Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 20
Athens, Ohio
4 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ohio
Photo by: Jonathan Knight Photography
Eagles Hitting the Road to Battle Ohio
1/18/2024 1:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU men play at 4 p.m., preceded by EMU women's game at 1 p.m.
| Men's Basketball at Ohio | |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. |
| Venue | Convocation Center (13,000) | Athens, 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 |
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Ohio will air on ESPN+. Marty Bannister (play-by-play) and Dave Cecutti (analyst) will be on the call. 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 Ball State, 76-62, Jan. 16. EMU trailed by five with two minutes to play but the Cardinals' late burst pushed the game into a double-digit decision.
» Ohio enters the game 8-9 overall and 2-3 in the MAC after most recently topping Central Michigan, 73-61. All nine of the Bobcats' losses have come by single digits. Like EMU, OU has also played Detroit Mercy, securing a 71-52 win, Nov. 18, and Cleveland State, dropping a narrow 82-78 decision, Nov. 11.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 21.8 points per game through 17 games, which leads the MAC and ranks sixth 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 12 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 26-53 record at EMU and 235-260 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. Ohio's Jeff Boals is part of the list, graduating from Ohio in 1995.
TYSON ACUFF: MAC SCORING LEADER AND MORE
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 21.8 points per game through 17 games, which leads the MAC and is sixth 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 23.5 Southern Illinois
3. Zach Edey 22.9 Purdue
4. Tyler Thomas 22.8 Hofstra
5. Jordan Johnson 22.4 New Orleans
6. Tyson Acuff 21.8 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 21.8 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 21.8 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: SURPASSED 1000+ CAREER POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 1,015 career points, surpassing the 1,000 mark with a 21-point performance against Ball State, Jan. 16. He surpassed 100 career three-point makes with his five made three-pointers against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and sits at 115 career three-pointers made. Acuff netted 38 three-pointers and 239 points in his two seasons at Duquesne.
TYSON ACUFF: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 776 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
.
50. MikeTalley 815 2013-15
Gary Green 815 1977-79
52. Noah Farrakhan 808 2021-23
53. Jack Brusewitz 804 1977-82
James "Boo" Jackson 804 2001-05
55. Gary Clark 791 1960-64
56. Charles Crickmore 778 1955-59
57. Tyson Acuff 776 2022-24
58. Walt Jones 774 1972-76
If Acuff can reach 1,000 points scored at EMU, he would be the 32nd player in program history to do so and the first since Tim Bond surpassed 1,000 in 2018.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.6 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in 11-straight games before playing just 31 minutes at Miami, Jan. 13, is averaging 37.6 minutes per game. He played 40 minutes against Ball State, Jan. 16, his third time playing the entirety of the game this season. The 37.6 mark leads the MAC and ranks sixth in the country. Acuff narrowly trails 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 39.1 Air Force
2. Kareem Thompson 38.6 Oral Roberts
3. Isaac McBride 38.1 Oral Roberts
4. Kino Lilly Jr. 38.0 Brown
5. Tyler Thomas 37.9 Hofstra
6. Tyson Acuff 37.6 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 4TH IN THE NATION IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff ranks fourth in the nation in field goals made per game.
National field goals made per game leaders:
1. Hunter Dickinson 8.2 Kansas
2. Tyler Thomas 8.1 Hofstra
3. Tommy Bruner 8.0 Denver
4. Tyson Acuff 8.0 Eastern Michigan
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
Tucker DeVries 6 Drake
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 eight players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 12 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 9 Southern Illinois
Zach Edey 9 Purdue
4. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
Tyler Thomas 8 Hofstra
Jordan Johnson 8 New Orleans
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 is one of 12 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. Wade Taylor IV 4 Texas A&M
4. Tyson Acuff 3 Eastern Michigan
Tucker DeVries 3 Drake
Noah Reynolds 3 Green Bay
Jordan Johnson 3 New Orleans
Saint Thomas 3 Northern Colorado
Zach Edey 3 Purdue
Jalen Blackmon 3 Stetson
Dalton Knecht 3 Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV 3 Texas A&M
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. OHIO
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Ohio, 27-54. The teams have played every calendar year since 1975 except for 2000. EMU is seeking back-to-back wins in the series for the first time since 2003-2004. The Eagles have not won back-to-back games in regulation in the series since 1990-1991. The Eagles snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bobcats with a 90-79 win in Ypsilanti, Jan. 31, 2023.
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 2-8
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 7-1 1-8
Shoot better % than opponent 8-1 0-8
Outrebound opponent 6-2 2-7
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. The Eagles also limited Miami to 71 points in their 71-54 loss, Jan. 13, before outrebounding Ball State, 37-31, in a 76-62 loss, Jan. 16.
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.
THREE OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS ALLOWED VS. BSU
EMU conceded just three offensive rebounds against Ball State as the Eagles hauled in 27 defensive boards. The three offensive boards allowed by the Eagles is the fewest since allowing three at Niagara in a 67-60 loss, Dec. 11, 2023. The game against the Cardinals marks the first time the Eagles have allowed three or fewer offensive rebounds against a MAC opponent since giving up three against Northern Illinois in a 55-52 loss, March 5, 2012.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: 11 POINTS, 8 REBOUNDS
In his second start of the season and first since Nov. 14 at 10th-ranked Florida Atlantic, junior Jalin Billingsley netted 11 points and hauled in eight rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 16. Billingsley's 11 points equaled his season high, which he previously achieved against Lake Superior State, Dec. 1. His eight rebounds matched a career high, which he did against Northwood, Dec. 30.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 14+ POINTS IN 6-OF-8
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has scored at least 14 points in six of his last eight games as 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's streak was snapped with a two-point showing at Miami, Jan. 13, before tallying nine points against Ball State, Jan. 16. 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: 4TH IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is fourth in the MAC in scoring by true freshmen, averaging 7.4 points per game.
Freshman MAC scoring leaders (true freshman only):
1. Evan Isparo 7.9 Miami
2. Ryan Sabol 7.8 Buffalo
3. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.6 Buffalo
4. Arne Osojnik 7.4 Eastern Michigan
5. Sonny Wilson 6.9 Toledo
JULIUS ELLERBE: EMU LEADER IN REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in rebounds (83, 5.2 rpg) and ranks second in assists (36, 2.4 apg). Ellerbe has shown his versatile play in 2023-24, as he has tallied six games with three-plus assists and nine games with six-plus rebounds.
YUSUF JIHAD: 2ND IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is second in the MAC with an impressive .462 shooting percentage from deep as he is 18-for-39 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.
MAC 3PT% leaders:
1. Ajay Sheldon .528 Ohio
2. Yusuf Jihad .462 Eastern Michigan
3. Derrick Butler .458 Central Michigan
TEN DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE 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 16 starts while redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe ranks second on the team with 12 starts. Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter has 11 starts while freshman Arne Osojnik has 10 starts. Junior Yusuf Jihad is fifth with nine starts. Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has eight starts while sophomore Cyril Martynov has six starts. Redshirt junior Connor Serven has five starts. Redshirt junior John McGriff has four starts and junior Jalin Billingsley has two starts to round out the EMU starters.
In total, the Eagles have used 13 unique lineups in 17 games. The Acuff-Ellerbe-Geeter-Jihad-Osojnik combo is one of only three lineups used multiple times, recording a 2-1 record. More information can be found on page 10.
TWO EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS VS. BALL STATE
The Eagles had two players (junior Tyson Acuff, 21; junior Jalin Billingsley, 11) with double-digit points against Ball State, Jan. 16 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 16
2. Yusuf Jihad 6
Orlando Lovejoy 6
3. Arne Osojnik 5
5. Legend Geeter 4
6. Julius Ellerbe 3
7. Jalin Billingsley 2
8. John McGriff 1
Connor Serven 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 599-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit four threes against Ball State, Jan. 16, has now hit at least one triple in 599-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 went to overtime in its first two 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), and 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 travel to Western Michigan University for a 7 p.m. tip Tuesday, Jan. 23.
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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