After keeping its unbeaten streak at home intact, Ohio faces a slight reprieve. It’ll travel to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to face Central Michigan inside McGuirk Arena on Saturday.
A win isn’t definitive, but Ohio (13-2, 4-0 Mid-American Conference) has the cards stacked in its favor. It’s traveling to Mount Pleasant with an eight-game winning streak under its belt and a well-rounded, productive rotation. Central Michigan has won two games all season by a combined four points and lost seven of its last eight contests.
The Chippewas (2-12, 1-2 MAC) have sputtered through their season. They’re in their first season under coach Tony Barbee, who was hired after former coach Keno Davis was fired in early April. The change has brought little success. The Chippewas sport the worst overall record of any team in the MAC and scrape the bottom of the barrel in almost every statistical category.
Here’s what you need to know about Central Michigan ahead of Saturday’s matchup:
Game information
Opponent: Central Michigan
Venue: McGuirk Arena (Mount Pleasant, Michigan)
Watch: ESPN3
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Live stats: Live stats are provided here.
Meet the opponent
Probable starters
01 Ralph Bissainthe
02 Kevin Miller
03 Harrison Henderson
10 Jermaine Jackson Jr.
15 Aundre Polk
Individual statistical leaders
Points: Jackson (11.4 points per game)
Rebounds: Bissainthe (7.1 rebounds per game)
Assists: Miller (3.3 assists per game)
Field goal percentage: Polk (51.4%)
3-point percentage: Cameron Healy (50.9%)
Free throw percentage: Jackson (85.7%)
Team statistical profile
Points per game: 64.6
Rebounds per game: 31.3
Assists per game: 11.3
Turnovers per game: 14.7
Field goal percentage: 40.5%
3-point percentage: 37.3%
Free throw percentage: 65%
The series
Ohio leads the series 48-32. The two teams last met Feb. 2, 2021, when the Bobcats defeated the Chippewas 83-69. Coach Jeff Boals is 3-0 against the Chippewas during his tenure, and the Bobcats have won all three games by eight points or more while under Boals.
Player to watch
Jackson — The guard is one of the few bright spots for Central Michigan this season. He’s scored in double figures in six of his 11 games, and he is fresh off a 20-point performance against Eastern Michigan.
