Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Hosting BGSU Saturday for Retro Arcade Day Doubleheader
2/15/2024 3:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Men's tip at 3:30 p.m., Women Battling NIU at 1 p.m.
| Men's Basketball vs. BGSU | |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 17, 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) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team is scheduled to host Bowling Green State University Saturday, Feb. 17, at 3:30 p.m., following the EMU women's game against Northern Illinois University at 1 p.m. The EMU men look to improve to 5-0 in home doubleheader games as EMU Athletics is hosting "Retro Arcade Day" at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green will air on ESPN+. Ryan Wooley and Reggie Butler will be on the call. Tom Helmer will have the call live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern was topped in its most recent contest by Louisiana-Monroe, 82-76, Feb. 10. The Eagles fell behind, 9-0, early before rallying to take their lone lead of the game, 24-23, with 6:30 left in the first half. ULM scored 12 of the game's next 15 points to take a 43-33 lead into halftime. EMU cut the deficit to four with 6:04 to go but drew no closer. Junior Tyson Acuff led the way with 29 points while freshman Arne Osojnik scored a career-high 22 points.
» BGSU enters the game 16-8 overall and 7-4 in the MAC after suffering an 86-60 loss at Louisiana in its most recent contest, Feb. 11. Despite the Eagles holding a lead as large as 14 in the first half, the Falcons rallied to win, 92-90, in overtime in the teams' first meeting of the season, Jan. 2 in Bowling Green.
» Acuff is averaging 21.3 points per game through 24 games, which ranks second in the MAC and 10th in the nation. His season has been highlighted by four 30-plus point performances (31 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 18; 31 vs. North Dakota, Nov. 26; 31 at BGSU, Jan. 2; 30 at Ohio, Jan. 20).
» Acuff has scored 23-plus points in 11 games. Acuff is one of 12 players in the nation with 11 showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 27-59 record at EMU and 236-266 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: ONE NATION'S TOP SCORERS
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 21.3 points per game through 24 games, which ranks second in the MAC and is 10th in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by four 30-plus point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 25.2 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 23.7 Southern Illinois
3. Zach Edey 23.3 Purdue
8. Marcus Hill 21.5 Bowling Green
9. R.J. Davis 21.4 North Carolina
10. Tyson Acuff 21.3 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 21.3 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 21.3 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 918 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
39. Tom MacKenzie 951 1957-61
40. Ty Groce 931 2017-21
41. James Head 923 1995-98
42. Tyson Acuff 918 2022-24
43. Karrington Ward 899 2013-15
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.
Including his 239 points in two seasons at Duquesne, Acuff is at 1,157 career points, passing the 1,000 mark with a 21-point performance against Ball State, Jan. 16. He sits at 130 career three-pointers made with 38 coming at Duquesne.
TYSON ACUFF: 38.1 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who played at least 37 minutes in 19 of the last 20 games, is averaging 38.1 minutes per game. He played 40 minutes against ULM, Feb. 10, his eighth time playing the entirety of the game this season. Acuff has played all 40 minutes in five of the last six games and in three-straight contests. The 38.1 mark leads the MAC and ranks third in the country. Acuff 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. Isaac McBride 38.4 Oral Roberts
2. Kareem Thompson 38.1 Oral Roberts
3. Tyson Acuff 38.1 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 3RD IN THE NATION IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff ranks third in the nation in field goals made per game.
National field goals made per game leaders:
1. Hunter Dickinson 8.0 Kansas
2. Tommy Bruner 8.0 Denver
3. Tyson Acuff 7.9 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: EIGHT GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in eight games this season with his most recent being his 10 at ULM, Feb. 10.
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 9 Denver
2. Marcus Hill 9 Bowling Green
3. Tyson Acuff 8 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 11 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points 11 times this season with his most recent being a 29-point effort at ULM, Feb. 10. Acuff is one of 12 players in the nation with 11 showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 15 Denver
2. Zach Edey 14 Purdue
3. David Jones 13 Memphis
4. Tyler Thomas 12 Hofstra
Xavier Johnson 12 Southern Illinois
6. Tyson Acuff 11 Eastern Michigan
Marcus Hill 11 Bowling Green
Jordan Johnson 11 New Orleans
R.J. Davis 11 North Carolina
Xander Rice 11 Monmouth
Elijah Pepper 11 UC-Davis
Jalen Blackmon 11 Stetson
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 29+ POINTS (x6)
Junior Tyson Acuff has six games with 29-plus points this season, most recently providing a 29-point outing at ULM, Feb. 10. Acuff is one of seven players in the nation and the only player in the MAC with six-plus 29-point showings.
Games with 29-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 8 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 7 Southern Illinois
3. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Noah Reynolds 6 Green Bay
Jordan Johnson 6 New Orleans
Zach Edey 6 Purdue
Drew Pember 6 UNC-Asheville
TYSON ACUFF: DOUBLE-DIGITS IN 26-STRAIGHT
Junior Tyson Acuff has netted at least 11 points in 26-straight contests, extending back through the final three games of the 2022-23 season.
EMU consecutive games in double-digits since 2000:
1. Tyson Acuff 26 2022-24
2. John Bowler 21 2005-06
3. Carlos Medlock 20 2007-10*
*Medlock missed the 2008-09 season with a broken foot.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. BOWLING GREEN
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Bowling Green, 43-57. The teams are tied, 22-22, in games played at EMU. The Eagles have dropped the last nine games in the series with their most recent win being an 81-53 decision, Jan. 10, 2017, in Bowling Green. The active nine-game streak in favor of the Falcons is the longest streak in series history, topping EMU's eight-straight wins to open the series from 1916-1920. The teams met, Jan. 2, to open MAC play with the Falcons coming out with a narrow 92-90 win in overtime. EMU led by as many as 14 just over nine minutes into the game but settled for a 42-34 advantage after 20 minutes. BGSU tied the game eight minutes into the second half before the teams exchanged blows the remainder of the game. EMU was led by 31 points from junior Tyson Acuff while BGSU's Marcus Hill netted 35 points.
JZ ZAHER CONNECTION
Current Falcon JZ Zaher played two games and two minutes for Eastern Michigan in 2022-23. Zaher has seen an increased roll for BGSU, playing 30 minutes over six games and scoring five points in total.
AHEAD OF PACE: WINS BY DATE
Eastern Michigan surpassed its 2022-23 win total as the Eagles secured their ninth win of the 2023-24 season, Jan. 27 vs. Buffalo, about one month earlier in the season compared to the Eagles' eighth win of 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 will win or lose:
Did the Eagles.....? Yes No
Lead/tie at halftime 7-2 2-13
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 8-1 1-14
Shoot better % than opponent 9-2 0-13
Outrebound opponent 7-3 2-12
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. EMU dropped a 76-66 decision at NIU, Feb. 3, after leading 32-28 at the break. The Eagles lost to Toledo, 91-87, Feb. 6, despite outrebounding UT, 34-28, while also outshooting the Rockets, .542-.559, Feb. 6.
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 an 8-5 record in such games. The Eagles' losses in the category were a tight 72-70 loss to North Dakota, Nov. 26; a 92-90 overtime loss at BGSU, Jan. 2; a 76-66 loss at NIU, Feb. 3; a 91-87 loss to Toledo, Feb. 6; and a 82-76 loss at ULM, Feb. 10. EMU is also 5-3 in games decided by four points or less.
ACUFF, 29; OSOJNIK 22 AT ULM
Junior Tyson Acuff netted 29 points while freshman Arne Osojnik scored a career-high 22 points at ULM, Feb. 10. Acuff and Osojnik are the first EMU duo to each have at least 20 points in the same game since the pair did so at Central Arkansas, Nov. 25. Acuff scored 23 while Osojnik had 20, his previous career high.
16 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS AT ULM
EMU brought in 16 offensive rebounds against ULM, Feb. 10, its most since recording 22 against Northwood University, Dec. 30. The 16 offensive boards are the most for the Eagles against a Division I foe since bringing in 19 against BGSU, Jan. 3, 2023. EMU, which had 15 defensive rebounds against ULM, secured more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds in a game for the first time since recording 19 offensive boards and 16 defensive boards, respectively, against Winthrop, Nov. 23, 2022.
87 POINTS VS. TOLEDO, SEASON-HIGH 90 AT BGSU
EMU scored 87 points against Toledo, Feb. 6, its second-highest total of the season, three short of the 90 the Eagles scored against Bowling Green, Jan. 2. The 87 points are the most scored in regulation by EMU since scoring 97 against Buffalo, Feb. 3, 2023.
38 MADE FIELD GOALS VS. TOLEDO, BGSU
EMU was 38-for-68 from the field against Toledo, Feb. 6. The Eagles' 38 made field goals matches its season high, set at Bowling Green, Jan. 2. Prior to this season, the last time EMU converted 38 field goals was when the Eagles knocked home 43 field goals against Central State, Dec. 8. 2018. Prior to this season, EMU last made 38 field goals in the MAC against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, 2017.
55.9% FROM THE FLOOR VS. TOLEDO, FEB. 6
EMU's 55.9% shooting mark (38-for-68) against Toledo, Feb. 6, was its second-highest mark of the season, falling short of its 63.6% clip at the University of Detroit Mercy, Nov. 21.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 3-STRAIGHT WITH 5 AST, 3 STL
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has dished out at least five assists and made least three steals in three-straight games. The last Eagle to accomplish that feat was Tim Bond in 2017-18. Bond also did so in 2016-17. If Lovejoy is able to tally at least five assists and three steals against BGSU, Feb. 17, he would be the first Eagle to do so in four-straight games since at least 1998-99. Lovejoy is the first Eagle since Paul Jackson in 2018-19 to record at least five assists in three-straight games as Jackson dished out five or more in four-straight games on two separate occasions. Damari Parris also had three-straight games with five-plus assists in 2018-19. Lovejoy is the first Eagle since Yeikson Montero in 2020-21 to record at least three steals in three-straight games. If Lovejoy is able to secure three steals against BGSU, Feb. 17, he would be the first Eagle with a trio of steals in four-straight games since Tim Bond in 2017-18, who had three separate streaks of four games with three-plus steals.
Lovejoy also has at least five assists in four of the team's last five games.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: ONE STEAL IN 13-OF-14 GAMES
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has secured at least one steal in 13 of the last 14 games. Lovejoy also has multiple steals in eight of the last 12 games. He has three-straight games with at least three steals after tallying three at ULM, Feb. 10, three against Toledo, Feb. 6, and a career-high four against Northern Illinois, Feb. 3.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 1ST IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is first in the MAC in scoring by a true freshmen, averaging 8.3 points per game.
Freshmen MAC scoring leaders (true freshmen only):
1. Arne Osojnik 8.3 Eastern Michigan
2. Ryan Sabol 8.0 Buffalo
3. Sonny Wilson 7.6 Toledo
4. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.3 Buffalo
5. Evan Isparo 7.0 Miami
6. Mekhi Cooper 6.3 Miami
YUSUF JIHAD: 6TH IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is sixth in the MAC with an impressive .419 shooting percentage from deep as he is 26-for-62 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 .531 Ohio
2. Aidan Rubio .446 Central Michigan
3. Andrew Lorentsson .431 Toledo
4. Davion Bailey .426 Ball State
5. Dante Maddox Jr. .421 Toledo
6. Yusuf Jihad .419 Eastern Michigan
JALIN BILLINSGLEY: 10 POINTS, 9 BOARDS AT ULM
Junior Jalin Billingsley scored 10 points and hauled in a career-high nine rebounds at ULM, Feb. 10. Billingsley fell just one board short of his first career double-double. He netted a season-high 13 points against Toledo, Feb. 6, to go with a then-season-high eight rebounds.
JALIN BILLINSGLEY: INCREASED ROLE, PRODUCTION
Junior Jalin Billingsley, who has started eight-straight games, has seen an increased role while seeing positive results on the floor. Billingsley is averaging 6.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 19.5 mpg for the season.
First 12 games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
15.9 4.8 3.8
Last eight games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
24.7 9.8 6.1
JALIN BILLINSGLEY:3-STRAIGHT WITH 10+ POINTS
Junior Jalin Billingsley, has scored at least 10 points in three-straight games for the first time in his career. Billingsley netted 10 at ULM, Feb. 10; a season-high 13 against Toledo, Feb. 6; and 12 at Northern Illinois, Feb. 3. In his previous 17 games played in 2023-24, Billingsley had three total games with 10-plus points. Billingsley also hauled in a career-high nine rebounds at ULM, Feb. 10, falling one board short of his first career double-double.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT ULM
The Eagles had three players (Acuff, 29; Osojnik, 22; and Billingsley, 13; Osojnik, 12; Jihad, 10) net 10-plus points against Northern Illinois, Feb. 3. 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 23
2. Orlando Lovejoy 10
3. Yusuf Jihad 9
4. Arne Osojnik 8
5. Jalin Billingsley 6
6. Legend Geeter 4
7. Julius Ellerbe 3
8. John McGriff 1
Connor Serven 1
11 DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE STARTING LINEUP
Eastern Michigan has used 11 different players in the starting lineup this season. Junior Tyson Acuff (23), freshman Arne Osojnik (17), sophomore Orlando Lovejoy (15), redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter (14), redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe (12), junior Jalin Billingsley (9), junior Yusuf Jihad (9), sophomore Cyril Martynov (8), redshirt junior Connor Serven (6), redshirt junior John McGriff (4), and redshirt sophomore Javantae Randle (3) have all started for EMU.
In total, the Eagles have used 16 unique lineups in 24 games. The Acuff-Ellerbe-Geeter-Jihad-Osojnik combo is one of only five lineups used multiple times, recording a 2-1 record. More information can be found on page 10.
EMU leads the nation in unique starting lineups.
Nation's leaders in number of unique starting lineups:
1. Eastern Michigan 16
Milwaukee 16
3. Detroit Mercy 15
UMKC 15
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 606-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit 13 threes against ULM, Feb. 10, has now hit at least one triple in 606-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.
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 4-1 in doubleheader games so far in 2023-24 and 4-0 at home.
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.
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. Bates has been named a G-League All-Star.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to travel to the University at Buffalo, Feb. 20, for a 7 p.m. tip inside Buffalo's Alumni Arnea.
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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