Last Saturday featured Ohio’s (16-13, 10-6 Mid-American Conference) most important night of the season. With a MAC Tournament seed already locked up, Ohio just needs to play for the best matchup it can get. With a win over Miami, as well as same-night losses from Kent State and Toledo, all Ohio needs to do is keep winning.
While Eastern Michigan currently sits No. 6 in the MAC, it should not be an opponent Ohio takes lightly. The Eagles stole a win over the Bobcats at home 94-87, but since the loss, the Bobcats have become a better, healthier team.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Game information
Opponent: Eastern Michigan Eagles (15-14, 8-8 MAC)
Location: The Convo
Time: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Meet the opponent
Head coach
Stan Heath (fourth season, 46-76 record)
Projected starters
No. 1, Jalen Billingsley
No. 2, Da’Sean Nelson
No. 3, Jalen Terry
No. 30, Christian Henry
No. 44, Arne Osojnik
Statistical leaders
Points: Terry (17.0 per game)
Rebounds: Nelson (5.9 per game)
Assists: Henry (3.5 per game)
Steals: Terry (1.6 per game)
Blocks: Nelson (1.1 per game)
Three-pointers: Terry (83 made)
Eastern Michigan notes
Over the past couple weeks, Eastern Michigan has asserted itself as the most dangerous team outside the MAC’s solidified top-five teams. The team has won four of its last five games, with big home wins over Miami, Toledo and Central Michigan. The Eagles are 9-5 at home, the fifth-best record in the MAC, but have really struggled on the road, going 5-9, which Ohio will look to take advantage of.
The claim to fame for Heath’s Eagles team is its individual offensive talent. While the team ranks eighth out of 12 teams in points per game, Eastern Michigan has one of the best guard-big duos in the conference with Terry and Nelson.
Players to watch: Da’Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry
Nelson caused issues for Ohio in the team’s first matchup in Ypsilanti, putting together 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists to send Ohio home. The biggest difference is Ohio will have a fully healthy AJ Clayton for the matchup. Last time around, Clayton sustained an injury, limiting him to only 11 minutes of playing time.
In the last five games for the Eagles, Terry has asserted himself as the MAC’s best guard. The 5-foot-11 guard has put together averages of 25.8 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting over 50 percent from 3-point range on nine attempts per game. Ohio will need to limit Terry as much as possible.
