The first-round Mid-American Conference Basketball Championship game in McGuirk Arena on Monday is meaningful in several ways to the Central Michigan men's basketball team and its fans.
• Something new: It's the first time the men have played host to a first-round MAC Basketball Tournament game. The winner will advance to Cleveland to face No. 1 seed Buffalo on Thursday.
• A victory would extend the Chippewas' late-season surge. They are coming off two consecutive convincing victories that helped them snare the No. 8 seed and the right to host a first-round game.