Can Eastern Illinois Win the West?

(St. Louis, MO) – Everyone knows the Ohio Valley’s West Division is Murray State’s to lose … or is it? Under first year head coach Anthony Stewart, UT Martin has the best non-conference mark in the West, but the sleeper pick here, is that Eastern Illinois has put the pieces together to make a run at the division title.

Surprised? So are we.

After their easy win over Division 2 Fontbonne, the Panthers have won three straight and stand at 7-4, but it was Saturday’s win over Missouri that made people stand up and notice Jay Spoonhour’s team. Wednesday’s game against the Missouri Valley’s Indiana State will be the final non-conference game and another great test for Spoon’s balanced team.

The season hasn’t been without its disappointments. Sweeping Western Illinois and knocking of Illinois-Chicago were other solid EIU wins. Three of their four losses have come by a total of 12 points (Troy, Saint Louis University and Bradley).

This EIU team has more balance, athleticism and size than any Panther team in recent history. They’ve had taller players, but the current edition of Panther big men is more athletic than previous squads. Spoonhour has cultivated both high school recruits and transfers with real dexterity.

The Back Court

The triumvirate of veteran guards provide stability and some legitimate firepower for Spoonhour’s team. Junior Cornell Johnston was a preseason all OVC player. The 5’7 St. Louisian has been a three-year staple in Charleston, knocking down threes, handing out assists and stealing passes. He is currently in the top 15 among OVC players in assists, free throw percentage, steals, 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made.

Joining Johnston in the back court are EIU’s leading scorers, senior Demetrius McReynolds (13.9 ppg) and junior transfer Montell Goodwin (14.4 ppg). McReynolds transferred from Eastern Florida State College and averaged 4.4 points per game last year, has blossomed in the starting role. Goodwin was an NJCAA honorable mention All-American playing at Mineral Area College and has picked up right where he left off.

Goodwin, the reigning OVC ‘Player of the Week’ and ‘Newcomer of the Week’, leads the team in scoring, and is second to Johnston in assists and three-pointers. The 6’2 junior leads the Panthers in free throw opportunities and made shots from the charity stripe.

The Front Court

Two other newcomers have transformed the Panthers on both ends of the floor. West African Muusa Dama is relatively new to the game of basketball and improves every game. The 6’9 forward blocks shots (2.0 per game) and rebounds effectively (9.0), while scoring 8.6 points per game.

The athletic Ray Crossland played his prep basketball at Hazelwood Central in St. Louis and came to EIU via John A. Logan College. Crossland is a fierce defender and determined rebounder (5.9 per game). His 10.5 points per game ranks fourth on the team. Crossland joined the starting lineup three games ago and the Panthers won all three of those contests.

Spoonhour believed the addition of Dama and Crossland would make EIU better defensively and offensively. Their ability to make up for defensive mistakes and to be inside offensive threats confirmed Spoonhour’s beliefs. EIU averages four more points per game offensively and allows eight fewer points per contest compared to last season. The Panthers are second in the OVC in scoring defense at 65.2 points allowed per game, and they are the best team in the OVC (statistically) at shutting down three point attempts.

The Bench

Crossland replaced Patrick Muldoon in the starting line up. The 6’7 Muldoon is the typical ‘glue guy’ that does a little bit of everything. He scores five points and grabs five rebounds per game and dives on loose balls.

Casey Teson is arguably the best three point shooter on the team. His .419 three-point percentage is almost as impressive as his 1.000 percentage from the line (eight attempts). Teson started 29 times last season and made 64 threes.

For Spoonhour to have two former starters on his bench, tells you all you need to know about the improvement of this year’s Panther squad.

The Intangibles

With the light hearted and philosophical Spoonhour at the helm, the Panther squad isn’t easily overwhelmed. Exhibit A was illustrated during their seven hour trip to Columbia, Missouri for their game with Mizzou. Icy highway conditions extended the normally four our trip into a much longer excursion. While stuck on the highway, the team hoisted a manager over a fence to purchase an abundance of tacos for their pregame meal.

Two years ago the Panthers won 18 games and played in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. If the Panthers stay healthy, they could surpass that level of success.

Do Good