The CMU men’s basketball team was eliminated in the Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive season last week with a 69-60 loss against rival Western Michigan.

Senior Reporter Daniel Monson talked with coach Ernie Zeigler about the team’s 15-15 finish, the program’s status and its future.

Daniel Monson: After having time to put it in perspective, was this a successful season?

Ernie Zeigler: Overall, when you look at our season, we accomplished a lot of things and continued making steps forward. It’s kind of hard to say when you look at us getting the second road win against a BCS conference team in the program against South
Florida, and probably the best non-conference win in the conference.

And we were the MAC West champs and finished over .500 in conference play, and the seasons Bitzer and Harman had, those were definite things for us to feel good about.

At the same time, one of our goals was to have a winning season, and I think our team knows and we’ve talked about it in our team meeting (Monday), that was something that we came up short on. It was somewhat of a bittersweet season in that we accomplished some good things, but definitely left some things on the table.

DM: The last time you had to replace seniors like you have to next season was when the five departed two years ago with Giordan Watson leading the way.
Next season, you have five juniors coming back, but how do you replace two guys like guards Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman?

EZ: I don’t think you replace those guys. Those two, just like Watson and that first senior class, those guys were part of turning the culture around. Now you’re losing Robbie and Bitzer and (Chris) Kellermann and (Brandon) Ford, and those guys were a part of putting our program in the position to do something it’s never done before, which was to win back-to-back division titles since the league has gone to divisional play.

They established another milestone in our program. I think it is somewhat déjà vu in that when Watson graduated and that class graduated, everybody was kind of wondering who was going to step up. The seven guys who are returning, the challenge is now on them. If you were to ask that answer right now, I’d probably have to try to give you the winning lottery numbers.

At the same time, I have a strong feeling that we’re going to have someone emerge.

DM: Junior Jalin Thomas said Saturday he would consider next season a disappointment if the team doesn’t reach the NCAA Tournament. Do you feel the same way?

EZ: I love the fact Jalin feels that way because that means he already has in his mind he’s going to be very determined to help improve our team next season. But I think it’s a little early to talk about team goals when the team hasn’t been fully assembled as of yet. My expectations are to continually raise the bar. The next thing to do is to have a winning season.

DM: You have commitments from four players — 6-foot-10 center Nate VanArendonk (Grand Haven), 6-foot-3 guard Derek Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio), 6-foot-8 forward Colin Voss (East Grand Rapids) and 6-foot-8 forward Jevon Harden (Detroit). You also have two scholarships remaining. What can you tell me about those guys and the recruiting situation?

EZ: I think all of them enhance our athletic ability. Colin Voss is a very multi-skilled, athletic, physical power forward who can score inside and out. He’s also a good rebounder and a physical player. He’s going to have an opportunity to come in and compete right away for a spot in the rotation up front.

Nate VanArendonk is another very athletic post player who is just starting to play his best basketball. He’s another very agile, athletic post player who has good hands. He’s going to have the opportunity to come in and compete up front as well.

Jevon Harden is a 6-8, extremely athletic defender, rebounder, shot blocker. He’s raw offensively at this point, but he’s going to give us another athlete similar to Marcus Van in terms of his ability to make plays around the basket and change shots. I’m really excited about what those three bring to our frontcourt.

Derek Jackson is a very skilled combo guard who has the ability to play the point and off-guard position. Very good scorer, extremely tough leader, very athletic and very good on the ball defender as well. With the departure of Robbie and Bitzer, he’s going to have every opportunity to compete right away for a spot in our backcourt. They’re all going to have great leadership from our five returning seniors.

Athletics Director Dave Heeke said Tuesday he expects to re-sign men’s basketball coach Ernie Zeigler to a multi-year contract in the next few weeks.

“We’re looking at a multi-year agreement,” Heeke said. “I hope to pull this together in short order and continue to move forward.”

Zeigler has one year remaining on his five-year contract, which was extended one year before the 2008-09 season. Under his current deal, Zeigler is set to receive $175,446 during the 2010-2011 season. This season, his salary is $159,135.

CMU lost 69-60 against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals March 11 in Cleveland to finish the season 15-15 – its highest win total since 2002-03. The Chippewas also won its second consecutive MAC West title with a 9-7 conference record, earning the tournament’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

“We’re really comfortable with the direction of our program competitively,” Heeke said. “It was a step forward this year. We continue each year to make strides from a competitive standpoint.”

Zeigler has a 54-69 overall record and 31-33 mark in the MAC. He has led the Chippewas to four consecutive 10-plus win seasons, the first CMU coach to do so since Charlie Coles did it from 1987-88 to 1990-91.

“That win in the quarters would have been a big win for us. It didn’t go our way,” Heeke said. “We played very well for a long stretch in that game and then in a way it resembled our season a little bit. Just when we thought we were there, it all just slipped through our fingertips. I think we’re very close and I thought this season illustrated that.”

Zeigler said he looks forward to continuing to build the program and has talked with Heeke about an extension.

“Dave Heeke and I have had some preliminary discussions and we’re going to be putting our heads together and hopefully putting me in a position to continue being head coach here for a long time,” Zeigler said.

Heeke said one concern he has addressed with Zeigler is the number of underclassmen who have left the program – six in the past two offseasons. But Heeke said each individual circumstance differed and he has confidence the right foundation of players is in place.

“We think we’ve got that formula figured out,” Heeke said. “We have an excellent core group of young men and they understand our system and the expectations of our program.”

With the new events center opening in the fall, Heeke said this is a good opportunity to secure the program’s future.

“I think it’s a really strong tool in the toolbox that we hope is a final piece of the puzzle that can vault our program to that next level,” he said. “We don’t talk about the number of wins, I just want our programs to be a position to contend for championships and for titles.”

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CLEVELAND — Like many times in their careers, Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman walked off the court Thursday without a win.

But like so many other times, there was little doubt they left it all on the floor despite a a 69-60 loss against Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals.

Harman led the team with 20 points, while Bitzer scored 15. But that didn’t matter. So distraught after the game, they were unable to speak to the media.

The duo had enough talent to make it on the Division I level. But it was hard work that helped them succeed and prove doubters wrong in their four seasons in Mount Pleasant.

And it’s difficult to find any other player coach Ernie Zeigler reveres as much as these two.

“They’re two kids that exemplify ‘Think Tough, Be Tough,’” Zeigler said after the game. “They got better in our program because they listened.”

Getting better

I remember watching Harman develop during his four seasons and thinking he might not have as much talent as other guards in the conference. But no one else worked as hard to get better. And no one worked as hard Thursday.

“When I went out and played, I felt like I played maybe not the best I could have, but I played as hard as I could — I know that,” Harman said Saturday. “I was dead tired after the game. I was upset and sad, I was mad and all those things.

“But I look back and there wasn’t really much else personally I felt like I could have done.”

The effort paid off with a pair of MAC West Division titles, and Harman and Bitzer earned second-team All-MAC honors this season. Their goal of winning a MAC title and earning an
NCAA Tournament berth might have been too tall in the end.

This still was a program that went 4-24 a year before they arrived.

That sort of failure became unacceptable when Zeigler was hired. Bitzer and Harman immediately embraced his methods, and it didn’t take long until both were contributing on a regular basis.

“I think my main focus personally was just trying to get better each and every year,” Bitzer said. “Coming in, people knew me only as a shooter, and each year I tried to develop my game a little bit more — putting it on the floor and getting to the free-throw line.”

All heart

Sure, Harman and Bitzer weren’t the most imposing players on the court. But they did have the most heart and unselfishness.

Both said they wanted to set up Zeigler — the coach who gave them each a shot — with a better job by winning a few MAC titles.

With one year remaining on his contract, Zeigler’s future at CMU is uncertain for now — although Athletics Director Dave Heeke said he was happy with the program’s direction before Thursday’s game. Heeke said a win Thursday would have been a “defining moment.”

But the team’s back-to-back MAC West titles alone might be the ticket Zeigler needs to a new contract.

“I know he gets a lot of heat from people — that he should do things different,” Harman said. “I go to bat for him every time people ask. I know he’s been a great coach to me and
Jordan and the other guys. Me and Jordan really have done what he’s asked the last four years and flourished individually.”

The future

Harman will continue to play baseball at CMU. A shortstop, he said he looks to begin practicing immediately.

But his first love is basketball, and he and Bitzer have plans to play professionally. If that doesn’t work out, they could roam the sidelines as coaches.

For now, their final game still stings. But neither have any regrets.

“I took it a lot better than I thought I would,” Harman said. “I was happy with my four years here and I would have liked to have a little more success, but I wouldn’t take it back for anything. I’m sure Jordan feels the same way and some of the other guys who are done now.

“I felt like I personally played my best and other guys did, it just didn’t happen for us that day. It wasn’t something I was going to beat myself up over.”

Said Bitzer: “People ask me if I’m doing OK, and I don’t think it really has hit me yet that we’re done. It’ll probably hit me next week when I’m sitting around my apartment when we’re usually practicing.”

And no matter how Zeigler’s tenure at CMU ends, the two guys who set the first example of his philosophy will always stay with him.

“They had great careers and did some things that helped springboard this program in the right direction,” Zeigler said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way each of us wanted. But we’ll always be indebted to Robbie Harman and Jordan Bitzer.”

CLEVELAND — Jalin Thomas has one distinct goal for his team next season — a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

But first, the junior forward and the other returning members of the CMU men’s basketball team must get past the Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinals.

The Chippewas reached a familiar sticking point Thursday, losing in the tournament’s second round for the fourth consecutive season to finish 15-15. Western Michigan, which lost a night later against Akron in the semifinals, overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to end CMU’s season with a 69-60 win at Quicken Loans Arena.

“I think we underachieved at times — I think everyone on our team knows that,” Thomas said Saturday. “It was a successful season in that we won the MAC West. But we felt like we could have done so much more.”

No. 9 seed Ohio was crowned MAC champions Saturday, beating No. 3 Akron 81-75 in overtime to achieve the NCAA Tournament berth CMU realistically had in its sights for the first time in seven years.

Like the previous two seasons, the quarterfinals loss stung. But CMU, which had earned the tournament’s No. 2 seed because of its outright West Division title, was knocked out despite earning a first-round bye and a week off to prepare.

“It was worse because it was Western and they’re our rival,” said senior guard Robbie
Harman on Saturday. “Looking back on our season, it’s kind of been like that. We had high expectations and I don’t think we played to our level of where we could have been all year.
That’s why we were a .500 team in the end.”

Losing the lead

CMU took a 31-22 lead into halftime after a strong first half by Harman, who scored 13 of his 20 points in the first 20 minutes.

The Chippewas began the second half strong as well — senior guard Jordan Bitzer opened the half scoring five consecutive points.

Harman’s quick-release, step-back 3-pointer over WMU’s Flenard Whitfield from the left corner gave CMU a 42-31 lead just more than 4 minutes into the second half and impressed much of the crowd – and WMU coach Steve Hawkins.

“Robbie Harman looked like an NBA player on an NBA court,” Hawkins said after the game. “I thought we were in real trouble. I thought it could be one of those days. But our kids just played a consistent and persistent basketball game.”

Not long after, CMU extended its lead to 47-33 on Amir Rashid’s layup with 13:42 remaining in the game. One WMU timeout later, the game’s direction entirely flip-flopped.

WMU senior guard and MAC Player of the Year David Kool, who scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half, forced the issue. He relentlessly barged his way through seams in the CMU defense, scored 21 of Western’s final 36 points and energized WMU’s contingent of fans.

“There was a juncture there where he just strapped them on his back like he always does,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler after the game.

Kool’s jumper put WMU ahead 56-54 with 4:44 remaining and the Broncos led the rest of the way.

“(Kool) obviously drew a couple fouls and got going offensively,” Harman said. “It’s frustrating for us because we feel like he gets the calls every time. But that’s what he does.”

It was a slow walk off the court for the CMU players and a somber locker room after WMU ended the game on a 20-6 run.

“Everybody was disappointed and some guys took it harder than others did,” said Bitzer, who finished with 15 points. “Jalin was taking it real hard, and you had a bunch of guys come up to us seniors and apologize — they didn’t want to send us out that way. But with us being leaders, we’ve got to take responsibility for not being able to finish that game.”

As for next season, Thomas said the team has something to prove and the leadership necessary to get it done.

“Antonio (Weary) and Will (McClure) are right there ready to lead,” Thomas said. “Amir (Rashid) is right there with us. We’re all ready to lead and ready to prove that we’re going to be good next year.”

CLEVELAND — Jordan Bitzer spent the final seconds of his collegiate basketball career on the bench after fouling out with 47 seconds remaining in CMU’s 69-60 loss on Thursday.

The senior guard could only watch as his team’s biggest rival, Western Michigan, put the finishing touches on a 14-point comeback to advance to the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Bitzer, surrounded by teammates, didn’t speak. Neither did senior backcourt mate Robbie Harman after he missed the final shot attempt of his career from 3-point range with 19 seconds remaining.

“Those kids are in there bawling their eyes out,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler after the game. “They have exemplified what we’ve been building in this program. It’s a sad ending for it, but I’m really proud of those two.”

CMU junior guard Amir Rashid attempts a shot in the first half Thursday in Cleveland. Rashid finished with a career-high 14 points in CMU's loss. (Daniel Monson/Senior Reporter)

The pair did not speak to reporters after the game. Zeigler said he wanted to protect his highly-regarded duo.

“I love those two,” Zeigler said. “I’m really struggling coming to the realization that you’re not going to have them on your team. That’s something that will definitely resonate here in the next couple of days.”

Second half struggles

Bitzer, who scored 15 points, and Harman, who led CMU with 20, were unable to get their team, seeded No. 2 after winning the MAC West Division, past the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season despite a 47-33 lead with 13:42 remaining in the game. The No. 7 Broncos outscored CMU 13-1 in the next 4 minutes, led by senior guard and MAC Player of the Year David Kool.

Overall, WMU outscored CMU 34-12 in the game’s final 12:49.

It was the fifth time the Chippewas lost a second-half lead of four or more in their past six losses.

“This game summed up our season from beginning to end,” Zeigler said. “We just could not match or sustain any level of physicality.”

Kool, who scored two points and did not record a field goal in the first half, scored 24 points in the second half by finding his way through seams in the CMU defense. The Broncos (18-14) outscored the Chippewas (15-15) 34-14 in the post.

“We saw a lot of lanes and we got me working into space,” Kool said. “Drawing handchecks — we were doing anything we could to get to the free-throw line, too.”

Plenty of the foul calls drew the ire of Zeigler, who threw his hands in the air after multiple calls went against the Chippewas. He campaigned for fouls each time Kool landed his forearm into a CMU defender.

CMU was whistled for 17 fouls in the second half, most of which came after WMU had been called for eight team fouls 8 minutes into the half. At that point, CMU had two team fouls.

Zeigler was not shy about sarcastically alluding to his distate for the officiating after the game, either.

“There was a juncture there where (Kool) just strapped them on his back like he always does,” Zeigler said. “Unfortunately for us, we had such a great officiated game that he was able to force the issue there and do some things there. He did a great job — it was probably one of the best officiated games I’ve ever been a part of.”

Coming out strong

Zeigler said he was happy with CMU’s first-half effort, as it led 31-22 at the break. But he said it turned out to be ‘fool’s gold.’ The Chippewas were outrebounded by seven, 19-12, but made five 3-pointers, including three by Harman.

WMU coach Steve Hawkins said some of the shots Harman made, including a step-back 3-pointer from the left corner of the basket, were worrisome.

“What I was worried about was that the pace of play could continue,” said WMU coach Steve Hawkins. “Robbie Harman looked like an NBA player on an NBA court. I thought we were in real trouble. I thought it could be one of those days. But our kids just played a consistent and persistent basketball game.”

Kool was smothered by CMU defenders nearly every time he touched the ball and attempted only four field goals. WMU shot only 30.4 percent in the first half, but started 8-of-10 in the second half and ended the half shooting 56.5 percent.

“We knew we were capable of it,” Hawkins said. “It was just a matter of letting them know there was a lot of basketball still to be played.”

Notes

• One of the surprise performers for CMU was junior point guard Amir Rashid, who finished with 14 points. It was the first time a player other than Bitzer or Harman scored double figures against a MAC opponent since Feb. 6 against Kent State, when Jalin Thomas and Antonio Weary each did it. “It was definitely one of the small positives for us in this game,” Zeigler said. “He didn’t play first five games of year because he had his knee scoped. Here in the last few weeks, you’ve seen his assist-to-turnover ration improve and his confidence improve. It’s definitely something we can look forward to in the spring, summer and fall.”
• Weary started the game, but exited 23 seconds later after collecting two fouls. He spent the rest of the half on the bench. He didn’t last much longer in the second half, being called for his third foul just more than 2 minutes into it. He didn’t score in 7 minutes of play.
• Seniors Brandon Ford, who didn’t play, and Chris Kellermann, who played 10 minutes and didn’t score for the third consecutive game, also finished their careers Thursday.

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Thursday marks the third meeting of the season between the Central Michigan and Western Michigan men’s basketball teams. But for CMU coach Ernie Zeigler, the other two don’t matter.

It’s ‘win or go home’ time for the rivals, which meet at noon Thursday for the first time ever in the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The quarterfinal matchup between the No. 2 seed Chippewas and No. 7 Broncos only adds to the rivalry, Zeigler said.

“The rivalry is going to bring added spice to this quarterfinal matchup in the tournament,” Zeigler said. “I think (WMU) coach (Steve) Hawkins and myself have a dual respect for each other. We both compete at a high level in terms of how hard our teams play. It’s not going to get any better than Western-Central at high noon in Cleveland.”

The Broncos got past No. 10 seed Bowling Green 75-73 on Sunday in Kalamazoo, while CMU earned the MAC West Division outright title and a first-round bye with a 56-55 win at Eastern Michigan on March 4.

Familiar foes

The rivals meet less than two weeks after CMU’s 74-66 Senior Day win on Feb. 27 in Mount Pleasant, where two senior guards outdueled one. CMU’s Jordan Bitzer and Robbie Harman each scored 22 points, trumping WMU’s David Kool’s 31.

“I think it’s going to be very important that we get contributions from everyone across the board,” Zeigler said. “When you’re in a tournament setup and you’re hoping to put yourself in a position to play consecutive days, you’re going to need more than two guys to be consistent for you.”

The 6-foot-3 Kool also led the Broncos, along with 6-foot-10 center Donald Lawson, in WMU’s 70-61 win on Jan. 16 in Kalamazoo. Each senior scored 17 points in a game in which the Broncos jumped to a 29-12 lead.

“(Kool) is going to do what he does,” said CMU junior forward Jalin Thomas. “We’ve really got to be focused on stopping these other guys.”

Kool, who was named the MAC’s Player of the Year on Monday, averages a conference-best 20.9 points per game.

“It’s extremely hard to limit David Kool because he’s such a smart player and has such a feel for when to get his shots and when to make plays for others,” Zeigler said.

Defensive importance

Consistency has not been a hallmark of the Chippewas (15-14, 9-7 MAC) this season. Currently on a two-game winning streak, they need to win three more in a row to gain a bid to the NCAA Tournament. They have won three consecutive games only once this season, from Dec. 30 to Jan. 13 against Alcorn State, Toledo and Ball State, three teams whose seasons are already done.

“I think we have to be able to be a really good defensive team,” Zeigler said. “The inconsistency or moments during the season that we’ve had our struggles is a definite correlation to our defensive woes.”

Harman said he and the team’s other three seniors feel their task is unfinished and want to end their careers with a MAC title and ensuing bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s big for me because I want to keep playing,” Harman said. “But also the program and just trying to keep gaining respect from everyone else in the conference and getting people excited about the basketball team here.”

With a win, CMU would advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2003 and play either No. 3 Akron or No. 6 Eastern Michigan.

More motivation

As if a single-elimination tournament game against a team’s biggest rival wasn’t motivation enough, CMU is using recent comments by WMU’s Hawkins as an extra push.

After the Broncos beat Ball State on March 4, Hawkins told the Kalamazoo Gazette, “You could hear the collective sigh out of Kalamazoo when you mention the fact that you could get Central in the second round.”

Said Harman: “It’s a motivating factor anytime a team thinks it’s going to be an easier road play you. We want to come out and show them that this isn’t a good draw for them and it’s going to be tough playing us no matter what. It’s going to be like that for any team, but especially for Western.”

Added Thomas: “It’s almost like Western doesn’t respect us despite the fact that we won the MAC West. That’s fine with me — that’s just added a lot of passion and a lot of energy.”

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Thursday’s MAC men’s quarterfinals games
No. 2 CMU vs. No. 7 Western Michigan, noon
No. 3 Akron vs. No. 6 Eastern Michigan, 2 p.m.
No. 1 Kent State vs. No. 9 Ohio, 7 p.m.
No. 4 Miami vs. No. 5 Buffalo, 9 p.m.

YPSILANTI — Leave it to the CMU men’s basketball team to win a title by defying odds. Afterall, the Chippewas did it all season.

The Mid-American Conference West Division belongs solely to the Chippewas, who held Eastern Michigan (8-8 MAC) scoreless in the game’s final 2:35 and overcame a five-point deficit Thursday at the Convocation Center.

They also shook off two puzzling free-throw misses from their 88 percent shooter. CMU (15-14, 9-7 MAC) won 66-65 and received the MAC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament.

The Chippewas got the help they needed from rival Western Michigan (8-8 MAC), which beat Ball State (8-8 MAC). The Cardinals would have owned a tiebreaker for the No. 2 seed over CMU.

“It’s extremely gratifying,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler. “I’ve said that since Day 1 — we wanted to compete at the top half of our division and now we’re sitting on top.”

CMU already possessed a 56-55 lead after Jalin Thomas split a pair of free throws with 44 seconds remaining.

On EMU’s next possession, Carlos Medlock, who scored a game-high 27 points on his Senior Night, missed an open 3-pointer that was rebounded by teammate Brandon Bowdry. CMU’s Jalin Thomas fouled Bowdry, who went to the free-throw line with 18 seconds remaining. He missed twice.

The rebound of Bowdry’s second shot went to CMU senior guard Jordan Bitzer, who went to the line with 14 seconds left having missed only 11 of his 93 free-throw attempts coming into the game.

Senior guard Jordan Bitzer makes a 3-pointer over Eastern Michigan's Justin Dobbins in the second half of Thursday night's win. Bitzer finished with 18 points. (Daniel Monson/Senior Reporter)

He missed the front end of the one-and-one. Bowdry rebounded and got the ball to Medlock, who lost the ball out of bounds as he drove toward the basket with 4 seconds remaining.

Bitzer returned to the line again for a one-and-one — and missed again.

“I’m just thankful it didn’t bite me in the butt,” Bitzer said. “I apologize to all the people listening and watching for the agony I put them through, but I’m just glad we won.”

Zeigler said Bitzer’s second miss might have actually helped CMU. His shot was too strong and bounced toward the sideline, where Bitzer chased after it and tipped it into the air. EMU’s Jay Higgins was only able to get off a desperation shot from halfcourt at the buzzer.

“It bought just enough time for it to be a heave there at the end,” Zeigler said. “Even when he didn’t do what he usually does in finishing those free throws, he still makes plays.”

Zeigler said he pushed for defensive stops down the stretch, similar to a drill the team runs in practice.

“The challenge, at the end after that final timeout, was how many stops can we get,” Zeigler said. “We actually did have perfection down the stretch, going on a 6-0 run. We just challenged ourselves.”

After a layup by CMU junior forward Marko Spica cut EMU’s lead to 55-52, senior guard Robbie Harman’s 3-pointer tied the score.

Bitzer, who led CMU with 18 points, started the game 0-for-5 from the field before scoring the team’s final eight points of the first half starting with 2:30 remaining.

Bitzer took control after a running shot on the left side of the basket was blocked by EMU’s Jammell Harris. Bitzer threw his hands up in the air, asking for a foul. He answered 6 seconds later with a 3-pointer. CMU took a 30-26 lead into the break.

After beginning their conference slate 6-2, the Chippewas sandwiched a 1-5 skid with a 2-0 finish. Ball State lost its final three games to leave room for CMU at the top of the division.

“Part of being fortunate is battling through and making our way,” Zeigler said. “We’ve had our ups and downs and that’s part of the process of building this, a part of fighting the (mediocrity) that this program has had.”

CMU finished in a three-way tie for the West Division title last season with Ball State and Western Michigan, but received a seventh seed in the tournament. This season, they receive a week off.

“Things are starting to go our way and hopefully that’ll continue in the tournament,” Harman said.

CMU plays the winner of No. 7 Western Michigan and No. 10 Bowling Green at noon Thursday, March 11 in the quarterfinal round of the MAC Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio.

“For us, it’s about enjoying this moment and understanding there’s a lot of unfinished business,” Zeigler said. “I’m just so elated with what we’re doing. I just hope the people in our community understand we’re doing something special. Not only are we competitive, we’re champions.”

Continue to check cm-life.com for more coverage, including CMU’s MAC Tournament run from Cleveland.

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It is a big game when Eastern Michigan coach Charles Ramsey and CMU’s Ernie Zeigler don’t speak during the week before it.

That is what has happened this week — the friends’ focus lies squarely on preparing their teams for their 6:30 p.m. Thursday matchup in Ypsilanti. Both teams’ final game of the regular season will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit.

It doesn’t get much bigger than this one, Zeigler said. With a win, CMU clinches at least a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division, while the Eagles (16-13, 8-7 MAC) will win the division outright with a victory.

“We really couldn’t ask for anything more,” Zeigler said. “To be in this position two consecutive years, to go on the road to play our arch-rival with an opportunity to at least get a share of the MAC West title, the stars have been aligned. We’re looking forward to the showdown in Ypsi.”

CMU needed some help to even have a chance to still win the West Division. After a 6-2 start in the MAC, the Chippewas (14-14, 8-7 MAC) lost five of their next six conference games before beating Western Michigan on Saturday.

“The rest of our division presented this opportunity for us,” said senior forward Chris Kellermann. “For awhile, we had chances to control our own destiny and then we lost it. Now, with one game left, we still have a chance to reach our goals and get to the top of the MAC West. Even with all that, we’re still in good shape.”

CMU needs WMU to beat Ball State (8-7 MAC) on Thursday to gain a bye in the first round. Otherwise, the Chippewas will host a first-round game Sunday at Rose Arena.

“Most of the time, you don’t get a third chance,” Zeigler said. “This is it. If we can understand that, then hopefully it’s meant to be to have this third opportunity.”

Big men battle

Zeigler emphasized the importance of rebounding against EMU to his forwards and centers to during Tuesday’s practice. CMU was outrebounded 38-30 by the Eagles in its 71-63 home win on Jan. 20.

“Eastern is such a physical team,” Zeigler said. “Brandon Bowdry is a double-double. They are so physical and relentless going to the glass and we have to win that battle or at the very least be even.”

Bowdry, the MAC’s leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer, averages 16.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He spent most of the teams’ last game in foul trouble, which limited his effectiveness. He finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

“We’re going to be looking to double team him a lot,” Kellermann said. “I think we did that same thing last game. I don’t think he’s going to get the same fouls at home that he got here. We’ve just got to find some way to get him in foul trouble and keep him off the floor as much we can.”

Much like CMU had the chance to do Saturday, EMU sends off two of its seniors —guard Carlos Medlock and forward Justin Dobbins against an in-state rival.
Medlock, who ranks third in career 3-pointers made at EMU, averages 15.9 points per game, which ranks fifth in the conference. The Eagles started 2-5 in the MAC before winning six of their past eight games.

“We’re going to get their very best effort,” Zeigler said.

Said Kellermann: “My goal ever since I started playing college basketball is to make it to the NCAA Tournament. That’s the only thing I’m shooting for right now.”

Thomas to play

Junior forward Jalin Thomas will help CMU’s rebounding effort as he expects to play against despite a sore back. Thomas was held out of contact drills during Tuesday’s practice, but Zeigler said he expects Thomas to start Thursday.

Thomas played 24 minutes Saturday, scoring six points and grabbing two rebounds.

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