Men's basketball to host local teams, see EMU twice during 2014-15 season
After a 10-21 (3-15 in Mid-American Conference) finish last season, the releasing of the new schedule provides CMU basketball with a chance to look forward and put 2013 behind them for good.
Following an exhibition against Saginaw Valley State to kick off their schedule, the Chippewas will play host to local school Alma College.
Head coach Keno Davis said the benefits of hosting a local competition are large.
“As we try to build the non-conference part of our schedule, we looked to give an opportunity to some local teams to play a division one school,” Davis said. “(Playing local schools) will also help our attendance.”
The men have three road non-conference games to play this winter: They are against Bradley University, McNeese State and Northwestern University.
The matchup against NWU also serves as an opportunity for Davis’ squad to compete in front of a national television audience.
“It will be our biggest non-conference game this season,” Davis said. “Not only are we playing a Big Ten school with all of its publicity, but we also have a fair amount of alumni in the Chicago area.”
The Chippewas will play a great deal of home games this season. This comes as part of Davis’ effort to engage CMU students.
“You want to build a home-court advantage and build as many opportunities in front of your students and fans as possible,” he said.
The MAC will likely by highly competitive when it comes to men’s basketball this season, Davis said.
“You can make the case that Toledo, Western and Eastern Michigan were the best teams in the conference last year,” he said.
CMU will also play EMU twice in 2014-15.
Even though two months separate the team from its first game, it is still not too early for Davis to judge the state of the MAC for the upcoming season. Understanding hype without being overtaken by it is an important job for a coach to do. Here in September, coach Davis said he understands that all too well.
“As a fan and as a coach you always look ahead and fill out the rankings in your head,” Davis said. “I think Toledo and Western Michigan are going to be the teams with the majority of their players back.
“We open our conference schedule at Toledo so we get a chance to see them on their court and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
