Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 6
Ypsilanti, Mich.
3:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Kent State
Photo by: Jonathan Knight
EMU Hosting Kent State in MAC Home Opener Saturday
1/4/2024 9:13:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Eagles battling Golden Flashes at 3:30 p.m.
| Men's Basketball vs. Kent State | |
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 6, at 3:30 p.m. |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center (8,754) | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| 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 |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Coming off a narrow overtime defeat at the hands of Bowling Green State University, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team will host Kent State University in its Mid-American Conference home opener, Saturday, Jan. 6. The game is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start and is preceded by the EMU women's team hosting the University of Toledo at 1 p.m.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Kent State will air on ESPN+ as Ryan Wooley and Reggie Butler have 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 narrowly edged by Bowling Green, Jan. 2, in a 92-90 overtime decision. EMU led by as many as 14 in the first half in a game that featured 17 lead changes and 15 ties. Junior Tyson Acuff scored 31 points to lead a quartet of Eagles that scored 11-plus points in the MAC opener.
» Kent State, the MAC's preseason second-ranked team, enters 8-5 overall after most recently topping Ball State, 82-60. Other notable results for the Golden Flashes include a double overtime loss to now-ranked No. 19 James Madison, Nov. 9, as well as losses at Oregon, Dec. 21, and at Saint Mary's, Dec. 29.
» Acuff is averaging 23.7 points per game through 13 games, which leads the MAC and ranks fourth 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 four 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 25-50 record at EMU and 234-257 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 23.7 points per game through 14 games, which leads the MAC and ranks fourth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 24.7 Denver
Xavier Johnson 24.1 Southern Illinois
Jalen Blackmon 24.1 Stetson
4. Tyson Acuff 23.7 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 4TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 23.7 ppg would rank fourth 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. Tyson Acuff 23.7 2023-24
5. Grant Long 23.0 1987-88
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: APPROACHING 1000+ CAREER POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 951 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. With two made triples against Hampton, Dec. 21, Acuff has made multiple threes in eight of his last 10 contests.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.2 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of his last nine games, is averaging 37.2 minutes per game. The 37.2 mark leads the MAC and ranks eighth 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, 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 8.5 Eastern Michigan
2. Jalen Blackmon 8.1 Stetson
3. Tommy Bruner 7.8 Denver
Hunter Dickinson 7.8 Kansas
TYSON ACUFF: FIVE 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. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Tommy Bruner 6 Denver
3. Marcus Hill 5 Bowling Green
Jalen Blackmon 5 Stetson
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 three players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 10 Denver
2. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
Zach Edey 8 Purdue
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. 1. 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
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 4-STRAIGHT WITH 14+ POINTS
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has four-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; and most recently 14 points at BGSU, Jan. 2. 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).
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: CAREER-HIGH 40 MINUTES AT BGSU
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy played a career-high 40 minutes in the overtime game at BGSU, Jan. 2, after playing a career-high 38 minutes against Northwood, Dec. 30.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. KENT STATE
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Kent State, 35-49. The Eagles have dropped the last six games in the series with their most recent win being a 70-49 decision, Feb. 18, 2020, in Ypsilanti. The Eagles hold a 25-14 advantage when playing at home but have dropped two-straight against the Golden Flashes at EMU. EMU is 4-11 in the teams' last 15 meetings played at Eastern, including an 82-62 loss, Jan. 29, 2002, when current EMU Head Coach Stan Heath was Head Coach at Kent State.
STAN HEATH CONNECTION TO KENT STATE
Current EMU Head Coach Stan Heath was Head Coach at Kent State during the 2001-02 season, guiding the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record and an Elite Eight appearance. KSU's tournament run started with a win over 20th-ranked Oklahoma State, followed up by beating 8th-ranked Alabama, 9th-ranked Pittsburgh, before falling to Indiana in the Elite Eight. Heath's team included legendary NFL tight end Antonio Gates, who also played basketball at EMU in 1999-2000, scoring 10 points per game and securing seven rebounds for the Eagles. EMU and KSU played just once during Heath's time in Kent, an 82-62 decision in favor of Kent State, Jan. 29, 2002.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan is well ahead of its 2022-23 win pace as the Eagles secured their seventh win of the 2023-24 season, Dec. 30 vs. Northwood, nearly two months earlier in the season compared to the 2022-23 season.
2022-23 Date Win Number 2023-24 Date
GETTING PERSONAL: 29 FOULS AT BGSU
EMU was tagged with 29 fouls in the narrow 92-90 overtime loss at BGSU, Jan. 2. The 29 fouls are the most called against the Eagles since they were whistled for 30 fouls against Kent State, Jan. 31, 2017. The Eagles had three players foul out in the contest for the first time since Mar. 6, 2017 against Northern Illinois. Conversely, BGSU was called for 16 fouls, making the 29-16 foul margin the largest against EMU since a 29-15 margin at Dayton, Dec. 6, 2014.
38 MADE FIELD GOALS, MOST SINCE 2018
EMU converted 38 field goals against BGSU, Jan. 2. The 38 field goals made are the most since EMU knocked home 43 field goals against Central State, Dec. 8. 2018. EMU last made 38 field goals in the MAC against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, 2017.
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 1-5
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 6-0 1-6
Shoot better % than opponent 7-1 0-5
Outrebound opponent 6-1 1-5
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.
EMU's lone win when trailing at the half was a 69-62 win over Cleveland State, Nov. 18, when the Eagles overcame a 32-29 halftime deficit. The Eagles' lone win when being outrebounded was a 74-71 win at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25, as EMU was narrowly outrebounded, 36-35. EMU allowed 72 points to Detroit Mercy but edged the Titans, 76-72, Nov. 21.
TIGHT GAMES GOING TO EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less in 2023-24, holding a 6-1 record in such games. The Eagles' lone loss in the category was a tight 72-70 loss to North Dakota, Nov. 26, as EMU is also 4-1 in games decided by four points or less.
ARNE OSOJNIK: +20 AT BGSU, 11 POINTS
Freshman Arne Osojnik had a game-high +20 plus-minus rating at BGSU, Jan. 2. Osojnik scored 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range, his first double-digit scoring effort since Nov. 26, 2023, a five-game stretch of scoring less than 10 points.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 2ND IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik ranks second in the MAC in scoring by true freshmen, averaging 8.4 points per game.
Freshman MAC scoring leaders (true freshman only):
1. Evan Isparo 9.2 Miami
2. Arne Osojnik 8.4 Eastern Michigan
3. Ryan Sabol 7.9 Buffalo
4. Sonny Wilson 7.4 Toledo
5. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.2 Buffalo
CONNOR SERVEN: CAREER-HIGH 7 POINTS AT BGSU
Redshirt junior Connor Serven matched his career high with seven points at BGSU, Jan. 2. Serven was an efficient 3-for-4 from the field, highlighted by a corner three in the opening minute of overtime as Serven played critical minutes down the stretch against the Falcons. Serven also tallied seven points at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21.
LEGEND GEETER: 12 POINTS, 7 REBOUNDS AT BGSU
Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter matched his season high with 12 points while hauling in a season-high seven rebounds at BGSU, Jan. 2. Geeter was 4-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Geeter's 12 points falls one shy of his career-high 13 points set at Florida Atlantic University, Nov. 14.
JULIUS ELLERBE: 8 POINTS, 9 REBOUNDS AT BGSU
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe scored eight points and secured nine rebounds at BGSU, Jan. 2. His eight points are tied for his second-highest scoring output of the season while his nine boards matched his season-high, set against Oakland University, Dec. 8, and equaled at the University of Michigan, Dec. 16.
JULIUS ELLERBE: LEADER IN ASSISTS/REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in both assists (33, 2.8 apg) and rebounds (66, 5.5 rpg). 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: 9+ POINTS IN 8-OF-13 GAMES
Junior Yusuf Jihad has scored at least nine points in eight of the team's 13 contests, highlighted by a 15-point showing against his former school, Oakland, Dec. 8, and a second 15-point outing against Northwood, Dec. 30. Jihad had just four performances of nine-plus points, all of which came in 2022-23, in his previous 65 games played.
YUSUF JIHAD: T-2ND IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is tied for second in the MAC with an impressive .500 shooting percentage from deep as he is 15-for-30 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 12 starts while Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, junior Yusuf Jihad, and freshman Arne Osojnik are second on the team with nine starts. Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter started the season's first seven games and is at eight total starts. Sophomore Cyril Martynov has six starts, all coming in the team's most recent six games. Redshirt junior John McGriff and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy have four starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven has three starts. Junior Jalin Billingsley has one start.
In total, the Eagles have used 10 unique lineups in 13 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.
FOUR EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT BGSU
The Eagles had four players (junior Tyson Acuff, 31; sophomore Orlando Lovejoy, 14; redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter, 12; freshman Arne Osojnik, 11) score in double figures for the first time this season.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 12
2. Yusuf Jihad 6
3. Arne Osojnik 5
4. Legend Geeter 4
Orlando Lovejoy 4
6. Jalin Billingsley 1
Julius Ellerbe 1
John McGriff 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 595-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit five threes against BGSU, Jan. 2, has now hit at least one triple in 595-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 played 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. EMU secured a winning record in non-conference games against Michigan schools by beating Northwood, 67-64, Dec. 30.
SWEET HOME MICHIGAN IN DECEMBER
Eastern Michigan went 3-2 in December with all five games occurring in Michigan. The Eagles hosted 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 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 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 Central Michigan University Tuesday, Jan. 9, in a 7 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove.
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 Kent State will air on ESPN+ as Ryan Wooley and Reggie Butler have 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 narrowly edged by Bowling Green, Jan. 2, in a 92-90 overtime decision. EMU led by as many as 14 in the first half in a game that featured 17 lead changes and 15 ties. Junior Tyson Acuff scored 31 points to lead a quartet of Eagles that scored 11-plus points in the MAC opener.
» Kent State, the MAC's preseason second-ranked team, enters 8-5 overall after most recently topping Ball State, 82-60. Other notable results for the Golden Flashes include a double overtime loss to now-ranked No. 19 James Madison, Nov. 9, as well as losses at Oregon, Dec. 21, and at Saint Mary's, Dec. 29.
» Acuff is averaging 23.7 points per game through 13 games, which leads the MAC and ranks fourth 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 four 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 25-50 record at EMU and 234-257 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 23.7 points per game through 14 games, which leads the MAC and ranks fourth in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by a pair of 31-point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 24.7 Denver
Xavier Johnson 24.1 Southern Illinois
Jalen Blackmon 24.1 Stetson
4. Tyson Acuff 23.7 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 4TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 23.7 ppg would rank fourth 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. Tyson Acuff 23.7 2023-24
5. Grant Long 23.0 1987-88
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: APPROACHING 1000+ CAREER POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 951 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. With two made triples against Hampton, Dec. 21, Acuff has made multiple threes in eight of his last 10 contests.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.2 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who has played at least 37 minutes in each of his last nine games, is averaging 37.2 minutes per game. The 37.2 mark leads the MAC and ranks eighth 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, 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 8.5 Eastern Michigan
2. Jalen Blackmon 8.1 Stetson
3. Tommy Bruner 7.8 Denver
Hunter Dickinson 7.8 Kansas
TYSON ACUFF: FIVE 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. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Tommy Bruner 6 Denver
3. Marcus Hill 5 Bowling Green
Jalen Blackmon 5 Stetson
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 three players in the nation with eight showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 10 Denver
2. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
Zach Edey 8 Purdue
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. 1. 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
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 4-STRAIGHT WITH 14+ POINTS
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has four-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; and most recently 14 points at BGSU, Jan. 2. 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).
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: CAREER-HIGH 40 MINUTES AT BGSU
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy played a career-high 40 minutes in the overtime game at BGSU, Jan. 2, after playing a career-high 38 minutes against Northwood, Dec. 30.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. KENT STATE
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Kent State, 35-49. The Eagles have dropped the last six games in the series with their most recent win being a 70-49 decision, Feb. 18, 2020, in Ypsilanti. The Eagles hold a 25-14 advantage when playing at home but have dropped two-straight against the Golden Flashes at EMU. EMU is 4-11 in the teams' last 15 meetings played at Eastern, including an 82-62 loss, Jan. 29, 2002, when current EMU Head Coach Stan Heath was Head Coach at Kent State.
STAN HEATH CONNECTION TO KENT STATE
Current EMU Head Coach Stan Heath was Head Coach at Kent State during the 2001-02 season, guiding the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record and an Elite Eight appearance. KSU's tournament run started with a win over 20th-ranked Oklahoma State, followed up by beating 8th-ranked Alabama, 9th-ranked Pittsburgh, before falling to Indiana in the Elite Eight. Heath's team included legendary NFL tight end Antonio Gates, who also played basketball at EMU in 1999-2000, scoring 10 points per game and securing seven rebounds for the Eagles. EMU and KSU played just once during Heath's time in Kent, an 82-62 decision in favor of Kent State, Jan. 29, 2002.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan is well ahead of its 2022-23 win pace as the Eagles secured their seventh win of the 2023-24 season, Dec. 30 vs. Northwood, 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 ???
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 ???
GETTING PERSONAL: 29 FOULS AT BGSU
EMU was tagged with 29 fouls in the narrow 92-90 overtime loss at BGSU, Jan. 2. The 29 fouls are the most called against the Eagles since they were whistled for 30 fouls against Kent State, Jan. 31, 2017. The Eagles had three players foul out in the contest for the first time since Mar. 6, 2017 against Northern Illinois. Conversely, BGSU was called for 16 fouls, making the 29-16 foul margin the largest against EMU since a 29-15 margin at Dayton, Dec. 6, 2014.
38 MADE FIELD GOALS, MOST SINCE 2018
EMU converted 38 field goals against BGSU, Jan. 2. The 38 field goals made are the most since EMU knocked home 43 field goals against Central State, Dec. 8. 2018. EMU last made 38 field goals in the MAC against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, 2017.
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 1-5
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 6-0 1-6
Shoot better % than opponent 7-1 0-5
Outrebound opponent 6-1 1-5
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.
EMU's lone win when trailing at the half was a 69-62 win over Cleveland State, Nov. 18, when the Eagles overcame a 32-29 halftime deficit. The Eagles' lone win when being outrebounded was a 74-71 win at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25, as EMU was narrowly outrebounded, 36-35. EMU allowed 72 points to Detroit Mercy but edged the Titans, 76-72, Nov. 21.
TIGHT GAMES GOING TO EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less in 2023-24, holding a 6-1 record in such games. The Eagles' lone loss in the category was a tight 72-70 loss to North Dakota, Nov. 26, as EMU is also 4-1 in games decided by four points or less.
ARNE OSOJNIK: +20 AT BGSU, 11 POINTS
Freshman Arne Osojnik had a game-high +20 plus-minus rating at BGSU, Jan. 2. Osojnik scored 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range, his first double-digit scoring effort since Nov. 26, 2023, a five-game stretch of scoring less than 10 points.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 2ND IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik ranks second in the MAC in scoring by true freshmen, averaging 8.4 points per game.
Freshman MAC scoring leaders (true freshman only):
1. Evan Isparo 9.2 Miami
2. Arne Osojnik 8.4 Eastern Michigan
3. Ryan Sabol 7.9 Buffalo
4. Sonny Wilson 7.4 Toledo
5. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.2 Buffalo
CONNOR SERVEN: CAREER-HIGH 7 POINTS AT BGSU
Redshirt junior Connor Serven matched his career high with seven points at BGSU, Jan. 2. Serven was an efficient 3-for-4 from the field, highlighted by a corner three in the opening minute of overtime as Serven played critical minutes down the stretch against the Falcons. Serven also tallied seven points at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21.
LEGEND GEETER: 12 POINTS, 7 REBOUNDS AT BGSU
Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter matched his season high with 12 points while hauling in a season-high seven rebounds at BGSU, Jan. 2. Geeter was 4-for-6 from the floor and 4-for-4 at the free throw line. Geeter's 12 points falls one shy of his career-high 13 points set at Florida Atlantic University, Nov. 14.
JULIUS ELLERBE: 8 POINTS, 9 REBOUNDS AT BGSU
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe scored eight points and secured nine rebounds at BGSU, Jan. 2. His eight points are tied for his second-highest scoring output of the season while his nine boards matched his season-high, set against Oakland University, Dec. 8, and equaled at the University of Michigan, Dec. 16.
JULIUS ELLERBE: LEADER IN ASSISTS/REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe leads the Eagles in both assists (33, 2.8 apg) and rebounds (66, 5.5 rpg). 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: 9+ POINTS IN 8-OF-13 GAMES
Junior Yusuf Jihad has scored at least nine points in eight of the team's 13 contests, highlighted by a 15-point showing against his former school, Oakland, Dec. 8, and a second 15-point outing against Northwood, Dec. 30. Jihad had just four performances of nine-plus points, all of which came in 2022-23, in his previous 65 games played.
YUSUF JIHAD: T-2ND IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is tied for second in the MAC with an impressive .500 shooting percentage from deep as he is 15-for-30 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 12 starts while Redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe, junior Yusuf Jihad, and freshman Arne Osojnik are second on the team with nine starts. Redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter started the season's first seven games and is at eight total starts. Sophomore Cyril Martynov has six starts, all coming in the team's most recent six games. Redshirt junior John McGriff and sophomore Orlando Lovejoy have four starts while redshirt junior Connor Serven has three starts. Junior Jalin Billingsley has one start.
In total, the Eagles have used 10 unique lineups in 13 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.
FOUR EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT BGSU
The Eagles had four players (junior Tyson Acuff, 31; sophomore Orlando Lovejoy, 14; redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter, 12; freshman Arne Osojnik, 11) score in double figures for the first time this season.
Eagles with 10-plus points in 2023-24 and number of games:
1. Tyson Acuff 12
2. Yusuf Jihad 6
3. Arne Osojnik 5
4. Legend Geeter 4
Orlando Lovejoy 4
6. Jalin Billingsley 1
Julius Ellerbe 1
John McGriff 1
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 595-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit five threes against BGSU, Jan. 2, has now hit at least one triple in 595-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 played 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. EMU secured a winning record in non-conference games against Michigan schools by beating Northwood, 67-64, Dec. 30.
SWEET HOME MICHIGAN IN DECEMBER
Eastern Michigan went 3-2 in December with all five games occurring in Michigan. The Eagles hosted 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 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 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 Central Michigan University Tuesday, Jan. 9, in a 7 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove.
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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