EagSpectator
Active member
Football is my first love and honestly, these next two games I may not even watch a single minute. Who am I kidding, I'm the ultimate definition of insanity!
Anyway, lets talk a little basketball since EWU has their first game this Sunday. Here are my thoughts on the team and the season.
Preseason Pick:
-3rd in both Coach's Poll and Media Poll - surprising at first
First 8 games that are not Exhibition games: tough schedule to start, again.
-Stanford - major roster turn over with a strong freshman recruiting class
-Oregon -Dana Altman just retired October 7th and have 10 newcomers
-Oregon State -new coach and all but 1 player is new
-Corban - Solid NAIA school with experience
-Utah - Significant roster turn over. I like EWU's chances at this point.
-UNLV - 11 newcomers
-LMU - Tough mid-major matchup
-Wyoming - Most likely better than LMU and Oregon State
Win/loss prediction:
Overall Conference
-Best Case 21-11 15-5
-Most Likely 18-14 13-7
My prediction is that EWU finishes 3rd and has a legitimate chance to win the conference tournament and go dancing. With Cook, Hamilton, and Griffith (transfer) as proven scores and Marquardt's perimeter shooting, we have the making of a high scoring offense.
I feel that the key will be the defense and not the offense. If Monson can get this team to defend consistently, I would not be surprised to see EWU competing for the Big Sky Championship.
Quick Player Breakdown: (I'll try my best)
Andrew Cook - Graduate Senior Guard - 6'5" 220lbs | Returning
Key returning guard and Pre-Season All Big Sky
Cook is a legitimate All-Big Sky-caliber scoring guard and potentially Eastern's most important offensive player. His value comes from attacking the basket, scoring efficiently inside the arc, getting to the foul line and creating pressure on opposing defenses. This is if he can regain his pre-injury explosiveness and develop enough perimeter shooting to keep defenders honest.
Alton Hamilton IV — Senior Forward - 6'9", 235 lbs | Returning
Key returning big man and Pre-Season All Big Sky
Brings size, experience and a physical interior presence. I expect him to be a major part of Eastern's rebounding and inside game. His consistency will be important against the better Big Sky frontcourts.
Jalen Griffith — Senior Guard - 5'10", 160 lbs | Western Michigan transfer
Potential leading scorer
Averaged 11.9 points and 3.4 assists last season, shooting over 41% from three. A proven scorer and playmaker who should immediately strengthen Eastern's backcourt. His smaller size could create defensive matchup challenges.
Tavi Jackson — Senior Guard - 6'2", 180 lbs | Southern Utah / Colorado State
An experienced transfer who should provide ballhandling, athleticism and another perimeter option. He could be a significant part of Eastern's guard rotation.
Cole Scherer — Sophomore Guard - 6'2", 185 lbs | Returning
One of the younger returning guards. Familiarity with Monson's system gives him an advantage, and I expect him to compete for significant minutes.
Emmett Marquardt — Redshirt Junior Forward - 6'10", 225 lbs | Returning
Averaged 5.5 points last season, making 35.8% of his three point attempts. His ability to shoot from outside at 6'10" could be particularly valuable for spacing the floor.
Jamil Miller — Redshirt Sophomore Forward - 6'6", 210 lbs | Kennesaw State transfer
A Spokane native and Gonzaga Prep product. Provides wing size and athleticism. He's one of the newcomers I'm most interested in watching develop.
Malachi Richmond — Freshman Guard - 6'2", 187 lbs | Edge Prep, British Columbia
Freshman breakout candidate
Averaged 24.2 points and 5.3 assists in the NPA National Championship Playoffs, shooting 47.8% from three. A highly regarded Canadian prospect with exciting offensive potential, although college competition will be a significant adjustment.
Lance Horntvedt Jr. — Freshman Forward - 6'7", 185 lbs | Richland High School
Averaged 23 points and eight rebounds during his junior season. Has size, shooting ability and versatility. Could contribute early, but his long-term potential may be even more exciting.
Alan Gballou - Redshirt Freshman Forward- 6'7" 270 lbs | Paris, France - Layton Christian Academy
One of EWU's more physically imposing players could provide a different dimension than the taller, leaner forwards on the team. It all depends on his development over the off season.
Maddox Monson - Redshirt Senior Guard- 6'2" 180lbs | long Beach State - Returner
Coaches kid
Provides experience and familiarity with the coaching staff, but his recent playing time has been limited. He averaged approximately 0.6 points per game last season.
Isak Homelius - Sophomore Guard - 6'5" 215lbs | Western Texas College
Homelius is interesting because of his size at guard. At 6'5" and 215 pounds, he gives Eastern a potentially a more physical defender on bigger guards. Coming from the Junior College ranks, I couldn't find much more.
Zach Trezant - Freshman Center - 7'2" 225lbs | Manchester, England - Myerscough College
Trezvant is the tallest player on Eastern's roster and it has been a minute sense we have had a big man this tall. His size is intriguing, especially for a Big Sky program. Most likely a developmental big this season.
Shaumba Ngoyi - Redshirst Junior - 6'8" 215 | Long Beach State - Returner
Ngoyi brings size and experience in Eastern's system. However, he saw limited action last season and averaged approximately 0.6 points and 0.9 rebounds per game.
Ayden Hamilton - Sophomore Forward - 6'5" 225lbs | Life Pacific University
He played in 28 games at Life Pacific, starting 14 and averaging 20.2 minutes per game. He recorded five double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 17 points. He's also Alton Hamilton IV's younger brother, so Eastern will have both Hamilton brothers on the roster. Dan specifically praised his defensive intensity and rebounding ability when announcing his signing.
My very early stab at starting lineup: (really, I have no idea)
PG - Jalen Griffith
SG - Andrew Cook (as long as he remains available)
SF - Jamil Miller
PF - Alton Hamilton IV
C - Emmett Marquardt
6th man - Tavi Jackson and then Cole Scherer
Pros:
-Multiple scoring options - Cook and Griffith give Eastern experienced offensive production, while Hamilton provides an established inside option.
-Returning frontcourt experience - Hamilton and Marquardt provide continuity. Hamilton earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors after averaging 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 2025–26.
-Momentum from last season - Eastern finished 11–7 in Big Sky play and reached the conference tournament semifinals despite a 14–19 overall record.
Cons:
-Defense needs improvement - Eastern allowed 79.0 points per game last season. Defensive improvement is likely essential to competing for the conference title.
-Cook's eligibility and health - The preliminary injunction is encouraging, but his eligibility case is ongoing, and he has not played a regular-season game since 2024–25.
I'm excited for this season and glad to see that they have 3 straight EX games before they play at Stanford. CSU Bakersfield this Sunday, then at Arizona next Friday, and at home vs Western Washington October 27th. Not your typical Ex games. I like it.
Anyway, lets talk a little basketball since EWU has their first game this Sunday. Here are my thoughts on the team and the season.
Preseason Pick:
-3rd in both Coach's Poll and Media Poll - surprising at first
First 8 games that are not Exhibition games: tough schedule to start, again.
-Stanford - major roster turn over with a strong freshman recruiting class
-Oregon -Dana Altman just retired October 7th and have 10 newcomers
-Oregon State -new coach and all but 1 player is new
-Corban - Solid NAIA school with experience
-Utah - Significant roster turn over. I like EWU's chances at this point.
-UNLV - 11 newcomers
-LMU - Tough mid-major matchup
-Wyoming - Most likely better than LMU and Oregon State
Win/loss prediction:
Overall Conference
-Best Case 21-11 15-5
-Most Likely 18-14 13-7
My prediction is that EWU finishes 3rd and has a legitimate chance to win the conference tournament and go dancing. With Cook, Hamilton, and Griffith (transfer) as proven scores and Marquardt's perimeter shooting, we have the making of a high scoring offense.
I feel that the key will be the defense and not the offense. If Monson can get this team to defend consistently, I would not be surprised to see EWU competing for the Big Sky Championship.
Quick Player Breakdown: (I'll try my best)
Andrew Cook - Graduate Senior Guard - 6'5" 220lbs | Returning
Key returning guard and Pre-Season All Big Sky
Cook is a legitimate All-Big Sky-caliber scoring guard and potentially Eastern's most important offensive player. His value comes from attacking the basket, scoring efficiently inside the arc, getting to the foul line and creating pressure on opposing defenses. This is if he can regain his pre-injury explosiveness and develop enough perimeter shooting to keep defenders honest.
Alton Hamilton IV — Senior Forward - 6'9", 235 lbs | Returning
Key returning big man and Pre-Season All Big Sky
Brings size, experience and a physical interior presence. I expect him to be a major part of Eastern's rebounding and inside game. His consistency will be important against the better Big Sky frontcourts.
Jalen Griffith — Senior Guard - 5'10", 160 lbs | Western Michigan transfer
Potential leading scorer
Averaged 11.9 points and 3.4 assists last season, shooting over 41% from three. A proven scorer and playmaker who should immediately strengthen Eastern's backcourt. His smaller size could create defensive matchup challenges.
Tavi Jackson — Senior Guard - 6'2", 180 lbs | Southern Utah / Colorado State
An experienced transfer who should provide ballhandling, athleticism and another perimeter option. He could be a significant part of Eastern's guard rotation.
Cole Scherer — Sophomore Guard - 6'2", 185 lbs | Returning
One of the younger returning guards. Familiarity with Monson's system gives him an advantage, and I expect him to compete for significant minutes.
Emmett Marquardt — Redshirt Junior Forward - 6'10", 225 lbs | Returning
Averaged 5.5 points last season, making 35.8% of his three point attempts. His ability to shoot from outside at 6'10" could be particularly valuable for spacing the floor.
Jamil Miller — Redshirt Sophomore Forward - 6'6", 210 lbs | Kennesaw State transfer
A Spokane native and Gonzaga Prep product. Provides wing size and athleticism. He's one of the newcomers I'm most interested in watching develop.
Malachi Richmond — Freshman Guard - 6'2", 187 lbs | Edge Prep, British Columbia
Freshman breakout candidate
Averaged 24.2 points and 5.3 assists in the NPA National Championship Playoffs, shooting 47.8% from three. A highly regarded Canadian prospect with exciting offensive potential, although college competition will be a significant adjustment.
Lance Horntvedt Jr. — Freshman Forward - 6'7", 185 lbs | Richland High School
Averaged 23 points and eight rebounds during his junior season. Has size, shooting ability and versatility. Could contribute early, but his long-term potential may be even more exciting.
Alan Gballou - Redshirt Freshman Forward- 6'7" 270 lbs | Paris, France - Layton Christian Academy
One of EWU's more physically imposing players could provide a different dimension than the taller, leaner forwards on the team. It all depends on his development over the off season.
Maddox Monson - Redshirt Senior Guard- 6'2" 180lbs | long Beach State - Returner
Coaches kid
Provides experience and familiarity with the coaching staff, but his recent playing time has been limited. He averaged approximately 0.6 points per game last season.
Isak Homelius - Sophomore Guard - 6'5" 215lbs | Western Texas College
Homelius is interesting because of his size at guard. At 6'5" and 215 pounds, he gives Eastern a potentially a more physical defender on bigger guards. Coming from the Junior College ranks, I couldn't find much more.
Zach Trezant - Freshman Center - 7'2" 225lbs | Manchester, England - Myerscough College
Trezvant is the tallest player on Eastern's roster and it has been a minute sense we have had a big man this tall. His size is intriguing, especially for a Big Sky program. Most likely a developmental big this season.
Shaumba Ngoyi - Redshirst Junior - 6'8" 215 | Long Beach State - Returner
Ngoyi brings size and experience in Eastern's system. However, he saw limited action last season and averaged approximately 0.6 points and 0.9 rebounds per game.
Ayden Hamilton - Sophomore Forward - 6'5" 225lbs | Life Pacific University
He played in 28 games at Life Pacific, starting 14 and averaging 20.2 minutes per game. He recorded five double-digit scoring performances, including a career-high 17 points. He's also Alton Hamilton IV's younger brother, so Eastern will have both Hamilton brothers on the roster. Dan specifically praised his defensive intensity and rebounding ability when announcing his signing.
My very early stab at starting lineup: (really, I have no idea)
PG - Jalen Griffith
SG - Andrew Cook (as long as he remains available)
SF - Jamil Miller
PF - Alton Hamilton IV
C - Emmett Marquardt
6th man - Tavi Jackson and then Cole Scherer
Pros:
-Multiple scoring options - Cook and Griffith give Eastern experienced offensive production, while Hamilton provides an established inside option.
-Returning frontcourt experience - Hamilton and Marquardt provide continuity. Hamilton earned Second Team All-Big Sky honors after averaging 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 2025–26.
-Momentum from last season - Eastern finished 11–7 in Big Sky play and reached the conference tournament semifinals despite a 14–19 overall record.
Cons:
-Defense needs improvement - Eastern allowed 79.0 points per game last season. Defensive improvement is likely essential to competing for the conference title.
-Cook's eligibility and health - The preliminary injunction is encouraging, but his eligibility case is ongoing, and he has not played a regular-season game since 2024–25.
I'm excited for this season and glad to see that they have 3 straight EX games before they play at Stanford. CSU Bakersfield this Sunday, then at Arizona next Friday, and at home vs Western Washington October 27th. Not your typical Ex games. I like it.
