Men's Hoops Set to Challenge Miami Saturday

Men's Basketball vs. Miami
Date	Saturday, Jan. 23 \| 5:34 p.m. ET
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Program
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN3
Listen	WEMU (89.1FM) \| TuneIn Radio \| Podcast
Twitter	@EMU_MBB \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team will welcome Miami University to the Convocation Center Saturday, Jan. 23. Tipoff is slated for 5:34 p.m. and will be the second game of a EMU basketball doubleheader. The EMU women's team will take on Ball State University in the first game at noon.
   EMU (4-6, 1-5 MAC) is on a three-game Mid-American Conference losing streak, as the Eagles dropped a league affair at Buffalo, 92-77, Jan. 21. The RedHawks (6-4, 3-2 MAC) are on a two-game win streak with its most recent victory over Bowling Green, 96-77, Jan. 21.
   Fans can catch the action on ESPN3, with EMU's Ryan Wooley providing the play-by-play and Greg Steiner serving as the analyst. WEMU (89.1 FM) will also broadcast the game with Tom Helmer on the call. As always, fans can follow along on EMUEagles.com/livestats or on Twitter by following @EMU_MBB.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan leads the Mid-American Conference in three statistical categories: steals per game (9.8), turnovers forced (17.6), and turnover margin (+4.1). The Eagles' 10.0 swipes per contest ranks fifth in the NCAA. Eastern Kentucky ranks first in the nation with 12.1 steals per game, with VCU, Abilene Christian and St. John's (NY) following with 11.0, 10.1, and 10.1, respectively. Additionally, EMU's 17.6 TO's forced and +4.1 TO margin are good for 17th and 21st among Division I programs, respectively.
   Individually, senior Yeikson Montero leads the MAC and ranks 19th in the country in steals per game (2.4). Redshirt junior Bryce McBride is third in the league averaging 2.0 swipes per game, which is good for 61st in the nation.

THE GREAT SCHEDULING PUZZLE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many teams have had to shuffle their schedules around, including Eastern Michigan. EMU will host Miami Saturday, Jan. 23, but will tip off at 5:34 p.m. instead of noon. The contests against Kent State (Jan. 2), Western Michigan (Jan. 19), and Northern Illinois (Jan. 30) have not been rescheduled yet.

COVID WOES: It's no secret that the schedule is always up in the air due to COVID-19 protocols, and EMU has fallen victim to game postponements and cancelations during the 2020-21 season. The Eagles have had nine games either postponed, canceled, and/or rescheduled this year: at Valparaiso (canceled), vs. Olivet (rescheduled), vs. Central Michigan (rescheduled), at Buffalo (rescheduled), vs. Kent State (postponed), vs. Akron (rescheduled), vs. Miami (time rescheduled), vs. Western Michigan (postponed), and at Northern Illinois (postponed).

CHARITY STRIPE STREAK: Over the last three games, Eastern Michigan made 31-straight free throws before missing one at the charity stripe. The Eagles went 8-of-8 late in the second half against Calvin, Jan. 14, before shooting 13-of-13 at Central Michigan, Jan. 16. EMU went 10-of-10 from the line before missing one in the second half at Buffalo, Jan. 21. This is the best stretch during the modern statistical era (since 1998 season) since the Eagles went 39-of-42 (92.9 percent), March 4, 2006, between Ball State (25-of-29) and Western Michigan (14-of-16), March 6, 2006.
   The Eagles shot 100 percent against CMU and 94.1 percent at Buffalo, which is the best back-to-back free throw performance by an EMU team under Head Coach Rob Murphy (2011-present).

ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE: Senior Yeikson Montero notched his third career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds at Buffalo, Jan. 21. The guard shot 8-of-14 from the floor and pulled down eight defensive rebounds against the Bulls.
   Montero's first double-double came against Adrian, Dec. 9, when he posted 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native also recorded 19 points and a career-best 14 rebounds at in-state rival Central Michigan, Jan. 16. The senior is tied for first in the Mid-American Conference with three double-doubles during the 2020-21 season.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Eastern Michigan Head Coach Rob Murphy has found some consistency in the Eagles' lineup as four players have started six-or-more games. Redshirt senior Ty Groce, senior Yeikson Montero, and junior Bryce McBride have made the starting lineup in all 10 games played this season, while sophomore Drew Lowder has started in six. Those four Eagles have scored a combined 487 points out of EMU's 732 total this year, which comes up to 66.5 percent.
   Montero leads the team averaging 14.1 points per game, while McBride and Groce are adding 14.1 and 13.4, respectively. Lowder is also tallying 8.0 points per contest.

TY IN #MACTION: Redshirt senior Ty Groce has been a major contributor in Mid-American Conference games despite playing center after primarily playing on the wing last season. Groce leads the team averaging 13.0 points per game and is shooting 56.1 percent from the field (32-of-57), which ranks seventh in the conference. The forward ranks second on the team grabbing 5.7 rebounds per game, but has tallied a team-high 17 assists and six blocks.
   The Ypsilanti, Mich. native has scored in double-figures in every league game played so far this season.

GETTING TO THE LINE: Junior Bryce McBride has been able to get himself to the free throw line throughout the first nine games of the season. The Jackson, Tenn. native is shooting 82.8 percent from the charity stripe, sinking 53-of-64 attempts. His free throw percentage ranks ninth in the Mid-American Conference, while his 53 makes is good for fourth. Additionally, his 64 attempts doubles any other Eagle this season, as the next highest free throw attempts comes from redshirt senior Ty Groce with 30.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Two Eagles recorded double-doubles in EMU's 75-64 loss at Central Michigan, Jan. 16, in senior Yeikson Montero and redshirt junior Miles Gibson. Montero led the team with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, which was good for his second career double-double. Gibson tallied his third career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
   The game against CMU was the third time during the 2020-21 season that two Eagles recorded a double-double in a game. The last time EMU had two players notch double-doubles three times in a season was during the 2009-10 season. During the 2017-18 season, Eastern has had two Eagles record double-doubles in a game four times, which is the most since the 1998-99 campaigns.

GIBSON GETS ANOTHER: Redshirt junior Miles Gibson is in his first year donning the Green and White and has tallied three double-doubles this season. The Richmond, Va. native recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes of play against Central Michigan, Jan. 16.
   The guard/forward posted his first and second double-doubles of the 2020-21 season versus Adrian, Dec. 9 and Calvin, Jan. 14. Gibson posted 13 points and a career-high 13 boards against the Bulldogs, then tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds versus the Knights. Gibson co-leads the team with three double-doubles, which is tied for first in the Mid-American Conference.

GOING FOR 100: Eastern Michigan was perfect from the free throw line, going 13-for-13 at Central Michigan, Jan. 16. It was the first time that the Eagles shot 100 percent from the charity stripe since 2013. EMU last did it when it went 4-of-4 at Kentucky, Jan. 2, 2013.

GETTING THAT DUB-DUB: Redshirt senior Ty Groce recorded his third career double-double against Calvin, Jan. 14, as he scored a team-best 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 38 minutes of play. Groce shot 8-of-11 from the field and dished out an assist.
   The Ypsilanti native notched his first double-double of the 2020-21 season versus in-state rival Central Michigan, Dec. 29. The forward went 7-of-10 from the floor to score 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. This was Groce's second double-double against the Chippewas, as he tallied his first career with 22 points and 12 rebounds, Feb. 11, 2020.

HOLD 'EM TO 60-OR-LESS: When holding opponents to 60 points-or-less, Eastern Michigan has better luck in the win column. The Eagles are 4-0 during the 2020-21 campaign when holding their opponents under the 60-point plateau. Additionally, the Green and White has tallied an impressive 88-13 mark during the Rob Murphy era (2011-present) when keeping its competition below 60 points.

80 IS NOT THE MAGIC NUMBER: There are many factors that go into the result of a game, but allowing opponents to score 80-plus points is kryptonite for the Green and White. The Eagles are 0-5 this season when allowing 80-or-more points in a game. In the Rob Murphy era (2011-present), EMU is 8-46 when giving up 80+ points.
   However, when Eastern Michigan scores more than 80 points, it is 2-0 this season and 9-10 since Murphy took the helm of the program.

SETTLING IN: Junior college transfer Bryce McBride from Dyersburg Community College (Tenn.) is settling in well in Ypsilanti, averaging 14.0 points per game on 36-of-104 (.346) shooting, while averaging 32.4 minutes a game. The junior leads the team with a 82.8 free throw percentage, which ranks ninth in the Mid-American Conference. The newcomer leads the team in assists with 31 and is second in steals with 20. The junior's 2.0 steals per game is good for third in the league and 61st in the nation.
   McBride is currently ninth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8), and tied for 13th in assists per game (3.1). The Jackson, Tenn. native has tallied a career-high four assists four times this season.

.500 OR BETTER: Two Eagles are shooting 50 percent-or-better from the field, with a minimum of 20 attempts, to start the 2020-21 season. EMU is led by redshirt senior Ty Groce, who has hit 55.7 percent of his shots (54-of-97), which ranks fourth in the Mid-American Conference. Following the forward is classmate Darion Spottsville, who is shooting 52.6 percent (20-of-38).
   Groce has scored in double-digits in nine-of-10 games this season, and is averaging 13.4 points per game. Spottsville has scored in double-figures four times this year, with his most recent performance of 12 points at Buffalo, Jan. 21

LAST TIME OUT: Eastern Michigan dropped a Mid-American Conference affair at Buffalo, 92-77, Jan. 21, inside UB's Alumni Arena. The Eagles couldn't contain the Bulls' lights-out shooting as UB posted a 61.8 field goal percentage (34-of-55).
    Four Eagles recorded double-digit scoring performances. Junior Bryce McBride paced the Eagles with a personal-best against a MAC opponent with 20 points. The guard was perfect at the free throw line, going 9-for-9, to go along with two assists and two rebounds. Senior Yeikson Montero compiled his third double-double of the season with 18 points, shooting 8-of-14, and tallying 11 rebounds. Redshirt senior Ty Groce and classmate Darion Spottsville both added 12 points, respectively. Groce dished out a team-best five helpers, while Spottsville tallied three steals.
   The Green and White posted a 43.8 field goal percentage (28-of-64), and struggled from beyond the arc shooting 29.4 percent (5-of-17). Buffalo shot nearly 62 percent from the field (34-of-55) and recorded a 40 percent clip from the three-point line (8-of-20). The Eagles only missed one free throw, going 16-of-17 (94.1 percent). The Bulls held the scoring advantage in points off turnovers (24-14), points in the paint (46-40), second-chance points (13-12), fast-break points (26-8), and bench points (25-12). Additionally, Buffalo won the rebounding battle (34-29).

ALL-TIME VS. MIAMI: Saturday's game marks the 78th meeting between Eastern Michigan and Miami. EMU trails the RedHawks, 51-26, in the all-time series, which dates back to the 1975-76 season. Miami earned the victory, 73-68, during the 2019-20 season and is on a two-game win streak over the Eagles.
   The Green and White hold a 6-4 advantage over the last 10 games and have won five of the last seven contests over Miami. Games inside the Convocation Center have not been favorable to Eastern Michigan, as the Eagles hold a 14-19 mark against MU. EMU is 7-5 against Miami in the Rob Murphy era.

SCOUTING MIAMI: Led by fourth-year head coach Jack Owens, Miami enters Saturday's game coming off a 96-77 victory over Bowling Green, Jan. 21. The RedHawks are on a two-game win streak and hold a 6-4 overall record with a 3-2 Mid-American Conference mark.
   MU has three players averaging in double-figures and are paced by Mekhi Lairy and Dalonte Brown who are both recording 12.3 points per game. Following Lairy and Brown is Dae Dae Grant who is adding 11.9 points a game. Brown is grabbing a team-best 6.9 rebound per game, while Grant has drained a team-high 21 triples. Additionally, Brown has notched three double-doubles this season, which is tied for first in the MAC, while Isaiah Coleman-Lands leads the league with a 5.17 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is good for fifth in the NCAA.
   The RedHawks average 71.2 points per game and are shooting 43.6 percent from the field (252-578). MU ranks second in the MAC with a 38.2 clip from beyond the three-point arc, shooting 86-of-225. Additionally, Miami is protecting the rock well this season as the RedHawks rank first in the MAC averaging 10.0 turnovers per game. On the defensive side, MU is giving up 70.2 points per game and is forcing 13.1 opponent turnovers.

ALL-TIME VS. THE MAC: The Green and White hold a 347-442 program mark against Mid-American Conference teams. Eastern has played Central Michigan the most (199 times), while facing Western Michigan 113 times and Toledo 111 times. Since the 1974-75 season when Eastern started competing in the MAC, EMU has won four regular-season titles and four MAC Tournament titles (1988, 1991, 1996, 1998), which led to four NCAA Tournament appearances. Under Rob Murphy, the Eagles hold a 77-87 MAC record and clinched a MAC West title in 2012.

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: EMU has won 118-of-158 games at home during the Rob Murphy era, and started last season 6-0 at the Convocation Center. Under Coach Murphy, the Eagles have opened the season 6-0 at home in six of his first nine seasons as head coach. EMU posted a 7-0 start in the Convo in three seasons (2014-15; 2016-17; 2017-18).

COMBINED WINS: Eastern Michigan men's basketball has tallied 207 victories in the Convocation Center since it opened for the 1998-99 season. The Eagles notched their 200th win in the Convo with a 66-62 win over Buffalo, Feb. 4, 2020.
   The Convocation Center's dedication game was on Dec. 9, 1998 with a men's basketball game against the University of Michigan in front of a crowd of 7,647 - the largest attendance since its opening. The EMU men's and women's basketball programs have a combined 398 victories inside the Convo - the women's program has accumulated 191 wins since 1998-99. If both the men's and women's teams post victories on Saturday, Jan. 23, EMU will have a combined 400 wins inside the Covno between both programs.
   On the anniversary of the Convo dedication, Dec. 9, 2020, Eastern put up the largest margin of victory (+60) for a men's squad inside the building, trouncing Adrian College, 95-35.

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will hit the road for a Mid-American Conference rematch with the University of Akron Tuesday, Jan. 26. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
   The Eagles earned the 71-59 victory in the first meeting of the 2020-21 series, which was also EMU's first conference win of the year.

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Players Mentioned

Miles Gibson

Ty Groce

Drew Lowder

Bryce McBride

Yeikson Montero

Darion Spottsville

Eastern Michigan Athletics