Ohio (3-14 overall, 1-6 Mid-American Conference) will welcome Eastern Michigan (1-17 overall, 0-7 MAC) to the Convo on Saturday for a MAC matchup between two struggling teams. Both squads are riding long losing streaks with Eastern Michigan having lost 11 straight games while Ohio has lost five straight games.
Something will have to give in The Convo on Saturday afternoon, but before that, here is everything to know about Eastern Michigan:
Opponent: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Time: Saturday at 1 p.m.
Location: The Convocation Center (Athens, Ohio)
Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent:
Head Coach: Sahar Nusseibeh (1st season)
Projected Starters:
#00 Olivia Westphal
#02 Mackenzie Amalia
#03 Brooklyn Thrash
#13 Elena Cabello
#14 Sisi Eleko
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Eleko (18.6 per game)
Assists: Amalia (5.2 per game)
Rebounds: Eleko (10.1 per game)
Steals: Thrash (1.5 per game)
Blocks: Westphal (0.5 per game)
Field Goal Percentage: Eleko (46.5%)
3-point Percentage: Westphal (38.9%)
Free-throw Percentage: Amalia (77.2%)
Eastern Michigan notes:
Even with Ohio’s struggles this season, Eastern Michigan has been by far one of the worst team in the MAC, only winning one game this season and going winless through its first seven conference games so far.
The Eagles’ only win came against a Xavier team that is notorious for finishing near the bottom of the Big East. Their two closest MAC games were a 61-56 loss against Akron at home and a 78-70 loss at home against Northern Illinois. First-year coach Sahar Nusseibeh is still searching for her first MAC win after leaving Canisius to take the job in Ypsilanti, and Ohio will look to win its second MAC game of the season Saturday.
Player to watch: Sisi Eleko
It is surprising Eastern Michigan has struggled as it has up to this point in the season with a player like Eleko on the team. The Junior from Quebec, Canada, has been incredible in her first season in the MAC since joining the Eagles from Canisius along with her head coach.
She is second in the MAC in both points per game and rebounds per game and provides a unique challenge to Ohio with her height and length in the paint as Ohio has struggled to get rebounds this season with its lack of size.
