The Eastern men’s basketball team will play a total of seven games over Winter Break and will begin conference play starting December 29 in Morehead Kentucky to take on Morehead State. 

The Panthers will begin the break by traveling to Indianapolis to take on Butler. The Panthers were scheduled to play the Bulldogs during the 2020-21 season, but the game was postponed due to COVID-19, and it was not rescheduled.  

The Bulldogs are 6-3 overall with a 4-1 record at home. They are averaging 64.8 points per game and are only allowing their opponent 58.8 per game.  

The Bulldogs are led offensively by Jair Bolden who is averaging 11.6 points per game followed closely by Chuck Harris who is averaging 12.8 points per game. Bryce Nze leads the rebounding game for the Bulldogs with 5.5 per game. Harris is second in rebounding per game with 4.4. 

The Panthers will then travel to Macomb to take on Western Illinois on December 18.  The Leathernecks are 8-2 overall and they are averaging 83 points per game and 41 rebounds.  

The Leathernecks are led by Will Carius who is averaging 17.3 points per game. As for rebounding, Trenton Massner leads the Leathernecks with 5.7 per game. 

Ball State will be the Panthers’ next opponent on December 21. The Cardinals are 3-5 overall with a 2-0 record at home. They are averaging 74.3 points per game and 34.5 rebounds.  

The Cardinals are led by Luke Bumbalough who is averaging 13.3 points per game. Payton Sparks leads the rebounding game for the Cardinals with 5.6 per game.  

December 29 will mark the opening of conference play for the Panthers as they will take on Eagles. The Eagles are 6-3 overall and 4-0 at home. 

The Eagles are averaging 68 points per game and 36.7 rebounds. They are led offensively by Johni Broome who is averaging 14.2 points per game. Johni also leads the Eagles in rebounds per game with 6.6. 

The Panthers will open 2022 against conference opponent Belmont on January 1 at Lantz Arena. The Bruins are 8-3 overall with a 3-2 away game record.  

The Bruins are averaging 77.8 points per game and 33.6 rebounds. Nick Muszynski leads the team with 17 points per game. Will Richard leads the rebounding game with 6.4 per game. 

The Panthers will follow-up with another home game on January 6 against Murray State. The Racers are 7-1 overall and are averaging 83.4 points per game and 38.6 rebounds.  

The Racers are led offensively by KJ Williams who is averaging 18 points per game. Williams also leads the rebounding game for the Racers with 7.3. 

To wrap up the break, the Panthers will travel to Cookville, Tennessee to take on Tennessee Tech on January 8. The Golden Eagles are 2-7 overall with a 0-5 away game record.  

The Golden Eagles are averaging 70.3 points per game and 38.1 rebounds. They are led offensively by Jr. Clay who is averaging 12.4 points per game. As for rebounding, Amadou Sylla leads the Golden Eagles with 5.4 per game.  

Autumn Schulz can be reached at 581-2812 or acschulz@eiu.edu.