ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (7-7, 1-1 MAC) is back in action to close open 2026 on Saturday, Jan. 3 when the Bobcats head to Ypsilanti, Mich. to take on Eastern Michigan (7-7, 1-1 MAC). Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET in side the Gervin GameAbove Center. The game can be seen on ESPN+ where Ryan Wooley, Reggie Butler and Elena Davis will have the call.

The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App. 

TIP-OFF
- This is the 86th all-time meeting between Ohio and Eastern Michigan.
- Ohio leads the all-time series, 56-29.
- Ohio and EMU met twice last season with EMU sweeping the season series.
- The two teams last met on March 4, 2025 in Athens, with EMU winning, 83-79.
- Ohio is 13-8 against EMU since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 6-3 against EMU under Jeff Boals.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 22 points away from 1,000 on his career. 
- The Bobcats are coming off an 80-64 win at CMU on Dec. 30 for their first conference win of the season.
- Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke recorded 23 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, while senior forward Aidan Hadaway added 13 points, 11 boards and six assists in the win.
- In total, all five Ohio starters scored in double figures for the Bobcats in the win, with freshman guard JJ Kelly scoring a career-high 15 points. 

SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan is currently 7-7 overall and 1-1 in MAC play. EMU is coming off an 80-74 win at home over UMass on Tuesday. 

Overall, EMU averages 71.9 points per game, while shooting 44.0 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from three and 70.9 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 72.6 points per game, while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 31.7 percent from three and 71.4 percent from the line. 

Eastern Michigan is averaging 37.1 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 6.7 steals and 3.7 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 12.0 times a game, scoring 12.7 points off them. EMU opponents are averaging 36.1 rebounds, 13.2 assists, 6.8 steals and 5.1 blocks a game, while forcing 12.0 turnovers a contest, scoring 12.5 points off them. 

Currently, Mohammad Habhab averages 14.9 points and 7.8 boards a game, while shooting 41.5 percent from the field, 26.7 percent from three and 71.6 percent from the line. Carlos Hart adds 14.1 points, 5.9 boards and is shooting 38.6 percent from three, while Addison Patterson adds 11.9 points a game and is shooting 56.8 percent from the field. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 7-7 overall after defeating Central Michigan, 80-64, on the road Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 30). 

Ohio is averaging 77.3 points a game, while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 29.2 percent from three and 66.8 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 35.0 rebounds a game, while dishing out 14.2 assists and recording 6.7 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 13.5 times a game, scoring on average 15.6 points off them. 

Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 75.6 points a game, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from three and 73.1 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 36.3 rebounds, 13.9 assists and 6.9 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times a game, while scoring on average 12.9 points off them. 

Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 17.2 points and 4.4 assists a game, while shooting 53.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway adds 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the line, while redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons adds 12.5 points and 476 rebounds a game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field. 

ALL-TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN
This is the 86th all-time meeting between Ohio and Eastern Michigan.

Ohio leads the all-time series, 56-29.

Ohio and EMU met twice last season with EMU sweeping the season series.

The two teams last met on March 4, 2025 in Athens, with EMU winning, 83-79.

Ohio is 13-8 against EMU since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 6-3 against EMU under Jeff Boals.

LAST AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN 
Ohio and CMU last met on March 4, 2025 in Athens, with EMU winning, 83-79. 

Ohio was led by Jackson Paveletzke led Ohio with 20 points, going 8-of-9 from the field and 3-of-3 beyond the arc. He also earned his 1000th career point off of a buzzer-beater to tie the game before halftime. 

MARCH TO 1,000
Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 22 points away from 1,000 in his career. 

OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently fourth in the conference in scoring (17.2), fifth in assists (4.4) and first in minutes (35.2). 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is fourth in the league in rebounding (7.8).

OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 201 in the latest NET rankings, with EMU ranked above them at 178. 

Akron leads the conference in NET this week at 47. 

BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 21 in the nation in minutes per game. 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is 93rd in double doubles, 69th in rebounds, 48th in defensive rebounds per game, and 91 in rebounds per game. 

Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 65th in the nation in free throw attempts. 

UP NEXT
The Bobcats are Back in Athens on Tuesday, Jan. 6 when Ohio hosts new MAC member UMass for the first time. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen nationally on CBS Sports Network.