Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, February 10
Monroe, La.
2 p.m. CT
Eastern Michigan University
at
UL Monroe
EMU Off to Louisiana-Monroe in MAC-SBC Challenge
2/8/2024 5:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU topped Georgia Southern in first leg of challenge
| Men's Basketball at Louisiana-Monroe | |
| Date | Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. CT |
| Venue | Fant-Ewing Coliseum (7,000) | Monroe, La. |
| 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 Louisiana-Monroe will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer will have the call live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern was edged in its most recent contest by Toledo, 91-87, Feb. 6, despite leading 81-74 with 3:35 left to play. EMU trailed by as many as nine in the first half but rallied to even the game at 51-51 with 12:11 left to go in the contest. Junior Tyson Acuff had 24 points, eight rebounds, and five assists to lead a group of five Eagles in double-digit points. EMU had five players with at least 10 points for the first time this season.
» Louisiana-Monroe enters the game 8-14 overall and 4-8 in the SBC after earning a 79-75 win against Coastal Carolina in its most recent contest, Feb. 7. ULM has won four of its last six games, including three-straight in its home arena. Notable non-conference games for ULM include a 84-31 loss at fifth-ranked Houston Nov. 6, a 74-64 win at Central Michigan, Nov. 11, and a 70-57 loss at SMU, Nov. 26.
» Acuff is averaging 21.0 points per game through 23 games, which ranks second in the MAC and 15th 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 10 games. Acuff is one of 11 players in the nation with 10 showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 27-58 record at EMU and 236-265 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. LOUISIANA-MONROE
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Louisiana-Monroe, 1-0. The teams' only meeting was a victory for the Warhawks, 71-67, March 18, 2015, as part of the College Basketball Invitational.
EASTERN MICHIGAN VS. THE SUN BELT
Eastern Michigan is 9-17 all-time against Sun Belt opponents, having played Marshall more than any other Sun Belt school. EMU is 4-12 in the 16 meetings
between the two programs. The most recent EMU contest against a Sun Belt school prior to this season was the Eagles' 75-59 win against Arkansas State, Nov. 16, 2017. Eastern had never played Georgia Southern before securing a 70-60 win, Nov. 11.
TYSON ACUFF: ONE NATION'S TOP SCORERS
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 21.0 points per game through 23 games, which ranks second in the MAC and is 15th in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by four 30-plus point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 25.3 Denver
2. Xavier Johnson 24.0 Southern Illinois
3. Zach Edey 23.1 Purdue
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9. Marcus Hill 21.5 Bowling Green
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15. Tyson Acuff 21.0 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 21.0 ppg would rank fifth in program history for a single season.
1. George Gervin 29.5 1971-72
2. Earl Boykins 25.7 1997-98
3. Kennedy McIntosh 25.4 1970-71
4. Grant Long 23.0 1987-88
5. Tyson Acuff 21.0 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 889 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
.
41. James Head 923 1995-98
42. Karrington Ward 899 2013-15
43. Willie Magnum IV 897 2015-17
44. Ron Gulyas 891 1958-61
45. Tyson Acuff 889 2022-24
46. Theron Wilson 875 1992-96
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 1,128 career points, passing the 1,000 mark with a 21-point performance against Ball State, Jan. 16. He sits at 123 career three-pointers made with 38 coming at Duquesne.
TYSON ACUFF: 38.0 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who played at least 37 minutes in 18 of the last 19 games, is averaging 38.0 minutes per game. He played 40 minutes against Akron, Feb. 6, his seventh time playing the entirety of the game this season. The 38.0 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 38.5 Oral Roberts
2. Kareem Thompson 38.3 Oral Roberts
3. Tyson Acuff 38.0 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF, 6TH IN THE NATION IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff ranks sixth 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. Zach Edey 7.9 Purdue
.
6. Tyson Acuff 7.8 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: SEVEN GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in seven games this season with his most recent being his 10 vs. Toledo, Feb. 6.
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 9 Denver
2. Marcus Hill 8 Bowling Green
3. Tyson Acuff 7 Eastern Michigan
Zach Edey 7 Purdue
Vonterius Woolbright 7 Western Carolina
TYSON ACUFF, 10 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points nine times this season with his most recent being a 24-point effort against Toledo, Feb. 6. Acuff is one of 13 players in the nation with 10 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. Xavier Johnson 12 Southern Illinois
4. Marcus Hill 11 Bowling Green
Tyler Thomas 11 Hofstra
Jordan Johnson 11 New Orleans
7. Tyson Acuff 10 Eastern Michigan
R.J. Davis 10 North Carolina
David Jones 10 Memphis
Xander Rice 10 Monmouth
Elijah Pepper 10 UC-Davis
Tucker DeVries 10 Drake
Jalen Blackmon 10 Stetson
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
Xavier Johnson 6 Southern Illinois
4. Noah Reynolds 5 Green Bay
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 25-STRAIGHT
Junior Tyson Acuff has netted at least 11 points in 25-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 25 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 2-12
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 8-1 1-13
Shoot better % than opponent 9-2 0-12
Outrebound opponent 7-3 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. 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 8-4 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; and a 91-87 loss to Toledo, Feb. 6. EMU is also 5-3 in games decided by four points or less.
87 POINTS VS. TOLEDO
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 the University at Buffalo, Feb. 3, 2023.
55.9% FROM THE FLOOR VS. TOLEDO
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.
38 MADE FIELD GOALS VS. TOLEDO
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.
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: ONE STEAL IN 12-OF-13 GAMES
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has secured at least one steal in 12 of the last 13 games. Lovejoy also has multiple steals in seven of the last 11 games. He has back-to-back games with at least three steals after tallying three against Toledo, Feb. 6, and a career-high four against Northern Illinois, Feb. 3.
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.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 2ND IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is second in the MAC in scoring by a true freshmen, averaging 7.7 points per game.
Freshmen MAC scoring leaders (true freshmen only):
1. Ryan Sabol 8.1 Buffalo
2. Arne Osojnik 7.7 Eastern Michigan
3. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.3 Buffalo
4. Sonny Wilson 7.2 Toledo
5. Evan Isparo 7.1 Miami
6. Mekhi Cooper 6.5 Miami
YUSUF JIHAD: 4TH IN MAC 3PT%
Junior Yusuf Jihad is fourth in the MAC with an impressive .431 shooting percentage from deep as he is 25-for-56 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 .518 Ohio
2. Aidan Rubio .449 Central Michigan
3. Davion Bailey .4314 Ball State
4. Yusuf Jihad .4310 Eastern Michigan
JALIN BILLINSGLEY: SEASON-HIGH 13 POINTS, 8 REB
Junior Jalin Billingsley netted a season-high 13 points against Toledo, Feb. 6. He also matched his career high with eight rebounds, which he achieved for the third time this season.
JALIN BILLINSGLEY: INCREASED ROLE, PRODUCTION
Junior Jalin Billingsley, who has started seven-straight games, has seen an increased role while seeing positive results on the floor. Billingsley is averaging 6.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 18.9 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
23.8 9.7 5.7
FIVE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS VS. TOLEDO
The Eagles had five players (Acuff, 24; Lovejoy, 16; 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 22
2. Orlando Lovejoy 10
3. Yusuf Jihad 9
4. Arne Osojnik 7
5. Jalin Billingsley 5
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 (22), freshman Arne Osojnik (16), sophomore Orlando Lovejoy (14), redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe (12), redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter (13), junior Yusuf Jihad (9), sophomore Cyril Martynov (8), junior Jalin Billingsley (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 23 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
2. Detroit Mercy 15
3. Furman 14
Kansas City 14
Milwaukee 14
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 605-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit eight threes against Toledo, Feb. 6, has now hit at least one triple in 605-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. Bates has been named a G-League All-Star.
MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
The first game of the MAC-SBC Challenge took place from Nov. 8-11, with the match-ups determined based on projected NET rankings heading into the season. The second match-ups were set based on real-time NET rankings and announced, Jan. 22. In addition to relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests will be considered in determining the matchups. The MAC-SBC Challenge is confirmed through the 2024-25 season.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan is scheduled to host Bowling Green State University Saturday, Feb. 17, for a 3:30 p.m. tip inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The game follows an EMU women's game against Northern Illinois University.
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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