Who are the Eastern Washington Eagles?

MNSnowman

An old timer
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
9,922
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Sounds like we're back to a lesser opponent this Wednesday when the Eagles fly into town and spend the night in the Barn. This is head coach's Kirk Earlywine's second year (11-19 last year and failed to qualify for the Big Sky's conference tournament). Six veterans return -- three started last year. Blue Ribbon had predicted a second "rebuilding year" early on and there are only nine players who have seen action this year.

The Eagles are 2-1 and are favored to win by 9 points in their 4th game tonight at home versus Idaho. They lost at Illinois ten days ago (50-66) then won at UC-Irvine (74-69) and at home against Texas-Arlington (73-70).

Pre-season choice for key player was Adris DeLeon, a JuCo transfer who averaged just under 13 ppg and 3 apg last year. However, the NCAA declared DeLeon academically ineligible within the past two weeks because he deviated from a planned academic program upon the advice of his academic advisor. (It's a fairly bizarre story -- see link here.)


Replacing DeLeon is Benny Valentine a junior who transferred from Texas Tech and sat out last season. Only 5'7", Valentine is averaging 35 minutes per game and averaging 19.7 ppg. He scored 28 points against Texas-Arlington last Saturday.


Before DeLeon was declared ineligible, Blue Ribbon wrote "It's hard to believe the Eagles will take a giant leap forward. There's unproven talent on the front line, and it's questionable DeLeon has adequate backcourt help."


That seems to be borne out by the early stats -- however, the Eagles are getting some help from F/C Junior Brandon Moore (12.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg). Moore is 6'9" and 245 pounds ... but he's the last Eagle to average more than nine points per game.


Anyone else have any info on this team?




<!-- begin whole table -->
<!-- begin top part -->
 

Westbrook to the rescue

Sounds like Valentine is a job for Mr. Westbrook.
 




Top Bottom