Tuesday's game the biggest regular season conference game of Murphy's tenure.

We're hot. WMU is hot. Game is in K'zoo. The bye to CLE is on the line.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DW2lxE6W4AAul9l.jpg

This is from this morning Sagarins. Bottom line: They rank WMU and EMU adjacent (#159 and 160, respectively).

159 Western Michigan = 72.36 15 12 71.17( 160) 0 0 | 0 0 | 71.73 166 | 72.66 154 | 78.85 87
160 Eastern Michigan = 72.35 14 11 70.13( 204) 0 0 | 0 1 | 71.89 164 | 71.91 164 | 78.93 83

Based on their 'score' WMU is 0.01 point better than EMU, which isn't even 'rounding error.'

If we somehow go 1-1 in these final two games, I'll be thrilled. Especially if the "good 1" is on Tuesday, which would make the Toledo game useless for seeding purposes, as we would be locked in to the 4 seed.

However, it's likely we will be underdogs in both, and the safe bet would be to assume we go 0-2. Say this happens...then we could fall as far as 7th in the conference. We will, undoubtedly, finish ahead of at least one of Kent and Miami, as they are both a game behind us and still play each other again. But the winner of that game then finishes with either Akron or Ohio, which is very winnable for both. Also, if BG shocks Buffalo at home, they could still pass us too.

Our likely spot in the seeding if we lose out is 6th. I wouldn't hold my breath on Buffalo losing another conference game, so I think we finish ahead of BG, but behind the winner of Tuesday's KSU/MIA game in that scenario.

So the task is simple, yet difficult: go win a game in a place where we haven't won in our last 5 visits. You could say that we are "due", or you could say that WMU is a well-coached team that usually takes care of business in its own arena. We've won some impressive road games this year, though, so I don't think this team is too small for the big stage.

I'm excited. Is it Tuesday yet?!

If we were to finish tied with Ball State after a 2nd win over Toledo, does anyone know who would get the tiebreaker?

We would, if Western finishes 5th. WMU swept Ball State, and (in this hypothetical) we would be 1-1 against the Broncos.

(02-25-2018 11:34 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  We would, if Western finishes 5th. WMU swept Ball State, and (in this hypothetical) we would be 1-1 against the Broncos.

Thanks. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ball State losing 1 of their next two road games.

(02-25-2018 09:39 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  If we somehow go 1-1 in these final two games, I'll be thrilled. Especially if the "good 1" is on Tuesday, which would make the Toledo game useless for seeding purposes, as we would be locked in to the 4 seed.

However, it's likely we will be underdogs in both, and the safe bet would be to assume we go 0-2. Say this happens...then we could fall as far as 7th in the conference. We will, undoubtedly, finish ahead of at least one of Kent and Miami, as they are both a game behind us and still play each other again. But the winner of that game then finishes with either Akron or Ohio, which is very winnable for both. Also, if BG shocks Buffalo at home, they could still pass us too.

Our likely spot in the seeding if we lose out is 6th. I wouldn't hold my breath on Buffalo losing another conference game, so I think we finish ahead of BG, but behind the winner of Tuesday's KSU/MIA game in that scenario.

So the task is simple, yet difficult: go win a game in a place where we haven't won in our last 5 visits. You could say that we are "due", or you could say that WMU is a well-coached team that usually takes care of business in its own arena. We've won some impressive road games this year, though, so I don't think this team is too small for the big stage.

I'm excited. Is it Tuesday yet?!

Indeed.

On paper the two teams are dead even. Even records. WMU has the home court but EMU is the hotter team. Here is the WMU game results. Recent results not as strong as ours.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketb...an-broncos

Both are playing for the same thing: The last bye to CLE.

I assume Vegas will make WMU say a 2 point favorite, but that is simply the home court.

On a neutral court I take EMU.

One thing to wonder: How big will the crowd be and how much a home court advantage vis-a-vis the refs?

Wonder if WMU will have a 3 - 4K crowd?

Just relax guys, WMU is going AAC soon anyway.

Dear Block_E,
Yes, I forgot about that. Just like Northern Illinois was going to the Big Twelve a few years ago. If, it doesn't work out, Northern and Western could start a new league with Army, Liberty, Brigham Young, Massachusetts, and whom ever else wants in. The Big Eight sounds about right.

My only other thought I wish this were a home game rather than the two home games we played last week.

The MAC handles scheduling but I wish they would have avoided the two final home games during spring break.

This game would be huge for the students and community and probably best attendance of the season (except Education Day).

We control our own destiny the next two games a bye a 20 win season lots at stake hopefully we are up to the challenge and play up to our potential

(02-25-2018 02:43 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Block_E,
Yes, I forgot about that. Just like Northern Illinois was going to the Big Twelve a few years ago. If, it doesn't work out, Northern and Western could start a new league with Army, Liberty, Brigham Young, Massachusetts, and whom ever else wants in. The Big Eight sounds about right.

I admire everyone in that thread who had more restraint than I did.

Anyway, what on earth happened at the last EMU-WMU meeting?

Somehow, Western shot 60% in the second half, and Went an incredible 7 for 9 from 3PT.

And we were awful from the field all game. Easily our worst offensive performance of the mac season. I doubt we play that poorly again, but who knows.

Minnie named MAC West Co-Player of the Week for last week.

(02-26-2018 12:14 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  And we were awful from the field all game. Easily our worst offensive performance of the mac season. I doubt we play that poorly again, but who knows.

Second half we shot 52% (12-23) and still lost the game. We scored 36 points in the half, but Western scored 51, which is crazy against an EMU defense.

Only lesson I can see is COVER THE DAMN PERIMETER.

http://emueagles.com/news/2018/2/25/mens...ath=mbball

Wish EMU could do a bus to K'zoo or make arrangements for students, etc. to attend.

We need fan support.

I will probably be disappointed tomorrow night, but I am sooo excited about the fame. It is going to be great to watch a game that has actual importance to the regular season standings!! What a turn around to the season!

(02-26-2018 03:25 PM)emu steve Wrote:  http://emueagles.com/news/2018/2/25/mens...ath=mbball

Wish EMU could do a bus to K'zoo or make arrangements for students, etc. to attend.

We need fan support.

That little write up on Thompson indicates he is one of the top big men in the country- not saying he will be drafted but he will certainly be looked at by NBA teams. Thompson is as good as gone, unfortunately barely.

I am hoping EMU can make a run in the MAC tourney. They have as good a chance this year as they ever are going to get.

(02-26-2018 03:38 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(02-26-2018 03:25 PM)emu steve Wrote:  http://emueagles.com/news/2018/2/25/mens...ath=mbball

Wish EMU could do a bus to K'zoo or make arrangements for students, etc. to attend.

We need fan support.

That little write up on Thompson indicates he is one of the top big men in the country- not saying he will be drafted but he will certainly be looked at by NBA teams. Thompson is as good as gone, unfortunately barely.

I am hoping EMU can make a run in the MAC tourney. They have as good a chance this year as they ever are going to get.

Ramy I don't know about you but I don't think he is NBA material. After all he got killed by Akron's Isiah Johnson, the 2017 conference player of the year twice last season. Johnson is playing in Sweden this year because 6"10" agile post players can rule the MAC but are hardly unique in the NBA.

But you are dead on, if he leaves we have little chance of being relevant next year. And yes EMU is hitting their stride at absolutely the right time this year. Neither Toledo or Buffalo is rooting to see us in Cleveland.