EMU Hosts FIU Saturday, Dec. 11, as George Gervin Returns Home

Men's Basketball vs. Florida International
Date	Saturday, Dec. 11 \| 1 p.m.
Venue	Ypsilanti, Mich. \| Convocation Center
Preview Info	EMU Notes \| Media Guide.
Live Stats	Fan Stats \| Media Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Listen	WEMU (89.1 WEMU-FM) \| The Varsity Network App \| Eastern Insider Podcast
Twitter	@EMU_MBB \| @EMUAthletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team closes out its longest homestand of the season with George Gervin Day Saturday, Dec. 11, against Florida International University. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.
   Eastern (4-5, 0-0 MAC) escaped a late-game comeback from Niagara, as it held on to win 60-58, Dec. 8, and continues its undefeated streak at home (4-0). Meanwhile, Florida International (8-1, 0-0 C-USA) has not played since Dec. 4 when it bested Stetson, 72-65.
   The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Greg Steiner (pxp), Reggie Butler (analyst), and Lauren Withrow (sideline) on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on 89.1 (WEMU) or the Varsity Network App with Tom Helmer.

GERVIN DAY PRESENTED BY GAMEABOVE - DEC. 11: The Iceman is returning home! E-Club Hall of Famer and NBA Legend George Gervin will be coming home as a part of the upcoming men's basketball game against Florida International Saturday, Dec. 11. The fun-filled day will be presented by GameAbove.
   Gervin will be the focal point of the afternoon with fun activities and giveaways. Be sure to wear white against FIU as we "ice out" the Convo.

THE ICEMAN: George Gervin, a member of the 1,000 point club at EMU (1,044), was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1974 by the Phoenix Suns in the third round, 40th overall. He went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the San Antonio Spurs, before ending his career with the Chicago Bulls. The Detroit native was an all-star for nine consecutive seasons in the league, 1976-85, and was a four-time scoring champion (1977-78, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82).

ROLLIN' A LITTLE MORE ON GERVIN: George Gervin, who attended Eastern Michigan in 1970-72, is regarded as one of the university's all-time best basketball players and greatest athletes. He helped lead the then-Hurons to the 1972 NCAA College Division Final Four. Gervin's performance was outstanding during his two-year career at EMU, collecting several divisional and national accolades. EMU retired his No. 24 jersey at a special ceremony on Jan. 17, 1986, the first men's basketball jersey retired in school history.
   After EMU, Gervin went on to star in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), setting scoring records and winning four scoring titles. During his NBA tenure with the San Antonio Spurs, he became a nine-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-NBA First Team selection, and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Gervin was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and named one of the 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
   Nicknamed "The Iceman" for his cool demeanor on the court, Gervin was known for his scoring talents. He had also received the nickname because of his rare ability to play the game of basketball at a high level without sweating.
   Gervin turned the finger roll into a nearly unstoppable weapon when he led the NBA in scoring between 1978 and 1980. The finger roll is notorious for being very difficult to master, and few players use it as their primary shot.
   Gervin remains active in the San Antonio community with his seven organizations explicitly designed for underprivileged kids, including the George Gervin Prep Academy and George Gervin Youth Center. He is also currently the head coach of the BIG3 Ghost Ballers.

DEFEND THE NEST: Eastern Michigan Head Coach Stan Heath became the first EMU head coach to start a season 4-0 at home in their first year as bench boss since former Eagles Head Coach Milton Barnes started 8-0 at home in his first season during the 1996-97 campaign.

HOME SWEET HOME: EMU puts its unblemished home court record on the line Saturday, as the stats prove that the Convocation Center has treated it well. In four games, EMU has averaged 78.5 points per game while giving up 70.25. Furthermore, the Eagles have shot 47.7 percent.
   Conversely, on the road, the Green and White are 0-5 and being outscored by nearly 16 points per game (EMU 66.2, OPP 81.8). EMU is shooting 39.9 percent from the field compared to 48.6 for the opposition, to go along with being on the short side of the rebounding margin (EMU 35.0, OPP 38.8).

BENCH HERO BRYCE: Junior Bryce McBride has been stellar off the bench this season, totaling 97 of his 106 points as a reserve. Eastern Michigan has seen 222 points from its non-starters this season, with McBride being the responsible party for 43.7% of those. Furthermore, the junior has led the team in points coming off the pine in three contests. Most recently, the guard scored 19 of EMU's 23 bench points against Niagara, Dec. 8, to lead the field in scoring.

NATE SAYS NO: Senior transfer Nate Scott has played back-to-back games with multiple blocks, rejecting two shots against Northwood, Dec. 5, and Niagara, Dec. 8. The senior has tallied three games this season with multiple blocks. Scott ties for the team lead in total block (8) with senior captain Darion Spottsville. That total ties for ninth in the conference in total blocks. Additionally, EMU is sixth in the MAC in blocks per game with an average of 3.44.

DROPPING DIMES: Eastern Michigan had a season-high 12 assists as a team, led by senior Darion Spottsville and freshman Noah Farrakhan, who each had four assists to help facilitate. The four helpers is a season-high for Spottsville.

DEFENSIVE DIFFERENCE: EMU's defense allowed just 58 points against Niagara, Dec. 8, its lowest total against a Division I opponent this season. The Eagles thwarted Division II opponent Northwood's offense to 57, Dec. 5, a season-low.

BOB ROSS BALLERS: Like Bob Ross, EMU was all over the paint in its most recent game, against Niagara, Dec. 8. The Green and White finished with an inside advantage for the third consecutive game this season, outscoring the Purple Eagles, 34-24, down low. In its previous game, Eastern outscored Northwood 40-30, Dec. 5. Prior to that, the team claimed a 46-30 point differential in the paint at UC San Diego, Dec. 2. The 16-point margin is the best in any game for Eastern this season. Additionally, the Eagles' 46 points in the paint is a season-high for the Green and White. Eastern averages 31.3 ppg from the paint this season.

FIRST TIME FOE: The contest Saturday, Dec. 11, will serve as the first meeting between Eastern Michigan and Florida International. FIU joins Northern Kentucky and UC San Diego as first-time foes for the Eagles this season.

TRIPLE THREAT: EMU got double-digit points from a trio of scorers against Niagara, Dec. 8. Junior Bryce McBride led with 19 points off the bench, while freshman Colin Golson Jr. and senior Monty Scott both added 11 each. The performance marked the seventh time this season that at least three EMU players have scored 10+ in a game.

BENCH BOSS(ES): Eastern has now gotten 20+ points from its bench in eight games this season. Additionally, EMU is averaging 24.7 points per game from its bench this season, a significant advantage over its opponents, which average just 17.3 points per game from their non-starters this season.    Most recently, the Eagles saw 23 bench points against Niagara, Dec. 8, 19 of which came from junior captain Bryce McBride.

BALLARD ON THE BOARDS: Redshirt junior Derek Ballard Jr. averages 2.3 rebounds per game (tied for eighth on the team), but no one on the EMU roster is more effective on the boards on a per-minute basis. Advanced metrics show that when Ballard is on the court, he collects 19.7 percent of all the possible rebounds that occur. That number is the best of any Eagle. The only other Eagle to have a number over 19 percent is redshirt freshman Yusuf Jihad, who collects 19.1 percent of all available rebounds when on the floor.
   Additionally, Ballard earned season-high 14 minutes against Niagara, Dec. 8, and collected his first steal of the season.

NEW BLOOD: A total of 71.9 percent (464-of-645) of EMU's scoring and 59.3 percent (188-of-317) of its rebounding have come from newcomers to the roster. Of that 71.9 percent of the team's total scoring, an incredible 53.7 percent (249-of-464) have come from just two players: freshman guard Noah Farrakhan and senior guard Monty Scott, who happen to be half brothers.

CAPITALIZE AT THE LINE: Eastern's 119 made free throws ranks third in the Mid-American Conference. The Green and White are led by senior Nate Scott (minimum eight attempts) through the first eight games of the season, shooting 100 percent (11-of-11). Freshman Noah Farrakhan is hitting 81.5.6 percent (22-of-27).
   In its most recent contest, Dec. 8, against Niagara, EMU say junior Bryce McBride shoot a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe.

MIGHTY MONTY: Senior Monty Scott continues to show his veteran leadership, as he tops the team in field goal percentage (53.2 percent), and field goals made (58). Scott's 53.2 percent is seventh in the MAC and 89th nationally. Additionally, his 58 made field goals is good for second in the conference and 106th in the country.
   The Union, N.J. native also leads the team with 25 assists and 139 points. The point total is currently third in the MAC. Furthermore, Scott has scored in double-digits in eight-straight games. Most recently, the senior dropped 11 against Niagara, Dec. 8.

PLAYING THEM TIGHT: EMU has had plenty of high-leverage moments to open the year. Five-of-nine games this season have been decided by six points-or-less, 68-62 (at Indiana, Nov. 9), 103-98 (vs. Illinois St., Nov. 12), 74-73 (at Northern Ky., Nov. 18), 72-68 (vs. Western Ill., Nov. 24), and 60-58 (vs. Niagara, Dec. 8).

DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORING: EMU got double-digit scoring from junior Bryce McBride (19), freshman Colin Golson Jr. (11), and senior Monty Scott (11) versus Niagara, Dec. 8.
    The Eagles continue to have at least three players score in double-digits, as it has happened in all but two games this season (7-of-9).

McBRIDE TO THE LINE: Junior guard Bryce McBride is no stranger to going to the line to shoot free throws as he led the team a season ago in attempts (86), and percentage (.837). McBride currently ranks third in the Mid-American Conference in free throws made (35), and attempts (44). The team captain is 12th in the conference in free-throw percentage, at 79.5.

SHARP SHOOTING ALL AROUND: EMU shot 53.7% (29-of-54) from the field, a season-high, against Northwood, Dec. 5. The hot shooting breaks the previous mark of 50.0% (29-of-58) done at Northern Kentucky, Nov. 18.

HOME COOKING: With the win over Niagara, Dec. 8, EMU has now won 123 of its last 164 games at home (74%).

ON THE HORIZON: Eastern hits the road for its final non-conference game of the season at Valparaiso Monday, Dec. 20. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 inside the ARC, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m ET.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Hosts FIU Saturday, Dec. 11, as George Gervin Returns Home

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Derek Ballard Jr.

Noah Farrakhan

Colin Golson Jr.

Yusuf Jihad

Bryce McBride

Monty Scott

Nate Scott

Darion Spottsville

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