Look at Eastern Michigan’s 10-12 record and the first impulse might be to write the Eagles off.
Upon closer inspection their 5-2 MAC record is more relevant and more of a concern, said University of Akron coach Keith Dambrot, whose team will attempt to win its fifth consecutive game tonight at Rhodes Arena.
“They started slow,” Dambrot said. “[EMU coach Rob Murphy] has to teach them how to win and he didn’t have all of his players to start the season.”
Murphy and his Eagles were missing a piece — a huge piece — of their puzzle for the first 10 games of the season in 7-foot center Da’Shonte Riley, a transfer from Syracuse University.
Riley gives Zips center Zeke Marshall a rival in size, if not one in potential production, with which to contend.
Dambrot said Marshall, who is averaging 10.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, isn’t a concern.
“He’s played well against other big guys,” Dambrot said.
The concern comes from a 2-3 zone — one that Dambrot refers to as “big and long” — that the Zips (15-7, 7-1) will face in the game.
“We haven’t seen it that much,” he said, “and they play all zone all the time, and they play it well.”
There’s little chance the Zips are going to give up trying to score inside, but they’re going to have to have a productive outside game to be effective. It helps knowing that the Zips have the best 3-point shooting team in the league at 40 percent.
EMU guard Darrell Lampley will occupy a significant portion of the Zips’ defensive attention. At 13.5 points per game, he’s the only Eagle scoring in double figures and he possesses the ability to shoot from 3-point range. In Eastern Michigan’s recent win over Bowling Green, Lampley made four 3-pointers in a 20-point scoring effort.
“He’s done a good job for them,” Dambrot said. “He’s played the way he’s had to for them to win.”
The Zips’ biggest advantage in this game might be playing at home. The Eagles haven’t played well on the road, accumulating a 4-9 record.
Television date
The MAC announced that UA’s game against Ohio in Athens on Feb. 26 will air nationally on ESPNU at 8 p.m.
ESPN and the MAC chose the game, which was originally scheduled for Feb. 25, as part of the 21-day Wildcard Selection. It will be the second game between the two teams on ESPNU. The Zips defeated the Bobcats 68-63 on Jan. 14.
The Zips currently stand 7-2 in TV games.
Recruiting ranking
Recruiting services Rivals.com and Scout.com ranked the Zips’ football class No. 12 and No. 13, respectively, in the Mid-American Conference. The website 247Sports.com also put the Zips at No. 13.
Quick shot
The UA women’s basketball team (9-15, 3-6) begins a four-game homestand with a game against Central Michigan (12-11, 4-5) today.
George M. Thomas can be reached at gmthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Zips blog at http://zips.ohio.com. Follow the Zips on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GeorgeThomasABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
