The men’s basketball team will play their first GLIAC conference games of the season Thursday and Saturday. Last year, Ashland went 0-2 against both Hillsdale and Wayne State, both of whom they will play this week.

The Eagles will host both Hillsdale (4-1) and Wayne State (3-1) in the middle of a five game home stand. Ashland (2-2) will play its first game since Nov. 23, which was a victory for the Eagles over Point Park, 108-95.

Though the Eagles went 13-13 in the 2010-11 regular season, they managed an impressive 7-2 record in the GLIAC. Coming into the season, Ashland was projected no. 4 in the South Division.

The Eagles have a star in junior forward Evan Yates, who is the leader in the GLIAC in scoring (21.7 ppg.), rebounding (17.7 rpg.), blocks (2.7) and minutes played (36.3). Yates is also fourth in field goal percentage (62.3 percent) and is coming off a team-leading 31 point, 18 rebound game against Point Park. Yates has shined for the Eagles so far and has three consecutive double-doubles and has scored the most points for an AU player since the 2007-08 season.

Junior guard Ronnie Steward scored a career-high 24 points against Point Park and is fifth in the league in three-point field goal percentage (55 percent). Some other players to watch on the court for the Eagles are sophomore guard Jordan Berlin and freshman forward Paul Honigford.

The Eagles made the GLIAC tournament for the first time last year since the 2007-08 campaign and are coached by third-year man John Ellenwood, who has amassed a record of 28-30.

As for Thursday night’s game against Hillsdale College, Ashland will face a very good team that went 20-6 a year ago and at one point was ranked fourth in the Midwest Regional Rankings.

Hillsdale started off the season at 4-0 and lost their last outing to Lewis, 62-52. Hillsdale returns four of their five starters from last season. The Chargers are ranked first in the GLIAC in scoring defense (56.8 ppg.) and second in field goal percentage defense (38.8 percent). The Chargers have been tough against the Eagles as of late, winning seven straight meetings between the two, and the last time AU beat the Chargers was a 95-80 victory on December 6, 2007. The last time the eagles won at home against Hillsdale was during the 06-07 season.

The Eagles’ weekend will not be any easier when Wayne State will continue their road trip from Lake Erie to Ashland. Last year’s Wayne State team went 22-8 on the season and 14-5 in the conference. The Warriors won the GLIAC tournament championship for the first time since 1999.

Wayne State was invited to the NCAA playoffs for the third time in head coach David Greer’s 11-year tenure. Wayne State is also coming into their game on a three-game winning streak pending a game against Lake Erie this Thursday. The Warriors are tied for third in conference scoring (81.0 ppg.) and second in field goal percentage (.518) and scoring margin (plus-14.5).

The Warriors have one of the best inside men in the GLIAC senior center Ike Udanoh. He ranks fifth in GLIAC scoring (18.5 ppg.) and field goal percentage (.60.5 percent). The Eagles split games last season, winning at home in Kates Gymnasium 57-56 and losing in Detroit 75-71. Ashland starts conference play 7 p.m. Thursday and continues 2 p.m. Saturday.