After starting 6-2 in Mid-American Conference play, nine losses in Central Michigan's final 10 games sent the program spiraling from the top of the mountain all the way to the bottom. Each loss looked progressively worse, whether it be poor shooting, a lack of rebounding, sloppy passing or just bad defense.

There was the performance on senior night, where leaders such as David DiLeo, Rob Montgomery and Dallas Morgan showed life and built momentum heading into the MAC Tournament. And yet, that momentum was erased from the tip-off of the tournament opener, when Ohio rolled the visiting Chippewas 85-65.

But that was supposed to be the all-time low.

And yet, the start to the Chippewas' 2020-21 season seems to have created a new low in the Keno Davis era. With a 92-73 loss to Flagler College, a Division II opponent, the Chippewas fell to 0-3 with back-to-back blowout losses. In their first three games, the Chippewas have struggled to stay with faster, better shooting opponents.

With Davis at the helm, the Chippewas have built an identity around the ability to score at a high volume, beat opponents in transition and putting the ball in the hands of their guards. And in the beginning, with the efforts of Marcus Keene, Braylon Rayson and Chris Fowler, the Chippewas were able to do that. Davis quickly racked up two MAC West titles.

Yet, since the 2014-15 season, the Chippewas have yet to get to the MAC Tournament championship game. They've made the semifinals just twice. The results just aren't there.

The Chippewas have played relatively soft non-conference schedules in years past, though last season's slate was arguably the most loaded of any Davis non-conference portion. Playing these light non-conference schedules allowed Davis to experiment with the players at disposal, and helped to build confidence while the Chippewas racked up wins.

But if Wednesday's game against Flagler teaches any lesson, it may be the fact that the Chippewas may not be the non-conference juggernaut they've been in years past. And Rayson himself weighed in on Twitter following the loss to the Saints.

As a CMU alumni, that Shit ain't acceptable
— Braylon Rayson (@B_Rayson2) December 3, 2020

There's also the issue of recruiting. Some of the best players in Chippewa history have been brought in by Davis, and a majority have been brought in and developed as freshmen. Rayson, DiLeo and Kevin McKay come to mind, guys who entered the program fresh out of high school and developed into key contributors.

And yet, Davis continues to fill his recruiting classes with players from across the junior college ranks. While he's certainly connected on some of these recruits, Shawn Roundtree Jr., Larry Austin Jr., Morgan and Montgomery are evidence, many of these recruits simply fill the rotation and contribute sparingly.

Davis did reel in a pair of quality freshmen in guard Ra'Shad Weekly-McDaniels and forward Aundre Polk. But while Polk has cracked the starting lineup, Weekly-McDaniels appears to have a very limited role having played in just one of the season's first three games. In what appears to be a rebuilding season, it would be beneficial to get him minutes. Starting point guard Devontae Lane, who has been billed as a facilitator, has gone two games without an assist.

Playing Weekly-McDaniels may result in turnovers but could do wonders for his development. McKay, DiLeo and Rayson all received significant playing time as freshmen, and all three turned out to be top notch players.

Instead, Weekly-McDaniels and redshirt freshman Dylan Jergens -- who came to CMU as a walk-on but was one of the most prolific scorers in MHSAA history -- remain on the bench. It's clear that Davis wants to be competitive within the MAC this season, but through three games it's apparent that he may just not have the team to do so.

If Davis is able to turn the ship around and build a competitor within the MAC, it will prove to be an impressive turnaround worthy of another shot.

If he can't, then enough is enough. If this is what CMU brings to the table, then it's time for a change.