EMU Eagles Arrive At Stroh (MBB)

And here comes Eastern Michigan.  Riding a wave of 5 straight losing seasons, three of them under their current coach, the Eagles were picked 11th in the MAC by Blue Ribbon. They are tied for 10th with the 10th best kenpom to date.

They are 6-9 in D1 games overall.  Their best win is over #177 Oakland. They won their MAC opener vs. NIU, but since have lost @UT, UA (by 24) and @CMU (by 19).

EMU is #2 in pace in the MAC (73 possessions).  BG plays at 71.  All stats today are MAC-only. The MAC as a conference is playing at a faster pace than any other conference this year.

BG has dominated the series of late. BG has won 9 of the last 10, losing in Ypsilanti last February.

When you look at EMU, the first thing you notice is the defense.  Which is terrible.  They allowed UT 90, UA 105 and CMU 82.  I do not recall seeing a defensive efficiency that high before. BG has only scored 1.19 this year in 3 D1 games.

Well, they are 11th in defending the 3FG and 11th in defending the 2FG.  Combined, they are last in defending the shot.  They don't cause turnovers, they are #6 on the defensive boards and they are dead last in allowing FTs.  Furthermore, they are giving up 80% made FTs, which they obviously can't control, makes the fouling issues worse.

Lots of times, teams that foul a lot have decent shooting percentages because when a guy gets open for a shot they foul him.  Not here.

BG has been pretty average defensively.  Hopefully, they can take advantage in this one, especially at the line.  Also, the offensive boards represent an opportunity.

EMU is an average offensive team.  They try 42% from 3FG, which is a lot.  They only make 31% (8th in the MAC) from 3FG, but 58% from 2FG, which is #3.  They turn the ball over a lot, are poor on the offensive boards and are #5 at getting to the line and they make 71% when they do, which is average.  BG has been defending the shot better and is good on the defensive boards and keeps opponents off the line.  Overall, they are pretty evenly matched.

They are led by Da'Sean Nelson, who is scoring 20.8 PPG in MAC play, which is #1. He's making 58% from 2FG, which is almost all his shots. He makes 87% at the line. He's 6'8" and from Rogers HS in Toledo.  He went to JUCO and then DePaul before moving to EMU.  He also leads the team with 5.3 RPG. He does make almost 5 turnovers a game.

Christian Henry scores 18 a game, which is #5 in the MAC. He's a 6'3" JUCO transfer from Panola who takes half his shots from 3FG and makes 37%.  He makes 52% on his 2FG.

Jalen Terry scores 14 PPG 50% 2FG and 34% 3FG shooting---most of the shots from 3FG.  He also transferred from DePaul.

Finally, Jalin Billingsley is a 10 PPG scorer.  He shoots 79% from 2FG, which is 3rd in the MAC.  He's 6'8" in his 3rd year at EMU.  He started at Georgetown.

ESPN gives BG a 73% chance of winning and Kenpom is 74%.