Monday, March 05, 2001
Mid-American tournament preview
Can Central Michigan sustain success?
By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Miami hosts Akron at 7 p.m. today at Millett Hall in the Mid-American Conference tournament. Here's a preview:
TEAM TO BEAT: Central Michigan. The Chippewas are one of the turnaround stories in college basketball. They improved from 6-23 to 20-7 from last season. They struggled terribly in mid-February, losing three straight by an average of 18 points. But, to their credit, they bounced back to win their final two games to secure the regular season MAC title and the No.1 seed.
DARKHORSE: Marshall. The Thundering Herd closed the season with four straight wins. Tamar Slay (17.3 points per game), J.R. VanHoose (16.5 ppg, 10.9 rebounds per game) and Travis Young (13.5 ppg) are as talented a trio as you'll find in the MAC. And Joda Burgess is a dangerous 3-point shooter when he's hot. He hit eight 3s in the regular-season finale against Buffalo.
MOST TO PROVE: Toledo. The Rockets are 20-9. Getting into the tourney finals may get them an NCAA bid. The Rockets haven't been to the Big Dance since 1980. Greg Stempin will likely make first team all-MAC for the third consecutive year. With a player that good, you ought to make the NCAAs at least once.
TOUGHEST DRAW: Kent State. The Golden Flashes are likely to face Bowling Green, one of the hottest teams in the MAC, in the quarterfinals. If they survive BG, they'll likely face Marshall in the semifinals. Marshall is the most talented team in the league.
WEAKEST DRAW: Miami. If the RedHawks can figure out a way to beat Akron — a team they've lost to twice this year — they get No.1-seed Central Michigan in the quarters. Miami handled CMU easily in beating the Chippewas 73-61 on Jan.10. MU coach Charlie Coles is 5-1 against CMU, where he coached from 1985-91.
MOST LIKELY MVP: Marshall's Tamar Slay. He's a rarity in the MAC, a 6-foot-8 guard. That makes him a matchup nightmare.
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: CMU's David Webber. Chris' little brother has had a fantastic year, averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Being the No.1 seed adds pressure.
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Mid-American tournament preview
