Marcus Keene

Undersized, Big Man on Campus

Averaging 31.4 points per game, Marcus Keene plays larger than his 5'9 frame. His gaudy scoring average has him leading NCAA Men's Division 1 basketball. After tallying up 40 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists against Green Bay, it is clear the Chippewas point guard is a force to be reckoned with. I got the opportunity to interview him and uncover a few things about him.

Keene reminds me of a bevy of undersized guards that dominated the college landscape and became NBA players. He plays a lot like Kay Felder and Nate Robinson with his ambition as a scorer. However, he plays a lot like Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics. Keene corroborated this notion by saying he models his game after IT.

Keene has helped Central Michigan get off to 8-2 as they clearly look like the best team in the MAC. He is a natural scorer and can finish in the paint even though he is undersized. Keene has an excellent jumper and for the taller defenders please do not waste your time trying to close out. He knocks down 3.9 threes a night on a 43 percent clip. It is like he is shooting in an open gym because defenses have not been able to slow him down. Did I mention he gets to the line eight times a game? Teams have tried to double-team him, but that is when he whips it to his teammates like it is a yo-yo. He is averaging 5.1 assists.

Keene averaged just 15.6 points at Youngstown State and has now doubled that average. He credits the system, at CMU, and working on his game during his year off as the key factors in his mercurial improvement. Keene definitely looks like a man under control and comfortable with being the focal point of opposing defenses. He never looks rattled and his game-to-game performances have been steady. Keene's lowest scoring output has been 23 this season. I would kill to have a 23-point performance as my worst game in a season. The Chippewas and Keene will be tested this Saturday as they travel to face a tough Illinois team.

The Chippewas point guard knows Saturday is not only a big test, but also a big opportunity for himself as well as his team. He said, "Illinois is a statement game because I want everybody to know that I can do this [put on big performances] against high major programs as well." Keene can certainly solidify his name as one to watch for the Wooden Award and a possible All-American. The Chippewas can also benefit from this game by winning in a hostile environment. This is a win that could go a long way for CMU when the committee looks at their resume for the NCAA Tournament. Right now, I would have this team in based on their ability to drop 80 on teams and Keene's sheer impact.

Keene certainly has his eyes set on the MAC regular season and tournament title, which CMU has not accomplished both feats since 2003. He also wants to take his team to the NCAA tournament. Central Michigan won the regular season title last season with Keene as a spectator, but fell short in the tournament. They cannot afford to fall short as a Mid Major team with little to no opportunities against teams from the "Power 5" conferences. If the Chippewas can win the conference tournament, it will be the first time since 2003 that they make "The Big Dance." Chris Kaman was a part of that 2003 team. Keene has a good group of teammates surrounding him most notably Cecil Williams, David DiLeo, and Braylon Rayson. Rayson is 5'9 as well and has averaged well over 16 points the last two seasons for CMU.With the duo of Keene and Rayson, Central Michigan should be the favorites to win the MAC in the regular and in the postseason. Keene and Rayson are the type of duo people should be weary of when making their NCAA Bracket this year because they will wreak havoc.

Good luck to Keene and Central Michigan for the rest of the season.