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We can talk about the chemistry, the coaching, the glue pieces and other contributing efforts on the Eastern Michigan Eagles roster, but this team goes where he takes them. Already passed the 1,000 career point milestone, Raven Lee is one of the most dominant guards that the Mid-American Conference has to offer.
Last year, Lee was second in the MAC with an average of 16.7 points per game, knocking down 44.3 percent of his shots (36.1 percent of his 3-pointers) and scoring at least 10 points in 30 games. He's also one of the MAC's best free throw shooters, shooting at a 79.5 percent clip to be fourth in the conference. Lee's 586 total points last year was good enough for the 11th most in school history for a single season.
In a 3-point loss on the road against the Ohio Bobcats last season, Lee posted a season-high 33 points where he was 5-for-10 from 3-point range and 8-for-10 in free throws. 31 of those points happened in the second half. The following week, Lee put up 32 on the Akron Zips where he was 8-for-13 from the field with 13 free throws. But his career high in scoring happened early in his redshirt-freshman season where he put up 38 on Texas-Arlington; Lee was 12-for-15 in his field goals including 5-for-5 in 3-pointers.
The Countdown
Lee also had at least 20 points in 10 games last season; had 67 total rebounds (1.9 per game), 54 assists (1.5), 50 steals (1.4) in 28 minutes per game.
After leading the team in scoring last season (second on the team the year before that), Lee's going to be expected to have an even bigger season this year. He'll definitely need some help without Mike Talley and Karrington Ward after they've graduated. The next leading returning scorer from the team is 6-foot-6 guard/forward Tim Bond, who had 6.4 points per game. He'll certainly get an expanded role, but will also need to help out with the 3-pointers. Well, him and Jodan Price will also need to step up this season after shooting only 27.6 percent from that distance last year.
Talley ran point for most of the last two season, but Lee could also have his role be expanded as the 1, saw a lot of time as the 2 last year. He's got great vision, has above-average handles and can create scoring opportunities, whether it's cutting to the basket, a step-back jumper, coming off of a screen or even with a floater.