Toilet Paper/CMU MBB Preview

So BG tries to bounce back after a debacle on Tuesday.  We've shown resilience in the last couple years, but who knows?  I'm hoping to see it happen. We need a win in this one.  Apparently, there will be a big crowd because they throw toilet paper before the game.  You be you, Mt. Pleasant.

Historically, CMU has had some competitive teams in the MAC.  Under Dick Parfitt, they made 3 NCAA tournaments and produced multiple NBA players. Charlie Coles came next.  Jay Smith coached them to their most recent NCAA tournament in 2003.  He flamed out with 20 wins over the next 3 years. After that, they have been in the wilderness.  Ernie Zeigler. who brought his five-star son Trey, followed by Keno Davis and Tony Barbee. 

They have eight losing seasons out of the last ten in the MAC. When Barbee was fired, they made what I think was a smart move, hiring Andy Brokenma from Ferris State.  Rather than try to find some guy who crashed out at a higher level, they found a success who is used to winning in Mid-Michigan, which is no picnic.  He led Ferris State to the 2017-18 national championship, three NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen appearances, nine overall NCAA tournament appearances and a 278-105 overall record. 

I think this was a good hire.  The hill got higher as he lost every player on the roster.  They were picked 12th in the MAC poll and Blue Ribbon.  

He went out and got 3 D1 players, 7 DII transfers, one NAIA transfer, one JUCO, and 3 FR.

It's been a tough year.  They are 6-15 and 4-15 in D1 games. One D1 win was over Coppin State, the second-worst team in D1. Their KenPom started at 309 and is 302 right now. They are 2-7 in the MAC, with an upset win over Kent and a blowout win over EMU their last time out.  EMU was playing their first game without Carlos Hart or Braelon Green.

Both wins were at home.

They have 12th-place stats.  They are #10 in offense and #9 in defense.

Offense is where the focus should be.  BG failed to guard in their last game and let a team with many shooters slice them apart.  I think it is safe to say they have been encouraged to guard better since Tuesday.  This would be the team to demonstrate that against.

They are 2-focused, trying only 33% from 3FG.  They also make only 32% from 3FG.  Their 52% from 2FG is slightly above average. They are 8th on the offensive boards and 8th at protecting the ball, both things that match against BG strengths.  And they don't get to the line (#12) and don't make the FTs when they are there (#12).

So, a sharpened BG defense that guards the shot without fouling, forces turnovers, and then turns rebounding into transition points should be a good matchup here.  We'll see BG responds to having the pressure turned up this week.

BG is #5 in offensive efficiency in the MAC, and CMU is #9 in defense, and we are on the road, where we apparently like to shoot better.  BG is even more 2FG-focused than CMU is, and BG makes 54%. CMU is #7 at defending the 2FG and #6 at the 3FG.  Their weaker areas are defensive rebounding and putting opponents on the line.  BG has been good at getting to the line and makes 73%, #8 in the MAC. If the defense clicks, BG should be able to score in this one.

CMU plays a nine-man rotation, with no one averaging 30 MPG, and has 5 scorers in double figures. (All stats are MAC only).

Tamario Adley is their leading scorer with 13.3 PPG and 5.4 RPG and #4 in the MAC in steals. He's efficient at 54% and 41%. He also leads the team in assists, but it's only 30 (#12 in MAC). He's a 6'1" G who played at Wayne State and Macomb CC.

Phat Phat Brooks is scoring 12.8 PPG, and takes mostly 2FGs and makes only 43%. He's a 6'2" G who was Mr. Basketball in Michigan (and a bunch of other honors) and played one year at Michigan, getting into 15 games last year.

Nathan Claerbout also scores 12.8 PPG, adding 5.7 RPG. He leads the MAC in blocked shots. He's a 7'0" who came over from Ferris.  He makes 57% of his shots, almost all from 2FG.

Logan McIntire is scoring 11.6 PPG on 33% and 38% shooting, mostly from 3FG. He's a 6'5" G who played at Evansville and then Kentucky Wesleyan.

Keenan Garner is scoring 10.3 PPG and leads the team with 7 RPG. He makes 56% on mostly 2FGs. He's 6'6" and transferred from IU-Indy.

So here we go.  BG is 4-5 and can't leave this one on the table.  CMU is not good, but they have beaten Kent.  And TOILET PAPER.

So here we go.