EMU men win game 1 of the MAC Tournament vs Ball St 59-55

EMU did have things under control the last minute so don't let a couple of late Ball State 3 point baskets worry you.

This game was very much in doubt until EMU went through a series of plays in this game where they got their hands dirty, played ugly, and did what it took to change the game. Leading 45-44 with 6:34 to play, Justin Dobbins missed a short shot. 6'2" Travis Lewis went up in the land of the giants to tip Dobbins shot home and giving EMU a three point lead 47-44. On Ball State's ensuing posession, an EMU player (sorry, Johnny's notes are sloppy) took a charge from Ball State's Peyton Stovall. This gave the ball, and a three point lead back to EMU. Jarred Axon made a layup giving EMU a 5 point lead and when Jesse Bunkley hit a threeball just over a minute later, EMU had secured a hard fought, feels good to get dirty kinda tournament win. They played inside today, they didn't fall in love with the three point shot and coach Charles Ramsey (who we're more impressed with every game) again and again got the ball inside to Justin Dobbins who dominated the Ball State paint with 21 points. Travis Lewis was huge with 12 and 10 rebounds, Carlos Medlock had 15, Jarred Axon 7 and Jesse Bunkley only hit the one three point shot, but it was huge.

EMU has a short turnaround before playing the Sissy Broncos from Western Michigan tomorrow afternoon at noon in Cleveland. EMU split the season series with our good friends from Kalamazoo, with both teams enjoying convincing wins at home.

YCD thinks playing today will be a benefit tomorrow, playing early and being used to the floor and sightlines. We look for another strong EMU performance.

EMU defeated Ball State last year in the first round of the MAC Tourney as well. PWNED

Rivalry weekend in Washtenaw County--EMU 67 CMU 64

How many CMU undergrads does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Four, but it's a three credit course.

EMU 67 and CMU Chumpewas 64. And with the football finale falling in EMU's favor as well, EMU is 2 of 3 against CMU in the so called big sports (and don't make us bring up women's softball). It's OK though CMU grads and fans, you can take solace that soon the weather will warm and your casinos will be in bloom.

EMU got an overwhelming boost from their bench with their three game high scorers all coming off the pine for Head Coach Charles Ramsey. Justin Dobbins with 15, Jarred Axon with 14, and Travis Lewis with 13 led the way for Eastern Michigan who improve to 10-14 overall, and a VERY respectable 6-6 in Mid American Conference play. Eastern has won 3 of 4 and next play at MAC and in state rival, Western Michigan. 9pm Wednesday from the Zoo. Western is only a game back in the MAC race having previously lost to Eastern on January 12, 81-71. Go Get 'Em Eastern, nothing says 'schadenfreude' like Bronco tears. OK maybe Chumpewa tears.

Take that Woodsy Owl, EMU 78-BGSU 68

Back in the day, Bowling Green's mascot looked like a fat owl, not a falcon. Hence Woodsy Owl. EMU bounced Bowling Green right back down US 23, to I-75 and right back to Wood County tonight with a smart 78-68 victory. EMU, who is undermanned for both health reasons and a dismissal from the team, keeps fighting hard and have now won 2 of 3, and both wins were against teams at least two games up on Eastern in the conference standings. Charles Ramsey has his guys working hard through these dog days of February, and that's a sure sign a team is buying into what he has to say. EMU isn't gonna win the MAC or barring a Cinderella run in the MAC Tourney they're not going to the dance. But they ARE going out and representing, which has been missing the last few seasons.

Junior Carlos Medlock was just phenomenal tonight, 26 points and 5 for 5 from threeball land. He could have hit some from the bench area he was so hot tonight but he didn't want to show off. They also wouldn't have counted since that's out of bounds. In one of the stranger stats lines you'll ever see, Junior Wendale Farrow, according to the ESPN game stats, had ZERO minutes credited, was 0-1 from the field but chipped in with 6 points on 6 for 6 shooting from the free throw line.

EMU is 5-6 in the MAC and 9-14 overall. EMU is home Saturday at the ACC against the CMU Chumpewas. 2pm tipoff

BREAKING NEWS-EMU Senior center James Matthews, dismissed from team

Woo Hoo we break news but boo hoo, an EMU player has to be dismissed from the team for what Eastern Michigan is calling "conduct detrimental to the program".

Said EMU Head Coach Charles Ramsey in a statement:

"This is a tough decision, but one that was made in the best interests of the program and the players, James is taking his last course this semester and is on track to graduate in April. We wish James the best of luck in his future endeavors."

YCD will keep an ear to the ground as to what may have precipitated this.

ESPN stats for James Matthews
He averaged 5.0 points and 3.8 rebounds. During his career, he averaged 3.6 points and 2.7 rebounds.

YCD hopes this is a growing moment and accountability moment for a program looking to establish an identity.

EMU hoops drops opener to Brown

Charles Ramsey's squad, who had all off season to prepare, lost 74-55 to Ivy League team Brown at the Convocation Center.

What a spectacle last night off of Hewitt must have been. Both EMU football and basketball lost within yards of one another. At least EMU used to be a big time school in basketball, what happened? I mean we KNOW here at YCD but sometimes you just have to ask questions like these so as not to give free passes for lackluster programs.