Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, February 6
Ypsilanti, Mich.
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Toledo
EMU Hosting Toledo Tuesday
2/4/2024 8:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles, Rockets set for 7 p.m. start
| Men's Basketball vs. Toledo | |
| Date | Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 7 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 the University of Toledo for a 7 p.m. tip Tuesday, Feb. 6, inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The game is a part of EMU's Black History Month Celebration.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Toledo 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 in its most recent contest by Northern Illinois, 76-66, Feb. 3. The Eagles led, 32-28, at halftime before falling behind by as many as 12 with 3:15 to go. EMU rallied to cut the deficit to four with 1:54 remaining before NIU pulled away.
» Toledo enters the game 14-8 overall and 8-2 in the MAC after suffering a 77-70 loss at MAC-leading Akron in its most recent contest, Feb. 2. The Huskies have come up short in 10-straight games, as well as 13-straight against Division I foes. Notable non-conference games for UT include a 91-81 loss to West Virginia, Dec. 23, a 76-74 loss to Indiana State, Nov. 24, and a 92-84 loss to New Mexico, Nov. 21.
» Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 20.8 points per game through 22 games, which ranks second in the MAC and 18th in the nation. Acuff's 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 nine 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; 30 at Ohio, Jan. 20). Acuff is one of 15 players in the nation with nine showings of 23 or more points.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 27-57 record at EMU and 236-264 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.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. TOLEDO
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Toledo, 62-52. The teams have played every calendar year since 1976, making 2024 the 49th-straight calendar year that the teams have played. EMU dropped the most recent contest between the two teams by a 70-63 decision in Ypsilanti, Feb. 11, 2023. The Eagles lead, 32-23, in games played in Ypsilanti. Despite having lost three-straight to the Rockets in Ypsilanti, the Eagles have won four of the last seven at home. Toledo holds a six-game winning streak in the series, the longest by either side since UT rattled off seven wins in a row from 2000-02.
Although the Eagles lost both games in the 2022-23 season, EMU gained national attention after Emoni Bates erupted for 43 points, including 27-straight first-half points for Eastern, in the 84-79 loss in Toledo, Jan. 24, 2023. Current junior Tyson Acuff netted a career-high 36 points when the teams met in Ypsilanti, Feb. 11, 2023. UT won, 70-63.
TYSON ACUFF: ONE NATION'S TOP SCORERS
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 20.8 points per game through 22 games, which ranks second in the MAC and is 18th in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by four 30-plus point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 26.1 Denver
2. Zach Edey 23.4 Purdue
3. Xavier Johnson 23.2 Southern Illinois
.
13. Marcus Hill 21.3 Bowling Green
.
18. Tyson Acuff 20.8 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 6TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 20.8 ppg would rank sixth 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. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
6. Tyson Acuff 20.8 2023-24
TYSON ACUFF: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 865 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
.
43. Willie Magnum IV 897 2015-17
44. Ron Gulyas 891 1958-61
45. Theron Wilson 875 1992-96
46. Tyson Acuff 865 2022-24
47. Kareem Carpenter 860 1993-95
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.
Acuff is at 1,104 career points, passing the 1,000 mark with a 21-point performance against Ball State, Jan. 16. He sits at 121 career three-pointers made. Acuff netted 38 three-pointers and 239 points in his two seasons at Duquesne.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.9 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who played at least 37 minutes in 17 of the last 18 games, is averaging 37.8 minutes per game. He played 40 minutes at Northern Illinois, Feb. 3, his sixth time playing the entirety of the game this season. The 37.9 mark leads the MAC and ranks fourth 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 38.5 Oral Roberts
2. Kareem Thompson 38.3 Oral Roberts
3. Ethan Taylor 38.1 Air Force
4. Tyson Acuff 37.9 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 7TH IN THE NATION IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff ranks seventh 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 8.3 Denver
3. Zach Edey 7.9 Purdue
.
7. Tyson Acuff 7.7 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: SIX GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in six games this season with his most recent being his 13 at BGSU, Jan. 2.
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 9 Denver
2. Marcus Hill 7 Bowling Green
Zach Edey 7 Purdue
4. Tyson Acuff 6 Eastern Michigan
Tristan Enaruna 6 Cleveland State
Tucker DeVries 6 Drake
Noah Reynolds 6 Green Bay
Mervin James 6 Rider
Dalton Knecht 6 Tennessee
Vonterius Woolbright 6 Western Carolina
TYSON ACUFF, 9 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points nine times this season with his most recent being a 30-point effort at Ohio, Jan. 20. Acuff is one of 15 players in the nation with nine showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 14 Denver
2. Zach Edey 13 Purdue
3. Tyler Thomas 11 Hofstra
Xavier Johnson 11 Southern Illinois
5. Marcus Hill 10 Bowling Green
R.J. Davis 10 North Carolina
David Jones 10 Memphis
Xander Rice 10 Monmouth
Jordan Johnson 10 New Orleans
Elijah Pepper 10 UC-Davis
11.Tyson Acuff 9 Eastern Michigan
Tucker DeVries 9 Drake
Jalen Blackmon 9 Stetson
P.J. Haggerty 9 Tulsa
Drew Pember 9 UNC-Ashville
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 30+ POINTS (x4)
Junior Tyson Acuff has four games with 30-plus points this season as he netted 30 at Ohio, Jan. 20, and 31 against BGSU, Jan. 2. He also had 31 against North Dakota, Nov. 26, and 31 in EMU's 69-62 victory over Cleveland State, Nov. 18. Acuff is one of 13 players in the nation and the only player in the MAC with four-plus 30-point showings.
Games with 30-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 7 Denver
2. Zach Edey 6 Purdue
3. Noah Reynolds 5 Green Bay
Xavier Johnson 5 Southern Illinois
Dalton Knecht 5 Tennessee
Wade Taylor IV 5 Texas A&M
7. Tyson Acuff 4 Eastern Michigan
Six others 4
TYSON ACUFF: DOUBLE-DIGITS IN 24-STRAIGHT
Junior Tyson Acuff has netted at least 11 points in 24-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 24 2022-24
2. John Bowler 21 2005-06
3. Carlos Medlock 20 2007-10*
*Medlock missed the 2008-09 season with a broken foot.
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 2-11
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 8-1 1-12
Shoot better % than opponent 9-1 0-12
Outrebound opponent 7-2 2-11
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.
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 8-3 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; and a 76-66 loss at NIU, Feb. 3. EMU is also 5-2 in games decided by four points or less.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: CAREER-HIGH 19 POINTS AT NIU
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy netted a career-high 19 points at NIU, Feb. 3. Lovejoy, who scored 13 points in the second half, was 9-for-10 from the free throw line, setting career highs in both categories.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 5 ASSISTS, 4 STEALS AT NIU
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy dished out five assists and made a career-high four steals at NIU, Feb. 3. His five assists were just one short of his career high of six set against Buffalo, Jan. 27. The game against the Huskies marked Lovejoy's first-ever performance with at least three assists and at least three steals in the same game.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: 40 MINUTES AT NIU
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy played all 40 minutes at NIU, Feb. 3, marking the first time in his career that he has played the entirety of the game. Lovejoy, who dealt with an ankle injury early in the season that forced him to miss six contests while being limited in others, is now averaging 30.5 minutes per game. Lovejoy had an impressive 19-point, five-assist, and four-steal showing against the Huskies.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 2ND IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is second in the MAC in scoring by a true freshmen, averaging 7.4 points per game.
Freshmen MAC scoring leaders (true freshmen only):
1. Ryan Sabol 7.5 Buffalo
2. Arne Osojnik 7.4 Eastern Michigan
3. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.33 Buffalo
4. Sonny Wilson 7.32 Toledo
5. Evan Isparo 7.2 Miami
6. Mekhi Cooper 6.6 Miami
YUSUF JIHAD: 6TH IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is sixth in the MAC with an impressive .426 shooting percentage from deep as he is 23-for-54 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. Aidan Rubio .444 Central Michigan
3. Davion Bailey .443 Ball State
4. AJ Clayton .439 Ohio
5. Derrick Butler .438 Central Michigan
6. Yusuf Jihad .426 Eastern Michigan
JALIN BILLINSGLEY: INCREASED ROLE, PRODUCTION
Junior Jalin Billingsley, who has started six-straight games, has seen an increased role while seeing positive results on the floor. Billingsley is averaging 6.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, and 18.5 mpg for the season.
First 12 games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
15.9 4.8 3.8
Last six games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
23.0 9.2 5.3
FOUR EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT NIU
The Eagles had four players (Lovejoy, 19; Acuff, 14; Billingsley, 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 21
2. Orlando Lovejoy 9
3. Yusuf Jihad 8
4. Arne Osojnik 6
5. Legend Geeter 4
Jalin Billingsley 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 (21), freshman Arne Osojnik (15), sophomore Orlando Lovejoy (13), redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe (12), redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter (12), junior Yusuf Jihad (9), sophomore Cyril Martynov (8), junior Jalin Billingsley (7), 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 22 games. The Acuff-Ellerbe-Geeter-Jihad-Osojnik combo is one of only four lineups used multiple times, recording a 2-1 record. More information can be found on page 10.
EMU is tied for the nation's lead in unique starting lineups.
Nation's leaders in number of unique starting lineups:
1. Eastern Michigan 16
2. Detroit Mercy 15
3. Furman 14
Kansas City 14
Milwaukee 14
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 604-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit five threes against Northern Illinois, Feb. 3, has now hit at least one triple in 604-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 4-1 in doubleheader games so far in 2023-24 and 4-0 at home.
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 the University of Louisiana at Monroe Saturday, Feb. 10, for a 2 p.m. CT tip inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The game is the second leg of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. The Eagles topped Georgia Southern, 70-60, Nov. 11.
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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