Now the real fun begins.
After losing its only exhibition game of the year, against Division II Northwood, the Central Michigan men's basketball team opens regular season play tonight on the road at the University of Michigan.
The game begins at 7 p.m. at Crisler Arena and the Chippewas bring a young team in to face the veteran Wolverines.
"We have got to withstand the first five minute of each half," CMU head coach Jay Smith said. "We know they are going to come after us strong the first five minutes and we have to weather that storm."
Still, the Chippewas bring a very young group into the game with no seniors and just two juniors.
Junior Sefton Barrett scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the exhibition game, but has been inconsistent throughout his career.
The Chippewas (10-18 last year) will also rely on at least four freshmen this season. True freshman Chris Kellerman scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds in the exhibition game. He is a 6-foot-8 power forward who has a good shooting touch around the basket.
CMU will also be without the services of 7-1 center Drew Walker, who was penciled in as the starting center prior to the season. However, he broke his foot during early practices and will miss another week. Smith said he is hopeful that Walker will be back by Nov. 26 when the Chippewas travel to University of Missouri Kansas City.
"When we get Drew back, all of sudden you are talking about a lot of depth in our frontcourt," Smith said. "We are young up there, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse."
Smith said coming into this campaign that rebounding and turnovers would be key this season.
The Chippewas did out-rebound Northwood by 10 in the exhibition game and turned the ball over just 13 times.
Unfortunately, five of those turnovers came from sophomore point guard Giordan Watson. He also had six assists, 14 points and eight rebounds.
Smith said he wants Watson to averaged two assists for every one turnover this year.
Without a proven 3-point specialist, the Chippewas went just 4-of-14 from behind the arc in the exhibition game and will likely have to develop a long-range shooter during the season.
"I really think we can make enough shots from back there to keep you honest," Smith said.
One of the big problems in the exhibition game was too much one-on-one play and not enough team play.
Smith used a one-dribble rule in practice this week in order to get his team to play more team-oriented basketball.
"We played too much one-on-one against Northwood," Smith said. "When this team plays together, they can be a very good basketball team. When we are cutting, moving and making good passes - we can be pretty darn good."
Smith spent seven seasons at Michigan as an assistant under Steve Fisher. The Wolverines made two NCAA championship game appearances when he was there and Smith said the memories came flooding back when he entered UM's Crisler arena on Thursday night for a shoot around.
"I haven't shared any stories with this team yet," Smith said of his old Michigan days. "I have a lot of really good memories from here."
After losing its only exhibition game of the year, against Division II Northwood, the Central Michigan men's basketball team opens regular season play tonight on the road at the University of Michigan.
The game begins at 7 p.m. at Crisler Arena and the Chippewas bring a young team in to face the veteran Wolverines.
"We have got to withstand the first five minute of each half," CMU head coach Jay Smith said. "We know they are going to come after us strong the first five minutes and we have to weather that storm."
Still, the Chippewas bring a very young group into the game with no seniors and just two juniors.
Junior Sefton Barrett scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in the exhibition game, but has been inconsistent throughout his career.
The Chippewas (10-18 last year) will also rely on at least four freshmen this season. True freshman Chris Kellerman scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds in the exhibition game. He is a 6-foot-8 power forward who has a good shooting touch around the basket.
CMU will also be without the services of 7-1 center Drew Walker, who was penciled in as the starting center prior to the season. However, he broke his foot during early practices and will miss another week. Smith said he is hopeful that Walker will be back by Nov. 26 when the Chippewas travel to University of Missouri Kansas City.
"When we get Drew back, all of sudden you are talking about a lot of depth in our frontcourt," Smith said. "We are young up there, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse."
Smith said coming into this campaign that rebounding and turnovers would be key this season.
The Chippewas did out-rebound Northwood by 10 in the exhibition game and turned the ball over just 13 times.
Unfortunately, five of those turnovers came from sophomore point guard Giordan Watson. He also had six assists, 14 points and eight rebounds.
Smith said he wants Watson to averaged two assists for every one turnover this year.
Without a proven 3-point specialist, the Chippewas went just 4-of-14 from behind the arc in the exhibition game and will likely have to develop a long-range shooter during the season.
"I really think we can make enough shots from back there to keep you honest," Smith said.
One of the big problems in the exhibition game was too much one-on-one play and not enough team play.
Smith used a one-dribble rule in practice this week in order to get his team to play more team-oriented basketball.
"We played too much one-on-one against Northwood," Smith said. "When this team plays together, they can be a very good basketball team. When we are cutting, moving and making good passes - we can be pretty darn good."
Smith spent seven seasons at Michigan as an assistant under Steve Fisher. The Wolverines made two NCAA championship game appearances when he was there and Smith said the memories came flooding back when he entered UM's Crisler arena on Thursday night for a shoot around.
"I haven't shared any stories with this team yet," Smith said of his old Michigan days. "I have a lot of really good memories from here."
