Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men's Hoops Travels to Bowling Green
2/9/2007 7:18:40 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles look to snap three-game skid
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EAGLES TRAVEL TO BOWLING GREEN FOR CROSS-DIVISIONAL GAME
: The men’s hoops squad travels to Bowling Green in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional tilt, Saturday afternoon, Feb 10, at Anderson Arena. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. The Eagles are 8-15 (3-7 MAC) on the year and enter the game after falling at home to Miami, 74-64, Feb. 7 at the Convocation Center. Meanwhile, the Falcons are 11-12 (2-8 MAC) following a 73-51 road loss to Northern Illinois, Feb. 7.THE SERIES: This is the 79th meeting between the two schools with Bowling Green leading the series, 43-35. The Falcons have won the last three meetings and holds a 9-3 advantage in the last 12 games. Last season, the Falcons swept the season series defeating the Eagles, 79-72, at the Convocation Center, Jan. 18, 2006 and 73-71 at Anderson Arena, Feb. 7, 2006. EMU has not defeated Bowling Green since the 2003-04 season when the Eagles tallied a 78-75 victory in Ypsilanti, March 4, 2004.
SCOUTING THE FALCONS: Bowling Green has two players averaging in double figures and is lead by senior guard and MAC leading scorer Martin Samarco who averaging an impressive 19.6 points per game. Samarco is shooting 41.7 percent from the field (151-of-362) and 33.9 percent from three point range (57-of-168). Sophomore forward Nate Miller is second on the team in scoring averaging 13.7 ppg with 112 rebounds. As a team, the Falcons lead the conference in field goal percentage defense at 40.3 percent.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
EMU (8-15) BGSU (11-12)
63.9 Scoring Offense 64.3
70.7 Scoring Defense 65.7
-6.7 Scoring Margin -1.4
41.9 Field Goal Percentage 43.7
47.4 Field Goal Percentage Def. 40.8
35.2 3-Pt. Field Goal Percentage 33.1
36.2 3-Pt. Field Goal Percent. Def 33.9
7.22 3-Point Field Goals Made 6.04
69.3 Free Throw Percentage 69.3
31.3 Rebounding Offense 31.3
33.1 Rebounding Defense 33.1
-1.8 Rebounding Margin -2.6
11.4 Assists 14.0
7.2 Steals 8.0
1.9 Blocked Shots 3.7
-1.4 Turnover Margin +0.7
0.7 Assist/Turnover Ratio 0.9
11.00 Offensive Rebounds 11.00
20.26 Defensive Rebounds 23.43
HALL OF FAME FEB. 10: The 31st Annual EMU Athletic Hall of Fame, sponsored by the E-Club Alumni Chapter, was held Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in the atrium of the Convocation Center. The Class of 2006 included: Greg Howe (baseball), Carole Huston (athletic administration), Dazel Jules (men’s track), Peter Linn (men’s-women’s swimming head coach), Bob Lints (football), Nikki (Stubbs) Douglas (volleyball), and Gary Tyson (men’s basketball).
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR THE MAC TOURNAMENT: College basketball is back and more exciting than ever at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena when MAC Madness returns March 4-10. In a conference first, each of the twelve schools will send both men’s and women’s teams to "The Q" to battle for the MAC Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Prepare yourself for the fiercest MAC competition yet as the league boasts a field of talented and balanced teams. Be sure to catch all of the heart-pounding, slam-dunk action when all 24 teams invade Cleveland. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this historic tournament and see which two teams fight their way to the top. To order tickets contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.2282.
MEN’S HOOPS DRAWS MANHATTAN FOR BRACKETBUSTER SATURDAY, FEB. 17: The EMU men’s basketball team will square off against Manhattan College from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Convocation Center. The announcement was made Jan. 30 as part of the BracketBuster presented by ESPNU and O’Reilly Auto Parts’ pool release. The time for the contest is 4 p.m. and will be the second leg of a doubleheader with the EMU women’s basketball team taking on Toledo at 2 p.m. This marks the fourth consecutive year the Eagles have participated in a BracketBuster contest.
FILLING THE VOID: When sophomore point guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright) was lost for the rest of the season due to a broken right foot, Coach Ramsey has called upon junior Jarred Axon (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson-Schoolcraft C.C.) and freshman Devon Dumes (Indianapolis, Ind.-Decatur Central) to help fill the point-guard void. Axon got the nod to start in the Eagles’ first game without Medlock, against MAC East Division leader Akron, (Jan. 31) at the Convocation Center. Since Medlock’s absence, Dumes has come off the bench moving from shooting guard to point guard leading the Eagles twice in scoring with 12 points vs. Akron and 13 points at Kent State (Feb. 3). Axon led EMU in scoring against Miami (Feb. 7) with 14 points which was one shy of his career high. This season, Axon is averaging 5.5 ppg with 29 assists and 13 steals while Dumes is scoring 7.4 ppg with 34 assists and 24 steals.
SUNDAY OUTING: EMU’s victory over Buffalo Sunday, Jan 28, was the first of three Sunday outings for the Eagles in the 2007 portion of the schedule. EMU is slated to host Ball State Sunday, Feb. 25, in a 2 p.m. game that is scheduled for Comcast Local television coverage. Eastern will close out the regular season with a Sunday, March 4, date at Northern Illinois.
EMU MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES TO BE TELEVISED ON COMCAST LOCAL:
The EMU men will have at least four games televised during the upcoming 16-game Mid-American Conference schedule. The league has dropped from an 18-game ledger down to 16 games this season. Comcast Local (channel 8 in Ypsilanti) is available in approximately two million households throughout the state of Michigan along with the markets of Muncie, Ind., Indianapolis, Ind. and Fort Wayne, Ind.Comcast Local Dates
Date Opponent Result/Time
Jan. 13 at Ball State W, 56-52
Jan. 20 at West. Mich. L, 80-84
Feb. 13 at Toledo 7 p.m.
Feb. 25 vs. Ball State 2 p.m.
THE LAST TIME OUT, EAGLES DOWNED BY MIAMI: n a game that was neck and neck until the end, the EMU men’s basketball team could not get defensive stops when it needed them most. Down six, the Eagles had a chance to get closer but a turnover and two made free throws allowed visiting Miami to escape with a 74-64 victory Wednesday night (Feb. 7) in the Convocation Center. EMU (8-15, 3-7 MAC) notched one of its best shooting performances of the season, hitting an impressive 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) in the first half and 23-of-47 (48.9 percent) for the game. However, Miami (11-11, 7-3 MAC) was too strong and shot 26-of-45 (57.8 percent) from the floor and continuously kept the Eagles from gaining any sort of major momentum.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Three EMU players are near the top in the latest Mid-American Conference statistical report.
Scoring
15. Carlos Medlock 13.2
25. Jesse Bunkley 10.6
Rebounding
16. Brandon Bowdry 5.2
Assists
9. Carlos Medlock 3.32
Free Throw Percentage
3. Carlos Medlock 73-87 (83.9)
Steals
3. Carlos Medlock 1.84
3-Point Field Goal %
14. Jesse Bunkley 54-145 (37.2)
3-Point Field Goal Made
5. Jesse Bunkley 2.35
14. Carlos Medlock 1.58
Asst./Turnover Ratio
10. Carlos Medlock 0.89
Offensive Rebounding
12. Brandon Bowdry 2.00
MEDLOCK OUT FOR SEASON: Sophomore point guard Carlos Medlock (Detroit, Mich.-Murrary Wright) will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a broken right foot head coach Charles E. Ramsey announced Jan. 29. The 6-foot, 170-pound guard, suffered the injury during the second half of the Eagles’ 89-76 victory over Buffalo in the Convocation Center, Jan., 28. "This is an adverse blow to our team," said Charles E. Ramsey. "Any time you lose your floor general and leading scorer, it hurts, but we have young men that now get an opportunity to fill the void and grow in our program."
MEDLOCK’S PRODUCTION WILL BE MISSED: Despite his season ending injury, Sophomore Carlos Medlock still leads the team with 63 assists which also ranks ninth in the MAC. As a team, the Eagles have tallied 307 assists which ranks ninth in the league. The point guard also led all EMU scorers with double digits in nine games this season, tallying 23 points vs. Davidson (Nov. 10), 13 vs. Central Conn. State (Nov. 11) ,11 at Detroit (Nov. 29), 20 vs. N. Colorado (Dec. 21), 23 vs. North Dakota State (Jan. 3), 15 vs. Central Michigan (Jan. 6), 18 vs. Toledo (Jan. 16), 23 at Western Michigan (Jan. 20) and a career-high 26 vs. Buffalo (Jan 28).
BENCH PLAYERS HELPING OUT: So far this season, the bench players for the men’s basketball team have more then held their own when called upon by head coach Charles E. Ramsey. Bench players have scored 593-of-1,470 (40.3 percent) of the Eagles’ total points while hitting 72-of-166 total three pointers with 111-of-263 assists. Defensively, bench players have tallied 329-of-719 rebounds, 57-of-165 steals and 16-of-42 blocks.
MR. INTANGIBLE: EMU junior guard Travis Lewis (Kalamazoo, Mich.-Loy Norrix) returned home Saturday, Jan. 20, when the Eagles took on Western Michigan. Lewis graduated from Kalamazoo’s Loy Norrix H.S. before signing with EMU and played a complete game tallying seven points, a season -high three steals and six rebounds with one assist and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. Lewis is not asked to score a lot of points but he does everything else with his nonstop hustle and 100 percent effort on every play. Since his return to the basketball team after playing football as a starting wide receiver, Lewis has tallied 31 assists, 21 steals, 63 rebounds and one block in 16 games.
HITTING FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE: The EMU men’s basketball team is currently fifth in the MAC in free throw percentage, connecting on 302-of-436 shots (69.3 percent) from the line. Carlos Medlock leads the team, hitting 73-of-87 free throws for an 83.9 percent clip which ranks third in MAC free-throw percentage. Jarred Axon is 29-for-35 (82.9 percent) while Craig Cashen (Cincinnati, Ohio-St. Xavier) has hit 15-of-18 for 83.3 percent.
TRIFECTA, YOU BET YA: EMU ranks sixth in the MAC in three-point field goal percentage (35.4 percent) and third in three-pointers made, hitting 160-of-452 attempts. Junior Jesse Bunkley (Detroit, Mich.-CMA-Mott C.C.), sophomore Carlos Medlock and freshman Devon Dumes have established themselves as the go-to- guys from three-point range. So far, Bunkley has connected on 54-of-145 tries (37.2 percent), Medlock has knocked down 30-of-85 shots (35.3 percent) while Dumes has hit 33-of-107 attempts (30.8 percent). Bunkley also currently ranks fifth in the MAC with his 52 three-pointers (2.35 per game). Defensively, EMU is 10th in three-point field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 36.2 percent from beyond the arc.
COACHES CHECK IN: All 12 Mid-American Conference men’s head basketball coach will take part in a weekly teleconference each Monday morning of the season. The call-in schedule is listed below and the number is 719.457.2679.
Time Coach
10:00-10:07 Steve Hawkins (WMU)
10:08-10:15 Stan Joplin (Toledo)
10:16-10:23 Rob Judson (NIU)
10:24-10:31 Reggie Witherspoon (Buff.)
10:32-10:39 Ernie Zeigler (CMU)
10:40-10:47 Ronny Thompson (BSU)
10:48-10:56 Tim O’Shea (Ohio)
10:57-11:04 Charlie Coles (Miami)
11:05-11:12 Jim Christian (KSU)
11:13-11:20 Charles E. Ramsey (EMU)
11:21-11:28 Dan Dakich (BGSU)
11:29-11:36 Keith Dambrot (Akron)
DEFENSE IS STEALING THE SHOW: The Eagles are seventh in the MAC in steals with 165 (7.17 per game). The team notched a season-high 18 steals versus Davidson (Nov. 10) and 12 against CCSU (Nov. 11). The 18 steals was the most tallied by the team since it got 22 rips against Navy, 1-7-04. Sophomore Carlos Medlock ranks third in the MAC in steals with 35 on the year (1.84 per game).
NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE WAS NO CUPCAKE: EMU entered the Mid-American Conference section of the schedule battle tested as the Eagles have played some very tough competition. Six of the Eagles’ non-conference opponents have outstanding records. Davidson (19-4), Michigan (16-7), Marquette (19-4), San Diego (13-9), Tulsa (14-6) and North Dakota State (13-6) are a combined 94-36 on the year.
CLEANING THE GLASS: The Eagles have out-rebounded six teams this season, Northern Colorado by 13, 41-28, (Dec. 21), Chicago State by 20, 44-22, (Dec. 9), Northern Illinois by three, 38-35, Toledo by seven, 31-24 (Jan. 16), Western Michigan by six, (Jan. 20) and Akron by two, 31-29 (Jan. 31). The Eagles are 2-4 in games in which they out-rebound their opponent. Freshman Brandon Bowdry (Taylor, Mich.-Truman) leads the team and is 16th in the MAC with 120 total rebounds (46 offensive, 74 defensive) for a 5.2 average. His 45 offensive rebounds ranks 12th in the MAC (2.00).
EAGLES PUTTING THE CLAMPS ON DEFENSIVELY: EMU has held 10 of its last 15 foes to 70 points or fewer. The last time EMU held five straight Division I opponents under 70 points was in the 1991 post season. At the MAC tournament, EMU limited Kent to 47, BG to 66 and Toledo to 66. At the NCAA tourney, EMU held Mississippi State to 56 and Penn State to 68. Over the first eight games this year, EMU posted a 1-7 record while allowing its opponents 76.6 points-per-game compared to 63.6 by the Eagles for a -13 scoring margin. Over the last 15 games, EMU has posted a 7-8 record and limited its competition to 67.5 ppg while scoring64.1 ppg for a -3.4 scoring margin.
MATTHEWS-DOBBINS ESTABLISHING INSIDE PRESENCE: Junior James Matthews (Detroit, Mich.-Denby-Marquette) and freshman Justin Dobbins Cleveland, Ohio-Glenville) have added depth and productivity to the Eagles’ front line. After sitting out the first eight games, Matthews returned to the team against Northern Colorado (Dec. 21) and grabbed six boards with four points. He also scored a season-high 12 points against IPFW (Dec. 31). Dobbins returned to the team from a foot injury after missing the first five games and has notched 69 rebounds while scoring 5.0 ppg in 17 games. He scored a career-best 12 points against Eastern Illinois (Dec. 28).
