Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, December 16
Ann Arbor, Mich.
2:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Michigan
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Eagles Playing Host to Hampton Thursday
12/19/2023 10:05:00 AM | Men's Basketball
EMU's penultimate game of 2023 calendar year set for 1 p.m.
| Men's Basketball vs. Hampton | |
| Date | Thursday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center (8,754) | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) | Digital Programs |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Fan Information | Purchase Tickets |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team is scheduled to host Hampton University, Thursday, Dec. 21, in a 1 p.m. contest inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center, the Eagles' penultimate game of the 2023 calendar year.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Hampton will air on ESPN+. Ryan Wooley and Reggie Butler will be on the call. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner will have the call live on WEMU Radio (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern Michigan dropped a 83-66 decision at Michigan, Dec. 16, in Ann Arbor. EMU trailed, 49-39, early in the second half before UM pulled away. Junior Tyson Acuff scored 24 points while sophomore Orlando Lovejoy netted a season-high 16 points.
» Eastern Michigan turned the ball over just five times at Michigan, Dec. 16. Five turnovers was the fewest by EMU since Dec. 11, 2016 against Siena Heights and the fewest for the Eagles against a Power Five school since tallying just four turnovers at Michigan State, Nov. 23, 2015.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.4 points per game through 10 games, which leads the MAC and ranks eighth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26).
» Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in six games (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 25 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 23 at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 24 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; 24 at Michigan, Dec. 16). Acuff is one of four players in the nation with six showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 23-48 record at EMU and 232-256 record over 16 years as a head coach. Fifty of NCAA Division I's head coaches are coaching their alma mater, up from 48 in 2022-23.
TYSON ACUFF, MAC SCORING LEADER AND MORE
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.4 points per game through 10 games, which leads the MAC and ranks eighth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances. Acuff is the first Eagle since Brandon Bowdry to score at least 13 points in each of the team's first 10 games. Bowdry started the 2009-10 season with 13-straight contests with 14-plus points.
National scoring leaders:
1. Xavier Johnson 24.8 Southern Illinois
2. Zach Edey 24.5 Purdue
3. Tommy Bruner 23.2 Denver
4. Jordan Johnson 23.1 New Orleans
5. Tyler Thomas 22.9 Hofstra
6. Jaedon LeDee 22.8 San Diego State
7. Trey Calvin 22.44 Wright State
8. Tyson Acuff 22.40 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 22.4 ppg would rank fifth in program history for a single season.
1. George Gervin 29.5 1971-72
2. Earl Boykins 25.7 1997-98
3. Kennedy McIntosh 25.4 1970-71
4. Grant Long 23.0 1987-88
5. Tyson Acuff 22.4 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF 100+ CAREER THREE-POINTERS
Junior Tyson Acuff surpassed 100 career three-point makes with his five made three-pointers against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and sits at 108 career three-pointers made. Acuff is at 891 career points. Acuff netted 38 three-pointers and 239 points in his two seasons at Duquesne. Acuff saw a streak of seven-straight games with multiple made three-pointers come to an end at Michigan, Dec. 16, after an 0-of-7 showing from deep.
TYSON ACUFF, 36.4 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of the last seven games, is averaging 36.4 minutes per game. The 36.4 mark leads the MAC and ranks 18th in the country. Acuff's minutes average is the most by an Eagle since 2001-02 when Ricky Cottrill averaged 37.7 minutes per game.
TYSON ACUFF, 6 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in six of the last seven games (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 25 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 23 at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 24 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; and 24 at Michigan, Dec. 16). Acuff is one of five players in the nation with six showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Zach Edey 7 Purdue
2. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Mark Sears 6 Alabama
Tommy Bruner 6 Denver
Jordan Johnson 6 New Orleans
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 31 POINTS (x2)
Junior Tyson Acuff has a pair of 31-point performances in 2023-24 as he netted 31 against North Dakota, Nov. 26, on a blistering 12-for-19 showing from the floor. He also scored 31 points in EMU's 69-62 victory over Cleveland State, Nov. 18, in an 11-for-17 shooting performance. Acuff has netted 30-plus point games four times in his career, all of which have come at EMU. Acuff is one of 14 players in the nation with multiple 31-point showings.
Games with 31-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Xavier Johnson 4 Southern Illinois
2. Tyson Acuff 2 Eastern Michigan
Tommy Bruner 2 Denver
Touko Tainamo 2 Denver
Tucker DeVries 2 Drake
Jayden Epps 2 Georgetown
Ken Evans, Jr. 2 Jacksonville
Shahada Wells 2 McNeese State
Wynston Tabbs 2 Morehead State
Landon Glasper 2 North Carolina A&T
Clark Slajchert 2 Pennsylvania
Zach Edey 2 Purdue
Wade Taylor IV 2 Texas A&M
Trey Calvin 2 Wright State
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 16 POINTS AT MICHIGAN
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy scored 16 points, including 12 in the second half, at Michigan, Dec. 16. Lovejoy was two points short of his career high against Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022. Lovejoy made six field goals, equaling a career high.
JUST FIVE TURNOVERS AT MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan turned the ball over just five times at Michigan, Dec. 16. Five turnovers was the fewest by EMU since Dec. 11, 2016 against Siena Heights and the fewest for the Eagles against a Power Five school since tallying just four turnovers at Michigan State, Nov. 23, 2015.
OUTSCORED MICHIGAN IN THE PAINT, 38-30
Eastern Michigan outscored Michigan in the paint, 38-30, Dec. 16. EMU last scored 38 points in the paint against Niagara, Dec. 11, 2022.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HAMPTON
Eastern Michigan is 1-1 all-time against Hampton after the teams played a home-and-home spanning 1999 and 2000. EMU will seek its first home win against the Pirates after a narrow 73-71 defeat in Ypsilanti, Nov. 20, 2000.
EMU AGAINST THE COASTAL
Eastern Michigan is 4-4 all-time against current Coastal institutions. EMU is 1-1 against both Hampton and Northeastern with the game against Hampton being the third between the squads.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan is well ahead of its 2022-23 win pace as the Eagles secured their fifth win of the 2023-24 season, Dec. 1 vs. Lake Superior State, nearly two months earlier into the season compared to the 2022-23 season.
2022-23 Date Win Number 2023-24 Date
Nov. 7 vs. Wayne State 1 Nov. 11 vs. Georgia Southern
Nov. 30 at FIU 2 Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State
Dec. 18 vs. Detroit Mercy 3 Nov. 21 at Detroit Mercy
Jan. 7 vs. Central Mich. 4 Nov. 25 at Central Arkansas
Jan. 28 at Miami 5 Dec. 1 vs. Lake Superior State
Jan. 31 vs. Ohio 6 ???
Feb. 21 vs. Western Mich. 7 ???
Feb. 25 vs. Ball State 8 ???
YUSUF JIHAD, 9+ POINTS IN 7-OF-10 GAMES
Junior Yusuf Jihad has scored at least nine points in seven of the team's 10 contests, highlighted by a 15-point showing against his former school, Oakland, Dec. 8. Jihad had just four performances of nine-plus points, all of which came in 2022-23, in his previous 67 games played.
YUSUF JIHAD, 3RD IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad ranks third in the MAC with an impressive .520 shooting percentage from deep as he is 13-for-25 on three-point attempts. Jihad does not meet the 2.5 three-pointers made per game qualifier, so is therefore not ranked nationally. Jihad was 16-for-44 (.374) on three-point attempts in 2022-23.
JULIUS ELLERBE, LEADER IN ASSISTS/REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in both assists (28, 3.1 apg) and rebounds (48, 5.2 rpg). Ellerbe had eight points and six boards at Michigan, Dec. 16. Ellerbe continued his versatile play for EMU in its 77-63 loss to Oakland, Dec. 8, as he matched his season high with nine rebounds while dishing out five assists. Ellerbe netted six points but also had a season-high six turnovers. Ellerbe was leading the MAC in assist/turnover ratio prior to the Oakland game, but ranks sixth in conference with a 1.50 mark prior to EMU's game against Hampton, Dec. 21.
CYRIL MARTYNOV: CAREER-HIGH 25 MIN. AT UM
Sophomore Cyril Martynov played a career-high 25 minutes at Michigan, Dec. 16, surpassing his previous career high of 18 minutes set at Butler, Nov. 6. Martynov scored six points in the loss.
CYRIL MARTYNOV: CAREER-HIGHS VS. LSSU
Sophomore Cyril Martynov recorded a career-high eight points and a career-high six rebounds in EMU's 68-53 win over LSSU, Dec. 1. Martynov also equaled his career high with three made field goals in his first career start.
TWO DERIK PRANGER BLOCKS VS. LSSU
Redshirt freshman Derik Pranger blocked a pair of shots in the Eagles' 68-53 win over Lake Superior State, Dec. 1. The blocks were the first of his career. Pranger joins junior Yusuf Jihad (Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State) and freshman Arne Osojnik (Nov. 26 vs. North Dakota) as Eagles to record two blocks in a game this season.
TEN DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN STARTING LINEUP
Eastern Michigan, which used five different lineups in the opening five games of the 2023-24 season, has used 10 different players in the starting lineup this season. Junior Tyson Acuff is the lone Eagle to start every game while freshman Arne Osojnik has started eight games after not starting the season-opening game at Butler, Nov. 6, and the most recent game at Michigan, Dec. 16. Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter started the season's first seven games and is at eight total starts. Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe and junior Yusuf Jihad are tied for fourth on the team with six starts. Redshirt junior John McGriff has three starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven each have three starts and sophomore Cyril Martynov each have three starts with Martynov's all coming in the past three games. Junior Jalin Billingsley and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy have one start apeice.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS, 6-OF-7 GAMES
The Eagles, which had two players in double-digits in points in each of the first three games, put together six-straight games of having a trio of Eagles score double-digit points before having the streak snapped at Michigan, Dec. 16.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 10
2. Yusuf Jihad 5
3. Arne Osojnik 4
4. Legend Geeter 3
5. Jalin Billingsley 1
Julius Ellerbe 1
Orlando Lovejoy 1
John McGriff 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 592-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit two threes against Michigan, Dec. 16, has now hit at least one triple in 592-straight games. EMU last failed to score from downtown Jan. 24, 2004, when Miami held the Eagles to 0-of-7 from behind the arc.
MICHIGAN MATCH-UPS
The Eagles are scheduled to play five in-state opponents in non-conference action with contests against Detroit Mercy (Nov. 21), Lake Superior State (Dec. 1), Oakland (Dec. 8), Michigan (Dec. 16), and Northwood (Dec. 30). EMU last played five in-state foes during the non-conference slate in 2019-20, going 4-1 in such contests. EMU topped Detroit Mercy, 76-72, Nov. 21. The Eagles won, 68-53, over LSSU, Dec. 1, before moving to 2-2 in such games after a 77-63 loss to Oakland, Dec. 8, and an 83-66 loss at Michigan, Dec. 16.
SWEET HOME MICHIGAN IN DECEMBER
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to play five games in December, all of which will occur in Michigan. The Eagles host Lake Superior State (Dec. 1), Oakland (Dec. 8), Hampton (Dec. 21), and Northwood (Dec. 30) while also traveling to Michigan (Dec. 16). The last time EMU stayed in Michigan for the entirety of a month while playing at least five games was November 2015, when Eastern played six contests in Michigan, four of which were played on its home floor. Eastern Michigan did not leave the Mitten State until Jan. 12, 2021, during the 2020-21 COVID-influenced season, but the Eagles played one game in November and four games in December, respectively.
NEW FOE, WHO DIS?
The Eagles played three first-time opponents as they met Butler (Nov. 6), Georgia Southern (Nov. 11), and Central Arkansas (Nov. 25). EMU dropped a 94-55 decision against Butler before beating Georgia Southern, 70-60. The Eagles edged Central Arkansas, 74-71.
MT. MARTYNOV, SEVEN-FOOTER
Sophomore Cyril Martynov stands at seven feet tall and is one of five players in the MAC scaling at least seven feet, per each MAC school's official website. Miami's Reece Potter is the tallest in the conference at 7-foot-1 while Bowling Green's Jason Spurgin, Central Michigan's Hunter Harding, and Western Michigan's Javonte Brown are all 7-foot.
WHO'S BACK??
EMU returns 10 players from its 2022-23 roster including juniors Tyson Acuff, Jalin Billingsley, Yusuf Jihad, Kevin-David Rice, and Andrew Wells; redshirt sophomores Legend Geeter, Javantae Randle, and Prakash Ketterhagen; sophomore Orlando Lovejoy; and redshirt freshman Derik Pranger.
WHO'S GONE??
EMU lost six players from its 2022-23 roster including Emoni Bates (2nd Round pick in NBA Draft), Noah Farrakhan (transfer to West Virginia), Derek Ballard Jr. (graduation), Luka Savicevic (transfer to Lafayette), Collin Golson Jr. (transfer to Wayne State), and JZ Zaher (transfer to Bowling Green).
WHAT'S GONE??
EMU lost 1,114 of its 2,239 points (49.8%) from the 2022-23 season, most notably being the program's 15th NBA draftee as Emoni Bates was picked in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers (49th overall).
FRESH FACES
EMU added six newcomers to its 2023-24 roster including redshirt juniors John McGriff (Binghamton), Julius Ellerbe (East Central CC), Connor Serven (Illinois), and Micah Schnyders (Wheaton College), sophomore Cyril Martynov (Georgia Tech), and freshman Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia).
HALF MICHIGAN-MADE
Half of the Eastern Michigan 16-player roster hails from Michigan while Illinois (two), Maryland (two), Colorado (one) are represented, as well as a pair of international student-athletes with one from Canada and another from Slovenia. A complete breakdown of the EMU roster can be found on page 12.
DOUBLEHEADER DAY
The Eagles are scheduled to play five double-headers with the EMU women's basketball team in 2023-24 with four of the five double-headers taking place in Ypsilanti. Both the EMU men's and women's teams will play Nov.18 (men vs. Cleveland State, women vs. SIUE), Jan. 6 (men vs. Kent State, women vs. Toledo), Jan. 20 (at Ohio), Jan. 27 (men vs. Buffalo, women vs. Ball State), Feb. 17 (men vs. Bowling Green, women vs. Northern Illinois). The EMU men also hosted a doubleheader with the EMU's volleyball team, Nov. 11.
Men's basketball beat Georgia Southern, 70-60, while volleyball beat Kent State, 3-0, Nov. 11.
Men's basketball beat Cleveland State, 69-62, Nov.18, while women's basketball topped SIUE, 68-65.
EMONI BATES NBA + G-LEAGUE
Former Eagle Emoni Bates played his first significant minutes in the NBA, Oct. 31, for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks as the rookie netted nine points with six rebounds in 23 minutes. Bates later sent shockwaves through the G-League in his first game with the Cleveland Charge, scoring 29 points with seven made three-pointers, Nov. 10, in Cleveland's 119-106 win over the Wisconsin Herd. Bates is averaging 24.8 points per game and has five outings of 29-plus points for the Charge.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Northwood University Saturday, Dec. 30, for a 1 p.m. contest. The game rounds out EMU's known non-conference slate as the Eagles open MAC play at Bowling Green State University, Jan. 2. EMU is also scheduled to play at a to-be-determined Sun Belt Conference opponent, Feb. 10, in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Hampton will air on ESPN+. Ryan Wooley and Reggie Butler will be on the call. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner will have the call live on WEMU Radio (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern Michigan dropped a 83-66 decision at Michigan, Dec. 16, in Ann Arbor. EMU trailed, 49-39, early in the second half before UM pulled away. Junior Tyson Acuff scored 24 points while sophomore Orlando Lovejoy netted a season-high 16 points.
» Eastern Michigan turned the ball over just five times at Michigan, Dec. 16. Five turnovers was the fewest by EMU since Dec. 11, 2016 against Siena Heights and the fewest for the Eagles against a Power Five school since tallying just four turnovers at Michigan State, Nov. 23, 2015.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.4 points per game through 10 games, which leads the MAC and ranks eighth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26).
» Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in six games (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 25 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 23 at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 24 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; 24 at Michigan, Dec. 16). Acuff is one of four players in the nation with six showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 23-48 record at EMU and 232-256 record over 16 years as a head coach. Fifty of NCAA Division I's head coaches are coaching their alma mater, up from 48 in 2022-23.
TYSON ACUFF, MAC SCORING LEADER AND MORE
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.4 points per game through 10 games, which leads the MAC and ranks eighth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances. Acuff is the first Eagle since Brandon Bowdry to score at least 13 points in each of the team's first 10 games. Bowdry started the 2009-10 season with 13-straight contests with 14-plus points.
National scoring leaders:
1. Xavier Johnson 24.8 Southern Illinois
2. Zach Edey 24.5 Purdue
3. Tommy Bruner 23.2 Denver
4. Jordan Johnson 23.1 New Orleans
5. Tyler Thomas 22.9 Hofstra
6. Jaedon LeDee 22.8 San Diego State
7. Trey Calvin 22.44 Wright State
8. Tyson Acuff 22.40 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 22.4 ppg would rank fifth in program history for a single season.
1. George Gervin 29.5 1971-72
2. Earl Boykins 25.7 1997-98
3. Kennedy McIntosh 25.4 1970-71
4. Grant Long 23.0 1987-88
5. Tyson Acuff 22.4 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF 100+ CAREER THREE-POINTERS
Junior Tyson Acuff surpassed 100 career three-point makes with his five made three-pointers against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and sits at 108 career three-pointers made. Acuff is at 891 career points. Acuff netted 38 three-pointers and 239 points in his two seasons at Duquesne. Acuff saw a streak of seven-straight games with multiple made three-pointers come to an end at Michigan, Dec. 16, after an 0-of-7 showing from deep.
TYSON ACUFF, 36.4 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of the last seven games, is averaging 36.4 minutes per game. The 36.4 mark leads the MAC and ranks 18th in the country. Acuff's minutes average is the most by an Eagle since 2001-02 when Ricky Cottrill averaged 37.7 minutes per game.
TYSON ACUFF, 6 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in six of the last seven games (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 25 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 23 at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 24 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; and 24 at Michigan, Dec. 16). Acuff is one of five players in the nation with six showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Zach Edey 7 Purdue
2. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Mark Sears 6 Alabama
Tommy Bruner 6 Denver
Jordan Johnson 6 New Orleans
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 31 POINTS (x2)
Junior Tyson Acuff has a pair of 31-point performances in 2023-24 as he netted 31 against North Dakota, Nov. 26, on a blistering 12-for-19 showing from the floor. He also scored 31 points in EMU's 69-62 victory over Cleveland State, Nov. 18, in an 11-for-17 shooting performance. Acuff has netted 30-plus point games four times in his career, all of which have come at EMU. Acuff is one of 14 players in the nation with multiple 31-point showings.
Games with 31-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Xavier Johnson 4 Southern Illinois
2. Tyson Acuff 2 Eastern Michigan
Tommy Bruner 2 Denver
Touko Tainamo 2 Denver
Tucker DeVries 2 Drake
Jayden Epps 2 Georgetown
Ken Evans, Jr. 2 Jacksonville
Shahada Wells 2 McNeese State
Wynston Tabbs 2 Morehead State
Landon Glasper 2 North Carolina A&T
Clark Slajchert 2 Pennsylvania
Zach Edey 2 Purdue
Wade Taylor IV 2 Texas A&M
Trey Calvin 2 Wright State
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 16 POINTS AT MICHIGAN
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy scored 16 points, including 12 in the second half, at Michigan, Dec. 16. Lovejoy was two points short of his career high against Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022. Lovejoy made six field goals, equaling a career high.
JUST FIVE TURNOVERS AT MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan turned the ball over just five times at Michigan, Dec. 16. Five turnovers was the fewest by EMU since Dec. 11, 2016 against Siena Heights and the fewest for the Eagles against a Power Five school since tallying just four turnovers at Michigan State, Nov. 23, 2015.
OUTSCORED MICHIGAN IN THE PAINT, 38-30
Eastern Michigan outscored Michigan in the paint, 38-30, Dec. 16. EMU last scored 38 points in the paint against Niagara, Dec. 11, 2022.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. HAMPTON
Eastern Michigan is 1-1 all-time against Hampton after the teams played a home-and-home spanning 1999 and 2000. EMU will seek its first home win against the Pirates after a narrow 73-71 defeat in Ypsilanti, Nov. 20, 2000.
EMU AGAINST THE COASTAL
Eastern Michigan is 4-4 all-time against current Coastal institutions. EMU is 1-1 against both Hampton and Northeastern with the game against Hampton being the third between the squads.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan is well ahead of its 2022-23 win pace as the Eagles secured their fifth win of the 2023-24 season, Dec. 1 vs. Lake Superior State, nearly two months earlier into the season compared to the 2022-23 season.
2022-23 Date Win Number 2023-24 Date
Nov. 7 vs. Wayne State 1 Nov. 11 vs. Georgia Southern
Nov. 30 at FIU 2 Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State
Dec. 18 vs. Detroit Mercy 3 Nov. 21 at Detroit Mercy
Jan. 7 vs. Central Mich. 4 Nov. 25 at Central Arkansas
Jan. 28 at Miami 5 Dec. 1 vs. Lake Superior State
Jan. 31 vs. Ohio 6 ???
Feb. 21 vs. Western Mich. 7 ???
Feb. 25 vs. Ball State 8 ???
YUSUF JIHAD, 9+ POINTS IN 7-OF-10 GAMES
Junior Yusuf Jihad has scored at least nine points in seven of the team's 10 contests, highlighted by a 15-point showing against his former school, Oakland, Dec. 8. Jihad had just four performances of nine-plus points, all of which came in 2022-23, in his previous 67 games played.
YUSUF JIHAD, 3RD IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad ranks third in the MAC with an impressive .520 shooting percentage from deep as he is 13-for-25 on three-point attempts. Jihad does not meet the 2.5 three-pointers made per game qualifier, so is therefore not ranked nationally. Jihad was 16-for-44 (.374) on three-point attempts in 2022-23.
JULIUS ELLERBE, LEADER IN ASSISTS/REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in both assists (28, 3.1 apg) and rebounds (48, 5.2 rpg). Ellerbe had eight points and six boards at Michigan, Dec. 16. Ellerbe continued his versatile play for EMU in its 77-63 loss to Oakland, Dec. 8, as he matched his season high with nine rebounds while dishing out five assists. Ellerbe netted six points but also had a season-high six turnovers. Ellerbe was leading the MAC in assist/turnover ratio prior to the Oakland game, but ranks sixth in conference with a 1.50 mark prior to EMU's game against Hampton, Dec. 21.
CYRIL MARTYNOV: CAREER-HIGH 25 MIN. AT UM
Sophomore Cyril Martynov played a career-high 25 minutes at Michigan, Dec. 16, surpassing his previous career high of 18 minutes set at Butler, Nov. 6. Martynov scored six points in the loss.
CYRIL MARTYNOV: CAREER-HIGHS VS. LSSU
Sophomore Cyril Martynov recorded a career-high eight points and a career-high six rebounds in EMU's 68-53 win over LSSU, Dec. 1. Martynov also equaled his career high with three made field goals in his first career start.
TWO DERIK PRANGER BLOCKS VS. LSSU
Redshirt freshman Derik Pranger blocked a pair of shots in the Eagles' 68-53 win over Lake Superior State, Dec. 1. The blocks were the first of his career. Pranger joins junior Yusuf Jihad (Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State) and freshman Arne Osojnik (Nov. 26 vs. North Dakota) as Eagles to record two blocks in a game this season.
TEN DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN STARTING LINEUP
Eastern Michigan, which used five different lineups in the opening five games of the 2023-24 season, has used 10 different players in the starting lineup this season. Junior Tyson Acuff is the lone Eagle to start every game while freshman Arne Osojnik has started eight games after not starting the season-opening game at Butler, Nov. 6, and the most recent game at Michigan, Dec. 16. Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter started the season's first seven games and is at eight total starts. Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe and junior Yusuf Jihad are tied for fourth on the team with six starts. Redshirt junior John McGriff has three starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven each have three starts and sophomore Cyril Martynov each have three starts with Martynov's all coming in the past three games. Junior Jalin Billingsley and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy have one start apeice.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS, 6-OF-7 GAMES
The Eagles, which had two players in double-digits in points in each of the first three games, put together six-straight games of having a trio of Eagles score double-digit points before having the streak snapped at Michigan, Dec. 16.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 10
2. Yusuf Jihad 5
3. Arne Osojnik 4
4. Legend Geeter 3
5. Jalin Billingsley 1
Julius Ellerbe 1
Orlando Lovejoy 1
John McGriff 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 592-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit two threes against Michigan, Dec. 16, has now hit at least one triple in 592-straight games. EMU last failed to score from downtown Jan. 24, 2004, when Miami held the Eagles to 0-of-7 from behind the arc.
MICHIGAN MATCH-UPS
The Eagles are scheduled to play five in-state opponents in non-conference action with contests against Detroit Mercy (Nov. 21), Lake Superior State (Dec. 1), Oakland (Dec. 8), Michigan (Dec. 16), and Northwood (Dec. 30). EMU last played five in-state foes during the non-conference slate in 2019-20, going 4-1 in such contests. EMU topped Detroit Mercy, 76-72, Nov. 21. The Eagles won, 68-53, over LSSU, Dec. 1, before moving to 2-2 in such games after a 77-63 loss to Oakland, Dec. 8, and an 83-66 loss at Michigan, Dec. 16.
SWEET HOME MICHIGAN IN DECEMBER
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to play five games in December, all of which will occur in Michigan. The Eagles host Lake Superior State (Dec. 1), Oakland (Dec. 8), Hampton (Dec. 21), and Northwood (Dec. 30) while also traveling to Michigan (Dec. 16). The last time EMU stayed in Michigan for the entirety of a month while playing at least five games was November 2015, when Eastern played six contests in Michigan, four of which were played on its home floor. Eastern Michigan did not leave the Mitten State until Jan. 12, 2021, during the 2020-21 COVID-influenced season, but the Eagles played one game in November and four games in December, respectively.
NEW FOE, WHO DIS?
The Eagles played three first-time opponents as they met Butler (Nov. 6), Georgia Southern (Nov. 11), and Central Arkansas (Nov. 25). EMU dropped a 94-55 decision against Butler before beating Georgia Southern, 70-60. The Eagles edged Central Arkansas, 74-71.
MT. MARTYNOV, SEVEN-FOOTER
Sophomore Cyril Martynov stands at seven feet tall and is one of five players in the MAC scaling at least seven feet, per each MAC school's official website. Miami's Reece Potter is the tallest in the conference at 7-foot-1 while Bowling Green's Jason Spurgin, Central Michigan's Hunter Harding, and Western Michigan's Javonte Brown are all 7-foot.
WHO'S BACK??
EMU returns 10 players from its 2022-23 roster including juniors Tyson Acuff, Jalin Billingsley, Yusuf Jihad, Kevin-David Rice, and Andrew Wells; redshirt sophomores Legend Geeter, Javantae Randle, and Prakash Ketterhagen; sophomore Orlando Lovejoy; and redshirt freshman Derik Pranger.
WHO'S GONE??
EMU lost six players from its 2022-23 roster including Emoni Bates (2nd Round pick in NBA Draft), Noah Farrakhan (transfer to West Virginia), Derek Ballard Jr. (graduation), Luka Savicevic (transfer to Lafayette), Collin Golson Jr. (transfer to Wayne State), and JZ Zaher (transfer to Bowling Green).
WHAT'S GONE??
EMU lost 1,114 of its 2,239 points (49.8%) from the 2022-23 season, most notably being the program's 15th NBA draftee as Emoni Bates was picked in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers (49th overall).
FRESH FACES
EMU added six newcomers to its 2023-24 roster including redshirt juniors John McGriff (Binghamton), Julius Ellerbe (East Central CC), Connor Serven (Illinois), and Micah Schnyders (Wheaton College), sophomore Cyril Martynov (Georgia Tech), and freshman Arne Osojnik (Ljubljana, Slovenia).
HALF MICHIGAN-MADE
Half of the Eastern Michigan 16-player roster hails from Michigan while Illinois (two), Maryland (two), Colorado (one) are represented, as well as a pair of international student-athletes with one from Canada and another from Slovenia. A complete breakdown of the EMU roster can be found on page 12.
DOUBLEHEADER DAY
The Eagles are scheduled to play five double-headers with the EMU women's basketball team in 2023-24 with four of the five double-headers taking place in Ypsilanti. Both the EMU men's and women's teams will play Nov.18 (men vs. Cleveland State, women vs. SIUE), Jan. 6 (men vs. Kent State, women vs. Toledo), Jan. 20 (at Ohio), Jan. 27 (men vs. Buffalo, women vs. Ball State), Feb. 17 (men vs. Bowling Green, women vs. Northern Illinois). The EMU men also hosted a doubleheader with the EMU's volleyball team, Nov. 11.
Men's basketball beat Georgia Southern, 70-60, while volleyball beat Kent State, 3-0, Nov. 11.
Men's basketball beat Cleveland State, 69-62, Nov.18, while women's basketball topped SIUE, 68-65.
EMONI BATES NBA + G-LEAGUE
Former Eagle Emoni Bates played his first significant minutes in the NBA, Oct. 31, for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks as the rookie netted nine points with six rebounds in 23 minutes. Bates later sent shockwaves through the G-League in his first game with the Cleveland Charge, scoring 29 points with seven made three-pointers, Nov. 10, in Cleveland's 119-106 win over the Wisconsin Herd. Bates is averaging 24.8 points per game and has five outings of 29-plus points for the Charge.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Northwood University Saturday, Dec. 30, for a 1 p.m. contest. The game rounds out EMU's known non-conference slate as the Eagles open MAC play at Bowling Green State University, Jan. 2. EMU is also scheduled to play at a to-be-determined Sun Belt Conference opponent, Feb. 10, in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
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