Friday, December 28, 2012

EMU Steam Rolls Siena Heights

     Eastern Michigan got off to a 14-0 start in this non-confernce game. The Eagles are now 7-1 at home this season. It was more of a stay in shape kind of game right before the Eagles play Kentucky. Final score was 87-49, and Eastern Michigan goes to 7-5 on the season.

     Eastern really took charge in this game forcing turnovers, and getting 48 points in the paint. 4 players on EMU were in double figures for points. Eagles also had 6 3 pointers made as a team in this game.

    Going into half Eastern had a 47-19 lead. EMU reduced their average turnovers in half. Usually EMU has around 20 turnovers a game, they limit it to 10 in this one. Eastern went on a 8-0 run to start the 2nd half to make the lead even bigger.

    The Eagles couldn't do much better, they worked on things in preparation for Kentucky like defense and ball control. Field goal percentage could be higher but 55% is not bad. Eastern did a decent job rebounding in this game with 35 rebounds, 14 of them were offensive.

     Thompson you could say was on fire from 3 point range in this game, going 5/9 from 3, and led the team with 17 points. Harrison not far behind with 15 points. Everyone that got into the game for EMU had points.

      The Eagles now travel to Lexinton Kentucky for their next non-conference game.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Last Second Basket pushes OU to Close Win

     A nail biting finish to the EMU vs. Oakland basketball game. Eastern falls to Oakland 59-57 on a last second shot by Oakland's Ryan Bass. Eastern had some struggles in this game but were able to come back late in the 2nd half to tie it.
 
     Going into halftime Eastern was only down 5. Just trying to keep it close going into the 2nd half. But Oakland got off to a fast start, getting a 35-21 lead before EMU scored there first basket of the half.

     The Eagles then had to start playin catch up, and did a good job getting it tied at 50. Late in the game JR Sims comes up with a steal and is fouled to make 1 free throw to tie the game once again. Oakland got the ball and let's the clock run to about 3 seconds before they make a game winning shot to make it 59-57.

      Eastern played sloppy most of the game and turnovers again haunts this team. Ross led the team in scoring with 17 points, 2 steals and 3 rebounds. Thompson is the 6th man of the game for EMU, with 11 points.

      Eastern now on a 3 game losing streak heading in to play Siena Heights, then Kentucky. The Eagles are 6-5 now and are hoping for a good showing once the conference season rolls around.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Eastern falls to #2 Michigan

    Eastern Michigan went right down the road to the Crisler Center and tried pulling off the biggest upset in school history. Eastern ended up loseing to the Wolverines 93-54. The Eagles move to 6-4 overall and have Oakland coming up next.

    A fast start for Eastern couldn't last the entire game. Eastern took a 6-2 lead after back-to-back 3 pointers from Ross, and Bryant. Then Michigan went on a 20 point run before EMU acored again. It wasn't Easterns best showing but have something to look at and work on.

    Harrison, Bryant and Chandler led the Eagles in scoring, and Riley had 3 blocks. Eastern still has some work to do, with not turning the ball over so much. 18 turnovers for Eastern in this game. Also  taking higer percentage shots. On fast breaks EMU stops and takes a off balenced jump shot. Taking higer percentage shots and getting it into the paint is a must.

   Eagles still have Oakland and Kentucky before MAC play starts.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Eagles fall to Chicago on the Road

      Eastern came into the game knowing it wasn't going to be a very easy will. IL-Chicago came into this game with some good looking wins over Iona, Northwestern and Colorado State. This didn't turn out the way the Eagles would have liked with a 74-48 loss, and a 6-3 record.

     Eastern kept the game pretty close in the first half staying within 1 or 2 points most of the time. Going into halftime IL-Chicago led 24-19. But the 2nd half was much different. Chicago got off to a very fast start incraseing their lead to 11 before the Eagles got another basket.

    Eastern only shot 33% in this game, and only 10% from behind the arc. Bryant led the team in scoring with 10, he was the only player to reach double didgets. Sims had 9, and Thompson with 8. Again in this game the Eagle had way to many turnovers. 19 turnovers was a big part to this game.

      The Eagles move on to play 11-0 Michigan next. It won't get any easier because after the Wolverines stands Oakland, Kentucky, then move into conference play.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

EMU Football Recruiting Interest List

Scholarships Offered:

WR Dionte Taylor
***
Fort Lauderdale, FL

CB Tyler Lancaster
*
Baton Rouge, LA

OG David Dawson
****
Detroit, MI

CB LJ Moore
****
Fresno, CA

DT Poet Thomas
***
Franklin, MI

OT Mason Darrow
*
Barington, IL

LB Brett Scanlon
*
Dowagiac, MI

RECRUITING:

RB Kareem Hunt
*
Willoughby, OH

LB LaVonte Robinson
*
Lakewood, OH

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Eagles Rally in 2nd Half to Beat Purdue

      Eastern Michigan came into the game with a 5-2 record, and a recent loss to Syracuse. The Eagles knew they had a good chance at beating the 4-4 Boilermakers at home. Neither team really had a standout first half. The score was 20-19 at halftime, after a late basket pulled EMU within 1 going into half. The Eagle were able to hold on and with 47-44.

     The Eagles got off to a slow start at the free throw line, and had some trouble getting rebounds. But were still able to stay in the game, and force Purdue to make some bad shots. What really helped Eastern were points off the bench. The Eagles played really deep into the bench today with everyone that got into the game scored.

       Eastern came into that second half looking very sharp right from the start. Thompson hit a big 3 pointer to take the lead. From there, EMU played like a brand new team. Playing very solid defense, forcing fouls, and taking better shots, and having more confidence in those shots.

      Late in the game The Eagles were up by 4. Ronnie Johnson of Purdue then gets a big layup to pull within 2. Riley is then fouled after coming up with a rebound. He goes to the line and made his first free throw to put EMU up by 3. Purdue wasn't able to score there time down the floor and Eastern clenched the huge win.

     The Eagles put this game at the top of their resume, after beating a Big Ten team is always a huge accomplishment. Thompson had 8 points, and had at least 1 stat in every category other then rebounding.

     EMU's big men were the biggest impact, by getting a lot of tough rebounds. Harrison had 11 rebounds, and 4 points. That was key in this game was to outrebound Purdue, and force turnovers. The Eagles did just that in the 2nd half. Purdue had 18 total turnovers in this game, while Eastern only had 4 the entire game.

    Eastern Michigan will play Illinois-Chicago next, and then play the #3 Michigan Wolverines.




GO EAGLES!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Eagles Start Strong, but Fall to Syracuse

  
     Eastern Michigan came in looking to prove that they can compete with a team like Syracuse. The Orange came in undeafeated, and ranked #4 in the nation. Eastern fell 48-84 at Syracuse. The Eagles came in 5-1 with a lot of high hopes for the season.

       Rob Murphy wanted to show his former team that is getting the job done at EMU. There were some strength showed in the game, as well as some weaknesses. It gave the team some footage to work with to prepare for the rest of the season.

      Eastern Michigan started the game exteremly well, leading Syracuse 10-3 at the first TV timeout. The defense was getting the ball, and able to hit easy shots. Syracuse started with a full court press that gave the Eagles some problems. Eastern Michigan had a ton of turnovers in this game, with a total of 23 turnover as a team. This led to EMU slowing down in scoring and not being able to get down the court.

     On the defensive side of the ball the Eagles did okay. Riley had 6 blocks, and 3 steals in this game. A lot of good defense in the paint and decent job with rebounding, offensivly and defensivly. As a team the Eagles had 7 blocks and 13 steals, and 32 rebounds.

      Derek Thompson, and Glenn Bryant both had an outstadning game's. Thompson did a lot of work with 18 points and being able to take control and give this team some life even when they were down. Bryant had 16 points, and is probably EMU's player of the game. He led the team in rebounds, and free throws.

       For Syracuse, we were expecting to here a lot about Southerland, but he was very quiet in this game. He only had 4 points and had trouble contributing to his team considering the amout of time he played. Grant had a huge game for the Orange, he had 11 points and a stat fo every column in the book.

       Eastern can use this game a big learning experience for when conference games come. I think this was a great game for our program and look forward to see what this team can do the rest of the season.



Sunday, December 2, 2012

Eagles Fans Ready For Change

      Talking with Eastern Michigan fans, they are ready for a big change in EMU football. All EMU fans want the team to succeed, but this upcoming 2013 season the fans are more ready than ever. Eastern went 6-6 last year without a bowl appearance. This past season the team goes 2-10.

       Fans are more than willing to show up to games as they proved at the beginning of the season with decent crowd sizes. Coach Ron English was hoping for a great season but the team wasn't able to pull out some wins. The MAC is really improving in football, with some teams getting ranked and in the discussion for BCS bowl games. While it seems EMU is staying in one place.

       Just one successful season will bring fans to Rynearson, will bring recruits to come play, and get Eastern there first bowl in a long time. Eagles fans are ready to support this team if they can pull off some wins.

       Ron English is trying to get those recruits and give the fans something to cheer about, but need to do work on the field to. If the talent is there we should have a above .500 season.

      Eastern Michigan Fans are ready for this team to succeed and are willing to be there for them.

GO EAGLES!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Eastern Michigan vs. Syracuse Preview

Game Information:
Monday December 3rd
7PM
TV: ESPNU

        Eastern Michigan will be traveling to Syracuse for this monday night match up. Be sure to watch the game on ESPNU at 7PM est. The Eagles come into the game with a 5-1 record, Syracuse is #6 in the nation with a 5-0 record.

       Eastern will have to play some good defense, and be able to rebound the ball very well to beat Syracuse. Coach Murphy is a former coach at Syracuse so he knows how they like to play. Riley and Harrision, EMU need's a big game out of. Both average about 7 rebounds a game. This will be the most physical team EMU has played all year and need to play lights out.

      Ray Lee has really come to life the past few games, he's averageing 6 points a game. Harrsion and Thompson are going to huge for EMU in this one. If Eastern Michigan can score in the paint as much as possible it should be a close game. The Eagles cannot allow Syracuse to get open shot's or drive the ball at the basket. Southerland is a tough player to stop but a quick double team can force him to have a off night for the Orange.

       The Eagles need to keep up with Syracuse big time if they plan on winning. Can't afford to give up any easy baskets. The team that wins will be the one with the most points in the paint, and possibly the least amount of turnovers.

Eastern Michigan Blog

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