Tuesday, March 10th, 12:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Quicken Loans Arena (20,562) -- Cleveland, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: EMU 5-9, CMU 8-6. Away Record: EMU 3-12, CMU 3-11. Neutral Record: EMU 0-2, CMU 0-1. Conference Record: EMU 6-10, CMU 7-9. Series Record: Central Michigan leads, 89-82.

GAME NOTES: Opening round action of the Mid-American Conference Tournament begins this afternoon when the Central Michigan Chippewas take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles at the Quicken Loans Arena. It was a long, grueling season for the Eagles, who lost 23 games on the year. However, they soar into the postseason with a four-game winning streak. EMU finished the year with a mere 6-10 mark in league action, and will be playing out of the 10th-seed in the tournament. As for the Chippewas, they finished the regular season with a 7-9 conference mark, grabbing a share of the MAC West title. Central Michigan closed out its schedule with two straight wins and will be playing for a chance to claim its first league title since 2003. The Chippewas own an 89-82 edge in the all-time series against EMU, but the Eagles have won both matchups this year and 26 of the last 32 meetings between the two schools on the hardwood.

The Eagles' downfall this season is the team's inability to produce offensively, as EMU comes into this game averaging just 57.6 ppg, which ranks the team last in the MAC. The only real bright spot for the team is Brandon Bowdry, who is averaging 14.8 ppg, to go along with a team-high 7.2 rpg. Justin Dobbins is the only other player netting double figures, as the center is posting 10.0 ppg, to go along with 5.0 rpg. The Eagles closed out their season with only a 55-point showing, but it was just enough for EMU to slip past Ball State by two points in overtime. Eastern Michigan only shot 34.5 percent from the floor, and relied on Bowdry's 13 points and 11 rebounds. Dobbins added 11 points and nine rebounds, while Antonio Green posted 10 points.

The Chippewas have also struggled at the offensive end of the floor this season, netting just 62.2 ppg, while shooting a lackluster 41.5 percent from the floor. Marcus Van has been the main source of production for the team, as the center is averaging 12.8 ppg, to go along with a team-high 8.4 rpg. Jordan Bitzer is also contributing 12.0 ppg on the season, while Robbie Harman is netting 11.7 ppg, to go along with 2.9 apg. The last time CMU was in action the team shot a mediocre 43.4 percent from the floor, and also made 10-of-19 attempts from behind the arc. Bitzer led the way with 19 points in the win, while Van posted a double-double consisting of 16 points and 13 rebounds. Harman added 12 points for the Chippewas, while Jeremy Allen chipped in 10 points.

The Eagles defeated the Chippewas twice this season, but look for Central Michigan to avenge both setbacks with a tough victory here.

Predicted Outcome

Central Michigan 62, Eastern Michigan 55