CHARLESTON, Ill. – While revenge would certainly be an
understandable weapon for the Golden Eagles to wield coming into
this year’s match-up against the Panthers of Eastern
Illinois, Tech is more likely to use a much different approach.
On the heels of a five-game slide, including three in conference play, the Golden Eagles will look to simply grab a much-needed, momemtum-sparking victory. On the flip side, the EIU Panthers are looking for the same thing, a season-changing win to end a nine-game losing streak, also including three conference games. Eastern Illinois has lost five consecutive OVC contests dating back to Feb. 15, 2012.
The Golden Eagles and Panthers have not met every season in this 31-year long series, although, they have met 33 times, with the men of Cookeville owning a 20-13 advantage. In the last 10 episodes in this program of Ohio Valley Conference showings, Tech has defeated EIU seven times.
| Year | Location | Result | Score |
| 2006-07 | @ Charleston, Ill. | W | 76-64 |
| 2007-08 | @ Charleston, Ill. | W | 72-53 |
| 2007-08 | Cookeville, Tenn. | W | 74-57 |
| 2008-09 | Cookeville, Tenn. | W | 67-60 |
| 2008-09 | @ Charleston, Ill. | L | 75-58 |
| 2009-10 | @ Charleston, Ill. | L - OT | 97-93 |
| 2009-10 | Cookeville, Tenn. | W | 75-65 |
| 2010-11 | Cookeville, Tenn. | W | 65-64 |
| 2010-11 | @ Charleston, Ill. | W | 77-74 |
| 2011-12 | Cookeville, Tenn. | L | 74-57 |
In the first meeting, in 1981-82, the Golden Eagles pulled off a
nail-biter, winning the game 68-67 in the Evansville Holiday
Tournament in Indiana. Three meetings in the series have seen extra
time, with the Panthers owning a 2-1 record in overtime.
The Golden Eagles also own an 8-7 lead over Eastern Illinois in
Lantz Arena, the home court of the Panthers. In two OVC tournament
meetings, Tech is 2-0, although both victories have been achieved
by a combined six points. TTU owns the series’ longest
winning streak, taking five straight from 2003-04 to 2005-06.
The series has been primarily controlled by the men of Tennessee
Tech, however, in the most recent installment the Panthers rolled
into Cookeville and handed the Golden Eagles one of their most
lopsided losses in the series. The 17-point defeat was one of just
three home conference losses by the Golden Eagles.
Tech struggled to score against EIU, shooting just 32.7 percent in
the contest. Former TTU guard Kevin Murphy scored 14 points on just
4-of-18 shooting. Current Golden Eagle Jud Dillard faired
slightly better, shooting 50 percent from the field while scoring
13 points. He also brought in nine rebounds to lead the team.
The Panthers shot an impressive 48.1 percent in the contest, with
James Hollowell, Jeremy Granger, and Joey Miller leading the charge
with 17, 14, and 10 points, respectively. Three other Panthers
added eight points each, leading to a 74-point performance.
Eastern Illinois has struggled to score this season, averaging
just 55.8 points per game. They have also had trouble rebounding
the ball, grabbing just 27.4 boards per contest. The team also
ranks last in the OVC in free throw percentage with a .614
mark.
Tech, however, will arrive in Charleston, Ill. scoring 64.8 points
per game and rebounding 33.4 balls per contest. They own a
nine-point advantage in scoring over EIU, as well as a six-rebound
lead. The Golden Eagles will look to end a five-game streak of
shooting under 40 percent.
Leading Eastern Illinois into battle is sophomore forward Josh
Piper. The Champaign native averages 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds
per game. He also leads the team with 11 blocks. A junior forward
from Philadelphia, Pa., Sherman Blanford puts up 9.3 points per
contest and leads the Panthers with 5.3 boards a game.
Also helping the EIU effort will be freshman guard Alex Austin out
of Chicago. He chips in 9.2 points per game. Austin Akers, a senior
guard from Brazil, Ind., has dished out 61 assists and produced 21
steals this season.
The Golden Eagles will rely on preseason all-OVC selection Jud
Dillard to keep his career-year going when they take on the
Panthers. His 18.2 points per game not only leads Tennessee Tech,
it also ranks second in the conference among all scorers. His 7.6
rebounds per contest ranks among the top 10 in the OVC and leads
the Golden Eagles. He has posted five double-doubles this season
alone.
A transfer out of Southern Methodist, Jeremiah
Samarrippas has heated up in conference play, averaging 14.0
points and 3.7 assists while shooting a scorching 51.5 percent from
the field. The junior guard is also adding a strong defensive
effort, recording over two steals per OVC contest. He remains the
only Golden Eagle to start every contest this season.
Redshirt freshman Lanerryl
Johnson, who earned his second OVC Freshman of the Week honors
on Monday, is averaging 9.0 points per contest against OVC
opponents. He earned his first career start on Saturday against
Belmont.
Fans can tune in to 106.1 The Eagle to listen to live coverage of Tech's contest against the Panther on Thursday. Radio coverage will begin 15 minutes prior to the 7:00 p.m. CST tip-off time. Fans can also view the live game feed on the OVC Digital Network, the Ohio Valley Conference's live webstream for free here.
To read more about the upcoming game and Tennessee Tech basketball, take a look at the game notes for the match-up against Eastern Illinois here.