Wave83

December 8th, 2012 at 4:36 PM ^

How did EMU get Purdue scheduled at home?   Arent' 't these games usually played at the larger school's home court?  When was the last time Michigan played basketball on the road at a MAC school?

SalvatoreQuattro

December 8th, 2012 at 4:40 PM ^

EMU has a really nice arena for a school its size. I also think that most schools realize that their team needs to experience a road game and what better way to get experience by playing a bad team at home?

 

I suspect, however, that if EMU continues its upward trend that teams wil be less desirous to visit Ypsi.

Wolverine Devotee

December 8th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^

Michigan has played on the road at all the mid-major schools in Michigan. eastern, central, western, detroit and even oakland. 

In fact, EMU came to Crisler Arena and upset Robert Traylor* and Michigan 89-83 in OT. Michigan got revenge the following year in Ypsi and won 86-63. 

That time period was rock bottom. Losing consistently to MAC teams. 

Thank God for John Beilein. 

WolverineHistorian

December 8th, 2012 at 5:41 PM ^

Don't remind me of that game in 97.  I went to it.  We had just beaten #1 Duke the previous week so morale was high.  I was sitting in the upper bowl among about 3,000 Eastern fans who took that place over.  (There was no maize rage in those days and it was Christmas break, so there wasn't as many UM students at the game.) 

We hit a 3 at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, I can't remember who hit the shot but I do remember the crowd going crazy at that point.  Then we ended up losing by 6.  One Eastern fan sitting 2 rows behind me was acting like a jackass all night long, talking trash and screaming crap.  That made the walk out afterwards even worse. 

Wolverine Devotee

December 8th, 2012 at 5:47 PM ^

That was the year before the Maize Rage was created. And even then, they gave very little of a homecourt advantage until Amaker came because the students were in the upper level I believe. 

I know they weren't where they are now. I remember a huge stink about that when Amaker requested they be moved down to where they currently are. It was a whole "old farts at courtside don't help our team win" vs "noisy drunk students don't show up when the team isn't winning" thing. 

 

GRFS11

December 8th, 2012 at 4:49 PM ^

Becoming clear quickly how this conference is shaping up, with only Penn St, Nebraska, and Purdue really terrible (though Iowa hasn't really proven a whole lot yet).  Will be interesting to see how Wisconsin plays Marquette later today.

LSAClassOf2000

December 8th, 2012 at 8:21 PM ^

For a similar performance in Purdue's season, you could also look at their loss to Oregon State, which breaks down 34%/26%/56% on the way to a 66-58 loss. In the loss to Xavier,  it would be 35%/0%65%. From the teams they've played so far, I think only Bucknell and EMU are statistically less productive from a scoring standpoint too. Purdue has been in slow decline over the last few seasons, winning a few less each year, but it seems like the bottom fell out this year so far. 

Subrosa

December 8th, 2012 at 5:52 PM ^

Eastern Michigan beat Duke in the NCAA tournament in 1996. Earl Boykins, bayybeee! Also made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 1991. 

I mean, good win but but not anywhere close to the biggest win in program history.

lonewolf371

December 8th, 2012 at 6:03 PM ^

As someone earlier said they shot 31% from the line. Add to that an 18-4 turnover differential and 2 points from their senior "leader" DJ Byrd and you get a loss. I think Ronnie Johnson and AJ Hammons both have a lot of potential, but Ronnie made a lot of stupid passes today and AJ doesn't know how to use his size at the college level.

They will be good eventually, but it has to start with Byrd getting less minutes and Ronnie/AJ growing up.

bronxblue

December 8th, 2012 at 6:25 PM ^

Eastern has had a competent basketball program for some time.  Sure they have down years, but this team beat Duke in the NCAA tournament in 1996, and has had some solid runs over the years.  This is a big win, but this team looks legit.  They'll be interesting in a couple of games when they come to Crisler.

Marvin

December 8th, 2012 at 6:42 PM ^

Wow! What a great win for Ron English and his staff!

 

OT: Seriously though: has there ever been a worse coaching move than Ron English made? He was once on the short list for some seriously good positions. I guess his stint at Loo-uh-vull didn't help. But there is no way in any hell in any universe that a man can make EMU successful at football. Am I wrong about this? I ask in all seriousness because I am not an elitist and I like to see programs like EMU succeed. The only thing I can compare it to is like the guy who was the OC at Arkansas who took the UAB job. How can you expect to be succesfull when you're competing with the big boys in your state?