The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team is known for putting on an exciting show, earning the nickname “The Most Exciting 40 Minutes In Sports.” The Colonels aim to lead the country in scoring, 3-pointers made, assists, steals, and forced turnovers. Their hard work has paid off, as they have won three straight games and four of their last five.
EKU’s impressive defensive performance against Queens on December 31 included a record-breaking 11 blocks, putting the team at 36th in the country in blocks per game (4.9). The Colonels also lead the ASUN and are 26th in the nation in scoring, averaging 81.5 points per game. EKU is also strong on the boards, leading the ASUN and ranking eighth in the nation with 13.86 offensive rebounds per game.
Their upcoming opponent, Kennesaw State, will be a tough challenge. The Owls rank fourth in the ASUN in points allowed per game at 66.1 and second in defensive 3-point field goal percentage (30.2%). They also average 3.3 fewer turnovers per game than their opponents.
EKU has a strong record when scoring 80 or more points, going 4-1 this season and 46-14 (.767) under head coach A.W. Hamilton. Junior Michael Moreno has been a standout player for the Colonels, breaking the program record with 11 three-pointers against Boyce and earning a spot on the Preseason All-ASUN Team as selected by the league’s head coaches. Moreno was also voted ASUN Preseason Player of the Year by fans.
The Colonels’ 2022 recruiting class has been recognized as one of the best in the country, ranking as high as 65th by 247Sports. This ranking puts EKU ahead of programs such as Kansas St., Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Mississippi St., and North Carolina St.
Overall, the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team is a force to be reckoned with, and their exciting brand of basketball is sure to continue bringing excitement to fans.
