Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 13
Oxford, Ohio
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Miami
Photo by: Jonathan Knight
EMU Off to Oxford to Battle Miami Saturday
1/11/2024 3:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game set for 1 p.m.
| Men's Basketball at Miami | |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. |
| Venue | Millett Hall (9,200) | Oxford, Ohio |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Fan Information | Purchase Tickets |
MIAMI, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team will travel to Miami University for Mid-American Conference action, Saturday, Jan. 13. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start inside Millett Hall.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Miami will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer will have the call live on WEMU Radio (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern Michigan was topped by a hot-shooting Central Michigan team, 80-64. The Eagles were within two at halftime despite CMU drilling six of its first seven attempts from deep before the Chippewas pulled away. Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy scored 16 points, marking his sixth-straight game with at least 14 points.
» Miami enters the game 7-8 overall and 1-2 in the MAC after most recently topping Buffalo, 86-65, Jan. 9. Miami has a pair of single-digit MAC losses while an 84-64 loss at Ohio State, Dec. 6, and a 70-69 victory over Vermont, Dec. 22.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.0 points per game through 15 games, which leads the MAC and is tied for fifth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a trio of 31-point performances (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2).
» Acuff has scored 23-plus points in eight 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; 29 vs. Hampton, Dec. 21; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2). Acuff is one of six players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 26-51 record at EMU and 235-258 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 22.0 points per game through 15 games, which leads the MAC and is tied for fifth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a trio of 31-point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 25.4 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 24.1 Southern Illinois
3. Jalen Blackmon 22.4 Stetson
4. Tyler Thomas 22.1 Hofstra
5. Tyson Acuff 22.0 Eastern Michigan
Jaedon LeDee 22.0 San Diego State
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 22.0 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 22.0 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: APPROACHING 1000+ CAREER POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 975 career points. He surpassed 100 career three-point makes with his five made three-pointers against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and sits at 111 career three-pointers made. 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: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 765 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
.
54. Jack Brusewitz 804 1977-82
James "Boo" Jackson 804 2001-05
55. Gary Clark 791 1960-64
56. Charles Crickmore 778 1955-59
57. Walt Jones 774 1972-76
58. Tyson Acuff 765 2022-24
59. Chris Pipkin 759 1990-93
If Acuff is able to reach 1,000 points scored at EMU, he would be the 32nd player in program history to do so and first since Tim Bond surpassed 1,000 in 2018.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.9 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of his last 11 games, is averaging 37.9 minutes per game. The 37.9 mark leads the MAC and ranks fifth in the country. Acuff's minutes average narrowly edges Ricky Cottrill's mark of 37.7 minutes per game for the most by an Eagle since 2000.
National minutes per game leaders:
1. Ethan Taylor 38.8 Air Force
2. Kareem Thompson 38.7 Oral Roberts
3. Kino Lilly Jr. 38.1 Brown
4. Isaac McBride 37.9 Oral Roberts
5. Tyson Acuff 37.9 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, NATION'S LEADER IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff leads the nation in field goals made per game.
National field goals made per game leaders:
1. Tyson Acuff 8.0 Eastern Michigan
2. Hunter Dickinson 7.9 Kansas
3. Tyson Walker 7.9 Michigan State
4. Tommy Bruner 7.8 Denver
5. Tyler Thomas 7.8 Hofstra
TYSON ACUFF: SIX GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in six games this season (11 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 10 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 12 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 10 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; 10 at Michigan, Dec. 16; 13 at BGSU, Jan. 2)
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 7 Denver
2. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Marcus Hill 6 Bowling Green
TYSON ACUFF, 8 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in seven of his last eight 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; 29 vs. Hampton, Dec. 21; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2). Acuff is one of six players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 11 Denver
Xavier Johnson 9 Southern Illinois
3. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
Zach Edey 8 Purdue
Jalen Blackmon 8 Stetson
Elijah Pepper 8 UC-Davis
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 31 POINTS (x3)
Junior Tyson Acuff has a trio of 31-point performances in 2023-24 as he netted 31 against BGSU, Jan. 2. He also had 31 against North Dakota, Nov. 26, on a blistering 12-for-19 showing from the floor and 31 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 five times in his career, all of which have come at EMU. Acuff is one of four players in the nation and the only player in the MAC with three-plus 31-point showings.
Games with 31-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 5 Denver
Xavier Johnson 5 Southern Illinois
3. Tyson Acuff 3 Eastern Michigan
Jalen Blackmon 3 Stetson
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. MIAMI
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Miami, 29-53. The teams have played every calendar year since 1975. Saturday's game will be the 50th-straight year the teams have played each other. The Eagles have won eight of the last 12 games in the series, including in the teams' most recent match-up, a 74-69 EMU win in Oxford, Jan. 18, 2023. Saturday's meeting will be the third-straight meeting at Miami, marking the first time EMU has played three-consecutive road games in series history.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan met its 2022-23 win total as the Eagles secured their eighth win of the 2023-24 season, Jan. 6 vs. Kent State, nearly two months earlier in the season compared to the 2022-23 season.
2022-23 Date Win Number 2023-24 Date
CORRELATION AND MAYBE CAUSATION
Some statistics have provided increased insight into whether the Eagles would win or lose:
Did the Eagles.....? Yes No
Lead/tie at halftime 6-1 2-6
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 7-0 1-7
Shoot better % than opponent 8-1 0-6
Outrebound opponent 6-1 2-6
Trends were broken in EMU's 92-90 overtime loss against BGSU, Jan. 2, as the Eagles suffered their first loss in three of the above categories. EMU led, 42-34, at halftime; outshot BGSU, .500-.462; and outrebounded the Falcons, 43-41.
Win when trailing at the half... Half Final
Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State 29-32 69-62
Jan. 6 vs. Kent State 26-38 71-69
Win when being outrebounded... REB Final
Nov. 25 at Central Arkansas 35-36 74-71
Jan. 6 vs. Kent State 29-35 71-69
Win when allowing 72+ points... PA Final
Nov. 21 at Detroit Mercy 72 76-72
TIGHT GAMES GOING TO EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less in 2023-24, holding a 7-2 record in such games. The Eagles' losses in the category were a tight 72-70 loss to North Dakota, Nov. 26, and a 92-90 overtime loss at BGSU, Jan. 2, as EMU is also 5-2 in games decided by four points or less.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 6-STRAIGHT WITH 14+ POINTS
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has six-straight games with 14-plus points after he scored 16 points at Michigan, Dec. 16; 15 points against Hampton, Dec. 21; 17 points against Northwood, Dec. 30; 14 points at BGSU, Jan. 2; 16 points against Kent State, Jan. 6; and 16 points against Central Michigan, Jan. 9). Lovejoy had just two games of 14-plus points in his previous 32 games (18 vs. Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022; 15 at BGSU, Feb. 28, 2023).
ARNE OSOJNIK: 3RD IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is third in the MAC in scoring by true freshmen, averaging 8.3 points per game.
Freshman MAC scoring leaders (true freshman only):
1. Ryan Sabol 8.8 Buffalo
2. Evan Isparo 8.5 Miami
3. Arne Osojnik 8.3 Eastern Michigan
4. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.6 Buffalo
5. Sonny Wilson 7.3 Toledo
JULIUS ELLERBE: EMU LEADER IN REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in rebounds (69, 4.9 rpg) and ranks second in assists (33, 2.4 apg). Ellerbe has shown his versatile play in 2023-24, as he has tallied six games with three-plus assists and seven games with six-plus rebounds.
YUSUF JIHAD: 3RD IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is third in the MAC with an impressive .485 shooting percentage from deep as he is 16-for-33 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.
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 has 14 starts while Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter, and freshman Arne Osojnik are second on the team with 10 starts. Junior Yusuf Jihad is fifth with nine starts. Sophomore Cyril Martynov and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy each have six starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven has five starts. Redshirt junior John McGriff has four starts and junior Jalin Billingsley has one start to round out the EMU starters.
In total, the Eagles have used 12 unique lineups in 15 games. The Acuff-Ellerbe-Geeter-Jihad-Osojnik combo is one of only two lineups used multiple times, recording a 2-1 record. More information can be found on page 10.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS VS CMU
The Eagles had three players (sophomore Orlando Lovejoy, 16; redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, 15; and junior Tyson Acuff, 13) with double-digit points in the 71-69 win over Kent State, Jan. 6. Four players (Acuff, 31; Lovejoy, 14; Geeter, 12; Osojnik, 11) scored in double figures for the first time this season at BGSU, Jan. 2.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 14
2. Yusuf Jihad 6
Orlando Lovejoy 6
3. Arne Osojnik 5
5. Legend Geeter 4
6. Julius Ellerbe 2
7. Jalin Billingsley 1
John McGriff 1
Connor Serven 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 597-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit four threes against Central Michigan, Jan. 6, has now hit at least one triple in 597-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.
"THIS ONE'S GOING TO OVERTIME" (x2)
EMU has gone to overtime in two of its first three MAC games. The Eagles topped Kent State, 71-69, Jan. 6, after falling at Bowling Green, 92-90, Jan. 2. The games marked the first time EMU has played consecutive overtime games since Jan. 7 and Jan. 10, 2015, in losses against Ball State and Miami, respectively.
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 13.
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 doubleheaders 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.
The men's team is 3-0 in doubleheader games so far in 2023-24.
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 25.5 points per game and has six outings of 29-plus points for the Charge. Bates later scored 38 points in a 116-104 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, Jan. 6.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Ball State University Tuesday, Jan. 16, in a 7 p.m. tip as the Eagles seek a 6-2 start at home.
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 Miami will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer will have the call live on WEMU Radio (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern Michigan was topped by a hot-shooting Central Michigan team, 80-64. The Eagles were within two at halftime despite CMU drilling six of its first seven attempts from deep before the Chippewas pulled away. Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy scored 16 points, marking his sixth-straight game with at least 14 points.
» Miami enters the game 7-8 overall and 1-2 in the MAC after most recently topping Buffalo, 86-65, Jan. 9. Miami has a pair of single-digit MAC losses while an 84-64 loss at Ohio State, Dec. 6, and a 70-69 victory over Vermont, Dec. 22.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 22.0 points per game through 15 games, which leads the MAC and is tied for fifth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a trio of 31-point performances (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2).
» Acuff has scored 23-plus points in eight 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; 29 vs. Hampton, Dec. 21; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2). Acuff is one of six players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 26-51 record at EMU and 235-258 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 22.0 points per game through 15 games, which leads the MAC and is tied for fifth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a trio of 31-point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 25.4 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 24.1 Southern Illinois
3. Jalen Blackmon 22.4 Stetson
4. Tyler Thomas 22.1 Hofstra
5. Tyson Acuff 22.0 Eastern Michigan
Jaedon LeDee 22.0 San Diego State
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 22.0 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 22.0 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: APPROACHING 1000+ CAREER POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 975 career points. He surpassed 100 career three-point makes with his five made three-pointers against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and sits at 111 career three-pointers made. 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: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 765 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
.
54. Jack Brusewitz 804 1977-82
James "Boo" Jackson 804 2001-05
55. Gary Clark 791 1960-64
56. Charles Crickmore 778 1955-59
57. Walt Jones 774 1972-76
58. Tyson Acuff 765 2022-24
59. Chris Pipkin 759 1990-93
If Acuff is able to reach 1,000 points scored at EMU, he would be the 32nd player in program history to do so and first since Tim Bond surpassed 1,000 in 2018.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.9 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of his last 11 games, is averaging 37.9 minutes per game. The 37.9 mark leads the MAC and ranks fifth in the country. Acuff's minutes average narrowly edges Ricky Cottrill's mark of 37.7 minutes per game for the most by an Eagle since 2000.
National minutes per game leaders:
1. Ethan Taylor 38.8 Air Force
2. Kareem Thompson 38.7 Oral Roberts
3. Kino Lilly Jr. 38.1 Brown
4. Isaac McBride 37.9 Oral Roberts
5. Tyson Acuff 37.9 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, NATION'S LEADER IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff leads the nation in field goals made per game.
National field goals made per game leaders:
1. Tyson Acuff 8.0 Eastern Michigan
2. Hunter Dickinson 7.9 Kansas
3. Tyson Walker 7.9 Michigan State
4. Tommy Bruner 7.8 Denver
5. Tyler Thomas 7.8 Hofstra
TYSON ACUFF: SIX GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in six games this season (11 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 10 at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21; 12 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 10 vs. Lake Superior State, Dec. 1; 10 at Michigan, Dec. 16; 13 at BGSU, Jan. 2)
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 7 Denver
2. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Marcus Hill 6 Bowling Green
TYSON ACUFF, 8 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points in seven of his last eight 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; 29 vs. Hampton, Dec. 21; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2). Acuff is one of six players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 11 Denver
Xavier Johnson 9 Southern Illinois
3. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
Zach Edey 8 Purdue
Jalen Blackmon 8 Stetson
Elijah Pepper 8 UC-Davis
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 31 POINTS (x3)
Junior Tyson Acuff has a trio of 31-point performances in 2023-24 as he netted 31 against BGSU, Jan. 2. He also had 31 against North Dakota, Nov. 26, on a blistering 12-for-19 showing from the floor and 31 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 five times in his career, all of which have come at EMU. Acuff is one of four players in the nation and the only player in the MAC with three-plus 31-point showings.
Games with 31-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 5 Denver
Xavier Johnson 5 Southern Illinois
3. Tyson Acuff 3 Eastern Michigan
Jalen Blackmon 3 Stetson
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. MIAMI
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Miami, 29-53. The teams have played every calendar year since 1975. Saturday's game will be the 50th-straight year the teams have played each other. The Eagles have won eight of the last 12 games in the series, including in the teams' most recent match-up, a 74-69 EMU win in Oxford, Jan. 18, 2023. Saturday's meeting will be the third-straight meeting at Miami, marking the first time EMU has played three-consecutive road games in series history.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan met its 2022-23 win total as the Eagles secured their eighth win of the 2023-24 season, Jan. 6 vs. Kent State, nearly two months earlier in 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 Dec. 21 vs. Hampton
Feb. 21 vs. Western Mich. 7 Dec. 30 vs. Northwood
Feb. 25 vs. Ball State 8 Jan. 6 vs. Kent State
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 Dec. 21 vs. Hampton
Feb. 21 vs. Western Mich. 7 Dec. 30 vs. Northwood
Feb. 25 vs. Ball State 8 Jan. 6 vs. Kent State
CORRELATION AND MAYBE CAUSATION
Some statistics have provided increased insight into whether the Eagles would win or lose:
Did the Eagles.....? Yes No
Lead/tie at halftime 6-1 2-6
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 7-0 1-7
Shoot better % than opponent 8-1 0-6
Outrebound opponent 6-1 2-6
Trends were broken in EMU's 92-90 overtime loss against BGSU, Jan. 2, as the Eagles suffered their first loss in three of the above categories. EMU led, 42-34, at halftime; outshot BGSU, .500-.462; and outrebounded the Falcons, 43-41.
Win when trailing at the half... Half Final
Nov. 18 vs. Cleveland State 29-32 69-62
Jan. 6 vs. Kent State 26-38 71-69
Win when being outrebounded... REB Final
Nov. 25 at Central Arkansas 35-36 74-71
Jan. 6 vs. Kent State 29-35 71-69
Win when allowing 72+ points... PA Final
Nov. 21 at Detroit Mercy 72 76-72
TIGHT GAMES GOING TO EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less in 2023-24, holding a 7-2 record in such games. The Eagles' losses in the category were a tight 72-70 loss to North Dakota, Nov. 26, and a 92-90 overtime loss at BGSU, Jan. 2, as EMU is also 5-2 in games decided by four points or less.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 6-STRAIGHT WITH 14+ POINTS
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has six-straight games with 14-plus points after he scored 16 points at Michigan, Dec. 16; 15 points against Hampton, Dec. 21; 17 points against Northwood, Dec. 30; 14 points at BGSU, Jan. 2; 16 points against Kent State, Jan. 6; and 16 points against Central Michigan, Jan. 9). Lovejoy had just two games of 14-plus points in his previous 32 games (18 vs. Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022; 15 at BGSU, Feb. 28, 2023).
ARNE OSOJNIK: 3RD IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is third in the MAC in scoring by true freshmen, averaging 8.3 points per game.
Freshman MAC scoring leaders (true freshman only):
1. Ryan Sabol 8.8 Buffalo
2. Evan Isparo 8.5 Miami
3. Arne Osojnik 8.3 Eastern Michigan
4. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.6 Buffalo
5. Sonny Wilson 7.3 Toledo
JULIUS ELLERBE: EMU LEADER IN REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in rebounds (69, 4.9 rpg) and ranks second in assists (33, 2.4 apg). Ellerbe has shown his versatile play in 2023-24, as he has tallied six games with three-plus assists and seven games with six-plus rebounds.
YUSUF JIHAD: 3RD IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is third in the MAC with an impressive .485 shooting percentage from deep as he is 16-for-33 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.
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 has 14 starts while Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter, and freshman Arne Osojnik are second on the team with 10 starts. Junior Yusuf Jihad is fifth with nine starts. Sophomore Cyril Martynov and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy each have six starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven has five starts. Redshirt junior John McGriff has four starts and junior Jalin Billingsley has one start to round out the EMU starters.
In total, the Eagles have used 12 unique lineups in 15 games. The Acuff-Ellerbe-Geeter-Jihad-Osojnik combo is one of only two lineups used multiple times, recording a 2-1 record. More information can be found on page 10.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS VS CMU
The Eagles had three players (sophomore Orlando Lovejoy, 16; redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, 15; and junior Tyson Acuff, 13) with double-digit points in the 71-69 win over Kent State, Jan. 6. Four players (Acuff, 31; Lovejoy, 14; Geeter, 12; Osojnik, 11) scored in double figures for the first time this season at BGSU, Jan. 2.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 14
2. Yusuf Jihad 6
Orlando Lovejoy 6
3. Arne Osojnik 5
5. Legend Geeter 4
6. Julius Ellerbe 2
7. Jalin Billingsley 1
John McGriff 1
Connor Serven 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 597-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit four threes against Central Michigan, Jan. 6, has now hit at least one triple in 597-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.
"THIS ONE'S GOING TO OVERTIME" (x2)
EMU has gone to overtime in two of its first three MAC games. The Eagles topped Kent State, 71-69, Jan. 6, after falling at Bowling Green, 92-90, Jan. 2. The games marked the first time EMU has played consecutive overtime games since Jan. 7 and Jan. 10, 2015, in losses against Ball State and Miami, respectively.
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 13.
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 doubleheaders 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.
The men's team is 3-0 in doubleheader games so far in 2023-24.
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 25.5 points per game and has six outings of 29-plus points for the Charge. Bates later scored 38 points in a 116-104 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, Jan. 6.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Ball State University Tuesday, Jan. 16, in a 7 p.m. tip as the Eagles seek a 6-2 start at home.
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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Thank You from EMU Men's Basketball!
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