RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's men's basketball team will play in Baptist Health Arena for the first time since last March when the Colonels host a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference games this week – the University of North Florida on Thursday and Jacksonville University on Saturday.
EKU played four games this season at the Seabury Center on the campus of Berea College while construction continued on the renovation of Baptist Health Arena. With the second phase of the renovation nearing completion, the Colonels will return to play on campus for the first time since March 5, 2024.
The renovation of Baptist Health Arena is a multi-phase process. Work on the third phase will begin at the conclusion of the spring semester and be completed before the start of the fall sports season.
Thursday's game will begin at 7 p.m. ET while Saturday's contest is set for 4 p.m. ET. Both games will air live on ESPN+. The live radio broadcasts of the games are available in the Richmond area on WCYO 100.7 FM, or worldwide on EKUSports.com.
THE COLONELS
- EKU (7-8, 1-1 ASUN) split its first two conference games of the season, beating Central Arkansas before falling at North Alabama.
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George Kimble III has 11 more steals than any other player in the ASUN, averaging a league-best 2.93 per game. The sophomore newcomer is also sixth in the league in scoring (16.6 ppg), second in free throw percentage (81.7 percent) and eighth in assists (3.7 apg).
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Cyril Martynov set new career-highs for points (9) and rebounds (12) in the Colonels' double overtime victory over Central Arkansas.
- EKU has attempted 25 or more 3-point shots in 12 of its 15 games this season. The Colonels make an average of 9.27 three-pointers per game, fourth-most in the ASUN Conference.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
- North Florida (7-8, 0-2 ASUN) started the season with wins at South Carolina (74-71) and Georgia Tech (105-93) in two of its first three games, however the Ospreys have lost four straight. UNF opened league play with home losses to Austin Peay and Lipscomb.
- The Ospreys haven't had much trouble scoring, averaging 83.5 points per contest and scoring 89 or more points seven times in 15 games. UNF leads the conference in scoring and 3-pointers per game (12.3). North Florida has allowed 85.6 points per game. Five Ospreys are averaging 11 or more points, led by Josh Harris. The 6-foot-8 freshman forward leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.2 rpg).
- Jacksonville (7-7, 1-1 ASUN) will play at Bellarmine on Thursday. The Dolphins have a 74-64 road win at Virginia Tech this season and are coming off a 24-point home victory against Austin Peay (68-44).
- Robert McCray V is the only Dolphin averaging more than 9.5 points per game. The 6-foot-4 junior guard leads the team in scoring (16.2 ppg) and is second on the squad in rebounding (4.5 rpg). JU is out-rebounding its opponents by 2.1 per game, but commit 15.5 turnovers per contest.
INSIDE THE SERIES
- EKU leads the series with North Florida 3-1 and is 2-0 in games played in Richmond. In the most recent meeting,
Leland Walker scored 29 points in an 89-76 win over UNF in Richmond on Jan. 27, 2024.
Devontae Blanton finished with 17 points. Chaz Lanier had 19 points for the Ospreys.
- The Colonels own a 4-2 edge in the series against Jacksonville and are 2-1 in games played in Richmond. In the most recent meeting, on March 5, 2024 in the ASUN Tournament, the game saw 17 lead changes and 17 ties before JU picked up a 67-65 victory.
Isaiah Cozart finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds for EKU. Bryce Workman led all players with 25 points to go along with 12 rebounds for Jacksonville.
