The market for field goals has been a bit hectic for the Eastern men’s basketball team this season. 

The price for baskets has trended upward as, needless to say, the Panthers have struggled to create scoring opportunities or find open teammates.

Aside from the Panthers’ woes on offense, Eastern’s defensive efforts, which have buoyed the team through troubled waters this season, are putting the team in playoff contention.

This raises a timely question; can the Panthers conceal their flaws on the offensive side of the ball by simply allowing the defense to pick up the tab?

With four games left before the OVC tournament begins, the old adage of “defense wins championships,” could very well hold true for a team lacking in the offensive domain.

The loss of Demetrius McReynolds, who capped off his senior year with 14.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, certainly compromised the Panthers’ offensively this season.

In the offseason, the Panthers added freshman Mack Smith to their arsenal of backcourt scoring options, but few other players on the roster, or in the conference for that matter, have been on par with his potent 44 percent shooting from the field.

The Panthers’ defense, fourth best in the OVC has served as a compensatory tool for its ailing offense, holding opponents to 68.3 points per game.

When the Panthers played Eastern Kentucky at the beginning of January, Eastern held them to 33 percent shooting, while their own shooting percentage lingered around 36 percent.

Despite losing the rebound battle against IUPUI earlier in the season, Eastern won the game 80-79, all in due part to its ironclad defense.

Last season, Eastern ranked sixth in scoring and fourth defensively, solidifying a three-point margin against opponents.

One year and a missed trip to the playoffs later, the Panthers have lost to opponents by an average of 2.1 points, a difference that, when compared to the 2016-17 season, indicates the need for a robust defense.

Not only does the Panthers’ scoring average of 66.2 points per game rank last in the conference, it is also the lowest mark for the team since the 2014-15 season.

Of the Panthers’ 24 games this season, six losses and four wins have come down to four points or less.

Currently in the eighth playoff spot, Eastern, the only team with two top five shot blockers when paired against conference teams, will play Southeast Missouri, one of the most prolific offensive teams in the OVC Thursday night.

Tom O’Connor can be reached at 581-2812 or troconnor@eiu.edu