2008 Woodie Awards
Chippewas trying to end Toledo's domination
Men's basketball has lost eight straight against Rockets
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: Sports
Toledo has owned the men's basketball team in each of the last four seasons.
And Justin Blevins is sick of it.
The senior forward wants to end CMU's eight-game losing streak against the Rockets at 7 p.m. today when CMU travels to Savage Hall.
"We want to go down there and put it to them," Blevins said. "The last time we were there, we lost by 30 and they won the regular season title against us. It's kind of a bitter feeling - we walked out with confetti all over us."
Toledo, the defending Mid-American Conference regular season champion, has started the season slowly (4-10, 1-1 MAC).
But Blevins said Central found out Sunday at Ball State that it can't overlook opponents based on their record.
"It's hard to get past the 1-12 record they were holding," he said. "You have to convince them, especially some of the younger guys, that everyone in the conference is going to come at you, especially on their home court. No one's going to lay down for you - everyone realizes (the championship) is up for grabs and they want to step up and get it."
Toledo, which lost reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Kashif Payne, now turns to previously untested Tyrone Kent. Kent, a 6-foot, 5-inch slashing guard/forward, leads the conference in scoring. He averages 18.7 points per game.
CMU had zero fast-break points in its 82-71 loss on Sunday, something CMU coach Ernie Zeigler said was a result of BSU's effective transition defense.
"The key for us getting out in transition is our defense fueling it," Zeigler said. "Ball State did a really good job of taking care of the ball and we just weren't able to force a lot of the turnovers we were used to forcing in our six games."
Blevins said the team had underestimated the Cardinals' intensity, which led to an early 17-6 deficit.
Zeigler said it's critical to take the home crowd out of the game early, and the team will be ready to match the Rockets from the opening tip.
"This game is really about us trying to establish ourselves in our division," Zeigler said. "They have a core group of guys back from that team that have the heart of a champion. We're going to have a test to get our first win in conference play."
Blevins said CMU is looking to send a message to the Rockets.
"We want to go back there and show them things are going to be different," Blevins said. "That they're not going to be able to celebrate at the end of their season."
sports@cm-life.com
And Justin Blevins is sick of it.
The senior forward wants to end CMU's eight-game losing streak against the Rockets at 7 p.m. today when CMU travels to Savage Hall.
"We want to go down there and put it to them," Blevins said. "The last time we were there, we lost by 30 and they won the regular season title against us. It's kind of a bitter feeling - we walked out with confetti all over us."
Toledo, the defending Mid-American Conference regular season champion, has started the season slowly (4-10, 1-1 MAC).
But Blevins said Central found out Sunday at Ball State that it can't overlook opponents based on their record.
"It's hard to get past the 1-12 record they were holding," he said. "You have to convince them, especially some of the younger guys, that everyone in the conference is going to come at you, especially on their home court. No one's going to lay down for you - everyone realizes (the championship) is up for grabs and they want to step up and get it."
Toledo, which lost reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year Kashif Payne, now turns to previously untested Tyrone Kent. Kent, a 6-foot, 5-inch slashing guard/forward, leads the conference in scoring. He averages 18.7 points per game.
CMU had zero fast-break points in its 82-71 loss on Sunday, something CMU coach Ernie Zeigler said was a result of BSU's effective transition defense.
"The key for us getting out in transition is our defense fueling it," Zeigler said. "Ball State did a really good job of taking care of the ball and we just weren't able to force a lot of the turnovers we were used to forcing in our six games."
Blevins said the team had underestimated the Cardinals' intensity, which led to an early 17-6 deficit.
Zeigler said it's critical to take the home crowd out of the game early, and the team will be ready to match the Rockets from the opening tip.
"This game is really about us trying to establish ourselves in our division," Zeigler said. "They have a core group of guys back from that team that have the heart of a champion. We're going to have a test to get our first win in conference play."
Blevins said CMU is looking to send a message to the Rockets.
"We want to go back there and show them things are going to be different," Blevins said. "That they're not going to be able to celebrate at the end of their season."
sports@cm-life.com
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