The Eastern men’s basketball team has started off the season hot.

In fact, it is the best start to a season that head coach Mike Miller has had during his time at Eastern.

The Panthers are currently 5-2 overall and 4-0 at home. However, Oakland City comes to Charleston hoping to break that streak at 7 p.m. today in Lantz Arena.

Oakland City is a Division II team, but has played against some tough competition early this season.

The Mighty Oaks faced Butler, but proved to be overmatched as they lost 98-53.

Miller said Oakland City is a solid team that is full of good shooters.

This game will be the 10th time these teams have met.

The Panthers hold an 8-1 record against them, although the teams have not faced off since 1990 when Eastern won 117-57.

That was the only meeting the teams have had since Eastern became Division I certified. All the other match-ups were held prior to 1952.

Oakland city enters the game with a record of 4-3. The team is led by junior guard Mitch Stahl and freshman guard Maurice Fuller. Both players are averaging just over 14 points per game.

Eastern’s offense has been explosive early this season.

Averaging 77.7 points per game, the Panthers lead the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring.

Senior guard Jeremy Granger leads the unit. He averages 18.1 points and 4.3 assists per game. Granger has also won the OVC Player of the Week award twice this season.

Sophomore forward Alfonzo McKinnie provides a scoring threat in the post, as he is averaging 12.4 and 7.7 rebounds per game.

McKinnie is also shooting well from the field, scoring on 59 percent of his shots from the field.

Freshman guard Joey Miller gives the Panthers a solid third option on offense. The first year player is averaging 10.2 points per game and shooting 37 percent from the three-point line.

Miller and Granger are also two of the best in the OVC from the foul line.

Miller makes 87 percent of his shots, while Granger makes 92 percent of his free throws.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Lantz Arena.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.