MBB Preview: EMU Lid-lifter

And so we switch to Men's Basketball, which has not been a very rewarding pursuit this year, either.  Perhaps they will turn things around...we can hope.  Nothing has been seen in that regard yet.

EMU is the first opponent, up at Gervin Arena in Ypsi.  The Eagles were picked 7th in the official MAC poll but have been nowhere near that since the season started.  Of course, they made the biggest news in the MAC by landing Emoni Bates, the one-time #1 recruit in the country.  And while Bates is leading the MAC in scoring, he hasn't been that much of a true difference maker.

EMU is 2-10 in D1 play against an average non-conference schedule.  They won @FIU (260) and Detroit Mercy (215).  They only lost to UM by 5, but have 5 losses to teams with a kenpom over 250 or so.  Their current kenpom is 302....11th in the MAC.

EMU is reasonably effective on offense--actually a little bit better than BG.  However, their defense has been terrible, even worse than BG's.  That's ranked #348 out of 363.  

Both teams like to play fast, with EMU over 71 possessions a game.

Let's start with the first one.  EMU is an average shooting team.  Their mix is very 2FG-focused but they only make 49% of 2FGs. They are actually really good at the 3FG's they do take (26%) which is common among teams that are selective.  They take excellent care of the ball....a good combination with decent shooting, but they don't do much on the boards and they don't get to the line much, although they make 34% when they do.

The biggest issue is FG defense.  They are #355 out of 363.  (In the MAC, Miami is worse). They allow 60% on 2FGs against them, which is fourth-worst in the country.  The 3FG defense is 34.4%, which is about a point below average.  They combine being easy to shoot against with not forcing turnovers, being poor on the boards and giving up a ton of FTs.

As you can see below, the question will be whether BG--the nation;'s 293 shooting team--is capable of taking advantage. BG has been good from the line, if that comes into play.

As mentioned, Emoni Bates is averaging 20.8 PPG. He takes 31% of their shots, making 52% from 2FG and 39% from 3FG.  He adds 5.8 RPG (team high) but a 1:2 A/TO ratio.

Noah Farrakhan averages 13 PPG but he is way less efficient, at 41% and 31%.  He adds 4 RPG and 36 assists with 33 turnovers. Tyson Acuff, a 6'4" transfer from Duquesne.  He shoots 57% and 28% and has 36 assists over 20 TOs and 16 steals. I also mention Legend Geeter, a Providence transfer, who has 16 steals but I mostly like to mention his name.

So, on paper this is a game BG should win.  It is on the road....by ranking, it would be BG's worst loss o the season.  EMU is in the pack of six fighting for two tournament spots and if BG has designs to change the narrative, this is one they need.