The Bulls will play their 12th game out of 15 away from Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon when Buffalo continues Mid-American Conference play at Eastern Michigan. The Bulls are looking to get back on the winning track after a loss at Toledo on Tuesday night, while the Eagles are trying to start 2-0 in MAC play for the first time since 1999-2000 following a victory over Central Michigan in their league opener.
Freshman Quate McKinzie led the Bulls with 12 points on Tuesday night as he went 4-of-5 from the field, including 3-of-4 from behind the arc. McKinzie has now converted on 24 of his first 28 shots this season, with all four of his misses coming from behind the arc. McKinzie is a perfect 16-for-16 on two-point baskets this year.
The Bulls and the Eagles both had the opportunity to go on a foreign trip this sumer as both teams went to the Bahamas in late August. In fact, these two teams had such a similar travel schedule, that on August 25, the teams played in a doubleheader in the Bahamas. Eastern played in the first game, an 86-80 win over the Providence Storm, while the Bulls ended the night with a 113-73 win over the Real Deal Shockers.
Eastern Michigan is 9-5 on the season and 1-0 in MAC play following an 85-63 win over Central Michigan on Tuesday night. The Eagles have won three straight games and are a perfect 7-0 at home on the season. UB and EMU has one mutual opponent on the schedule in Pitt. The Eagles opened the season with a 93-90 double overtime loss, while the Bulls fell 84-79.
Eastern Michigan has four players averaging in doubles figures, led by Willie Mangum IV, who is averaging 16.7 points per game despite coming off the bench in all, but two games. Senior Ray Lee is averaging 15.8 points per games and reigning MAC Freshman of the Year James Thompson IV is averaging 14.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
The Eastern Michigan defense is one of the top nationally as they are second in the country in steals per game (11.6) and third nationally in total steals (162). The Eagles are also in the top five in the country in turnover margin and turnovers forced. EMU is also one of the top offensive rebounding teams, lead by Thompson, who is third in the country in offensive rebounds.
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