Bracketology: Central Michigan can again play spoiler
Every week, High Post Hoop’s bracketologist Russell Steinberg highlights one game from one team in the NCAA Tournament conversation in order to help fans further understand the team’s tournament chances, potential placement, and how it might develop moving forward. Today’s team: the Central Michigan Chippewas, who won at Ohio, 88-70, on Wednesday.
Central Michigan Chippewas
Record: 11-3 (2-0 MAC)
RPI: 20 SOS: 27
Best Win: at Miami (RPI 26) Worst Loss: vs. Tulane (RPI 72)
As Central Michigan looks to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, the Chippewas again find themselves in position to play spoiler. This week, they are a 7 seed in the Portland region, headed to Raleigh for a game against LSU and, presumably, NC State if they win that. It’s a tall order for a team out of the MAC, but CMU showed last year that it fears no opponent. You might recall a 14-27 three-point shooting performance carrying the Chippewas into the Sweet 16 in 2018, and if Wednesday night’s win over previously unbeaten Ohio is any indication, the team still has plenty of firepower left. The team might not be picked to win more than a game — if even that — in March, but it might end up being a trendy upset pick.
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- Women’s basketball bracketology: Yes, Northwestern is a 2 seed
- Women’s Basketball Bracketology: The case for Maryland as a 1 seed
- Women’s Basketball Bracketology: NC State ascends to the 1 line
What we learned
Despite what the final score may indicate, Ohio is a good team. The Bobcats were undefeated coming into this one and were knocking on the door of the projected at-large field. And Central Michigan went into Ohio’s home gym and dismantled them. After committing six turnovers and struggling to find cohesion in the half court in the first quarter, Central Michigan asserted itself in the second. CMU was a step quicker than the Ohio defense, often beating the Bobcats for easy looks inside or taking advantage of over-plays. It also knocked down four of six threes in the second quarter and went 11-25 from downtown in the game. Presley Hudson was the leader from distance and shot 5-11. You might recall her 28-point effort against Ohio State last year. And just for good measure, Hudson came up with the heads-up play of the game in the fourth quarter:
On the other end, Central Michigan succeeded in forcing Ohio to the perimeter. To be fair, Ohio is a good three-point shooting team, but the Chippewas defended well and Ohio shot just 8-30 from deep.
But the most telling stat of the game had to be on the boards: Central Michigan absolutely dominated, 51-22 overall and 14-6 on the offensive glass. It may no longer be cool to point out raw rebound totals, but that’s pretty good. CMU had 15 second-chance points. Credit Reyna Frost for the gaudiest stat line of the night. She had 23 points, 17 rebounds, and played all 40 minutes.
Projection: Safely in as a non-host
Central Michigan is darn good, but the Chippewas won’t have the resume to climb too much higher than their current projection. There’s still some solid teams in the MAC so if things break right, you never know, but their non-conference is missing a truly eye-popping win to set them apart. However, if the Chippewas could look THAT good against another MAC contender, they just might pile up a gaudy win total.