Chicago’s 6th-ranked men’s basketball team is gearing up for a big game against top-ranked Emory this Sunday at the Ratner Athletic Center. This matchup highlights two strong teams in the UAA conference.
University of Chicago Highlights:
- The Maroons have a solid 15-2 season record and are currently 5-1 in the UAA. They’ve been on a tear, winning 12 out of their last 13 games, including a 72-63 victory against Rochester.
- Recently, UChicago dropped from 2nd to 6th in the latest D3hoops.com rankings after a setback against NYU.
- Two standout players, Shane Regan and Nick Roper, made history as UChicago’s first Preseason All-Americans. They are also on the Bevo Francis Top-100 Watch List.
- Regan leads the team, averaging 17.7 points and shooting 51.2% from the field. Roper adds 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, with a recent high of 25 points and 14 rebounds against Wheaton.
- Eamonn Kenah is another key player, scoring 11.8 points per game and hitting 47% of his three-point attempts.
- Joe Berry is just four points shy of 1,000 career points, while Kenah is 53 points away from that milestone.
- Head Coach Mike McGrath has an impressive career record of 372 wins to 262 losses, ranking him among the top coaches in NCAA DIII.
Emory University Insights:
- Emory, currently 14-2 and 4-1 in the UAA, is also on the rise. However, they recently lost an 89-74 game against WashU, breaking their 13-game winning streak.
- Ben Pearce shines on the team, leading the UAA in assists, free throw percentage, and points per game, averaging 23.0.
- Mario Awasum is a strong presence in the paint, grabbing 8.9 rebounds per game and shooting 58.5% from the field.
Looking Ahead:
Historically, UChicago leads the series against Emory 41-34. However, the Eagles took the win last season on their home court. The Maroons haven’t defeated Emory in Chicago since 2022, a fact that adds intensity to this matchup.
This year’s contest is pivotal, not just for standings but also for laying the groundwork for potential tournament success later. While both teams boast impressive stats and narratives, fan engagement on social media reflects a strong rivalry, with many anticipating a thrilling game.
Did You Know?
According to a recent NCAA report, Division III basketball has a competitive participation rate, with over 450 schools and thousands of student-athletes. This makes every game impactful, not just for standings, but also for shaping future careers in sports and beyond.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting showdown between these two talented teams!
