RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's men's basketball team will welcome former conference opponent Tennessee-Martin to Baptist Health Arena on Friday for the first game of the EKU Classic.
 
As part of the EKU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Canned Food Drive, fans who bring an item to donate can receive 50 percent off their ticket at the door.  The first 100 fans to arrive will receive a FREE ticket to the EKU football game against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. 
 
The contest, presented by Baptist Health Richmond, will begin at 7 p.m. ET and air live on ESPN+.  The live radio broadcast of the game is available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, or worldwide on EKUSports.com.
 
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at EKUSports.com or by calling 859-622-2122.
 
THE COLONELS
-  EKU, now ranked No. 17 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25, moved to 2-0 this season with a 133-75 win against Wilberforce last Friday.
 
-  Leland Walker handed out an EKU record 16 assists against Wilberforce.  He also had 15 points and eight rebounds.
 
-  Isaiah Cozart made 13-of-16 attempts from the field and finished with a new career-best 33 points.  He also had 14 rebounds and four blocks.  The senior center was chosen as the ASUN Player of the Week after averaging 26.5 points, 14 rebounds and 4.5 blocks in the Colonels' first two games.
 
-  Through Tuesday's games, EKU leads the nation in scoring (120.5 ppg), scoring margin (47 ppg), fastbreak points (40.5 ppg) and assists (30.5 apg).  The Colonels are second in rebounds (54.5 rpg) and blocks (8.5 bpg).
 
-  Cozart leads the nation in blocks (4.5 bpg) and offensive rebounds (8 rpg).  He is third in rebounds (14 rpg).  Walker is second in the NCAA with 9.5 assists per game.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
-  UT Martin is 2-1 this season.  The Skyhawks beat Champion Christian 104-76 before falling to Mississippi State, 87-63.  On Monday, UTM beat Brescia at home by a score of 90-72.   
 
-  The Skyhawks are averaging 85.7 points per game and shooting 45 percent from the field.  They have allowed 78.3 points per game, but have held their opponents to 38 percent shooting.
 
-  UTM has out-rebounded its opponents by 6.3 rebounds per game.  The Skyhawks were only out-rebounded by Mississippi State by two, and pulled down 14 offensive rebounds against the Bulldogs.
 
-  Five players are averaging 10 points or more per game led by 2023 First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference guard Jordan Sears with an average of 18 points per contest.  The 5-foot-11 junior has shot 51 percent from the field, including 46 percent from long range (6-for-13).  He had 21 points against Mississippi State.
 
-  Newcomer Jacob Crews is scoring 14 points and grabbing a team-best 10.3 rebounds per game.  The 6-foot-8, NJCAA All-American has knocked in 54 percent of his shots.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-  EKU leads the all-time series 32-20 and has won four straight against UT Martin.  The first meeting came on Feb. 1, 1992.  The most recent game between the two was on Feb. 18, 2021, an 89-72 EKU win in Martin, Tennessee. 
 
-  Current Colonels Michael Moreno and Devontae Blanton both played in the most recent contest against the Skyhawks.  Moreno had six points, six rebounds and four assists.  Blanton finished with nine points and three rebounds.  No current UTM player appeared in that game.