Alma vs Central Michigan prediction: Central Michigan's rebuilt rotation gets a home-floor audition against Alma
With less than half of last season's minutes back, the Chippewas' Division III visitor matters less than which new pieces fit beside Phat Phat Brooks and Keenan Garner.
- Central Michigan's home opener against Division III Alma should be lopsided, so the real story is rotation and roles.
- Watch Phat Phat Brooks running the offense; he had 16 points and five assists in 22 minutes in the Oct. 18 exhibition.
- No line is posted. The key number is 39.7%, the share of last season's minutes back on this roster.
A roster starting over
Central Michigan went 10-21 last season, and the program that takes the floor at McGuirk Arena looks very different. Players on this roster logged only 39.7% of last season's minutes and 36.2% of its points. Last season's end-of-year adjusted net efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents) ranked 277th of 365, but with this much turnover that figure is a weak guide.
The departures cut deep. Center Nathan Claerbaut blocked 2.1 shots a game, and Logan McIntire made 80 threes at 40.4%. Neither is on the roster. Andy Bronkema, in his second season, has to replace both rim protection and perimeter shooting.
Who carries it now
The Oct. 18 exhibition offered the first look. Central Michigan beat Saginaw Valley State 99-62 and outscored the Cardinals 60-26 after halftime. Brooks led with 16 points and five assists. Garner added 13 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.
Jayson Petty arrives from Kansas City after starting every game there last season. His 55 made threes make him the likeliest answer to McIntire's departure.
Old problems to check
Two of last season's weaknesses are worth tracking even against a Division III opponent. The Chippewas' defensive rebound rate of 66.3% ranked 330th, and their turnover rate (giveaways per 100 possessions) of 19.0 ranked 314th. A clean, controlled night on the glass and with the ball would be a better sign than the final margin.
The series and the schedule
Recent history is one-sided. Central Michigan beat Alma 89-50 in December 2022 and 97-32 in an October 2023 exhibition. The Scots last played on Feb. 21, when they beat Kalamazoo 97-73 on Senior Day. The game is the Chippewas' home opener, coming after a scheduled Nov. 2 trip to UL Monroe. Central Michigan's schedule lists tip at 7 p.m., though other listings differ.
Key players
- Phat Phat Brooks (Central Michigan): Averaged 11.0 points and 3.9 assists last season with a team-high-level 23.7% usage.
- Keenan Garner (Central Michigan): Shot 53.5% from the field and grabbed 5.5 rebounds a game last season.
- Jayson Petty (Central Michigan): Started all 31 games at Kansas City last season, averaging 11.1 points and making 83.3% of his free throws.
- Jaxson Whitaker (Central Michigan): Made 40 threes at 34.5% last season in 18.2 minutes a game.
Numbers that matter
| Returning minutes | 39.7% | Most of last season's production is gone, so last season's team numbers say little about this group. |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive rebound rate, last season | 66.3% | It ranked 330th nationally, a weakness the new frontcourt must fix. |
| Turnover rate, last season | 19.0 | It ranked 314th, making ball security a key early check. |
| Exhibition second half | 60-26 | Central Michigan's margin after halftime against Saginaw Valley State on Oct. 18. |
Alma vs Central Michigan: quick answers
When is Alma vs Central Michigan?
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM ET.