the open player can be the difference between a win or a loss for CMU, which comes into tonight’s matchup leading the MAC in assists with 227.
Toledo was fifth in the conference with 204 assists during the regular season.
The Chippewas cannot allow the Rockets to get extra looks and chances to score. Taking care of the basketball must be a top priority for CMU.
3. 3-point shooting:
CMU is the best 3-point shooting team in the MAC. The Chippewas finished the season shooting 36.3 percent from 3-point range. However, the Rockets have had little trouble defending the perimeter so far this season.
CMU must maintain its consistency making 3-point shots or will Toledo’s defense will make scoring difficult for the inexperience CMU forwards.
