Eastern Michigan Eagles Men's Basketball

The Eastern Michigan Eagles men's basketball team represents Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The team currently competes in the West division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They have appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments and have a 3–4 record, tied for third best among Michigan colleges. They reached the Sweet Sixteen in the 1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and defeated the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the 1996 tournament.

EMU has competed in the MAC since joining in 1972, and previously competed in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1920–1926). The team last played in the NCAA tournament in 1998.

History

Ben Braun era

Ben Braun served as head coach of the EMU men's basketball team from 1985 to 1996, before leaving to take over the head coaching duties at the University of California-Berkeley. In his 10 ½ seasons as EMU head coach, he led Eastern to its most successful decade as an NCAA Division I school, finishing as the winningest head coach in EMU history with a 185–132 record. During his tenure he was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year three times (1987–88, 1990–91, 1995–96). Those three seasons saw the Eagles win Mid-American Conference and MAC tournament championships and NCAA post-season tournament appearances, including a "Sweet 16" appearance in 1990–91. He also coached the 1994–95 team to EMU's first-ever National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Milton Barnes era

Following the departure of Ben Braun to California, Eastern Michigan hired Milton Barnes, he would spend four season as a head coach, earning 63 victories in those years.

Jim Boone era

In 2001, EMU hired Jim Boone to lead its basketball program. Boone compiled a 48–96 record in 5 seasons at the helm.

Charles Ramsey era

Ypsilanti native and EMU graduate Charles Ramsey was hired following the 2005 season. In his first game as head coach, Ramsey pulled off an upset over a Ben Braun coached California team, however that would be the highlight of his stint as head coach in Ypsilanti. After a 68–118 record in six years at the helm, EMU would fire Ramsey after the 2010–11 basketball season.

Rob Murphy era

Rob Murphy, a Detroit native was hired in the spring of 2011 to take over for Charles Ramsey. Prior to EMU, Murphy spent seven years as an assistant coach at Syracuse under Jim Boeheim. In his first season, Murphy would lead the Eagles to a 14–18 record. However, with its 9–7 record in conference play, the Eagles took 1st place in the MAC-West. In 2021, he left the team to join the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League as president and general manager.

Postseason

NCAA Tournament Division I results

The Eagles have appeared in four NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–4.

Coach Ben Braun led Eastern Michigan to their first three NCAA Division I tournament appearances during his 11-year tenure. One of the great highlights in team history came after EMU's first round victory over Duke in 1996, when the Blue Devils' Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski stated, "Eastern Michigan is very well coached, much deeper than we are and, today, much quicker than we were."

NIT results

The Eagles have appeared in one National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Their record is 0–1.

CBI results

The Eagles have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) one time. Their record is 0–1.

CIT results

The Eagles have appeared in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) two times. Their combined record is 2–2.

NCAA Division II Tournament results

The Eagles have appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament one time. Their record is 3–2.

EMU reached the Final Four of the 1972 NCAA College Division National Championship, led by All-American George Gervin, an NBA Hall of Famer selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

NAIA District 23 playoff

NAIA National Division I Tournament

Mid-American Conference tournament Results

Championships

NCAA Tournament

Appearances (4)
* 1988
* 1991
* 1996
* 1998
Sweet Sixteen (1)
* 1991

NAIA District 23 (4)

* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971

NAIA National Division I Tournament

Elite Eight (2)
* 1968
* 1971
Semifinals (1)
* 1971
Finals (1)
* 1971

NCAA Division II Tournament

Elite Eight (1)
* 1972
Final Four (1)
* 1972
Third Place game (1)
* 1972

MAC regular season champions (4)

* 1988
* 1991
* 1996
* 2012 (MAC West)

Mid-American Conference tournament

Finals (5)
* 1991
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
Champions (4)
* 1988
* 1991
* 1996
* 1998

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships

* 1921

Michigan Normal championships

* 1908

All-time win–loss record

Source:

Players

Players Drafted & Undrafted in the NBA and NBA-DL

*NBA-DL

Current pro players

Da'Shonte Riley – Salt Lake City Stars

Karrington Ward – Oklahoma City Blue

Raven Lee – Santa Cruz Warriors

Retired numbers

Awards

MAC Awards

MAC Player of the Year

* 1988 Grant Long
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy

MAC Defensive Player of the Year

* 2014 Da'Shonte Riley

Academic All-MAC

* 1975–76 Dan Hoff
* 1975–76 Walt Jones
* 1981 Patrick Miller
* 1998 Nkechi Ezugwu
* 2003 Steve Pettyjohn
* 2014 Daylen Harrison
* 2015 Olalekan Ajayi
* 2015 Trent Perry
* 2016 Trent Perry
* 2017 Blake Brown
* 2017 Nick Madray
* 2017 James Thompson IV

MAC Tournament MVP

* 1988 Grant Long
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy
* 1996 Brian Tolbert
* 1998 Earl Boykins

1st Team All-MAC

* 1981 Jeff Zatkoff
* 1985 Fred Cofield
* 1987 Grant Long
* 1988 Grant Long
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy
* 1991 Lorenzo Neely
* 1992 Kory Hallas
* 1994 Kareem Carpenter
* 1995 Brian Tolbert
* 1996 Brian Tolbert
* 1997 Earl Boykins
* 1998 Earl Boykins
* 2006 John Bowler
* 2018 James Thompson IV

2nd Team All-MAC

* 1975 Bob Riddle
* 1979 Gary Green
* 1980 Kelvin Blakely
* 1982 Jeff Zatkoff
* 1984 Fred Cofield
* 1984 Vince Giles
* 1986 Percy Cooper
* 1987 Mike McCall
* 1988 Howard Chambers
* 1990 Lorenzo Neely
* 1991 Carl Thomas
* 1993 Ellery Morgan
* 1995 Kareem Carpenter
* 1996 Earl Boykins
* 1997 Derrick Dial
* 1998 Derrick Dial
* 2003 Ryan Prillman
* 2009 Brandon Bowdry
* 2010 Carlos Medlock
* 2010 Brandon Bowdry
* 2011 Brandon Bowdry
* 2016 James Thompson IV
* 2017 James Thompson IV
* 2019 James Thompson IV

3rd Team All-MAC

* 2012 Darrell Lampley
* 2014 Karrington Ward
* 2015 Ray Lee
* 2018 Elijah Minnie

MAC Honorable Mention

* 1975 Dan Hoff
* 1976 Bob Riddle
* 1977 Bill Weaver
* 1978 Ken Harmon
* 1978 Gary Green
* 1980 Jeff Zatkoff
* 1981 Tim Bracey
* 1982 Jack Brusewitz
* 1983 Phil Blevins
* 1983 Marlow McClain
* 1983 Vince Giles
* 1985 Vince Giles
* 1988 Lorenzo Neely
* 1989 Howard Chambers
* 1989 Lorenzo Neely
* 1990 Kory Hallas
* 1993 Bryant Kennedy
* 1993 Theron Wilson
* 1996 Theron Wilson
* 1998 James Head
* 2000 Calvin Warner
* 2005 John Bowler
* 2008 Carlos Medlock
* 2010 Justin Dobbins
* 2013 Glenn Bryant
* 2015 Karrington Ward
* 2016 Ray Lee
* 2018 Paul Jackson
* 2019 Paul Jackson
* 2019 Elijah Minnie
* 2020 Boubacar Toure

MAC All-Freshman team

* 1988 Lorenzo Neely
* 1989 Kory Hallas
* 1995 Earl Boykins
* 2000 C.J. Grantham
* 2006 Carlos Medlock
* 2007 Brandon Bowdry
* 2016 James Thompson IV

MAC All-Defensive team

* 2016 Tim Bond
* 2017 Tim Bond
* 2018 James Thompson IV
* 2019 James Thompson IV

MAC West Player of the Week

* Dec. 28, 2003 John Bowler
* Nov. 10, 2006 Carlos Medlock
* Jan. 01, 2007 Jesse Bunkley
* Nov. 13, 2007 Carlos Medlock
* Nov. 21, 2011 Darrell Lampley
* Feb. 27, 2012 Darrell Lampley
* Dec. 16, 2013 Ray Lee
* Feb. 17, 2014 Da'Shonte Riley
* Nov. 24, 2014 Ray Lee
* Feb. 16, 2015 Karrington Ward
* Mar. 07, 2015 Mike Talley
* Feb. 15, 2016 James Thompson IV
* Mar. 05, 2016 Tim Bond
* Nov. 28, 2016 James Thompson IV
* Jan. 03, 2017 Jordan Nobles
* Dec. 18, 2018 James Thompson IV

Preseason 1st Team All-MAC West Division

* 2004 John Bowler
* 2005 John Bowler
* 2015 Ray Lee
* 2016 James Thompson IV
* 2017 James Thompson IV

MAC Coach of the Year

* 1988 Ben Braun
* 1991 Ben Braun
* 1996 Ben Braun
* 2012 Rob Murphy

MAC Freshman Of The Year

* 1988 Lorenzo Neely
* 2016 James Thompson IV

MAC All-Tournament Team

* 1987 Grant Long
* 1988 Grant Long
* 1988 Lorenzo Neely
* 1991 Lorenzo Neely
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy
* 1995 Brian Tolbert
* 1995 Theron Wilson
* 1996 Brian Tolbert
* 1996 Earl Boykins
* 1996 Theron Wilson
* 1997 Derrick Dial
* 1998 Earl Boykins
* 1998 Derrick Dial
* 2010 Carlos Medlock

National Awards

Co-Coach of the Year in the NCAA District 14 Division I
* 2012 Rob Murphy

Honorable Mention All-American
* 1998 Earl Boykins
Cosida Academic All-American Selections 2nd Team
* 1976 Dan Hoff
Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award
* 1998 Earl Boykins

USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
* 1997 Earl Boykins

Thompson Challenge All Tournament Team
* 2006 Carlos Medlock
Golden Bear Classic
* 2006 Brandon Bowdry
Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islander Invitational
* 2007 Carlos Medlock
Hoosier Tipoff Classic All-Tournament Team
* 2017 Elijah Minnie
E-Club Hall of Fame
* 2014 Lorenzo Neely
* 2013 Earl Boykins
* 2013 Derrick Dial
* 2012 Brian Tolbert
* 2008 Lindell Reason
* 2007 Al Jagutis
* 2006 Gary Tyson
* 2005 Ben Braun
* 2005 Harold Simons
* 2004 Earl Dixon
* 2003 Jim Dutcher
* 2000 Jack Brusewitz
* 1998 Grant Long
* 1997 Earle Higgins
* 1996 Kennedy McIntosh
* 1994 Robert Sims
* 1994 C.P. Steimle
* 1993 Joe Brodie
* 1993 George Gervin
* 1993 Nick Manych
* 1992 Cleon Gilliam
* 1992 Leo Turner
* 1991 James Ross
* 1991 Claude Snarey
* 1989 William M. Cave
* 1989 Ron Gulyas
* 1988 Sherm J. Collins
* 1987 William J. Stephens
* 1985 Charles Paige
* 1983 Charles Lappeus
* 1983 Neville "Tex" Walker
* 1982 Clifford D. Crane
* 1982 Marvin R. Mittlestat
* 1979 Louis Batterson
* 1979 Harvey Marlatt
* 1979 George Muellich
* 1979 Arthur D. Walker
* 1979 Frank "Buck" Weeber
* 1978 William E. Crouch
* 1978 Daniel Webster Kirksey
* 1978 James A. Walsh
* 1977 C. Dale Curtiss
* 1977 Harry Ockerman
* 1976 Edwin Shadford
* 1976 Raymond L. Stites

All-Freshman Team
* 1994 Earl Boykins

UPI 1st Team NCAA-College Division All-America
* 1971 George Gervin

Coaches 1st Team NCAA-College Division All-America
* 1971 George Gervin

NAIA second-team All-District 23
* 1971 Earl Dixon

NAIA honorable mention All-America
* 1971 Earl Dixon

1st Team All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* 1952 Daniel Webster Kirksey
* 1954 Daniel Webster Kirksey

2nd Team All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* 1951 Daniel Webster Kirksey
* 1952 Cleon Gilliam
* 1957 William J. Stephens
* 1960 Ron Gulyas

NAIA All-Star State of Michigan Team
* 1957 William J. Stephens

Michigan Collegiate Conference Honors
* 1928 George Muellich

vs Michigan Universities

* Central Michigan University (MAC) 91–100 All-Time
* Western Michigan University (MAC) 36–58 All-Time
* University of Michigan (B1G) 3–27 All-Time
* Michigan State University (B1G) 4–29 All-Time
* University of Detroit Mercy (Horizon) 19–61 All-Time
* Oakland University (Horizon) 10–6 All-Time
*As of Jan. 06, 2016

Statistics

National statistical champions

* 2013/14 NCAA Statistical Championship for field goal percentage defense (36.9%)

MAC Statistical Champions Team Season

* 1986/87 Best 3-point field goal percentage Season (.465)
* 1987 scoring offense (76.8)
* 1987 rebounding (36.1)
* 1987 three-point field goal Pct. (.465)
* 1987 three-point field goals made (144)
* 1988 scoring offense (82.6)
* 1989 scoring offense (77.7)
* 1991 field goal percentage (.514)
* 1991 free throw percentage (.727)
* 1996 scoring offense (83.7)
* 1997 field goal percentage (.495)
* 1998 scoring offense (79.8)
* 1998 rebounding (37.4)
* 1998 three-point field goals made (210)
* 2012 scoring defense (58.7)
* 2013 scoring defense (59.1)
* 2014 scoring defense (61.4)
* 2014 field goal percentage defense (.369)
* 2014 blocked shots (6 Avg/G)
* 2014 turnover maring (+3.57)
* 2014 scoring defense (61.4)
* 2015 blocked shots (4.5 Avg/G)
* 2015 field goal percentage defense (.386)
* 2015 steals (305/8.7)
* 2015 turnover margin (+3.31)
* 2016 steals (312/9.5)
* 2016 turnover margin (+3.15)

MAC individual statistical champion

* 1965 Dave Anderson – free throw percentage (.863)
* 1977 Bill Weaver – free throw percentage (.826)
* 1986 Percy Cooper – assists (182/6.7)
* 1987 Deron Goheen – 3-point field goal percentage (.532)
* 1987 Brad Soucie – 3-point FG made per game (2.48)
* 1987 Mike McCaskill – field goal percentage (.594)
* 1988 Lorenzo Neely – steals (71/2.4)
* 1989 Lorenzo Neely – steals (78/2.7)
* 1989 Brian Nolan – blocked shots (50/2.0)
* 1990 Brian Nolan – blocked shots (49/1.5)
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy – scoring (659/20.0)
* 1991 Carl Thomas – 3-point FG made per game (2.70)
* 1991 Marcus Kennedy – field goal percentage (.682)
* 1993 Theron Wilson – blocked shots (80/2.7)
* 1994 James Reed-assists (140/5.2
* 1995 Early Boykins – assists (136/4.5)
* 1995 Theron Wilson – blocked shots (96/3.2)
* 1998 Earl Boykins – scoring (746/25.7)
* 1998 Earl Boykins – 3-point FG made per game (2.74)
* 2005 Michael Ross – free throw percentage (.854)
* Carlos Medlock – best 3-point field goal percentage (game), 6–6 vs. WMU, 2-15-06
* 2006 John Bowler – scoring (563/20.1)
* 2006 John Bowler – rebounding (301/10.8)
* 2010 Brandon Bowdry – rebounding (319/10.0)
* 2010 Justin Dobbins – field goal percentage (.615)
* 2011 Brandon Bowdry – rebounding (284/9.5)
* 2015 Mike Talley – assist/turnover ratio (2.3)
* 2016 Tim Bond – steals (67/2.0)
* 2016 James Thompson IV – rebounding (352/10.7)
* 2016 James Thompson IV – field goal percentage (.645)

MAC tournament records

Individual single game

* 1980 Greg Floyd – field goal pct. (1.000/7-7)
* 1984 Fred Cofield – field goals attempted (28)

Individual tournament career

* Earl Boykins – field goals made (34)
* Earl Boykins – field goal attempts (60)

Team

* 1998 field goals made (41 v Toledo)

References

External links

*

Basketball reference

{{Mid-American Conference men's basketball navbox