If you haven't read the CMU board thread requesting for a mod to ban ChipDip (aka-WMUfan55 on scout), I highly recommend you check it out. Dip has one of them threatening to withhold his contributions towards the board unless Dip is banned. Great stuff.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=340&f=2793&t=11210022
Now onto a very unprofessional preview from my point of view.
A lot of people, including myself, were pretty critical of the Keno Davis hiring last year. Last summer, I honestly thought the ceiling for the chips would be 5 wins...total all season.
Fast forward to January 2013 and Keno has made strides that I didn't think were possible with the roster he assembled. They have less talent than the team Zeigler coached last year...but they play with much more passion. Seriously, if the MAC COY wasn't an award for who finished in the top 4 of the conference...Keno Davis would get it hands down IMO. Nobody has done more with less IMO.
Random fact...the chips have been trading a winning every other game since Dec. 20. They haven't had back to back wins or losses in that time frame. Unfortunately CMU's date with our Broncos would fall on a "W" for them (they lost to NIU last night). But, since patterns like that rarely if ever hold...I'm very optimistic :) Well, throw in the fact that we are the better team and you can understand why I would say that.
Kyle Randall checks in as their leading scorer with 16.5 ppg. He is their heart and soul. He does everything right now. He plays 32 minutes per game, and the next closest player is at 26. He shoots 42% from the field, 89% from the free throw line, and almost 37% from 3 point land. If he has a flaw, it's his tendency to turn the ball over a little too much. He's basically at a 1:1 assist to turnover ratio. But considering he is asked to handle the rock a lot...the good outweighs the bad.
The way I see this game is that WMU has one choice on defense.
They need to get after Randall with Pokely, Brown and maybe even a little bit of Hutch and force everyone else to make plays/shots. I don't think they have the offensive fire power to hang with us if we limit Randall.
The chips have attempted 438 three pointers this season. That's an average of 24 per game. To give you an idea...WMU averages 16 and Ohio averages 23 attempts. That's right...the chips shoot more 3's than Ohio.
That strategy has likely served them well considering 1. they've exceeded all expectations already on the year and 2. they do not have much size in their front court at all.
Mbaigoto and Simons make up their starting front court. Simons is 6'8" but functions more like a small forward. He can shoot the ball...kind of reminds me of what Levi Rost probably looked like as a frosh in college bball. Mbaigoto is active but certainly not as skilled as our big men.
CMU wins this game if:
1. We come out flat
2. They shoot the lights out from 3 range
3. We are extremely careless and commit unbelievable amounts of turnovers against their press.
Highlights from a chip game against BGSU below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9CAHrGsnhc
Their offense is pretty simple...They have four guys around the perimeter, one of them tries to drive the lane, and then kicks it out for a 3 when a help defender comes along. Or, in the case of Randall, he can score once he gets inside 15 feet. Spacing is the key with them. It won't be easy for us because Darius Paul will be guarding Simons and I doubt he will be trying to post up against us.
WMU wins if:
1. We play at our pace
2. We limit their 3 point shooters by getting a hand in their face
3. We dominate inside
Looking forward to a little revenge on Saturday night. The loss at their place last year is still a little fresh in my mind.
WMU: 78
CMU: 68