Ask Milton Barnes if this season’s version of the EMU Eagles constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and you’re likely to get an interesting answer. After all, Barnes lost all 5 starters from last year’s NCAA team that featured All-American Earl Boykins, streaky Derrick Dial, and under-appreciated James Head. Gone from a year ago is almost 90% of the scoring and rebounding that won the MAC title and played Michigan State tough in the Big Dance. Eastern Michigan is hurting and has yet to win a game in six tries this year. To make matters worse, the Eagles have a young and undersized team that must overachieve every night or risk taking a bath at the hands of more experienced teams. The Eagles are guard and forward dominated and have no true center to throw at opposing teams. Since the Flyers lack size and strength in the frontcourt as well, this matchup could prove to be an interesting one, but one the Flyers should be able to out-flank.

EMU’s marquee player in 1998-99 is Calvin Warner, a 6-6 forward who some might consider a poor-man’s Ryan Perryman. Warner scraps for rebounds and is a capable scorer in the paint but is too often a one-man show for the Eagles. Craig Erquhart and Tyson Radney are the other undersized frontcourt players that will lend a hand, but their lack of height limits their effectiveness against the big timber of opposing teams. Erquhart has some mobility and likes to step out to shoot the trey. Solomon McGee is a 6-7 forward who comes off the pine to sub the starters and give Milton Barnes a few solid minutes in a limited role.

If any part of EMU’s offense can do consistent damage however, it lies in the backcourt. DeSean Hadley, a JUCO transfer from nearby Sinclair, is a quick shooting guard who had a reputation as a good shooter but is only hitting .340% from the field this year. Point guard Avin Howard is the top ball-handler and distributor on the team but is having similar struggles with his shooting game. While the Eagles shoot only .399% from the field, they have a handful of players who fit into the “tweener” category – that is players who can fill in at guard or forward at any given time. The number of players under 6-6 that contribute to the team is potentially dangerous because it only takes one or two hot shooters to ignite this team and build some confidence. Still, Barnes cannot hide the fact that he is seriously under-talented and must recruit better players before

EMU contends for another MAC crown. The Eagles even have trouble doing the simple things well such as shooting free throws. They convert only .595% at the line.
Oliver Purnell’s team is in a lull. The Flyers have lost three of the last four games – two of those losses coming to programs the Flyers should have beaten handily. The Flyers continue to struggle at the power forward position. Ted Fitz and Stephen Bamigbola are not scorers and are only marginal defenders. Purnell has indicated that he is going to try some new things – including playing 6-6 Nate Green. Green has only played a handful of minutes this year but has shown signs of quality play. Green is a strong, bruising forward who can take contact and bang with other players in the frontcourt.

Expect Tony Stanley and Cain Doliboa to hit some treys and open up the game. Ashman should have little difficulty scoring and rebounding if he plays smart and limits mental mistakes. Coby Turner must continue to shoot the basketball and regain his outside touch. Finally, David Morris must see more playing time. Morris played only five minutes against Toledo, leaving his speed and killer attitude on the sideline when the Flyers could have used a spark.