PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico University men's basketball team welcomes 18^th-ranked UT Permian Basin on Thursday for the 2017-18 home opener and eighth-ranked West Texas A&M on Saturday. Thursday's matchup with the Falcons is sponsored by US Bank while Saturday's game against the Buffs is presented by Peter L. Thompson, DDS. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The Hounds look to build off their 3-3 record after a tough stretch in Austin last weekend.
 
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ENMU vs. #18 UTPB – 7:30 p.m.
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ENMU vs. #8 West Texas A&M – 4 p.m.
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What to Watch For

• This weekend's Lone Star Conference matchup marks the fourth-straight weekend ENMU has faced off against an opponent that was either ranked or receiving votes in the national polls.
  • Nov. 11 – vs. #16 Fort Lewis (W, 73-72)
  • Nov. 17 – vs. RV Dixie State (L, 89-99 OT)
  • Nov. 18 – vs. RV Azusa Pacific (W, 86-70)
  • Nov. 25 – vs. RV Dallas Baptist (L, 69-83)
  • Nov. 30 – vs. #18 UTPB (7:30 p.m.)
  • Dec. 2 – vs. #8 West Texas A&M (4 p.m.)
• Last year, ENMU went 0-2 against UTPB, falling 94-79 on the road (Dec. 1) and 85-67 at home (Jan. 28).
• The Hounds split the matchup with the Buffs last year with each team taking the home contest. The Green and Silver lost 92-86 on the road (Dec. 3), but answered with a 96-83 win over WT at Greyhound Arena (Jan. 26).
• ENMU Head Coach Tres Segler moved to 16-18 overall with the Hounds after last weekend's setbacks.
• Eastern has gone with the starting lineup of Maurice Coleman, Lamarquis Thompson, Zach Parker, Arcaim Lallemand and Jamani Pierce in all six contests this year.
• Thompson (15 PPG), Pierce (11.7 PPG) and Parker (11.3 PPG) are all averaging in double-figures. Parker had a breakout performance against Dixie State in which he dropped 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including five threes.
• Overall, Coleman (17), Thompson (11), Devin Pullum (9) Nick Brown (8) have done a stellar job of distributing the basketball this season as the Green and Silver have 69 dimes to just 83 turnovers.
• Another considerable turnaround from last season has been from the charity stripe. The Greyhounds are shooting 74% from the line, much better than the 65% the team shot a year ago.

 
What's Next?
Following the homestand, ENMU travels east to Texas A&M-Commerce and Tarleton State on Dec. 7-9. Tipoff against the Lions is pegged for noon while the matchup with the Texans starts at 3 p.m.
 
For all the latest news on the men's basketball program and ENMU Athletics, follow @ENMUAthletics and @ENMU_Hoops on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit GoEasternAthletics.com.