While DiLeo often creates his own shot in catch-and-shoot or off the dribble situations, the senior forward probably has McKay to appreciate for a handful of those triples.

And DiLeo's well aware.

"We've helped each other," DiLeo said. "They take away my shot, and it opens up driving lanes for him. When he scores four layups in a row, they're helping. That's where the kick-outs come for me. We complement each other well."

McKay is a pure slasher, scoring at a high rate when he works his way inside to score at the rim. Of his 860 points, 24 have come from beyond the arc.

Where DiLeo is a shooter, McKay is a slasher.

When the two players with completely different skill sets are combined, a formidable offensive tandem comes to fruition.

And then take into account that DiLeo and McKay are finally seniors.

It's the final year of a journey, an on-court bond and friendship that began in the summer before the 2016-17 season.

"It's bittersweet," McKay said. "It flew by fast for both of us. I still feel like a freshman almost, and I'm sure he feels the same way."

Going hand-in-hand with being seniors is taking on a leadership role. Since former senior leaders Larry Austin Jr. and Shawn Roundtree Jr. have moved on, the job has made its way to a new duo.

McKay is up for the challenge, and he is embracing the opportunity.

"This year, with them gone, it falls on the people that have been here the longest," McKay said.

DiLeo feels the same way. He's already started implementing what he learned from Austin and Roundtree into his leadership attributes.

"People are going to have off practices, it's nature with such a long season," DiLeo said. "You've got to pick them up and get the energy up in practice. We have to get better each and every day."

The seniors aren't roommates, but they make it a point to get together for workout sessions – even outside the typical team practice times.

"He lives in an apartment complex that has a basketball court, so I like to go there," McKay said. "I see him when I see him."

Since DiLeo possesses a shoot-first mentality, he calls upon McKay to help him attack the basket.

Where McKay enjoys driving the ball to the rim with authority, DiLeo gives him tips on shooting from the outside.

Take away the points, rebounds, assists and clutch moments, DiLeo and McKay are still without a Mid-American Conference championship and NCAA Tournament bid. They've never finished the regular season better than No. 2 in the MAC West Division.

That has to change.

"We want to work to win a MAC championship," DiLeo said. "We know it's not going to be easy. Every night in the MAC is a dogfight. We all know that, but I think we have the potential."

Toward the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, DiLeo said there was no doubt the Chippewas were playing their best basketball. That was exemplified by an 85-81 loss to Buffalo, ranked No. 16 in the nation, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

The game went down to the final few possessions and could've easily fallen Central Michigan's way.

"We are at a point, when you look at the last five years, to have 100 wins and winning 20 games a year in and year out – that's something to be proud of," said eighth-year coach Keno Davis. "But that's not the end game for us.

"It's about reaching that step and saying, 'Now, what can we become?'"

While Davis recently signed an extension that will keep him in Mount Pleasant until the 2022-23 season is complete, DiLeo and McKay are down to their last shot.

One final season as friends, teammates and leaders.

"It's been a great ride with him," DiLeo said.

McKay wants to make sure the duo depart from the program on top.

"We're trying our best to make this last year our best," McKay said. "We haven't won a MAC championship yet, let alone get to the championship game.

"That's definitely one of our goals – to get to the NCAA Tournament and see what we can do."