Pregame Preview: Central Michigan (3-0) vs Northern Kentucky (2-2)
Northern Kentucky returns to Truist Arena with a chance to get back on track, but a confident Central Michigan team stands in the way. The Chippewas are off to their first 3-0 start since 2019, opening with a five point road win over Louisiana-Monroe before beating Division III Alma College and taking down Youngstown State by 13.
That start has come amid a coaching change. Central Michigan announced on November 5 that associate head coach Raymoan McAfee would serve as interim head coach while Andy Bronkema is on leave. The 34-year-old McAfee has a group playing with confidence, and the win over Youngstown State showed how quickly the Chippewas can take control. Trailing 27-18 with 11:51 left in the first half, CMU closed on a 32-7 run to take a 50-34 halftime lead.
“We did a good job of weathering that storm. We were always in striking distance,” McAfee told the CMU Chippewa Sports Network afterward.
Depth and returning experience have helped CMU establish an early rhythm. At least 10 players are averaging double-digit minutes through three games, with 37% of the team’s minutes coming from the bench, ranking 83rd nationally. Seven players return from last season, and six have appeared in every game, including leading scorer Phat Phat Brooks and Keenan Garner, who is tied for third on the team in scoring. Several of those returners will be familiar with the Norse after NKU won last season’s meeting in Mount Pleasant 90-66.
That balance is central to McAfee’s expectations. After five Chippewas scored in double figures against Youngstown State, he emphasized that opponents would have to prepare for multiple players capable of scoring 20 on a given night. He also pointed to CMU’s depth as a way to keep fresh bodies on the floor and sustain defensive pressure.
The Chippewas have been efficient offensively, too. Against Division I opponents, their 59.7% effective field goal percentage ranks 34th nationally, while their 43.6% shooting from three ranks 21st. They are also shooting 75.0% at the free throw line, a top-100 mark. Despite that perimeter accuracy, threes account for only about 29% of their points, giving NKU more to prepare for than simply chasing shooters off the arc.
Check out the full scouting report below for a closer look at Central Michigan and what the Norse need to do to get back in the win column.
Central Michigan's Scouting Report
★ = Starter of Previous Game
★ #2 Jalen Kampen – Sophomore Guard, 6'4" 185 lbs – Parchment, MI / Parchment H.S.
Season Averages: 24.0 MIN, 10.3 PTS, 4.3 REB, 1.0 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.0 BLK, 1.3 TO, 52.6 FG%, 85.7 FT%, 55.6 3PT%
Kampen gets most of his opportunities in transition or on spot-up jumpers. His teammates look to get him the ball early so he can push the pace, and he is effective attacking in the open floor. He can knock down difficult shots and occasionally create his own look, but NKU should aim to make him settle for contested midrange jumpers.
Defensively, Kampen can be a player to attack. He has allowed nine points in each of CMU’s two games against Division I opponents.
★ #3 Jaxson Whitaker – Junior Guard, 6'4" 220 lbs – Muskegon, MI / Reeths-Puffer H.S.
Previous School: Ferris State
Season Averages: 23.3 MIN, 7.3 PTS, 0.3 REB, 2.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.0 BLK, 1.0 TO, 41.2 FG%, 100.0 FT%, 35.7 3PT%
Whitaker’s offense revolves around perimeter shooting, with 14 of his 17 shot attempts coming from three. Of those 14, 13 have been catch-and-shoot looks. His lone attempt off the dribble was an airball, reinforcing NKU’s priority: take away the clean catch and make him put the ball on the floor.
He is comfortable shooting from anywhere around the arc without a clear favorite spot, though he generally stays close to the three-point line rather than shooting from deep.
#5 Jayson Petty – Senior Guard, 6'3" 195 lbs – Phoenix, AZ / PHHoenix Prep Academy
Previous School: UMKC
Season Averages: 18.7 MIN, 8.7 PTS, 4.3 REB, 0.3 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.3 BLK, 1.3 TO, 50.0 FG%, 90.0 FT%, 20.0 3PT%
Petty provides a physical scoring option off the bench, looking to attack from the perimeter and use his strength to overpower opposing guards. He is comfortable going one-on-one and creating his own basket.
The UMKC transfer is also looking to build on last season’s improved perimeter shooting. After shooting 26.6% from three across his first two seasons at UMKC, Petty raised that mark to 33.5% last year.
★ #10 Phat Phat Brooks – Junior Guard, 6'3" 205 lbs – Grand Rapids, MI / Grand Rapids Catholic Central H.S.
Previous School: Michigan
Season Averages: 27.0 MIN, 19.0 PTS, 3.3 REB, 4.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.0 BLK, 2.7 TO, 67.9 FG%, 81.3 FT%, 75.0 3PT%
Brooks enters this matchup coming off a career-high 22 points against Youngstown State, shooting 7-11 from the field, 1-1 from three and 7-9 at the free throw line. He is dangerous in transition and comfortable driving in either direction, with much of his offense built around getting into the middle of the floor.
He loves pulling up off the dribble around the free throw line and extended elbow areas. His midrange jumper typically includes a slight fadeaway and a kick of his right foot, and he is comfortable taking those shots with a defender contesting. Cutting off his drive does not necessarily end the possession, either, as he will spin back into a shot. He can make threes, but getting into the middle and creating off the dribble remains his priority.
Turnovers are an area NKU can attack. Brooks has committed eight against Division I opponents this season, including five in his last game, after averaging 2.26 per game last year. Those mistakes have included driving into multiple defenders, getting stripped on a post attempt, traveling on a drive and struggling against a double-team.
★ #13 Keenan Garner – Junior Forward, 6'7" 220 lbs – Fishers, IN / Fishers H.S.
Previous School: IU Indianapolis
Season Averages: 23.7 MIN, 10.0 PTS, 6.7 REB, 2.3 AST, 1.0 STL, 0.0 BLK, 2.3 TO, 50.0 FG%, 58.3 FT%, 42.9 3PT%
Garner is in his second season with the Chippewas after beginning his career at IU Indianapolis, where he started 14 games as a freshman. In two meetings with NKU that season, he scored just one point in 24 combined minutes. The Norse will be facing a much more productive version of Garner this time around.
A playmaking forward and capable passer, Garner can contribute without needing to score. His biggest threat may be on the offensive glass, where he has already collected nine rebounds through three games. With NKU struggling to finish defensive possessions, finding him and boxing him out must be a priority.
Garner has made a three in every game this season and will take that shot when left wide open. Inside, he likes to work into a right-handed hook.
#24 Jake Bascom – Freshman Forward, 6'6" 220 lbs – Rockford, MI / Rockford H.S.
Season Averages: 16.7 MIN, 7.7 PTS, 4.0 REB, 0.3 AST, 0.3 STL, 0.0 BLK, 1.0 TO, 66.7 FG%, 60.0 FT%, 0.0 3PT%
Bascom is a freshman spark plug off the bench who does most of his damage around the basket. He is 10-for-12 in the paint this season and has missed his only three attempts outside it. He finds ways to finish tough shots inside and gives CMU another scoring option in the lane.
He will attack the basket off the dribble from the perimeter and take an open three, but outside shooting is a small part of his game.
★ #55 Conrad Luczynski – Senior Center, 7'2" 275 lbs – Bartlett, IL / Bartlett H.S.
Previous School: Lenoir-Rhyne / Eastern New Mexico
Season Averages: 17.0 MIN, 10.0 PTS, 5.7 REB, 2.0 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.7 BLK, 1.7 TO, 57.9 FG%, 72.7 FT%, 0.0 3PT%
At 7'2" and 275 pounds, Luczynski gives CMU a massive presence inside. Most of his scoring opportunities come through post touches and offensive rebounds. He scored in double figures in both games against Division I opponents but fouled out against Youngstown State.
He is tied for the team lead with five blocks, all coming as a help defender. On film, three of those appeared to be generous scoring decisions, and he is not quite the shot-blocking threat his size and numbers might suggest.
His mobility is an area NKU should attack. The Norse need to push the pace when he is on the floor, force him to run and get to the basket before he can establish position in the paint.
