The Mid-American Conference schedule makers did Central Michigan no favors.
After opening the conference campaign Jan. 3 at MAC West preseason favorite Eastern Michigan and following it up with another road tilt Saturday at Northern Illinois, the Chippewas return home Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off against MAC East preseason favorite Akron at McGuirk Arena.
Central Michigan is 10-5 overall and 0-2 in conference playing, falling 85-63 at Eastern Michigan and 87-83 at Northern Illinois.
Akron enters with a 12-3 record, having won five in a row including its first two MAC games at home versus Bowling Green (89-84) and Western Michigan (66-59).