Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, March 8
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Central Michigan
EMU Closing 2023-24 Season at CMU Friday
3/6/2024 6:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles look to earn fifth win in seven games
| Men's Basketball at Central Michigan | |
| Date | Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m. |
| Venue | McGuirk Arena (5,300) | Mount Pleasant, 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 |
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Winners of four of the last six games, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team travels to in-state foe Central Michigan University, Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m. inside McGuirk Arena. EMU will plan its final game of the 2023-24 season as the Eagles upended Mid-American Conference-leading University of Akron, March 5.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner will have the call live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App.
OPENING TIPS
» Eastern stunned MAC-leading Akron, 61-60, in the team's most recent game, Tuesday, March 5. The Eagles played without junior Tyson Acuff and recorded 15 offensive rebounds.
» Junior Jalin Billingsley flew in with a left-handed, putback dunk off a missed three-pointer to give EMU a 61-60 lead over MAC-leading Akron with just 1.9 seconds left to play. Billingsley and the Eagles were featured on SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt's "Must See" while ESPN, CBS, NCAA March Madness, Bleacher Report, and other notable media outlets featured Billingsley's soaring slam.
» CMU enters the game 17-13 overall and 11-6 in the MAC after winning at Northern Illinois, 69-63, in its most recent game, March 5. The Chippewas have secured the four-seed in the MAC Tournament. CMU topped EMU, 80-64, Jan. 9, behind a robust 61.2% shooting effort.
» Acuff is averaging 21.7 points per game through 30 games, which leads the MAC and is seventh in the nation. His season has been highlighted by five 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; 34 vs. BGSU, Feb. 17).
» Acuff is one of six players in the nation with 13 showings of 23 or more points.
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his third year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 31-61 record at EMU and a 240-268 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.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: VIRAL PUTBACK DUNK WINNER
Junior Jalin Billingsley flew in with a left-handed, putback dunk off a missed three-pointer to give EMU a stunning 61-60 lead over MAC-leading Akron with just 1.9 seconds left to play. Billingsley and the Eagles were featured on SportsCenter's Scott Van Pelt's "Must See" while ESPN, CBS Sports, NCAA March Madness, Bleacher Report, and other notable media outlets featured Billingsley's soaring slam.
DON'T CALL IT AN UPSET: EMU STUNS AKRON
After being eliminated from MAC Tournament contention following a lackluster 52-37 loss to Miami, March 2, Eastern Michigan pulled off a stunning victory in Akron, knocking off the Zips, 61-60, March 5, as the home team had a chance to clinch a share of the MAC Regular Season championship. Akron, which had the nation's seventh-longest home winning streak of 16-straight wins, entered the contest as a 21.5-point favorite, per ESPN Bet, as the Eagles were given just a 2.2% chance to win by ESPN's Basketball Power Index. Additionally, through the 5,683 games in Division I college basketball as of March 5, EMU's win at Akron was the 14th-biggest "upset" of the season.
KNOCKED OFF THE MAC CHAMPS (MAYBE)
EMU beat MAC-leading Akron, 61-60, March 5. The Zips, tied with Toledo for first place entering the final day of MAC regular-season games, would clinch a share of the MAC Regular Season title with a win at Western Michigan or a Toledo loss to Kent State.
If Akron can secure at least a share of the title, the Eagles' win would be their first over the MAC champion since beating Toledo, 76-69, Feb. 19, 2019. It would be the first on the road since edging the Rockets, 71-69, March 2, 2018.
If Akron claims the outright title Friday, March 8, it would mark EMU's first road win against the school with the best MAC record at season's end since a 58-57 win at Ball State, Feb. 17, 1990.
TYSON ACUFF: ONE OF NATION'S TOP SCORERS
Junior Tyson Acuff is averaging 21.7 points per game through 30 games, which leads the MAC and is seventh in the nation. Acuff's season has been highlighted by five 30-plus point performances.
National scoring leaders:
1. Tommy Bruner 24.5 Denver
2. Zach Edey 24.1 Purdue
3. Tyler Thomas 22.3 Hofstra
4. Xavier Johnson 22.0 Southern Illinois
5. David Jones 21.9 Memphis
6. Tucker DeVries 21.9 Drake
7. Tyson Acuff 21.7 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: 5TH IN PROGRAM HISTORY PPG
Junior Tyson Acuff's 21.7 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 21.7 2023-24
6. Derrick Dial 20.9 1997-98
TYSON ACUFF: RISING IN EMU RECORDS
Junior Tyson Acuff is at 1,014 points in his EMU career.
EMU all-time leaders in points:
1. Kennedy McIntosh 2,219 1967-71
27. Tim Bond 1,057 2014-18
28. George Gervin 1,044 1970-72
29. Fred Cofield 1,030 1983-85
30. Tyson Acuff 1,014 2022-24
Lewis Scott 1,014 1983-87
Acuff is the 32nd player in program history to reach 1,000 points as an Eagle and the first since Tim Bond surpassed 1,000 in 2018.
Including his 239 points in two seasons at Duquesne, Acuff is at 1,253 career points, passing the 1,000 mark with a 21-point performance against Ball State, Jan. 16. He sits at 139 career three-pointers made with 38 coming at Duquesne.
TYSON ACUFF: 37.9 MINUTES/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff, who played at least 37 minutes in 22 of the last 24 games played, is averaging 38.2 minutes per game. Acuff played all 40 minutes at Ball State, Feb. 24, but was limited to 30 minutes against Western Michigan, Feb. 27, due to a pair of first-half fouls and exiting the game due to injury in the second half. Acuff has played all 40 minutes in seven of the last 10 games, playing the entirety of the game 10 times this season. The 37.9 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 38.6 Oral Roberts
2. Kareem Thompson 38.1 Oral Roberts
3. Tyson Acuff 37.9 Eastern Michigan
TYSON ACUFF: NATION'S LEADER IN FGM/GAME
Junior Tyson Acuff is second in the nation in field goals made per game.
National field goals made per game leaders:
1. Zach Edey 8.2 Purdue
2. Tyson Acuff 8.1 Eastern Michigan
3. Tyler Thomas 8.0 Hofstra
TYSON ACUFF: 10 GAMES WITH 10+ FGM
Junior Tyson Acuff has converted 10-plus field goals in 10 games this season with his most recent being his 11 against Buffalo, Feb. 20.
Games with 10-plus field goals made in 2023-24:
1. Tyson Acuff 10 Eastern Michigan
Tristan Enaruna 10 Cleveland State
Tommy Bruner 10 Denver
Marcus Hill 10 Bowling Green
TYSON ACUFF, 13 GAMES WITH 23+ POINTS
Junior Tyson Acuff has scored 23-plus points 13 times this season with his most recent being a 26-point effort at Buffalo, Feb. 20. Acuff is one of six players in the nation with 13 showings of 23 or more points.
Games with 23-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Zach Edey 19 Purdue
2. Tommy Bruner 16 Denver
Tyler Thomas 16 Hofstra
4. David Jones 14 Memphis
5. Tyson Acuff 13 Eastern Michigan
Jalen Blackmon 13 Stetson
TYSON ACUFF GOES FOR 29+ POINTS (x7)
Junior Tyson Acuff has seven games with 29-plus points this season, most recently providing a 34-point outing against BGSU, Feb. 17. Acuff is one of four players in the nation and the only player in the MAC with seven-plus 29-point showings.
Games with 29-plus points in 2023-24:
1. Tommy Bruner 9 Denver
2. Zach Edey 8 Purdue
3. Tyson Acuff 7 Eastern Michigan
Xavier Johnson 7 Southern Illinois
TYSON ACUFF: DOUBLE-DIGITS IN 30-STRAIGHT
Junior Tyson Acuff has netted at least 11 points in 30-straight contests played, extending back through the final three games of the 2022-23 season.
EMU consecutive games in double-digits since 2000:
1. Tyson Acuff 30 2022-24
2. John Bowler 21 2005-06
3. Carlos Medlock 20 2007-10*
*Medlock missed the 2008-09 season with a broken foot.
LIFE WITHOUT TYSON ACUFF
With junior Tyson Acuff missing the game against Miami, March 2, due to injury, EMU suffered a 52-37 loss to the RedHawks. The Eagles' 37 points are their fewest since a 63-36 loss at Rutgers, Nov. 19, 2018. EMU's 37-point output is its fewest at home since a 59-37 loss to Illinois Tech, Feb. 7, 1950, and its fewest in a MAC game ever.
In EMU's second game without Acuff, the Eagles upended MAC-leading Akron, March 5, 61-60, after junior Jalin Billingsley's putback jam with 1.9 seconds put EMU ahead.
TYSON ACUFF: 34 POINTS, 10 REBOUNDS VS. BGSU
Junior Tyson Acuff poured in a season-high 34 points to go with a career-high 10 rebounds for his first career double-double against BGSU, Feb. 17.
Acuff's efforts earned him MAC Player of the Week. Acuff is the first Eagle since Bryce McBride to receive the honor outright and the first since Emoni Bates was named MAC Co-Player of the Week, Feb. 27, 2023. McBride did so Dec. 13, 2021.
PATH TO THE PLAYOFFS: MAC TOURNEY OUTLOOK
EMU has been eliminated from MAC Tournament contention and has not made the postseason since 2019-20. The MAC Tournament is played in Cleveland, Ohio, from March 14-16.
TIGHT GAMES GOING TO EASTERN MICHIGAN
EMU has found success in games decided by 10 points or less in 2023-24, holding an 12-6 record in such games. EMU is also 8-3 in games decided by four points or less.
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 9-2 3-15
Hold opponent to 71 points or less 13-2 1-15
Shoot better % than opponent 12-2 1-15
Outrebound opponent 12-4 2-13
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, .559-.542, Feb. 6. Eastern suffered its fourth loss when outrebounding its opponent, 35-34, March 2, in a 52-37 loss to Miami, which also served as EMU's second loss when allowing 71 points or less.
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
Feb. 24 at Ball State 26-27 58-56
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 being outshot... PT% Final
March 5 at Akron .433-.478 61-60
Win when allowing 72+ points... PA Final
Nov. 21 at Detroit Mercy 72 76-72
CONNOR SERVIN: 11 POINTS, FIVE REBOUNDS
Redshirt junior Connor Serven netted 11 points to go with five rebounds in EMU's 61-60 win at Akron, March 5. Serven was an efficient 5-for-6 from floor, which included a pair of dunks and one three-pointer. He also recorded five rebounds, two steals, and one assist. Serven has three games with double-digit points this season.
YUSUF JIHAD: CAREER-HIGH EIGHT REBOUNDS
Junior Yusuf Jihad tallied a career-high eight rebounds, topping his previous mark of seven set against Bowling Green State University, Jan. 3, 2023. Jihad's five offensive rebounds were also a career high. Jihad added four points.
8-OF-9 GAMES WITH 10+ OFFENSIVE BOARDS
EMU has secured at least 10 offensive rebounds in eight of its last nine games, which included a streak of seven-straight games in double-digit rebounds, its longest such streak since the 2016-17 season. EMU recorded just seven against Miami, March 2. EMU also had a seven-game streak in the MAC in 2015-16. The Eagles recorded 15 offensive boards at Akron, March 5, the second-highest total by a Zips opponent this season (16 vs. St. Bonaventure, Dec. 30). EMU's 15 offensive rebounds are tied for its third-highest mark of the season. The Eagles have outrebounded their opponents in exactly half of the 30 games played, but have done so in each of the last four contests.
SENIOR DAY CELEBRATION
EMU recognized Tyson Acuff and Andrew Wells prior to the game against Miami, March 2. The Eagles also honored student-managers Evan Johnson, Sam Malcolm, and Bryson Williams.
52 POINTS, 36.8% SHOOTING ALLOWED TO MIAMI
EMU conceded just 52 points to Miami, March 2, on 36.8% shooting from the floor. The 52 points allowed are EMU's fewest since a narrow 46-44 loss at Akron, Jan. 22, 2022. The 36.8% shooting marked Miami's fourth-lowest clip of the season while 52 points was a season-low and the RedHawks' fewest since a 64-51 loss to Kent State, Feb. 27, 2021.
ELITE FREE THROW DEFENSE VS. WMU
EMU played an elite game defending free throws against WMU, Feb. 27, as the Broncos were just 6-for-19 (31.6%) from the charity stripe. The game marks EMU's best defensive showing against free throws (min. 15 FTA) since holding Siena Heights to 4-of-15 (26.7%) from the line. It marks the third time the Eagles have held a MAC opponent below 50% (min. 15 FTA) since 2013-14. Ohio was 9-for-20 (.45.0%), Jan. 31, 2023, and Central Michigan was 8-for-18 (44.4%), Feb. 26, 2014. WMU's free throw percentage marks the lowest by a Division I foe (min. 15 FTA) against EMU since at least the 2009-10 season.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: DOUBLE-DOUBLE VS. MIAMI
Junior Jalin Billingsley tallied his first career double-double, March 2, against Miami. Billingsley scored 13 points to go with a career-high 10 rebounds. Billingsley's double-double is EMU's third of the season as sophomore Orlando Lovejoy had 17 points and 10 rebounds against Northwood, Dec. 30, before junior Tyson Acuff had 34 points and 10 rebounds against BGSU, Feb. 17. Three of Billingsley's boards came on the offensive end, marking the fourth time this season that he has had three offensive rebounds.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: 3 BLOCKS VS. MIAMI
In addition to junior Jalin Billingsley's first career double-double, March 2, against Miami on a 13-point, 10-rebound showing, Billingsley also matched his career high with three blocks. He swatted three shots for the first time this season and fourth time in his career. Billingsley last had three blocks at Toledo, Jan. 24, 2023.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: CAREER-HIGH 17 POINTS AT BSU
Junior Jalin Billingsley netted a career-high 17 points to go with six rebounds in the 58-56 win at Ball State, Feb. 24. Billingsley also tied his career high with seven made field goals, which he set against Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022. Billingsley's previous career high in points was 16, also against Wayne State, Nov. 7, 2022.
JALIN BILLINGSLEY: INCREASED ROLE, PRODUCTION
Junior Jalin Billingsley, who has started 13 of the last 14 games, has seen an increased role while seeing positive results on the floor. Billingsley is averaging 7.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, and 21.9 mpg for the season.
First 12 games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
15.9 4.8 3.8
Last 14 games played (averages):
Minutes Points Rebounds
27.1 10.3 6.5
ARNE OSOJNIK: FULL GAME AT AKRON
Freshman Arne Osojnik played a career-high 40 minutes at Akron, March 5, marking the first time in his career that he has played the entirety of the contest. Osojnik joins junior Tyson Acuff (10) and sophmore Orlando Lovejoy (1) as Eagles to play at least one full game this season. Osojnik had eight points with two rebounds, as well as a career-high three steals. He has seven games with two steals this season.
ARNE OSOJNIK: 1ST IN MAC FRESHMEN SCORING
Freshman Arne Osojnik is first in the MAC in scoring by a true freshman, averaging 8.6 points per game.
Freshmen MAC scoring leaders (true freshmen only):
1. Arne Osojnik 8.6 Eastern Michigan
2. Sonny Wilson 8.1 Toledo
3. Ryan Sabol 7.6 Buffalo
4. Anquan Boldin Jr. 7.0 Buffalo
5. Evan Ipsaro 6.8 Miami
ARNE OSOJNIK: CAREER HIGHS VS. WMU
Freshman Arne Osojnik matched his career high with 22 points in the 70-67 win over WMU, Feb. 27. Osojnik netted 22 points at Louisiana-Monroe, Feb. 10. The Slovenian also played a career-high 37 minutes, topping his previous mark of 36 minutes at ULM. Osojnik was an impressive 6-for-9 from three-point range against the Broncos, marking his sixth career game with at least four three-pointers made. His six made triples tied his career-high set against North Dakota, Nov. 26.
ARNE OSOJNIK: DAGGER THREE AT BALL STATE
Freshman Arne Osojnik drilled a triple with 24.3 seconds to play to give the Eagles control with a 57-53 lead. Osojnik was 2-for-5 from deep in the 58-56 win at Ball State, Feb. 24. Osojnik hit a three against Kent State, Jan. 6, to send the game into overtime.
CYRIL MARTYNOV: 20 MINUTES, 6 REBOUNDS Sophomore Cyril Martynov, played 20 minutes while hauling in six rebounds against Western Michigan, Feb. 27. His 20 minutes are his second-most in MAC-play (22 against Toledo, Feb. 6), while his six rebounds are his top mark in MAC-play and most since tallying seven boards against Hampton, Dec. 21. Martynov's plus-minus rating was +6, which was the second-best total for any player in the contest, behind junior Tyson Acuff's +8. Martynov also recorded six rebounds against Miami, March 2, marking the first time in his career that he has had back-to-back games with at least six boards.
(OFFENSIVE) REBOUNDING AT BALL STATE
All eight Eagles that saw the floor recorded at least one offensive rebound in EMU's 58-56 win at Ball State, Feb. 24. Despite that, EMU only recorded 10 offensive rebounds while outrebounding BSU, 42-35. The Eagles improved to 9-3 when outrebounding its opponent. Redshirt junior Connor Serven and junior Jalin Billingsley each tallied two offensive boards while the other six Eagles each had one apiece. Serven's eight total rebounds led EMU as all eight players had multiple rebounds.
THREE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT AKRON
The Eagles had three players (Billingsley, 14; Lovejoy, 13; Serven, 11) net 10-plus points against Akron, March 5. 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 27
2. Orlando Lovejoy 12
3. Arne Osojnik 10
Jalin Billingsley 10
4. Yusuf Jihad 9
6. Legend Geeter 5
7. Julius Ellerbe 3
Connor Serven 3
9. John McGriff 1
ORLANDO LOVEJOY: ONE STEAL IN 16-OF-19 GAMES
Sophomore Orlando Lovejoy has secured at least one steal in 16 of the last 19 games. Lovejoy also has multiple steals in eight of his last 17 games. He had three-straight games with at least three steals with three at ULM, Feb. 10, three against Toledo, Feb. 6, and a career-high four against Northern Illinois, Feb. 3, but recorded just one at Buffalo, Feb. 20.
11 DIFFERENT PLAYERS IN THE STARTING LINEUP
Eastern Michigan has used 11 different players in the starting lineup this season. Junior Tyson Acuff (27), freshman Arne Osojnik (23), redshirt sophomore Legend Geeter (18), sophomore Orlando Lovejoy (17), junior Jalin Billingsley (14), redshirt junior Connor Serven (12), redshirt junior Julius Ellerbe (12), junior Yusuf Jihad (11), sophomore Cyril Martynov (8), redshirt junior John McGriff (4), and redshirt sophomore Javantae Randle (3) have all started for EMU.
In total, the Eagles have used 20 unique lineups in 30 games. The Acuff-Billingsley-Geeter-Osojnik-Serven combo is one of only six 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 20
2. Milwaukee 19
3. Siena 17
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 612-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit four threes against Akron, March 5, has now hit at least one triple in 612-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.
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
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 5-1 in doubleheader games in 2023-24 and 5-0 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 seven 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 was named a G-League All-Star.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan's season is complete following the CMU game.
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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