It’s reasonable to say this season has been disappointing for Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball . After finishing 17-15 last year, the team recorded its first winning season under sixth-year coach Charles Ramsey. Many were expecting the program to continue to improve. Instead, the Eagles have taken a step back this season.
At 6-16 and 3-6 in the Mid-American Conference, the Eagles are sitting near the bottom of the MAC with only eight games remaining in the regular season.
The month long, eight-game losing streak in the early part of the season appears to have put them in a hole they can’t seem to dig their way out of.
When you look at the Eagles’ losses, you see that nine of their 16 losses were by six points or fewer, which makes it seem that the team could make some noise in the MAC tournament this year, that is, if it can start to play well consistently. The Eagles certainly won’t be an easy first-round opponent.
This inconsistency throughout the regular season has made it impossible for them to gather any momentum.
The Eagles have only recorded back-to-back wins once this season. After beating Ferris State University at home on Jan. 4, the Eagles traveled to Toledo four days later to win the opening game of their MAC schedule.
Since then, the Eagles have played some of the best basketball they’ve played all season.
Instead, the shot was waived off by referees. It could have been just the second time this season EMU recorded back-to-back wins, after beating Akron a few nights prior.
When your longest winning streak of the season is two and you can’t get over that proverbial hump, someone must be held accountable. That is why some have called for Ramsey’s dismissal from the helm of the EMU basketball program.
But is that fair?
After all, Ramsey did lose two of his leading scorers from last year in Carlos Medlock and Justin Dobbins. With the missing production not being picked up by other players, a lot has relied on the contributions of senior-forward Brandon Bowdry.
Bowdry was recently named the MAC men’s basketball West Division Player of the Week for the third time this season. When they lose Bowdry’s services next season, I don’t see anyone on the current roster who can step in and fill the void right away.
It seems as though it will take time for EMU’s talented young players like Darrell Lampley, J.R. Sims and Thompson to come around to make a real regular impact next season. So, I hope, for the fans sake, EMU can pull off something special in the MAC tournament this year. I anticipate an even lousier season next year when Bowdry is gone.
When you are losing so many close games by so few points, it means your coach is putting you in position to win the game.
Ramsey has done his job (for the most part) this season, but hasn’t had a group of players who can close out games.
The youth movement surrounding Bowdry came just a season too early. I say give him a year or two after the Bowdry era is finished. If he doesn’t deliver with the next group of guys, then give him the ax.
