Eastern Michigan Athletics
30 Years, Still Sweet: Men’s Basketball NCAA Sweet 16 Run Look Back
9/28/2020 1:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Relive EMU’s 1991 postseason run to its first Sweet 16 appearance in school history
Commanded by legendary Head Coach Ben Braun, the Green and White finished with an impressive 26-7 overall record and a 13-3 Mid-American Conference mark. Eastern capped off the legendary season with a regular-season championship and the MAC Tournament title.
Three decades later, the 1990-91 team is still considered one of the best in program history and their stats support that notion. The 26-win season still stands as an Eastern record, and is tied for seventh in the conference record books. The Green White led the MAC in four statistical categories during the 1990-91 season: field goal percentage (51.4; 920-of-1790); free throw percentage (72.7; 561-of-772); assists per game (18.2); steals per game (8.0). Eastern Michigan also ranked second in the league with 77.9 points per game.
The roster consisted of 13 student-athletes with nine upperclassmen (juniors and seniors). Six were from Michigan, while two were from Illinois, the others were from Georgia, Massachusetts, Ohio, Ontario, and Pennsylvania, respectively.
| No. | Name | Position | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown-High School |
| 10 | Kahlil Fleder | G | 5-10 | 170 | Fr. | Detroit, Mich.-Pershing |
| 12/13 | Lawrence Hill | G | 6-1 | 175 | R-Fr. | Springfield, lll.-Calvary Academy |
| 15 | Lorenzo Neely | G | 6-0 | 165 | Sr. | Detroit, Mich.-Northern |
| 23 | Charles Thomas | F/G | 6-3 | 175 | Sr. | Lansing, Mich.-Everett |
| 31 | Carl Thomas | F | 6-4 | 180 | Sr. | Lansing, Mich.-Everett |
| 32 | Kory Hallas | F | 6-8 | 220 | Jr. | Almonte, Ontario-Almonte |
| 34 | Chris Pipkin | F | 6-5 | 200 | So. | Pittsburgh, Penn.-New Brighton |
| 35 | Joe Frasor | G | 5-11 | 165 | Jr. | Blue Island, Ill.-Eisenhower |
| 41 | Roger Lewis | F | 6-5 | 200 | Sr. | New Bedford, Mass.-Main Central |
| 42 | Jeff Wendt | F | 6-6 | 200 | Fr. | Okemos, Mich.-Okemos |
| 44 | Von Nickleberry | G | 6-2 | 180 | So. | Saginaw, Mich.-Arthur Hill |
| 45 | Fenorris Pearson | F | 6-7 | 225 | R-So. | Kalamazoo, Mich.-Central |
| 51 | Mike Boykin | F/C | 6-8 | 240 | Jr. | Atlanta, Ga.-Southside |
| 52 | Pete Pangas | C | 6-8 | 220 | R-Jr. | Akron, Ohio-Copley |
| 54 | Marcus Kennedy | C/F | 6-7 | 235 | Sr. | Highland Park, Mich.-Troy |
| 55 | Tony King | F | 6-7 | 225 | Fr. | Scarborough, Ontario-Pearson |
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Ben Braun (Wisconsin, 1975), sixth season
Assistant Coach: Gary Waters (Ferris State, 1975)
Assistant Coach: Brian Miller (Bowling Green, 1986)
Graduate Assistant: Craig Rasmuson (Ashland, 1990)
Graduate Assistant: Charles Ramsey (Eastern Michigan, 1991)
Eastern's starting lineup was unstoppable as all five averaged in double-figures, three of whom were named to All-MAC Teams. Those five were guard Lorenzo Neely, guard Charles Thomas, forward Kory Hallas, forward Carl Thomas, and center Marcus Kennedy.
Neely, a dynamic playmaker for the Green White, averaged 11.6 points per game during the 1990-91 campaign and led the team in assists (4.4 apg). The Detroit, Mich. native earned First Team All-MAC honors and still ranks second in the EMU record book with 521 career assists. Neely also ranks 11th with 1,528 career points and is one of two EMU players (James Thompson IV) to earn all-conference honors in each of their four seasons. After graduating, Neely participated in training camps with the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers before getting into coaching.
Charles Thomas, one of EMU's sharpshooters, averaged 10.3 points per game his final season and ranked second on the team with 55 three-pointers. The Lansing, Mich. native finished his career at Eastern with 710 points and 241 assists, while shooting .361 percent (116-of-321) from beyond the arc. After graduation, Thomas played professional ball with the Detroit Pistons (1991-92) before playing overseas.
Hallas, the only junior in EMU's starting lineup during the 1990-91 season, averaged 11.5 points per game as a forward. The Almonte, Ontario native finished second on the squad averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 forward finished his EMU career with 1,464 points, which ranks 13th in program history, and played in 122 games in the Green and White.
Carl Thomas, another sharpshooter and Charles Thomas' twin, paced EMU with 89 three-pointers and averaged 14.1 points per game. His 89 triples held the EMU season record for 26 years before Willie Mangum IV drained 93 in 2016-17. The Second Team All-MAC selection led the conference averaging 2.7 threes per game during the 1990-91 season. The Lansing, Mich. native finished with 1,179 career points, which ranks 24th in the EMU record books. The former forward was known for his three-point shot and is fifth in both career 3's made (185) and 3-point percentage (41.8, 185-of-443) in program history. After graduation, Thomas went on to play professional basketball in the National Basketball Association (NBA) where he began his career with the Sacramento Kings (1991-92).
Kennedy, the MAC Player of the Year, averaged a conference-best 20.0 points per game and ranked sixth in the NCAA with a 68.2 field-goal percentage (240-of-352). His season field-goal percentage is still atop the EMU season record books. The First Team All-MAC Selection led the conference in seven statistical categories and was voted the MAC Tournament MVP. The Highland Park, Mich. native scored 659 points during the 1990-91 season, which ranks fifth in the EMU record book. Kennedy was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers after graduation.
To celebrate this team's success, the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Media Relations Office, along with the EMU Men's Basketball Head Coach Rob Murphy, are excited to announce a month-long series of content and social-media material that will pay tribute to the 1990-91 squad and its members.
In addition to various social media campaigns, each game from the time EMU clinched the MAC regular-season title at Kent State will be summarized in this running article. Check back every Tuesday for up-to-date information.
The bus ride looked a little different from Kent, Ohio, Lorenzo Neely described to the Detroit News after Eastern's 65-46 victory at Kent State to clinch the MAC Regular-Season Title. For those seniors, they had never won on Kent State's court before which made getting the MAC ring extra special.
"For a change, this is going to be a nice bus ride home from Kent," said Neely. "…But we'll be celebrating this time and I'm going to sit back and listen to my tapes. I bought seven of them, rap, soul, everything."
Three EMU players recorded double-figure scoring performances as Marcus Kennedy led the way with 18 points, going 7-of-8 from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds. Kory Hallas notched 17 points, while Neely added 10. Carl Thomas dished out a team-best four assists, while Mike Boykin went 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
Eastern displayed early dominance as EMU went on a 22-4 run in the first 12 minutes of the game. A Harold Walton old-fashion three-point play cut Eastern's lead to 13 (28-15) with three minutes left in the first half. The Green and White held the Golden Flashes to a .286 field-goal percentage (8-of-28) after the opening 20 minutes.
EMU posted a double-figure lead throughout the second half as Neely posted six-straight points during Eastern's 11-8 run to start the final stanza. Kennedy went on a scoring spree highlighted by a dunk to push EMU up by 22 (61-39) with 5 minutes left. Kent State finished the game on a 7-4 stint, but the Green and White posted the 19-point victory.
"This is the greatest feeling in the world, said head coach Ben Braun about winning the MAC title in an interview with the Detroit News. "What makes it so rewarding is that our players are great kids and I'm so happy for them. They've done a great job."
Eastern were on a seven-game winning streak coming into the 1991 Mid-American Conference Tournament and their intensity didn't stop there as No. 1 seed EMU topped No. 8 seed KSU, 66-47 in the quarterfinals at the former Cobo Arena in Detroit.
Marcus Kennedy made it look easy as he led EMU with 23 points, 15 of which came in the first half, and pulled down nine rebounds. The center went 8-of-10 from the floor and made seven free throws. Lorenzo Neely chipped in nine points, while Kory Hallas added seven points and nine rebounds.
"It's tournament time and I came to play," said Kennedy in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. "All our team is geeked to be here."
Kent State came into the first half with vengeance after EMU posted a 65-46 victory on Feb. 27 in Kent, Ohio. The Golden Flashes led by one with 11 minutes left in the first half, then the Eastern Michigan offense broke up going on a 15-6 run. Kennedy posted four-straight points to close out the first stanza with an Eastern lead, 34-22.
EMU continue its momentum into the second half as Kennedy started the scoring frenzy with a layup and dunk. The scoring went back-and-forth in the middle of the second stanza, but Eastern went on a 17-10 stint to lead by 21 with 10 minutes left. The Green and White finished the game with six made free throws from Roger Lewis, Mike Boykin, and Pete Pangas.
The Green and White shot 52.2 percent from the field (12-of-23) and held the Golden Flashes to a 27.8 clip (9-of-33) after the first half. The Huron finished the game with a 50.0 field goal percentage and grabbed down 37 rebounds.
Eastern MAC Tournament Championship dreams were almost shattered as EMU barely pulled off the 72-66 victory in overtime against No. 4 seed Bowling Green.
The Green and White trailed by as many as nine in the second half of a contest that featured five ties and four lead changes With 33 ticks left in the game, Lorenzo Neely drained a short jumper to propel the game into overtime. Marcus Kennedy started OT with a quick jumper and Eastern didn't look back as it went on an 11-0 run to start. Bowling Green closed the game with a 8-4 run, but it wasn't enough as EMU posted the 72-66 victory.
Four EMU players posted double-digit scoring performances as Neely led the Green and White with 19 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds. Kennedy totaled 14 points, while Kory Hallas and Charles Thomas each added 12, respectively. Carl Thomas garnered a team-best four steals and added eight points.
Bowling Green began the first half with a 13-0 run before Roger Lewis drained a jumper to get Eastern on the score board at 14:55. A Charles Thomas three-pointer sparked a 14-10 EMU run over seven minutes before BG called its first timeout at 2:35. EMU pulled within six (31-25) from a Lewis jumper and two free throws from Kennedy to end the first stanza.
Coming out of the locker room, the Falcons led by the most nine points throughout the second half before Charles Thomas drained a clutch triple to tie the game at 50 apiece with 5:45 left. Scoring went back-and-forth for the next four-and-half minutes as Bowling Green held the 2-point lead (57-55) with 57 seconds left.
MAC Champions Again! – Match 10, 1991 – W, 67-66 vs. No. 7 Toledo
The Green and White just barely grabbed its second Mid-American Conference Tournament title in program history when EMU squeaked by No. 7-seeded Toledo by one, 67-66, at Cobo Arena.
With 38 ticks left in the title game, EMU went up by four (64-60) off two Lorenzo Neely free throws. Toledo's Keith Wade drained a triple to make it a one-point game, until the Green and White pulled ahead by four, sinking three from the charity stripe with six seconds left. The Rockets finished the game with a drained triple, attempting to draw a four-point play, but couldn't prevail.
Three Eastern players finished the game with double-figures, led by the MAC Tournament MVP Marcus Kennedy. The senior recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Kory Hallas and Carl Thomas added 17 and 11, respectively. Hallas garnered a team-high three steals, while Charles Thomas and Neely each dished out three assists.
EMU and the Rockets went back-and-forth in scoring for the first three minutes to start the game. Then, Eastern posted a 15-7 scoring run over the next seven minutes highlighted by four Roger Lewis free throws, two Kennedy layups, and a three-pointer drained by Carl Thomas. At the 5:27 mark, UT's Scott Riley made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 23-apiece. To finish the first scoring stanza, the Green and White went on an 11-7 run to take the four-point lead (33-29).
Eastern held a four-point lead heading into the second half and started on a 4-0 run off a Carl Thomas four-point play. However, the Rockets didn't give up as they cut EMU's lead to two (39-37) off a Craig Sutters jumper. A Carl Thomas jumper sparked a scoring frenzy for the Green and White over the next five minutes to give EMU the five-point lead (49-44). The scoring continued to go back-and-forth for the remainder of the contest as Eastern took the lead by three with 38 seconds left.
First NCAA Tournament Win – Match 15, 1991 – W, 76-56 vs. No. 5 Mississippi State
The 12th-seed Eastern Michigan drilled fifth-seed Mississippi State, 76-56, in the first round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament, claiming the Eastern's first NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
It was said that when one minute remained in the contest, senior Charles Thomas walked over to the press table and asked a reporter, "Do you think we'll get some respect now?" The Detroit Free Press stated Eastern Michigan will get all the respect it wants - at least in Mississippi.
Senior Marcus Kennedy led the Green and White with a double-double (22 pts., 16 rebs.) and went 9-of-13 from the field. Fellow classmates Lorenzo Neely and Carl Thomas also scored in double-figures adding 17 and 16, respectively. Thomas drained four triples, while Charles Thomas dished out a team-high six assists.
EMU shot 50 percent from both the field (27-of-54) and from beyond the arc (6-of-12), while holding the Bulldogs to a 35.4 clip (22-of-62). Eastern dominated the boards as it held the rebounding advantage, 43-31, and posted 21 assists.
To the Sweet 16 – Match 17, 1991 – W, 71-68 (OT) vs. No. 4 Penn State
For the first time in program history, Eastern Michigan advanced to the NCAA Tournament "Sweet 16." EMU pulled off a thrilling 71-68 overtime victory over No. 4 seed Penn State in the second round.
There was less than 30 seconds left in the game and Eastern Michigan led a two-point lead, 68-66 over the Nittany Lions before Roger Lewis banked in a layup to propel EMU's lead to four. But, a Carl Thomas foul put Penn State's F. Barnes to the line. He cut Eastern's lead to two with 14 seconds left. Lorenzo Neely brought the ball up the court, was fouled and sent to the charity stripe where he split the pair. The Green and White held the three-point lead and sealed the 71-68 overtime victory to advance to the Sweet 16.
Four EMU players recorded double-digits, led by Marcus Kennedy who scored 21 points and grabbed five rebounds. Neely added 18 points, while Kory Hallas and Charles Thomas posted 12 and 11, respectively. Hallas grabbed a team-high eight boards, while Neely and Carl Thomas dished out four assists each.
Kennedy put Eastern on the board with a layup to start the game, but then the Nittany Lions went on a 17-10 run over the first seven minutes to give Penn State a five-point lead (17-12). Charles Thomas tied it up at 17-apiece, sinking three free throws with 12 minutes left in the first half. EMU regained the one-point lead off a Hallas layup halfway through the first scoring stanza. However, the scoring went back-and-forth for the next six minutes until PSU finished the first half on a 4-0 run to take the 33-29 lead.
Heading out of the locker room, Penn State came out strong as the Nittany Lions made back-to-back jumpers to propel its lead to five (37-32). But, Eastern bounced back on a 7-2 run to take a three-point lead (42-39); which was started by two Neely free throws. Quick back-to-back Penn State scores forced an EMU timeout as the Nittany Lions reclaimed the lead (46-42) with 13 minutes left in regulation. Out of the timeout, Eastern went on a 10-4 run started by a Kennedy layup to take a 52-49 lead, but PSU didn't let up as it gained momentum through the next eight minutes to tie the game up at 58-apiece to send the game into overtime.
Respect at Last! – March 22, 1991 – L, 67-93 vs. No. 1 North Carolina
Even though Eastern's journey came to an end in the NCAA "Sweet 16," they still gained the respect they deserved. The seeded 12th EMU dropped a 93-67 affair to No. 1 seed North Carolina at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J.
Eastern was the seventh team seeded 12th-or-lower to reach a regional semifinal since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Before the game, former legendary UNC head coach Dean Smith told The Star Ledger, "Eastern Michigan must be good. Mississippi State, the Southeastern Conference co-champs, was beaten by 20."
EMU cut the Tar Heels lead to four, 61-57, with 12:30 to play in the game off a Charles Thomas triple, but UNC didn't look back for the rest of the second half. The Tar Heels went on a 27-6 run over the next 11 minutes to take its largest lead of the game and finished the contest taking the 93-67 victory to advance to the Elite Eight.
Two Eastern student-athletes scored in double-figures as Carl Thomas led EMU with 27 points, going 10-of-16 from the field. Marcus Kennedy added 19 points and six boards. Ch. Thomas dished out a team-best six assists, while Lorenzo Neely notched five assists, respectively.
The Green and White recorded a 44.3 field-goal percentage (27-of-61) and shot a 35.0 clip from beyond the arc. However, UNC finished the evening with a 53.0 efficiency from the field (35-of-66) and went 6-of-9 from the three-point line. The Tar Heels held the rebounding edge at 40-30, but EMU dished out 18 assists compared to UNC's 16.
Kory Hallas made the short jumper to get EMU on the board to start the first stanza. The scoring went back-and-forth over the next 10 minutes before North Carolina jumped to its largest lead of the first half at 11, 29-18. EMU's scoring momentum was sparked from a Kennedy layup and the Green and White went on a 17-10 scoring stint over the next seven minutes to cut the Tar Heels' lead to two, 38-36. Eastern continued to trial by two until UNC drained a triple to close the first half with a 47-42 lead.
Coming out of the locker room, EMU posted an 8-7 run to keep the Tar Heels lead in reach, 54-50, after three minutes of play. Over the next four minutes, Eastern held their ground, continuing to hold UNC's lead to four, 61-57, before North Carolina sparked its offense and finished the game with a 93-67 victory.
