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.

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 quarterfin

0Thursday 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 [...]

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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 [...]

Jordan Bitzer raised his arms to a standing ovation Saturday as he and teammate Robbie Harman exited their final regular-season game at Rose Arena.

Bitzer smiled as the crowd chanted “U-S-A, U-S-A.” It wasn’t homage to the Winter Olympics. Rather, it was a final salute to Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School’s most revered alumnus as he walked off the court with 22 points and a 74-66 win against Western Michigan.

Jalin Thomas was a fourth-grader when he gave up basketball.

For more than five years, he and older brother Jadin’s skills sat dormant. He shot around every now and then or played a pickup game on the halfcourt in the backyard, but no five-on-five.

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The CMU men’s basketball maintained its first-place position in the Mid-American Conference West Division Saturday in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The Chippewas defeated the Falcons 64-52 in front of 2,222 at Anderson Hall.

Jalin Thomas knows no other way to play basketball than to draw contact, dive for loose balls and sacrifice his body in numerous other ways.

The junior forward’s ability to set the tone for the rest of the team has helped Central Michigan start 4-1 against the Mid-American Conference West Division, its best since 2003.