Eastern Michigan Preview and Game Thread -- 12/03/2024

[RamblerRagas]

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/co ... /2025.html

Tonight we host Eastern Michigan, coached by Stan Heath (bet nobody realized, me neither). They give up a good amount of points (98 to Detroit the other night!), so if we are in the zone, not rusty or missing easy buckets due to the 10 day mini break, we should put up some points like we did on Tulsa.

Eastern Michigan is led by DePaul transfer and former starter, Jalen Terry, who averages 14.9ppg on 46.5% shooting. Junior transfer, Christian Henry, also gets buckets. As he is local from Chicago, and and today is also his birthday, we should prepare adequately that he doesn't go off...... They also rely on 2 other starters who average > 12ppg apiece. Starters play heavy minutes, so getting them into foul trouble early will be nice, if defense is clean and officiating doesn't go rogue against us like they did with Southern Utah. Would love for us to get to them early, as Eastern's bench is very thin and not very productive.

Scouting thru twitterX, nothing noteworthy from the LUC circles or insiders. If the game gets out of hand by early second half, would be nice to get extended looks at Daniil and Seifeldin and work the bench mob.

Blers at -18.5 (as of 12:30pm)

[96Rambler]

We need a solid win with good metrics to keep climbing the charts...it would be great to see a 70-45 kind of win with low turnovers. Go Ramblers!

[Rambler88]

Last year, when we had breaks in the schedule, the team improved. I am anxious to see if Coach Valentine can do it again this year.

[Sloth84]

Well. This was an exceptionally long break. So if last season’s trend holds - we could really improve. And if we do get up big - hope that Drew gets the 2 freshmen more meaningful minutes. It was quite frustrating to see them both on the bench for so long against Tulsa with a 30+ point lead. I get that they may not be ready for prime time. - especially defensively- but these are our highest rated recruits in the past 20 years. They are talented. Get them some rotational minutes. Do it now before the conference season starts

And a big thanks tho ragas for getting the game thread going.

[goramblers2011]

Hope JCT is OK. It's been a month since his last post. Anyone have other ways to reach him?

Off to a good start tonight. The crowd, particularly the student section, is very disappointing.

[kato669]

Yes the Pack is missing again. Not sure what the deal is

[Sloth84]

I know Drew thinks he has 10 starters. But PLEASE STOP THE CONSTANT SUBSTITUTIONS! In 20 minutes I bet we had 15 different combinations on the floor.

[RamblerRagas]

Yes the Pack is missing again. Not sure what the deal is

During the game I exchanged messages with one of the dedicated Pack member’s wearing overalls. They say freshmen aren’t carrying the weight and showing up this year…… which explains the empty seats and sections. Pack new member recruitment isn’t going well considering the advertising and promotion they are doing. Hopefully they fill for Saturday.

[RAMBLOR]

My theory was that the classes that were there for the sweet 16 run were the ones that were huge fans. The last of them would have graduated last year.

If the team keeps winning, I'm sure they'll turn up. Some Porter-style engagement (going to the cafeterias, etc) couldn't hurt though. A Porter-style tourney run is probably the best solution though...

[96Rambler]

Attendance overall is in the gutter. This is a great team....the season ticket side is emptier than the student section. It makes no sense. Even this message board is less active than the last few years.