PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball hosts one of the most anticipated of the games of the 2023-24 season as Youth Day takes place at Greyhound Arena December 19 at 11 a.m. Before the Hounds welcome thousands from across the High Plains, please take a look at the Starting Five:
1.) New Milestones: This year, ENMU continues to set new records for the men's basketball program. Last week, the blocks in a single game record was broken for the second time this season as Eastern totaled a whopping eleven. Freshman
Conrad Luczynski led the way with seven total – also a school record.
Jose Murillo was tied for the record after recording six against UT Tyler last week, but his teammate made sure to earn the top mark solely.
2.) Back at Even: Head coach
Brent Owen goes into tomorrow's game with a 31-31 record. It is the first time he has been at .500 since the Greyhounds sat at a 6-6 mark in January 2022. A win over Navajo Tech will move Owen to a winning record for the first time in his career. A victory will also mark a higher win total compared to his first season with ENMU. His three playable seasons include 7-17 (21-22), 17-12 (22-23), and 7-2 (23-24).
3.) Art Class: Some may guess the Greyhounds favorite subject in school in art because the paint comes natural for ENMU. Against Northern New Mexico, Eastern scored 70 of their 97 points from inside the paint. Only two opponents (UT Tyler and New Mexico Highlands) have outscored the team from inside the paint this season. Over the last two games, the Hounds connected for 134 points in the paint. Non-guards for the team are scoring 60.2 points per game.
4.) Freshman to Watch: One of the go-to players early on this season for Navajo Tech is Albrandon ByJoe from Kayenta, Arizona. The 6-2 guard played prep ball at Monument Valley. As a senior at MVHS, he averaged 20.8 points and dished out 3.9 assists per contest. He led them to a 27-4 mark with a perfect 14-0 record in 3A North action. ByJoe's squad came one win shy of a state championship as they fell 65-44 in the 3A final despite holding a 15-13 advantage after the first quarter. He has connected on 9-of-16 from three-point range this season and has a team-best 18-for-33 mark from the field. All stats from NTC are accumulated via Synergy.
5.) Red or Green: Six players from the Land of Enchantment are on these two squads that represent New Mexico's "state question." For NTC, freshman Talon West (Gallup), sophomore Quinn Atazhoon (Gallup), freshman Dontrelle Denetso (Shiprock), freshman Anthony Alvez (Santa Fe). ENMU's players from New Mexico include
Junior Hodnett (Rio Rancho) and
Alex Alfaro (Deming). So who will win? Will it be 'red or green?'
