Eastern Michigan Athletics
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2020-21 Men's Basketball Season Recap
3/15/2021 4:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Eagles finished the season with a 6-12 overall record
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Everyone can agree the 2020-21 year was unpredictable due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, but the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team finished its campaign on a high note with a 64-63 victory over in-state rival and Mid-American Conference opponent Western Michigan, March 5.
The final notes package includes year-end statistics, storylines, streaks, team information. Fans are encouraged to continue to follow the team on social media, @EMU_MBB, and visit EMUEagles.com for the most up-to-date information on all things EMU men's basketball.
THANK YOU: The Eastern Michigan men's basketball team, along with the EMU athletic media relations office, would like to thank each and every student, alumnus, and fan that supported the team in 2020-21. Additionally, we offer our thanks to all support, medical doctors, and individuals who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the program, especially throughout the craziness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
OVERALL: Eastern Michigan finished the 2020-21 season with a 6-12 overall record, and a 3-11 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles only played 18 regular-season games due to the multitude of cancellations thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 18 contests played is the lowest for the Green and White since the 1963-64 season, when EMU also competed in 18 contests.
EMU recorded a 74.5 free throw percentage (243-of-326), which marked a new team season record in program history. The previous mark came from the 2007-08 squad, who hit 72.9 percent of their free throws (465-of-638).
Individually, redshirt senior Ty Groce led the team in scoring with 15.2 points per game and ranks 40th in program history with 931 career points. Fellow senior Yeikson Montero led the MAC averaging 2.2 steals per game, which was good for 19th in the nation.
AMONG THE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan finished the 2020-21 ranked first in the Mid-American Conference in four statistical categories: steals per game (8.8), turnovers forced (15.4), fewest total turnovers (221), and fewest total fouls (274). The Eagles' 8.8 swipes per game ranked 13th in the NCAA, while the 15.4 turnovers forced average was good for 41st. Additionally, EMU ranked second in the conference with a +3.2 turnover margin and 15.2 personal fouls per game.
Individually, senior Yeikson Montero led the MAC and finished 18th in the country in steals per game with a 2.2 spg average (40 total). Additionally, redshirt senior Ty Groce ranked eighth in the league with a 53.0 field goal percentage (105-of-198), and ninth with a 0.9 blocks-per-game average.
COVID WOES: Many teams had to shuffle their schedule due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Eastern fell victim to game postponements and cancellations during the 2020-21 season.
The Green and White had 13 games either postponed (eventually canceled), canceled, and/or rescheduled this year. The six final postponements of the campaign were unable to be rescheduled due to the timing of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
EASTERN MICHIGAN'S SCHEDULING PUZZLE
DIFFERENT TOURNAMENT FORMAT: The Mid-American Conference switched up the conference tournament format for the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 pandemic. The conference decided only the top-eight teams will advance to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Due to the new format, this was the first season that Eastern Michigan has not made the league tournament since 1986.
Additionally, the MAC returned to its original state with no divisions. The format of divisions (East and West) started during the 1997-98 season.
TY-RANT: Redshirt senior Ty Groce was outstanding for Eastern Michigan in all 18 games played during the 2020-21 season. The Ypsilanti native scored in double-figures in 16 contests and averaged a team-best 15.2 points per game. The forward also led the Eagles in rebounding with a 6.9 rpg average, and boasted a 53.0 field goal percentage (105-of-198), which was good for eighth in the Mid-American Conference.
Groce scored a career-high 28 points at Akron, Jan. 26, on 9-of-16 shooting. The senior tallied 20+ points in four games during 2020-21 and led the Eagles in scoring seven times. Additionally, the senior scored 13 points and grabbed a team-best 11 rebounds en route of his sixth-career double-double at Western Michigan, March 5.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Eastern Michigan saw three Eagles record multiple double-doubles during the 2020-21 slate. The Green and White was led by redshirt senior Ty Groce, who tallied five double-doubles on the year. Fellow senior Yeikson Montero and redshirt junior Miles Gibson each notched three.
Groce ended the season with a 13-point, 11-rebound performance at Western Michigan, March 5, to earn his sixth-career double-double. Montero saw back-to-back double-doubles with a 19-point, 14-rebound performance at Central Michigan, Jan. 16, then scored 18 points with 11 rebounds at Buffalo, Jan. 21. Gibson also posted two-straight double-doubles against Calvin (13 pts., 10 rebs.) and at CMU with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
MONTERO MAGIC: Senior Yeikson Montero came alive during the 2020-21 season, finishing with a 12.9 points-per-game average, which ranked third on the team. His 12.9 ppg was a vast improvement from last season as he averaged 9.4 ppg, a 3.5 increase. The guard tallied 12 10-plus point scoring performances and led the Eagles in scoring six times during 2020-21.
Montero notched a season-high 25 points against Olivet, Dec. 27, and drained a career-best seven three-pointers. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native made two-or-more triples in eight contests, and tallied four games with five-or-more steals.
FITTIN' IN YSPI: Junior Bryce McBride recorded an impressive season in his first year donning the Green and White. The guard ranked second on the team averaging 13.7 points per game and scored in double figures 14 times this year. Additionally, McBride led the Eagles with a 83.7 free throw percentage (72-of-86), which was good for seventh in the Mid-American Conference. The Jackson, Tenn. native also ranked first on the team with 46 assists.
McBride tallied a career-high 25 points against Adrian, Dec. 9, and drained a personal-best five triples at Akron, Jan. 26. The junior also dished out a career-best four helpers six times during the 2020-21 season.
TERRIFIC TRIO: In Mid-American Conference games, the Eagles saw consistent numbers from three players in redshirt senior Ty Groce, junior Bryce McBride, and senior Yeikson Montero. All three averaged double-figures with Groce leading the way with 15.5 points per game. McBride followed with 13.1, while Montero added 12.0. Of EMU's total 994 points scored during MAC games this season, the three Eagles owned 60.2 percent of those points.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Eastern Michigan Head Coach Rob Murphy found consistency in the Eagles' lineup as three players started 15-or-more games. Redshirt senior Ty Groce and senior Yeikson Montero made the starting lineup in all 18 games played this season, while junior Bryce McBride started in 15, respectively. Those three Eagles scored a combined 752 points out of EMU's 1,267 total this year, which came to 59.4 percent.
Groce led the team averaging 15.2 points per game, while McBride and Montero added 13.7 and 12.9, respectively.
STEAL MACHINES: Once again, Eastern Michigan was known for its tenacious defense and gave opponents fits during the 2020-21 season. For the second season in a row, the Eagles led the Mid-American Conference averaging 8.8 steals per game. Their 8.8 swipes per game also ranked 14th in the nation. The Green and White tallied double-digit steals in three times this season with a season-high 22 swipes against Olivet, Dec. 27.
Senior Yeikson Montero led the team with 40 total steals (2.2 spg), while junior Bryce McBride and redshirt senior Ty Groce tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Montero's 2.2 steals per game ranked first in the MAC and 18th nationally.
UNSTOPPABLE DEFENSE: Eastern Michigan concluded the 2020-21 season with a 15.4 forced turnovers average, which led the Mid-American Conference and ranked 41st in the NCAA. This was the second straight season the Eagles posted a league-best in opponent turnovers, as EMU finished the 2019-20 season with 16.8 turnovers forced per game.
Eastern Michigan opponents tallied 10-or-more turnovers in every contest this year, including seven with 15+ TOs. Despite EMU's loss to then-No. 13 Michigan State, Nov. 25, the Eagles forced 18 Spartan turnovers, which was the highest for an EMU foe this season.
FREE THROW IMPROVEMENT: Free throws have not been Eastern Michigan's forte in the past, but 2020-21 was different. EMU finished the season ranked sixth in the Mid-American Conference with a 74.5 free throw percentage (243-of-326). Through 18 games during the 2019-20, the Eagles shot 63.0 percent from the charity stripe (259-of-411). Even though EMU only played 18 contests this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Green and White's FT numbers went up 11.5 percent over a season ago.
Additionally, Eastern's 74.5 percent clip from the free throw line ranks first in program history for a season. The previous mark was held by the 2007-08 squad, who hit 72.9 percent of their free throws (465-of-638).
HOLD 'EM TO 60-OR-LESS: When holding opponents to 60 points-or-less, Eastern Michigan had better luck in the win column. The Eagles finished 5-0 during the 2020-21 campaign when holding their opponents under the 60-point plateau.
Additionally, the Green and White have tallied an impressive 89-13 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 was kryptonite for the Green and White. The Eagles were 0-10 this season when allowing 80-or-more points in a game. In the Rob Murphy era (2011-present), EMU is 8-51 when giving up 80+ points.
However, when Eastern Michigan scored more than 80 points, it finished 2-0 this season and are 9-10 since Murphy took the helm of the program.
TY IN #MACTION: Redshirt senior Ty Groce was a major contributor in Mid-American Conference games despite primarily playing center after playing on the wing last season. Groce led the team averaging 15.5 points per game and shot 52.5 percent from the field (83-of-158), which tied for eighth in the conference. The forward also led the team with a 7.1 rebounding average, and tallied a team-best nine blocks.
The Ypsilanti, Mich. native concluded the year with 13 double-digit scoring performances in MAC play.
GETTING TO THE LINE: Junior Bryce McBride was able to get himself to the free throw line all season due to this athletic play. The Jackson, Tenn. native finished the year with a 83.7 free throw percentage (72-of-86). His free throw percentage ranked seventh in the Mid-American Conference, while his 72 makes was good for ninth.
ALL-TIME VS. THE MAC: The Green and White hold a 349-448 program mark against Mid-American Conference teams. Eastern has played Central Michigan the most (199 times), while facing Western Michigan 114 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 79-93 MAC record and clinched a MAC West title in 2012.
COMBINED WINS: Eastern Michigan men's basketball has tallied 208 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 401 victories inside the Convo. The EMU women's program (193 Convo wins) helped make history with a 69-59 over Toledo, Feb. 21, to notch EMU's 400th basketball win inside the Convo.
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.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: EMU has won 119-of-161 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).
SENIOR SPARK: The Eastern Michigan four seniors in Ty Groce, Yeikson Montero, Noah Morgan, and Darion Spottsville, who were honored prior to tip against Northern Illinois, Feb. 27, put on a show in EMU's 91-57 win over the Huskies. The four Eagles combined to score 63 of EMU's 91 total points on 60.5 percent shooting from the field and 72.7 percent from deep.
Morgan led all scorers with a season-high 22 points, while adding four assists and three rebounds. Montero finished the contest with 20 points and five rebounds, while Groce added his fifth career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Spottsville contributed six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
HOT SHOOTING: The Green and White posted a season-high 50.8 field-goal percentage in EMU's 91-57 victory over Northern Illinois, Feb. 27. The Eagles went 31-of-61 from the field against the Huskies. The 91 points scored was EMU's highest against a Division I opponent during the 2020-21 season.
Three Eagles recorded 15+ scoring performances, which is the first time since EMU's 95-35 win over Adrian College, Dec. 9, 2020. Leading the Eagles was senior Noah Morgan, who tallied a season-best 22 points, while classmate Yeikson Montero added 20 points. Redshirt senior Ty Groce posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
SPLASH CITY: Eastern Michigan came alive from downtown in its 91-57 victory over Northern Illinois, Feb. 27, as the Eagles drained 12 three-pointers. The 12 triples is the second-highest made for EMU this season with the most coming (14) from Eastern's win over Olivet, Dec. 27, 2020. The Green and White went 12-of-21 from beyond the arc for a season-best 57.1 clip. The last time EMU shot above 50 percent from beyond the three-point line against Valparaiso, Dec. 3, 2019, when Eagles shot a 56.3 efficiency on 9-of-16 shooting.
Senior Yeikson Montero led the Eagles with four triples, while junior Bryce McBride tallied three from deep. Seniors Ty Groce and Noah Morgan each added two three's, and redshirt junior Derek Ballard Jr. drained one, respectively.
WE WANT MOR(E)GAN: Senior Noah Morgan recorded a season-high 22 points versus Northern Illinois, Feb. 27. It was the guard's first 20-plus point performance during the 2020-21 season. Morgan went 7-of-12 from the field and sunk a career-best six free throws. The senior also added four assists and three rebounds to his statline. The double-figure scoring performance was Morgan's 18th of his career and fourth this season.
The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native finished the 2020-21 season with 8.6 points-per-game average, which ranked fourth on the team.
THANK YOU, SENIORS: Eastern Michigan honored four individuals who have dedicated their time and effort to the EMU men's basketball program: Yeikson Montero, Noah Morgan, Darion Spottsville, and Ty Groce.
Montero joined Eastern Michigan after two years at Pensacola State. In his 50 career games as an Eagle, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native tallied 534 points and recorded 96 steals. Yeikson tallied 26 double-figure scoring performances and led the Green and White in scoring nine times. He will graduate in the spring with a bachelor's degree in sport management and plans to play professional basketball after college.
Morgan came to Ypsilanti after a season at Northwest Florida State. Noah has played in 45 career games donning the Green and White. The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native tallied 432 career points with 19 double-digit scoring performances. Noah also recorded a career-high 30 points at Kent State last season. He is a communication major and plans to play professional basketball in the future.
Spottsville joined the EMU squad after two seasons at South Mountain Community College. In his 49 career games as an Eagle, Darion recorded 220 points and 109 assists. The Phoenix, Arizona native earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court award for academic excellence in 2020, and led the Eagles in assists 17 times. Darion will graduate in the spring with a degree in sport management with a minor in communication. He plans to play basketball as long as he can then wants to become a basketball coach.
Groce has dedicated five years to the Eastern Michigan program and hails from Ypsilanti. The forward has played in 116 career games as an Eagle. Ty tallied 931 career points, which ranks 40th in program history. He ranks tenth in program history with 137 career steals, and posted a 44.0 career field goal percentage. Ty tallied six career double-doubles, including 45 double-digit scoring performances. The Ypsilanti native led the Green and White in scoring 20 times in an EMU uniform. The forward posted a career-high 28 points earlier this season at Akron, and pulled down a personal-best 13 rebounds against Olivet. He will graduate in the spring with a bachelor's degree in history and plans to play professionally after graduating.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will soon begin its offseason schedule. EMU fans are encouraged to stay up-to-date with all things EMU men's basketball by visiting EMUEagles.com and by following the team on social media @EMU_MBB.
The final notes package includes year-end statistics, storylines, streaks, team information. Fans are encouraged to continue to follow the team on social media, @EMU_MBB, and visit EMUEagles.com for the most up-to-date information on all things EMU men's basketball.
THANK YOU: The Eastern Michigan men's basketball team, along with the EMU athletic media relations office, would like to thank each and every student, alumnus, and fan that supported the team in 2020-21. Additionally, we offer our thanks to all support, medical doctors, and individuals who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the program, especially throughout the craziness of the COVID-19 pandemic.
OVERALL: Eastern Michigan finished the 2020-21 season with a 6-12 overall record, and a 3-11 mark in Mid-American Conference play. The Eagles only played 18 regular-season games due to the multitude of cancellations thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 18 contests played is the lowest for the Green and White since the 1963-64 season, when EMU also competed in 18 contests.
EMU recorded a 74.5 free throw percentage (243-of-326), which marked a new team season record in program history. The previous mark came from the 2007-08 squad, who hit 72.9 percent of their free throws (465-of-638).
Individually, redshirt senior Ty Groce led the team in scoring with 15.2 points per game and ranks 40th in program history with 931 career points. Fellow senior Yeikson Montero led the MAC averaging 2.2 steals per game, which was good for 19th in the nation.
AMONG THE LEADERS: Eastern Michigan finished the 2020-21 ranked first in the Mid-American Conference in four statistical categories: steals per game (8.8), turnovers forced (15.4), fewest total turnovers (221), and fewest total fouls (274). The Eagles' 8.8 swipes per game ranked 13th in the NCAA, while the 15.4 turnovers forced average was good for 41st. Additionally, EMU ranked second in the conference with a +3.2 turnover margin and 15.2 personal fouls per game.
Individually, senior Yeikson Montero led the MAC and finished 18th in the country in steals per game with a 2.2 spg average (40 total). Additionally, redshirt senior Ty Groce ranked eighth in the league with a 53.0 field goal percentage (105-of-198), and ninth with a 0.9 blocks-per-game average.
COVID WOES: Many teams had to shuffle their schedule due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Eastern fell victim to game postponements and cancellations during the 2020-21 season.
The Green and White had 13 games either postponed (eventually canceled), canceled, and/or rescheduled this year. The six final postponements of the campaign were unable to be rescheduled due to the timing of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.
EASTERN MICHIGAN'S SCHEDULING PUZZLE
| Date | Game | Result |
| 12/16 | at Valparaiso | Canceled |
| 12/19 | vs. Olivet | Rescheduled (12/27) |
| 12/21 | vs. Central Michigan | Rescheduled (12/29) |
| 1/2 | vs. Kent State | Postponed - Canceled |
| 1/5 | at Buffalo | Rescheduled (1/21) |
| 1/19 | vs. Western Michigan | Postponed - Canceled |
| 1/23 | vs. Miami | Time Adjustment |
| 1/30 | at Northern Illinois | Postponed - Canceled |
| 2/2 | vs. Bowling Green | Rescheduled (2/23) |
| 2/6 | at Ohio | Rescheduled (2/25) |
| 2/9 | at Miami | Postponed - Canceled |
| 2/13 | vs. Ball State | Postponed - Canceled |
| 2/16 | vs. Buffalo | Postponed - Canceled |
DIFFERENT TOURNAMENT FORMAT: The Mid-American Conference switched up the conference tournament format for the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 pandemic. The conference decided only the top-eight teams will advance to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Due to the new format, this was the first season that Eastern Michigan has not made the league tournament since 1986.
Additionally, the MAC returned to its original state with no divisions. The format of divisions (East and West) started during the 1997-98 season.
TY-RANT: Redshirt senior Ty Groce was outstanding for Eastern Michigan in all 18 games played during the 2020-21 season. The Ypsilanti native scored in double-figures in 16 contests and averaged a team-best 15.2 points per game. The forward also led the Eagles in rebounding with a 6.9 rpg average, and boasted a 53.0 field goal percentage (105-of-198), which was good for eighth in the Mid-American Conference.
Groce scored a career-high 28 points at Akron, Jan. 26, on 9-of-16 shooting. The senior tallied 20+ points in four games during 2020-21 and led the Eagles in scoring seven times. Additionally, the senior scored 13 points and grabbed a team-best 11 rebounds en route of his sixth-career double-double at Western Michigan, March 5.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Eastern Michigan saw three Eagles record multiple double-doubles during the 2020-21 slate. The Green and White was led by redshirt senior Ty Groce, who tallied five double-doubles on the year. Fellow senior Yeikson Montero and redshirt junior Miles Gibson each notched three.
Groce ended the season with a 13-point, 11-rebound performance at Western Michigan, March 5, to earn his sixth-career double-double. Montero saw back-to-back double-doubles with a 19-point, 14-rebound performance at Central Michigan, Jan. 16, then scored 18 points with 11 rebounds at Buffalo, Jan. 21. Gibson also posted two-straight double-doubles against Calvin (13 pts., 10 rebs.) and at CMU with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
EAGLE DOUBLE-DOUBLES
| Player | Opponent | Points | Rebounds |
| Ty Groce | vs. Central Michigan, Dec. 29 | 15 | 13 |
| Ty Groce | vs. Calvin, Jan. 14 | 14 | 10 |
| Ty Groce | at Akron, Jan. 26 | 28 | 11 |
| Ty Groce | vs. Northern Illinois, Feb. 27 | 15 | 10 |
| Ty Groce | at Western Michigan, March 5 | 13 | 11 |
| Miles Gibson | vs. Adrian, Dec. 9 | 13 | 13 |
| Miles Gibson | vs. Calvin, Jan. 14 | 13 | 10 |
| Miles Gibson | at Central Michigan, Jan. 16 | 12 | 11 |
| Yeikson Montero | vs. Adrian, Dec. 9 | 11 | 12 |
| Yeikson Montero | at Central Michigan, Jan. 16 | 19 | 14 |
| Yeikson Montero | at Buffalo, Jan. 21 | 18 | 11 |
MONTERO MAGIC: Senior Yeikson Montero came alive during the 2020-21 season, finishing with a 12.9 points-per-game average, which ranked third on the team. His 12.9 ppg was a vast improvement from last season as he averaged 9.4 ppg, a 3.5 increase. The guard tallied 12 10-plus point scoring performances and led the Eagles in scoring six times during 2020-21.
Montero notched a season-high 25 points against Olivet, Dec. 27, and drained a career-best seven three-pointers. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native made two-or-more triples in eight contests, and tallied four games with five-or-more steals.
FITTIN' IN YSPI: Junior Bryce McBride recorded an impressive season in his first year donning the Green and White. The guard ranked second on the team averaging 13.7 points per game and scored in double figures 14 times this year. Additionally, McBride led the Eagles with a 83.7 free throw percentage (72-of-86), which was good for seventh in the Mid-American Conference. The Jackson, Tenn. native also ranked first on the team with 46 assists.
McBride tallied a career-high 25 points against Adrian, Dec. 9, and drained a personal-best five triples at Akron, Jan. 26. The junior also dished out a career-best four helpers six times during the 2020-21 season.
TERRIFIC TRIO: In Mid-American Conference games, the Eagles saw consistent numbers from three players in redshirt senior Ty Groce, junior Bryce McBride, and senior Yeikson Montero. All three averaged double-figures with Groce leading the way with 15.5 points per game. McBride followed with 13.1, while Montero added 12.0. Of EMU's total 994 points scored during MAC games this season, the three Eagles owned 60.2 percent of those points.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY: Eastern Michigan Head Coach Rob Murphy found consistency in the Eagles' lineup as three players started 15-or-more games. Redshirt senior Ty Groce and senior Yeikson Montero made the starting lineup in all 18 games played this season, while junior Bryce McBride started in 15, respectively. Those three Eagles scored a combined 752 points out of EMU's 1,267 total this year, which came to 59.4 percent.
Groce led the team averaging 15.2 points per game, while McBride and Montero added 13.7 and 12.9, respectively.
STEAL MACHINES: Once again, Eastern Michigan was known for its tenacious defense and gave opponents fits during the 2020-21 season. For the second season in a row, the Eagles led the Mid-American Conference averaging 8.8 steals per game. Their 8.8 swipes per game also ranked 14th in the nation. The Green and White tallied double-digit steals in three times this season with a season-high 22 swipes against Olivet, Dec. 27.
Senior Yeikson Montero led the team with 40 total steals (2.2 spg), while junior Bryce McBride and redshirt senior Ty Groce tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Montero's 2.2 steals per game ranked first in the MAC and 18th nationally.
UNSTOPPABLE DEFENSE: Eastern Michigan concluded the 2020-21 season with a 15.4 forced turnovers average, which led the Mid-American Conference and ranked 41st in the NCAA. This was the second straight season the Eagles posted a league-best in opponent turnovers, as EMU finished the 2019-20 season with 16.8 turnovers forced per game.
Eastern Michigan opponents tallied 10-or-more turnovers in every contest this year, including seven with 15+ TOs. Despite EMU's loss to then-No. 13 Michigan State, Nov. 25, the Eagles forced 18 Spartan turnovers, which was the highest for an EMU foe this season.
FREE THROW IMPROVEMENT: Free throws have not been Eastern Michigan's forte in the past, but 2020-21 was different. EMU finished the season ranked sixth in the Mid-American Conference with a 74.5 free throw percentage (243-of-326). Through 18 games during the 2019-20, the Eagles shot 63.0 percent from the charity stripe (259-of-411). Even though EMU only played 18 contests this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Green and White's FT numbers went up 11.5 percent over a season ago.
Additionally, Eastern's 74.5 percent clip from the free throw line ranks first in program history for a season. The previous mark was held by the 2007-08 squad, who hit 72.9 percent of their free throws (465-of-638).
HOLD 'EM TO 60-OR-LESS: When holding opponents to 60 points-or-less, Eastern Michigan had better luck in the win column. The Eagles finished 5-0 during the 2020-21 campaign when holding their opponents under the 60-point plateau.
Additionally, the Green and White have tallied an impressive 89-13 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 was kryptonite for the Green and White. The Eagles were 0-10 this season when allowing 80-or-more points in a game. In the Rob Murphy era (2011-present), EMU is 8-51 when giving up 80+ points.
However, when Eastern Michigan scored more than 80 points, it finished 2-0 this season and are 9-10 since Murphy took the helm of the program.
TY IN #MACTION: Redshirt senior Ty Groce was a major contributor in Mid-American Conference games despite primarily playing center after playing on the wing last season. Groce led the team averaging 15.5 points per game and shot 52.5 percent from the field (83-of-158), which tied for eighth in the conference. The forward also led the team with a 7.1 rebounding average, and tallied a team-best nine blocks.
The Ypsilanti, Mich. native concluded the year with 13 double-digit scoring performances in MAC play.
GETTING TO THE LINE: Junior Bryce McBride was able to get himself to the free throw line all season due to this athletic play. The Jackson, Tenn. native finished the year with a 83.7 free throw percentage (72-of-86). His free throw percentage ranked seventh in the Mid-American Conference, while his 72 makes was good for ninth.
ALL-TIME VS. THE MAC: The Green and White hold a 349-448 program mark against Mid-American Conference teams. Eastern has played Central Michigan the most (199 times), while facing Western Michigan 114 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 79-93 MAC record and clinched a MAC West title in 2012.
COMBINED WINS: Eastern Michigan men's basketball has tallied 208 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 401 victories inside the Convo. The EMU women's program (193 Convo wins) helped make history with a 69-59 over Toledo, Feb. 21, to notch EMU's 400th basketball win inside the Convo.
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.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: EMU has won 119-of-161 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).
SENIOR SPARK: The Eastern Michigan four seniors in Ty Groce, Yeikson Montero, Noah Morgan, and Darion Spottsville, who were honored prior to tip against Northern Illinois, Feb. 27, put on a show in EMU's 91-57 win over the Huskies. The four Eagles combined to score 63 of EMU's 91 total points on 60.5 percent shooting from the field and 72.7 percent from deep.
Morgan led all scorers with a season-high 22 points, while adding four assists and three rebounds. Montero finished the contest with 20 points and five rebounds, while Groce added his fifth career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Spottsville contributed six points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
HOT SHOOTING: The Green and White posted a season-high 50.8 field-goal percentage in EMU's 91-57 victory over Northern Illinois, Feb. 27. The Eagles went 31-of-61 from the field against the Huskies. The 91 points scored was EMU's highest against a Division I opponent during the 2020-21 season.
Three Eagles recorded 15+ scoring performances, which is the first time since EMU's 95-35 win over Adrian College, Dec. 9, 2020. Leading the Eagles was senior Noah Morgan, who tallied a season-best 22 points, while classmate Yeikson Montero added 20 points. Redshirt senior Ty Groce posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
SPLASH CITY: Eastern Michigan came alive from downtown in its 91-57 victory over Northern Illinois, Feb. 27, as the Eagles drained 12 three-pointers. The 12 triples is the second-highest made for EMU this season with the most coming (14) from Eastern's win over Olivet, Dec. 27, 2020. The Green and White went 12-of-21 from beyond the arc for a season-best 57.1 clip. The last time EMU shot above 50 percent from beyond the three-point line against Valparaiso, Dec. 3, 2019, when Eagles shot a 56.3 efficiency on 9-of-16 shooting.
Senior Yeikson Montero led the Eagles with four triples, while junior Bryce McBride tallied three from deep. Seniors Ty Groce and Noah Morgan each added two three's, and redshirt junior Derek Ballard Jr. drained one, respectively.
WE WANT MOR(E)GAN: Senior Noah Morgan recorded a season-high 22 points versus Northern Illinois, Feb. 27. It was the guard's first 20-plus point performance during the 2020-21 season. Morgan went 7-of-12 from the field and sunk a career-best six free throws. The senior also added four assists and three rebounds to his statline. The double-figure scoring performance was Morgan's 18th of his career and fourth this season.
The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native finished the 2020-21 season with 8.6 points-per-game average, which ranked fourth on the team.
THANK YOU, SENIORS: Eastern Michigan honored four individuals who have dedicated their time and effort to the EMU men's basketball program: Yeikson Montero, Noah Morgan, Darion Spottsville, and Ty Groce.
Montero joined Eastern Michigan after two years at Pensacola State. In his 50 career games as an Eagle, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native tallied 534 points and recorded 96 steals. Yeikson tallied 26 double-figure scoring performances and led the Green and White in scoring nine times. He will graduate in the spring with a bachelor's degree in sport management and plans to play professional basketball after college.
Morgan came to Ypsilanti after a season at Northwest Florida State. Noah has played in 45 career games donning the Green and White. The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native tallied 432 career points with 19 double-digit scoring performances. Noah also recorded a career-high 30 points at Kent State last season. He is a communication major and plans to play professional basketball in the future.
Spottsville joined the EMU squad after two seasons at South Mountain Community College. In his 49 career games as an Eagle, Darion recorded 220 points and 109 assists. The Phoenix, Arizona native earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court award for academic excellence in 2020, and led the Eagles in assists 17 times. Darion will graduate in the spring with a degree in sport management with a minor in communication. He plans to play basketball as long as he can then wants to become a basketball coach.
Groce has dedicated five years to the Eastern Michigan program and hails from Ypsilanti. The forward has played in 116 career games as an Eagle. Ty tallied 931 career points, which ranks 40th in program history. He ranks tenth in program history with 137 career steals, and posted a 44.0 career field goal percentage. Ty tallied six career double-doubles, including 45 double-digit scoring performances. The Ypsilanti native led the Green and White in scoring 20 times in an EMU uniform. The forward posted a career-high 28 points earlier this season at Akron, and pulled down a personal-best 13 rebounds against Olivet. He will graduate in the spring with a bachelor's degree in history and plans to play professionally after graduating.
ON THE HORIZON: Eastern Michigan will soon begin its offseason schedule. EMU fans are encouraged to stay up-to-date with all things EMU men's basketball by visiting EMUEagles.com and by following the team on social media @EMU_MBB.
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