Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wednesday, February 18
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Buffalo
Photo by: Scott W. Grau/Icon SMI
Eagles Close Out Homestand with Buffalo on Wednesday Night
2/17/2015 1:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eastern Michigan will take on the Bulls at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center
| Game Notes | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team has won back-to-back games and hopes to make it three in a row Wednesday, Feb. 18, when the Eagles (16-9, 5-7 MAC) welcome the University at Buffalo to the Convocation Center for a 7 p.m. contest in Ypsilanti. The Bulls (15-9, 6-6 MAC) are coming off of three-straight losses, including a pair at home.
Wednesday night's game will be "Study Break Night" at the Convocation Center. EMU students are invited to enjoy food, massages, hair cuts and many other relaxing activities at the game. In addition, the first 500 fans will receive an EMU spirit hair piece to wear during the EMU/UB contest.
FINDING THE GAME AT HOME: The Eastern Michigan versus Buffalo matchup can be found on 89.1 FM WEMU and Eagle All-Access. Fans can dial into 89.1 FM or listen over the internet to the smooth sounds of veteran play-by-play voice, Chad Bush. Joining Bush on the call will be analyst Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Sean Hostetter.
For those who prefer to watch the game, it will be broadcast on Eastern's live webstreaming service Eagle All-Access. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95 and can be purchased at EMUEagles.com/watch. The pregame show and analysis will begin at 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday.
ALL-TIME VERSUS BUFFALO: The Eagles are behind in the series with Buffalo by just one game, as they trail by a tally of 11-10. EMU has gone back-and-forth with the Bulls the last three seasons, falling in Alumni Arena, 65-47, Jan. 24, 2012. However, the Eagles retaliated with a 65-46 victory at the Convocation Center, Feb. 6, 2013. Last year, the Green and White saw the Bulls on a pair of occasions, falling 76-66 at Buffalo, Jan. 11, 2014, before getting revenge in a 69-64 MAC Tournament quarterfinal victory, March 14, 2014. Eastern rallied from a double-digit deficit to knock off the Bulls and make it to the MAC semifinals for the first time since 1997-98.
In that quarterfinal matchup, Karrington Ward paced the Green and White in scoring with 19 points. The junior college transfer shot 7-of-9 from the field, including four from the perimeter. Mike Talley added 12 while being clutch from the charity stripe, going 10-of-12 from the line. Glenn Bryant and Raven Lee both tallied nine as Bryant pulled down seven rebounds, tying for a team-high with Ward..
A LOOK AT THE BULLS: Buffalo comes into the midweek contest with a 15-9 record, going 6-6 in Mid-American Conference play. The Bulls have dropped their previous three games, but the 0-3 record is a bit misleading as they've dropped each game by a combined seven points, including a one-point, 75-74, loss at home to Central Michigan, Feb. 14. In addition, the three losses are to teams with a combined MAC record of 24-12.
WARD NAMED MAC WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Karrington Ward was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday, Feb. 16. It is the first time the Lockport, Ill. native has garnered the award in his career.
Ward put together an incredible week as the Eagles went 2-0, defeating Miami and Akron in back-to-back games. The six-foot seven-inch high flier averaged 18.5 points and 10 rebounds over the week, playing 37-of-40 minutes in each of the victories. Ward shot 52.2 percent from the floor, while knocking down 60 percent of his three point shot attempts. In addition, he hit 77.8 percent of his free throw opportunities while playing gritty defense, blocking two shots per game and picking the opponent's pocket once per contest.
LEE GOES OFF....AGAIN: Raven Lee has shown that he is one of the most talented offensive players in the MAC this season, putting up 30-or-more points in two games this year, most recently against Akron, Feb. 14, when he notched 32. In fact, Lee has posted double-figure scoring performances in all but one conference game this season. The Detroit, Mich. native is averaging 16.4 points per game, which is tied for second in the conference. In addition, he is one of the best free throw shooters in the league, knocking down 80.3 percent of his opportunities at the charity stripe.
ROMULUS RECONNECTION: In the Eastern Michigan versus Buffalo contest, there will be five individuals that will have met prior to their time at their respective institutions. For the Eagles, Raven Lee will hit the floor, while Buffalo brings four individuals to the Convocation Center which will be familiar. In fact, Lee and Buffalo's Justin Moss, Raheem Johnson and Christian Pino all played for Nate Oates at Romulus High School. Oates is now an assistant coach on UB's staff under Bobby Hurley.
THAT'S A FIRST: Head Coach Rob Murphy had yet to defeat an Akron Zips team since taking over prior to the 2011-12 campaign. That changed Feb. 14, when the Eagles took on UA at the Convocation Center. A dominating offensive performance by Raven Lee (32 points) and Karrington Ward's sixth double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) of the season led the Green and White to a 78-75 victory over Akron.
WHEN THEY'RE HOT, THEY'RE HOT: Its safe to say that the Eagles have three dynamic scorers in Raven Lee, Mike Talley and Karrington Ward. In fact, when any two of these three can score 15-or-more points in a single game, the Eagles have been quite successful. In games when at least two of these three student-athletes score 15-or-more points, the Green and White is 8-2. Lee has been involved in all nine games. When the Detroit, Mich. native teams up with Talley the Eagles are 3-1, with Ward, they're 4-1 and when all three score at least 15, Eastern Michigan is 1-0 on the year.
MIXING THINGS UP: Head Coach Rob Murphy has yet to find his go-to starting lineup this season. At the beginning of the year, it looked as though Ethan Alvano, Raven Lee, Anali Okoloji, Karrington Ward and Mike Samuels had their starting positions locked down. However, that lineup changed 11 games into the season. Only Lee and Ward have remained permanent fixtures, while Mike Talley has taken over the starting role at point guard, Brandon Nazione has moved between a pair of spots and Tim Bond has received two starts. Overall on the season, Murphy has used 10 different starting groups.
LEE LIKES THE MAC: Since Mid-American Conference play began, Raven Lee is averaging 18.3 points per game. In addition to his gaudy MAC season scoring numbers, Lee has been on fire as of late. The Detroit, Mich. native has scored in double-figures all of the last nine games, while posting 20.6 per contest. The redshirt-sophomore is shooting at a 42.6 percent clip, while knocking down 40 percent of his three-point attempts and 85.1 percent of his free throw opportunities.
WHERE WE STAND: Although we're past the midway point of the 2015 Mid-American Conference season and we've learned, well, not a lot, as there are many teams still in the running for the coveted top-four positions. Currently, Bowling Green holds sole possession of first with a 9-3 record, while Akron, Central Michigan, Kent State and Toledo are each jockeying for the No. 2 spot at 8-4. Tied for sixth are Buffalo and Western Michigan, while the Eagles sit at 5-7 for the No. 8 spot. Miami, Northern Illinois and Ohio are each a single game behind EMU, while Ball State rests in the basement at 2-10.
Wednesday night's game will be "Study Break Night" at the Convocation Center. EMU students are invited to enjoy food, massages, hair cuts and many other relaxing activities at the game. In addition, the first 500 fans will receive an EMU spirit hair piece to wear during the EMU/UB contest.
FINDING THE GAME AT HOME: The Eastern Michigan versus Buffalo matchup can be found on 89.1 FM WEMU and Eagle All-Access. Fans can dial into 89.1 FM or listen over the internet to the smooth sounds of veteran play-by-play voice, Chad Bush. Joining Bush on the call will be analyst Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Sean Hostetter.
For those who prefer to watch the game, it will be broadcast on Eastern's live webstreaming service Eagle All-Access. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95 and can be purchased at EMUEagles.com/watch. The pregame show and analysis will begin at 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday.
ALL-TIME VERSUS BUFFALO: The Eagles are behind in the series with Buffalo by just one game, as they trail by a tally of 11-10. EMU has gone back-and-forth with the Bulls the last three seasons, falling in Alumni Arena, 65-47, Jan. 24, 2012. However, the Eagles retaliated with a 65-46 victory at the Convocation Center, Feb. 6, 2013. Last year, the Green and White saw the Bulls on a pair of occasions, falling 76-66 at Buffalo, Jan. 11, 2014, before getting revenge in a 69-64 MAC Tournament quarterfinal victory, March 14, 2014. Eastern rallied from a double-digit deficit to knock off the Bulls and make it to the MAC semifinals for the first time since 1997-98.
In that quarterfinal matchup, Karrington Ward paced the Green and White in scoring with 19 points. The junior college transfer shot 7-of-9 from the field, including four from the perimeter. Mike Talley added 12 while being clutch from the charity stripe, going 10-of-12 from the line. Glenn Bryant and Raven Lee both tallied nine as Bryant pulled down seven rebounds, tying for a team-high with Ward..
LIKELY LOOK FOR THE BULLS...
| # | Name | Pos. | Cl. | Ht. | Wt. | ppg | rpg | apg | Hometown-Previous School |
| 1 | Lamonte Bearden | G | Fr. | 6-3 | 160 | 8.1 | 2.8 | 4.5 | Milwaukee, Wis.-Germantown |
| 10 | Jarryn Skeete | G | Jr. | 6-3 | 175 | 9.8 | 3.2 | 1.8 | Brampton, Ontario-Bridgton Academy |
| 11 | Shannon Evans | G | So. | 6-1 | 170 | 15.1 | 3.2 | 4.5 | Suffolk, Va.-Hargrave Academy |
| 23 | Justin Moss | F | Jr. | 6-7 | 240 | 18.7 | 9.1 | 0.6 | Detroit, Mich.-Indian Hills |
| 35 | Xavier Ford | F | Sr. | 6-8 | 215 | 9.4 | 6.2 | 0.8 | Colorado Springs, Colo.-Harrison |
A LOOK AT THE BULLS: Buffalo comes into the midweek contest with a 15-9 record, going 6-6 in Mid-American Conference play. The Bulls have dropped their previous three games, but the 0-3 record is a bit misleading as they've dropped each game by a combined seven points, including a one-point, 75-74, loss at home to Central Michigan, Feb. 14. In addition, the three losses are to teams with a combined MAC record of 24-12.
WARD NAMED MAC WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Karrington Ward was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday, Feb. 16. It is the first time the Lockport, Ill. native has garnered the award in his career.
Ward put together an incredible week as the Eagles went 2-0, defeating Miami and Akron in back-to-back games. The six-foot seven-inch high flier averaged 18.5 points and 10 rebounds over the week, playing 37-of-40 minutes in each of the victories. Ward shot 52.2 percent from the floor, while knocking down 60 percent of his three point shot attempts. In addition, he hit 77.8 percent of his free throw opportunities while playing gritty defense, blocking two shots per game and picking the opponent's pocket once per contest.
LEE GOES OFF....AGAIN: Raven Lee has shown that he is one of the most talented offensive players in the MAC this season, putting up 30-or-more points in two games this year, most recently against Akron, Feb. 14, when he notched 32. In fact, Lee has posted double-figure scoring performances in all but one conference game this season. The Detroit, Mich. native is averaging 16.4 points per game, which is tied for second in the conference. In addition, he is one of the best free throw shooters in the league, knocking down 80.3 percent of his opportunities at the charity stripe.
ROMULUS RECONNECTION: In the Eastern Michigan versus Buffalo contest, there will be five individuals that will have met prior to their time at their respective institutions. For the Eagles, Raven Lee will hit the floor, while Buffalo brings four individuals to the Convocation Center which will be familiar. In fact, Lee and Buffalo's Justin Moss, Raheem Johnson and Christian Pino all played for Nate Oates at Romulus High School. Oates is now an assistant coach on UB's staff under Bobby Hurley.
THAT'S A FIRST: Head Coach Rob Murphy had yet to defeat an Akron Zips team since taking over prior to the 2011-12 campaign. That changed Feb. 14, when the Eagles took on UA at the Convocation Center. A dominating offensive performance by Raven Lee (32 points) and Karrington Ward's sixth double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) of the season led the Green and White to a 78-75 victory over Akron.
WHEN THEY'RE HOT, THEY'RE HOT: Its safe to say that the Eagles have three dynamic scorers in Raven Lee, Mike Talley and Karrington Ward. In fact, when any two of these three can score 15-or-more points in a single game, the Eagles have been quite successful. In games when at least two of these three student-athletes score 15-or-more points, the Green and White is 8-2. Lee has been involved in all nine games. When the Detroit, Mich. native teams up with Talley the Eagles are 3-1, with Ward, they're 4-1 and when all three score at least 15, Eastern Michigan is 1-0 on the year.
MIXING THINGS UP: Head Coach Rob Murphy has yet to find his go-to starting lineup this season. At the beginning of the year, it looked as though Ethan Alvano, Raven Lee, Anali Okoloji, Karrington Ward and Mike Samuels had their starting positions locked down. However, that lineup changed 11 games into the season. Only Lee and Ward have remained permanent fixtures, while Mike Talley has taken over the starting role at point guard, Brandon Nazione has moved between a pair of spots and Tim Bond has received two starts. Overall on the season, Murphy has used 10 different starting groups.
LEE LIKES THE MAC: Since Mid-American Conference play began, Raven Lee is averaging 18.3 points per game. In addition to his gaudy MAC season scoring numbers, Lee has been on fire as of late. The Detroit, Mich. native has scored in double-figures all of the last nine games, while posting 20.6 per contest. The redshirt-sophomore is shooting at a 42.6 percent clip, while knocking down 40 percent of his three-point attempts and 85.1 percent of his free throw opportunities.
WHERE WE STAND: Although we're past the midway point of the 2015 Mid-American Conference season and we've learned, well, not a lot, as there are many teams still in the running for the coveted top-four positions. Currently, Bowling Green holds sole possession of first with a 9-3 record, while Akron, Central Michigan, Kent State and Toledo are each jockeying for the No. 2 spot at 8-4. Tied for sixth are Buffalo and Western Michigan, while the Eagles sit at 5-7 for the No. 8 spot. Miami, Northern Illinois and Ohio are each a single game behind EMU, while Ball State rests in the basement at 2-10.
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