EVANS: Saturday's game more than just a rivalry game
There is a huge basketball game Saturday night at McGuirk Arena.
But me saying that does not do justice to the implications of this game.
The CMU women’s basketball team will take on in-state rival Eastern Michigan in what will prove to be not only the biggest, but the most influential game of the season so far.
It is the last regular season home game, it is senior night and it is for a first round bye in the Mid-American Conference tournament.
The Chippewas got some help last night when Toledo beat Eastern Michigan. EMU (18-10, 9-5 MAC) now sits one game behind CMU (18-8, 10-4 MAC), giving the Chippewas sole possession of second place in the MAC West.
The top four teams in the conference receive a first round bye in the MAC tournament, which begins March 5.
The Chippewas have been working for a first-round bye since Day 1 and are close to achieving that goal.
For seniors Shonda Long and Kaihla Szunko, this is it. Their last regular season home game, their last chance to impress the home crowd, but it is not their final goodbye.
Yes, Saturday’s game is a big one, but there will still be work to be done. A win tomorrow night clinches a first round bye for CMU, a win tomorrow night sends the seniors out on a great note and a win tomorrow night gives the team a season sweep over both Eastern and Western Michigan.
There is something about the women’s basketball team that makes me believe they are destined for something great. A certain type of resiliency I have not seen in past years. Wiley veterans and aggressive freshmen, this team is just about ready.
Winners of six out of the last seven games, the team is peaking.
The rotation is solid and getting sparks off the bench in the form of Jalisa Olive and Taylor Johnson, making them even more dangerous.
Sophomore Brandie Baker, a 6-foot guard, is a nightmare matchup for any player in the MAC.
If CMU wants to go further than expected over the next couple of weeks, Baker is going to have to want it the most.
She loves her assists to turnover ratio, she loves making plays and finding the open players. But I want to see her shoot.
I want to see her driving to the net and punishing people inside. I have seen it a couple of times this year, but now when it comes to the most important games of the season, I want to see Brandie Baker takeover.
If this team goes farther than expected, she will be a big reason why.
