Omaha Comes to the Convocation Center to Take on Men's Hoops

Men's Basketball vs. Omaha
Date	Saturday, Nov. 26 \| 1 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center (8,784)
Game Notes	EMU Game Notes \| Omaha Game Notes
Live Stats	EMUEagles.com
Watch	ESPN 3
Listen	89.1 FM WEMU
Twitter	@EMUHoops \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- After enjoying all the Thanksgiving fixings, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team returns to the hardwood Saturday, Nov. 26, to square off with the University of Nebraska Omaha. Game time between the Eagles (3-3) and Mavericks (2-3) is set for 1 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

The Green and White come into the contest after putting on an offensive clinic versus Madonna in a 97-60 win earlier this week, Nov. 23. On the flip side, Omaha did much of the same as Eastern Michigan in their game versus Buena VIsta. The Mavericks took down Buena Vista, 112-65, on a Tuesday night matchup, Nov. 22.

FINDING THE GAME AT HOME: The Eastern Michigan versus Omaha matchup will have both audio and video on Saturday. Fans can dial into 89.1 FM or listen over the internet at WEMU.org to hear the smooth sounds of veteran play-by-play voice, Chad Bush. Joining Bush on the call this season will be analyst Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director Sean Hostetter. Coverage on 89.1 WEMU will begin 10 minutes prior to the tip of each game this year.

Following the addition of its own brand new mobile television unit, all EMU men's and women's basketball games will be streamed live on ESPN3. Ryan Wooley will provide the play-by-play coverage for the ESPN3 broadcast, while EMU Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations Greg Steiner will be alongside Wooley for analysis.

ALL-TIME VERSUS THE MAVERICKS: Saturday's contest with the Mavericks will be the second time that Omaha and Eastern Michigan will square off on the hardwood. The Eagles own a 1-0 edge all-time versus the Omaha, Neb.-based institution and look to remain perfect versus the Summit League foe. The only other time these two squads met, the Green and White notched an 80-73 victory a season ago, Dec. 1, 2015.

LIKELY LOOK FOR OMAHA...

#	Name	Pos.	Cl.	Ht.	Wt.	ppg	rpg	apg	Hometown-Previous School
15	Tre'Shawn Thurman	F	Jr.-Jr.	6-7	230	12.0	6.2	1.2	Omaha, Neb.-Omaha Central
21	Zach Jackson	G	So.-So.	6-5	185	10.8	5.4	0.6	Wichita, Kan.-Wichita East
23	Marcus Tyus	G	Sr.-Sr.	6-1	190	11.2	2.0	1.2	Ramsey, Minn.-Anoka
24	Tra-Deon Hollins	G	Sr.-Sr.	6-2	195	10.4	3.8	7.2	Omaha, Neb.-Chipola College
32	Daniel Meyer	F	Jr.-Jr.	6-9	250	5.0	4.2	0.4	Billings, Mont.-Wright State

LAST TIME OUT: The Eagles were dominant, coming away with a 97-60 win Wednesday, Nov. 23, when they hosted Madonna. The Green and White shot at a blistering 60.3 percent clip, while outrebounding the Crusaders on the way to victory.

James Thompson IV was dominant for the Eagles, leading the offensive onslaught for the Green and White. Thompson scored 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks for his fourth double-double of the year. Ray Lee chipped in 20 points and Willie Mangum IV added 17, while Ty Toney notched 10 points in the win.

FILLING IT UP: EMU combo-guard Ray Lee has already posted four 20-or-more point performances. A season ago, Lee totaled five 20-plus point games. Currently averaging 19.3 points per contest, the Detroit, Mich. native has the best scoring average by an Eagle since Brandon Bowdry averaged 19.9 points per game during the 2010-11 campaign. Additionally, Lee is on pace to score 617 points through the regular season and one Mid-American Conference Tournament game. That number would be the eighth-most scored in a single season by an Eagle. Should he keep that pace, Lee would finish his career third in Eastern Michigan scoring history.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE: EMU sophomore James Thomspon IV has proven to be one of the premier frontcourt players in the Mid-American Conference and country through his short time at Eastern Michigan. The Baton Rouge, La. native has racked up 23 double-doubles in just 39 games donning the Green and White. That number ranks as the seventh-most double-doubles recorded in EMU history. The 6-foot-10 forward needs just four more to jump up to sixth in the all-time rankings.

STREAKING AT THE CONVO: In the metaphorical sense, the Eagles have been streaking at the Convo, winning its last nine contests in their home building. Eastern's home win streak dates back to Feb. 2, 2016, when it posted a 25-point, 94-69, win over Miami. Since that win, the Eagles have a perfect record at home.

TURNING OVER THE COMPETITION: Eastern Michigan has continued its dominance on the defensive end of the floor. The Eagles are forcing an average of 19.3 turnovers per game. As of Nov. 25, that number ranked 22nd in the country and is first in the Mid-American Conference. The Green and White has forced the opposition into 20-or-more turnovers on two occasions and 15-or-more on four different dates. EMU saw its season-high of 24 in the victory over Gardner-Webb, Nov. 18, in Indianapolis.

NATIONALLY SPEAKING: As of Nov. 25, the Eagles are near the top of the country in multiple categories. As a team, Eastern Michigan is third in the nation in total steals (68), while Ray Lee is the 10th active leading scorer in the country. Lee also ranks 12th in the country in free throws made (36) and sits in 24th in free throw attempts (41). Additionally, James Thompson IV is one of the best rebounders in the country with 69 total rebounds, ranking fourth. In addition, Thompson's four double-doubles are the most in NCAA Division I basketball, while his 11.5 rebounds per game ranks 12th in the country. Ty Toney has emerged as one of the top defensive players in the country as well. The Atlanta, Ga. native has 15 total steals which ranks as the seventh most in the country, while his 2.5 swipes per game are the 27th best in NCAA Division I basketball.

As a team, the Eagles are third in the country in total steals with 68, while ranking sixth in steals per game (11.3).

LASER FROM LONG RANGE: EMU's Willie Mangum IV has been known to spark the Eastern Michigan offense from time to time. He did just that in the Eagles' victory over Gardner-Webb, Nov. 18. With EMU looking at a 14-0 deficit, the senior guard began his offensive onslaught throughout the game. Mangum connected on 8-of-10 shooting overall, while knocking down 6-of-7 three-point field goal attempts. The three-point shooting ranks as the best percentage in a single game with at least seven attempts in EMU history. In total, Mangum racked up 28 points in the victory.

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK: After trailing by as many as 14 points early on in their contest with Gardner-Webb, Nov. 18, the Eagles were able to turn the tide thanks in large part to its hot three-point shooting. Trailing 14-3, the Green and White went on a 21-6 run and eventually went up by two, 31-29, before an 11-1 run pushed the lead to 42-30. EMU was able to hold on to that lead through the final 20 minutes of play, eventually winning the game, 76-68.

MURPHY AND NON-DI OPPONENTS: Eastern Michigan's men's basketball program has been perfect in its games versus non-NCAA Division I opponents since Rob Murphy took over prior to the 2011-12 campaign. Currently, the Eagles are 16-0 versus opponents from outside the NCAA Division I ranks since the 2011-12 season.

CHARITY CHAMPIONS: A season ago, EMU converted 72.1 percent of its free throw attempts, marking the third-best free throw percentage as a team in Eastern Michigan history. To this point of the season, the 2016-17 Eagles are hitting their free throws at an 75.5 percent clip, which would break the EMU all-time record of 72.9 percent.

In addition, EMU's Ray Lee has continued to show his worth at the free throw line in the early goings of this year. The Detroit, Mich. native ranks eighth overall in EMU history for free throws made (392), while also being tied for ninth in career free throw percentage (.786). This season, the 6-foot-3 combo guard connected on his first 19 free throw attempts this year.

CHASING 100: EMU Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Murphy is in his sixth season at the helm of the Eagles' men's basketball program. After five seasons and into this year, he has amassed a record of 94-83 for Eastern Michigan. Should Murphy and his 2016-17 squad win nine games this season, the Detroit, Mich. native will become just the fourth coach in Eastern Michigan history to cross the 100-win mark.

AMONG THE ELITE IN EMU SCORING HISTORY: EMU redshirt senior guard Ray Lee put together another stellar offensive season during the 2015-16 campaign. Lee, who led the Eagles in scoring last year (15.1 ppg), has scored 1,534 points in his career. That number ranks him as the eighth-most prolific scorer in Eastern Michigan history. Currently, Kennedy McIntosh is the all-time scoring leader with 2,219 and Earl Boykins is second with 2,211. Lee needs to score 666 more points this year to become EMU's all-time leading scorer.

MID-MAJOR SUCCESS: Since taking over the EMU men's basketball program, head coach Rob Murphy has shown sustained success versus other NCAA Division I mid-major programs. Over the last four seasons, Murphy holds a 24-12 record versus mid-majors in non-conference matchups. The last three seasons, Murphy was 16-5 against other mid-major programs outside of the MAC and is currently 1-1 this year.

ON THE HORIZON: Following their Saturday afternoon contest with Omaha, the Eagles hit the road for a Wednesday evening battle with in-state rival Detroit Mercy, Nov 30. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Calihan Hall in Detroit, Mich.

Omaha Comes to the Convocation Center to Take on Men's Hoops

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ray Lee

Willie Mangum IV

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Omaha Comes to the Convocation Center to Take on Men's Hoops

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ray Lee

Willie Mangum IV

James Thompson IV

Ty Toney

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