The (4-8) Central Michigan Chippewas will pay a visit to the (7-4) Michigan Wolverines on Thursday for an in-state, non-conference battle at Crisler Center. The Chips, 0-5 in road games this season, have lost four straight. The Wolverines, 4-1 at home, lost their most recent game to North Carolina. CMU and UM have only met five times since 2002, with the most recent matchup back in the 2017-18 season. The Wolverines are 4-1 straight-up in their past five versus the Chippewas.
Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. ET. Michigan is a 21-point spread favorite, and the game total is 147.5 points.
The Chippewas are still searching for their first statement victory of the season and will have an opportunity to make one against the rival Wolverines. To do so, CMU will need to break some of the poor habits it displayed during its recent losing streak, which is easier said than done against a Big Ten foe.
Central Michigan shot 52.0 percent from the floor but was outrebounded 27-22 and committed 16 turnovers in its most recent loss to Youngstown State. The Chips trailed by nine at halftime and as many as 18 points. Senior guard Brian Taylor led Central Michigan in scoring with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting, and sophomore forward Markus Harding added 14 off the bench.
??? Dunks, blocks, fast breaks, and drives highlight @CMUMensBBall's highlight video against Alma…#FireUpChips?????? pic.twitter.com/HyEO6ABBYW
— CMU Men' s Basketball (@CMUMensBBall) December 6, 2022
The Chippewas are scoring 69.5 points per game this season, with a 42.9 field goal percentage. They're shooting 29.5 percent from three and 71.1 percent from the foul line. CMU's offensive efficiency rating, adjusted for schedule, is ranked 307th in D-1, per KenPom. Sophomore guard Kevin Miller paces Central with 18.5 points per game with a 51.9 FG%.
CMU gives up 70.8 points on defense, and its opponents shoot 42.7 percent from the field, including 31.3 percent from distance. Central Michigan's adjusted defensive efficiency rating is ranked 263rd, and its assist-to-turnover ratio (0.83) is 278th.