December 5 at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, MI
espn3.com
Quite a difference a year makes for the Central Michigan defense.
A year ago, the Chippewas had one of the nation's worst defenses, allowing an average of nearly 88 points, including surrendering at least that average in 20 of their 32 games. The first eight games of the 2017-18 season have been a different story.
The defense has been one of the nation's best (11th in scoring defense and tied for 12th in field goal percentage defense) and that continued Tuesday as the Chippewas held Montana State to 28% shooting, and a miserable 1-of-16 performance from three-point range in a 75-48 win.
In winning its sixth consecutive game, Central Michigan (7-1), allowed its fewest points since a 75-43 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in November, 2014.
"I just think we got some guys that are buying in on the defensive end," CMU coach Keno Davis told espn3. "Forty-eight points to give up on the defensive end...it's nice to be able to win both on the offensive end and the defensive end."
The hosts did a tremendous job on Tyler Hall. The junior guard and Big Sky preseason player of the year came into the night top-30 nationally in scoring, but had the first scoreless outing of his career (72 games) and went 0-of-9 from the field in just 11 minutes.
* Quick set of basketball phrases/nonsense from the broadcast team of Adam Jaksa and Matt Devries:
"same page defense"
"perimeter close outs"
"run out"
"they can not find any mojo"
"bringing the juice for the Chips"
"international flavor"
"there's a lid on the bucket"
"rim protector"
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