Eagles open ’16-17 regular season in conference challenge

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University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball begins the 2016-17 regular season campaign Friday and Saturday in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge at the University of Indianapolis. The Screaming Eagles tipoff the year against Lake Erie College Saturday at 4 p.m. (CST) (this is a new start time) and conclude the opening weekend versus Ashland University Sunday at 1:15 p.m. (CST) .

Game coverage for the challenge games, including live stats, video stream (Sunday only), and audio broadcasts, is available at GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and 95.7FM The Spin.

USI Men’s Basketball vs. GLVC/GLIAC Challenge Quick Notes: 

  • USI battles, but falls to Purdue in exhibition.The University of Southern Indiana battled Division I and nationally-ranked Purdue University, but lost 85-63. The Screaming Eagles were led by senior guards Bobo Drummond and Jeril Taylor, who had 17 points and 16 points, respectively.
  • GLVC prediction for 2016-17. USI is forecast to place fifth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division during 2016-17.
  • USI posts winning record for 24-straight years.USI finished 2016-17 with a 19-11 overall record, marking the 24th-straight that the Eagles have concluded a season with a winning record.
  • Since 1992-93.The Eagles are 589-165 since 1992-93, a .781 winning percentage.
  • USI’s record all around in 2015-16.USI finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 19-11 overall record, going  3-2 at neutral sites; 12-4 at the Physical Activities Center, and 4-5 on the road.
  • Top returning scorers from 2015-16.­Senior guard/forward Jeril Taylor is the Eagles top returning scorer from 2015-16 with 16.2 points per outing. Sophomore guard Alex Stein and senior guard Bobo Drummond round out the top three returning scorer with 14.2 and 13.2 points per game, respectively.
  • On the glass.Senior guard/forward Jeril Taylor led USI on the glass with 6.8 rebounds per game in 2015-16.
  • Experienced team in 2016-17.The Eagles are an experienced team in 2016-17 with seven returning players. These returning players comprised 63 percent of the Eagles offensive production in 2015-16.
  • Stein is GLVC co-Freshman of the Year.Sophomore guard Alex Stein was named the GLVC co-Freshman of the Year and had one of the best freshman seasons in the history of the USI program. Stein finished his first year by averaging 14.2 points per game (led the team in scoring six times), reached double-digits 24 times in 30 games (had a season-high 26 points versus Missouri University of Science & Technology), and dished out  2.7 assists per game.
  • Drummond named 2nd-Team All-GLVC.Senior guard Bobo Drummond was named second-team All-GLVC by the league’s coaches. Drummond was third on USI in scoring with 13.2 points per game (14.4 in GLVC action), while dishing a team-high 3.4 assists per contest.
  • Lake Erie vs. USI.The Eagles hold a 3-0 all-time series advantage with the Storm with Lake Erie College, including the last meeting won by USI, 90-89, on a last second three-pointer by Lawrence Thomas.
  • Ashland vs. USI. USI leads the all-time series with Ashland University, 19-13, but has not played the AU Eagles since they departed the GLVC in 1994-95. In 1994-95, USI swept Ashland (85-71 on the road; 86-75 at home) on its way to the 1995 NCAA Division II national championship.
  • USI vs. GLIAC All-time.The Eagles are 55-25 all-time against teams from the 15-team Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.