Defense gives men’s basketball statement MAC win in opener
Senior forward Cecil Williams blocks during the game against Eureka on Nov. 18 at McGuirk Arena.
There was good and bad in the first week of Mid-American Conference play for the Central Michigan men's basketball team.
CMU won its first MAC game against the Ohio Bobcats by 25 points on Jan. 2. Four days later, CMU fell to Kent State, 85-69.
The Chippewas owned a 71-43 edge with 8:22 remaining against Ohio, helping the team coast to a 75-50 victory over the Bobcats to open MAC play at McGuirk Arena.
Head coach Keno Davis said CMU's defense has been making the difference. The Chippewas' defense ranks No. 32 in the nation and allows just 64.3 points per game.
“We are still going to shoot (3-pointers) and we're going to be an up-tempo team.” Davis said. “But, how much we were going to commit on defense — we knew that was going to be the staple this year and there weren't any guys fighting it and they were proud to work that hard in practice.”
Coming into the game against the CMU, Ohio was averaging 79.8 points per game. The Chippewas held the Bobcats to a season-low 50 points. Ohio’s second lowest point total was in a 61-53 win to open the season against Alabama A&M on Nov. 11.
“We knew they had a lot of guys who could shoot the ball really well so we went in focused on taking their shots away and helping each other out and playing team defense,” sophomore forward David DiLeo said. “We know it's not going to be one guy going out and locking down a guy, we've got to do it collectively as a team.”
DiLeo scored 22 points, adding seven rebounds and an assist.
“I've got confidence in my shot and it starts with my teammates and coaches having confidence in me and they're always telling me to shoot it as soon as I have an open look,” DiLeo said. “When I'm open, I'm going to let it fly. It's been feeling good lately both in practice and in the games."
After game one of MAC play, Buffalo, Miami (Ohio), CMU, Ball State, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois opened with victories. The Chippewas earned the biggest point-spread with 25 points.
"I think we probably opened some eyes around the league already," said Davis, whose team ranks first in the MAC defensively. "Tonight's another instance of that. We talked about it in the locker room that it's a great win and we should enjoy it, but one game doesn't mean where you are as a team."
On Jan. 6, the Chippewas took their first conference loss, 85-69, on the road against defending MAC Tournament champion Kent State.
The Chippewas boast the top record in the MAC at 12-3. CMU's biggest competition in the MAC West Division may be Ball State, who won straight games before losing to Buffalo on Jan. 6. On Dec. 5, the Cardinals shocked No. 9 Notre Dame 80-77.
