The Colonels are back home, hosting IU East this Saturday afternoon at Baptist Health Arena, tip-off at 4 p.m. Eastern, live on ESPN+. And let me tell you something, if you call yourself a fan of EKU basketball, you better be in that building or tuned in, because these fellas are looking to bounce back and remind everybody who they are.
Now, before we get into the basketball… it’s Kids Takeover Day! That means the young ones get to be part of the action, game day operations, right there courtside. Plus, the Toys for Tots Toy Drive continues, so bring a toy, make a kid’s day, and grab yourself a discounted ticket. That’s good karma and good basketball. Win-win.
Now, let’s talk COLONELS. EKU is sitting at 1-7, fresh off a tough loss to #18 mid-major Illinois State, 89 to 78. But don’t let that record fool you! These boys FIGHT. They fell behind by double digits early, came roaring back, cut an 18-point deficit all the way down to FOUR with less than two minutes to play. That’s grit. That’s heart. That’s culture.
Sophomore guard Juan Cranford Jr.? That brother can shoot. Tied his career-high with five three-pointers on the road, dropped 17 points, shooting 6-for-11 overall. And redshirt freshman Jayden Harris, 15 points, career-high seven boards, the kid’s coming into his own. That’s what you call development, ladies and gentlemen.
Not to mention EKU forced a team that never turns the ball over, Illinois State, averaging just 9 turnovers a game, into 12 giveaways. And what’d they do with it? Scored 22 points off those mistakes. That’s defense turning into offense the way Coach wants it.
Now, they’ve got IU East coming in, the Red Wolves. They’re 5-3 overall, averaging 85 points per game, but giving up 84.6. Translation: they can score, but they can’t stop a nosebleed. Mikey Johnson, the freshman from Indianapolis, leading the way with 14 points and 4 assists per game, shooting 56% from the floor and 92% from the line, that’s grown-man efficiency right there. And don’t sleep on Cole Henry, 6’8”, rebounds, points, physical presence, he’s a problem.
This will be the first-ever matchup between EKU and IU East, and while it’s officially an exhibition for IU East, make no mistake about it, Eastern Kentucky’s looking to make a statement. The Colonels want momentum, confidence, and redemption, all in one afternoon.
So yes, it’s about basketball. But it’s also about pride. And on Saturday, the Colonels have a chance to show that pride in front of their home crowd, live on ESPN+. You don’t wanna miss it.
