September 14, 2007

CMU releases 2007-08 schedule

By Drew Ellis
Sun Sports Writer

Central Michigan men's basketball will open the 2007-08 season as part of the O'Reilly Auto Parts College Basketball Experience in Columbia, Mo., and also have non-conference games at Minnesota and Michigan.

The Chippewas released this season's schedule Wednesday night, and CMU begins the season on Nov.12 as part of the CBE Classic in a regional hosted by Missouri. The two-day tournament is one of four regional tournament locations. The winner of each regional will advance to the semifinals in Kansas City the following week.

Aside from the CBE Classic, the Chippewas will also travel to Minnesota, Detroit, Robert Morris, Michigan, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Cleveland State.

"We have a very demanding and challenging non-conference schedule," CMU coach Ernie Zeigler said. "We have a lot of tough road games that should prepare us for conference play and I think the schedule will hopefully bode well for us to continue to develop a mental toughness we need in order to improve as a basketball program."

CMU's home opener will take place on Nov. 28 as CMU hosts Illinois-Chicago at 7 p.m. CMU will host two other non-conference games, as it welcomes Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 8, and Tiffin on Dec. 29.

Mid-American Conference play begins on Jan. 6 as CMU hosts Eastern Michigan. During MAC play, the Chippewas will not play more than two-straight games at home or on the road.

"It would certainly be nice to get a lengthy stretch at home but I think it will be good for us to continually have to prepare for difficult road environments," Zeigler said. "The MAC is filled with tough places to play and we need to be ready for that."

The regular season will end with CMU facing the top two teams in the MAC West last season, as the Chippewas host Western Michigan on Mar. 4, then close the season by hosting Toledo on Mar. 9.

CMU will host two exhibition games prior to the start of the regular season, as the Chippewa welcome Hillsdale to Rose Arena on Nov. 4, and host Northwood on Nov. 7.

"Our main focus right now is working toward taking the next step," Zeigler said. "How much can we push ourselves in the weight room and in practice or training. It we want to take that next step as a program, we need to continually push ourselves to the limit. The next step for this program is to have a winning season and I think our guys are working hard toward that goal and we will continue to work toward getting better everyday."

The Chippewas finished last season with a 13-18 record and a 7-9 mark in the Mid-American Conference, which were the highest win totals in both categories since the 2002-03 CMU team that won the MAC Championship.