Eastern Kentucky University’s men’s basketball team is gearing up for their final two road games of the regular season, starting with a matchup against the University of North Florida in Jacksonville on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen to the live radio broadcast of the game on WCYO 100.7 FM in the Richmond area, or worldwide on EKUSports.com.
The Colonels lead the all-time series against North Florida 2-0, having won their first meeting in November 2020 with a score of 80-67, and then following up with a 67-58 victory at home on January 22, 2022, during their first season in the ASUN. In last year’s game, Eastern Kentucky held North Florida scoreless for nearly six minutes and scored 19 straight points in a first-half run that sparked the Colonels to the win. Devontae Blanton led the Colonels with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Cooper Robb chipped in 11.
Currently, Eastern Kentucky has a record of 18-11, with an 11-5 standing in the ASUN. However, the team dropped into a third-place tie with Stetson after losing in overtime to North Alabama on Saturday. The Colonels still hold the tiebreaker over the Hatters by virtue of their 85-70 win earlier in the season. Eastern Kentucky is currently third in the ASUN in field goal percentage defense at 42.7%, and 3-point field goal percentage defense at 33.3%.
Isaiah Cozart currently leads the ASUN in rebounding at 7.0 rebounds per game, and blocks at 2.38 blocks per game. He had 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks against UNA. Meanwhile, Michael Moreno has registered double-doubles in each of the last two games, with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Central Arkansas and 16 points and 11 boards against North Alabama. He also has seven assists and no turnovers in the last two games. Devontae Blanton also scored a season-high 27 points on Saturday and has scored 20 or more in six of the last seven games.
North Florida currently sits at 12-16 overall and 7-9 in ASUN games, tied for eighth in the conference. The Ospreys are fourth in the ASUN in scoring at 76.18 points per game, but they have allowed 78.5 points per game, which is the second most in the league. North Florida has allowed opponents to shoot 46% from the field, placing them 12th in the ASUN. Carter Hendricksen leads the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game and rebounding at 6.3 rebounds per game. He is sixth in the conference in scoring and sixth in field goal percentage at 44.1%.
Eastern Kentucky is hoping to finish the regular season strong and carry their momentum into the ASUN tournament, with the goal of earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The team’s final home game of the regular season will be against Kennesaw State on February 28th.
