Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 10
10/27/2025 4:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, General
Halloween Humor and Hoops Talk
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The latest episode of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE took a lighthearted Halloween twist while setting the stage for a busy stretch of Eastern Michigan Athletics. Hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened Episode 10 in costume, joking about the Eagles' football bye week aligning with Halloween festivities.
"It's either bye week or Halloween," Steiner said. "We're going to combine those into one here on this episode of the Eastern Insider." Davis, donning cat ears, leaned into the theme. "Yeah, where are your ears? Come on, it's Halloween weekend," she teased. Steiner replied, "They're attached to the side of my head already," drawing laughter before turning the conversation back to football.
Eastern Michigan's football team entered the break following a 28-25 loss to Ohio, one that slipped away after a strong first half. "It was a disappointing finish after how good Eastern played in the first half," Steiner said. "You could certainly hear the disappointment in Coach Creighton's voice following that contest." Davis added that the Eagles were "one of the most banged-up teams" she had seen this season, noting several players dealing with finger injuries.
Despite the challenges, both agreed the bye week comes at a good time before EMU hosts Bowling Green next weekend. "You never know what could happen," Davis said, quoting quarterback Noah Kim. "You could knock someone out of the competition going into these three games. You can't give up yet."
The hosts also spotlighted EMU Soccer's 3-2 win over Northern Illinois, which kept postseason hopes alive entering the final regular-season match at Central Michigan. "They'll need a win over CMU and a little help," Steiner said, noting the tight MAC standings. On the volleyball court, the Eagles completed a reverse sweep of Buffalo to remain in playoff contention ahead of their "Serve It Up" night against Central Michigan.
With football resting, basketball took center stage. Steiner announced that EMU men's basketball opens its season at Wayne State on Thursday before returning home Nov. 3 to face Georgia State in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Fifth-year Head Coach Stan Heath joined the show to discuss his new-look roster and the team's "PITT" mantra — pace, intensity, toughness, and together. "He's got plenty to talk about," Steiner said. "Only seven percent of minutes and two percent of scoring return from last year, but Coach Heath isn't phased."
Women's basketball follows with a road-heavy start under second-year Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh. "She's got two returners and a lot of international talent," Davis said. "She loves how those players understand the game flow and keep competing."
The episode closed with a candy debate that fit the Halloween mood. "Top of my head, Milky Way," Davis said. "And I know that's yours too." Steiner laughed, "Good answer. I was waiting for her to say candy corn."
Segment 1 - Stan Heath
Entering his fifth season at the helm, Eastern Michigan men's basketball head coach Stan Heath feels the years have flown by. "Too fast," Heath said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "A lot has changed in four years. When I started, we were in COVID, recruiting off video. NIL, the transfer portal, everything has shifted. But we've made steady improvement."
This year's team faces another rebuild. Only 7.8 percent of minutes and two percent of scoring return from last season's roster. Heath, though, isn't fazed. "That's normal now," he said. "Everyone's got new guys. I like my team a lot, and I think we have a chance to be really good."
The new group brings a strong local flavor, something Heath didn't plan but appreciates. "We have eight or nine guys from the state of Michigan," he said. "A lot of them have known each other since they were 10 or 11. That helps with chemistry and building relationships."
That familiarity is part of Heath's vision for a team built on identity and purpose. The program's new mantra is "PITT" — Pace, Intensity, Toughness, and Together. "We wanted to create an identity," Heath said. "We want to play fast, be aggressive, play with intensity for 40 minutes, and be tough on loose balls and rebounds. But the most important part is together. If we do all that as one, this team can be special."
Heath said he expects his defense to fuel offense. "Defense still wins championships," he said. "But now that might mean you're winning games in the seventies, not the sixties. We want to create offense from our defense, play with pace, and disrupt opponents."
EMU's roster features experience and versatility. Graduate guard Addison Patterson, newly cleared for a seventh season, will play a key role. "Addison's unique," Heath said. "He's six-six, can rebound, pass, score, and guard multiple positions. He's going to cause matchup problems all year."
Heath is also high on freshman Gregory Lawson II, who chose Eastern Michigan over high-major offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, and Louisville. "He's from Saginaw and wanted to play right away," Heath said. "He's a really good fit, and we're glad to have him."
Three MAC transfers—Braelyn Green from Bowling Green, Mohamed Habhab from Central Michigan, and Aidan Rubio, who spent time at Central and UNC Asheville—bring league familiarity. "They've all been great additions," Heath said. "Mo Habhab has been a big surprise. He's 6-foot-10, can shoot, pass, and defend. He's going to be a force."
Among returners, Heath praised forward GodsLove Nwabude as the most improved player. "He's honed in on rebounding and finishing," Heath said. "He's so mobile for his size. He's going to have a high impact."
EMU's schedule features heavyweights Louisville, Cincinnati, Butler, and Pittsburgh, matchups Heath called "both challenging and necessary." "Let's be honest," he said. "They help us prepare for the MAC, and they help fund NIL. Until our league becomes a multi-bid conference, we have to use those games to grow and get better."
The Eagles open with an exhibition against Tuskegee at Wayne State before returning to Ypsilanti for their Nov. 3 home debut. Heath, entering his fifth year with the same energy as his first, summed up his goal clearly: "We want to win the MAC, get to Cleveland, and compete for a championship. That's what we're building toward every day."
Segment 2 - Sahar Nusseibeh
Eastern Michigan women's basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh knows exactly what she wants her program to be in year two. Confident, connected, and relentless.
After a season of learning and growing in her first year leading the Eagles, Nusseibeh told Greg Steiner on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE that familiarity has been key heading into 2025. "It's really nice to have familiarity with the place you're in," she said. "Eastern was new to me, new to our entire staff. Now we know how things work here within the athletic department."
While the surroundings are familiar, the roster is anything but. "We don't have a familiar roster," Nusseibeh said. "We've got a lot of new faces." Two returning seniors, whom she calls her "pillars," provide the foundation. "I'm really leaning on them—not in a pressure way—but to help all our newcomers model the way," she said. "They've done a tremendous job."
Among the returning standouts, Sisi Eleko gained valuable experience competing internationally. "When she got the email about Team Canada, she was beaming," Nusseibeh said, recalling the moment Eleko learned of her FIBA invitation. "It gave her a confidence boost and validated her talent. She's carried that confidence into our program."
Brooklyn Thrash, another key veteran, continues to evolve from role player to leader. "Brooklyn's the girl where I might forget a drill detail and ask her what comes next," Nusseibeh joked. "She's a peer coach on the floor. I rely on her heavily." The coach expects Thrash's consistency to set the tone. "She can do so much that doesn't show up in the stats," she said. "She's ready to meet the challenge of being a consistent producer."
Eastern's offseason overhaul brought a blend of high school, transfer, and international recruits, a strategy Nusseibeh said was about fit and belief. "We want people who want us," she said. "When I talk about being workers, winners, and believers, I can see in their eyes whether it excites them. That authenticity matters." International players, she noted, brought maturity and perspective. "They have a pro mentality," she said. "They're not worried about last year's record. They're focused on what's next."
One of the most anticipated newcomers is Alli Zajac, daughter of EMU alumni and former student-athletes Kristy and Jon Zajac. "Alli is special," Nusseibeh said. "She's an innate leader and connector. She's already elevated our locker room culture." At 6-foot-3, Zajac also brings versatility. "She can rim run, pick and pop, and stretch the floor," Nusseibeh said. "Her defense could make her one of the most complete players in the MAC."
The Eagles will spend much of November on the road, a challenge Nusseibeh embraces. "We're already talking about being road warriors," she said. "We've got five chances to show everyone who we are before we play in front of our home crowd."
EMU opens the season at the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge at Louisiana Monroe, then visits Canisius, Nusseibeh's former school. "It's going to be special," she said. "I'm excited to see the people who gave me my shot. But when the ball tips, we'll be locked in."
When asked to sum up her team's 2025-26 mindset, Nusseibeh smiled. "Last year was 'green light go,'" she said. "This year, it's 'all gas, no brakes.'"
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The latest episode of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE took a lighthearted Halloween twist while setting the stage for a busy stretch of Eastern Michigan Athletics. Hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened Episode 10 in costume, joking about the Eagles' football bye week aligning with Halloween festivities.
"It's either bye week or Halloween," Steiner said. "We're going to combine those into one here on this episode of the Eastern Insider." Davis, donning cat ears, leaned into the theme. "Yeah, where are your ears? Come on, it's Halloween weekend," she teased. Steiner replied, "They're attached to the side of my head already," drawing laughter before turning the conversation back to football.
Eastern Michigan's football team entered the break following a 28-25 loss to Ohio, one that slipped away after a strong first half. "It was a disappointing finish after how good Eastern played in the first half," Steiner said. "You could certainly hear the disappointment in Coach Creighton's voice following that contest." Davis added that the Eagles were "one of the most banged-up teams" she had seen this season, noting several players dealing with finger injuries.
Despite the challenges, both agreed the bye week comes at a good time before EMU hosts Bowling Green next weekend. "You never know what could happen," Davis said, quoting quarterback Noah Kim. "You could knock someone out of the competition going into these three games. You can't give up yet."
The hosts also spotlighted EMU Soccer's 3-2 win over Northern Illinois, which kept postseason hopes alive entering the final regular-season match at Central Michigan. "They'll need a win over CMU and a little help," Steiner said, noting the tight MAC standings. On the volleyball court, the Eagles completed a reverse sweep of Buffalo to remain in playoff contention ahead of their "Serve It Up" night against Central Michigan.
With football resting, basketball took center stage. Steiner announced that EMU men's basketball opens its season at Wayne State on Thursday before returning home Nov. 3 to face Georgia State in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Fifth-year Head Coach Stan Heath joined the show to discuss his new-look roster and the team's "PITT" mantra — pace, intensity, toughness, and together. "He's got plenty to talk about," Steiner said. "Only seven percent of minutes and two percent of scoring return from last year, but Coach Heath isn't phased."
Women's basketball follows with a road-heavy start under second-year Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh. "She's got two returners and a lot of international talent," Davis said. "She loves how those players understand the game flow and keep competing."
The episode closed with a candy debate that fit the Halloween mood. "Top of my head, Milky Way," Davis said. "And I know that's yours too." Steiner laughed, "Good answer. I was waiting for her to say candy corn."
Segment 1 - Stan Heath
Entering his fifth season at the helm, Eastern Michigan men's basketball head coach Stan Heath feels the years have flown by. "Too fast," Heath said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "A lot has changed in four years. When I started, we were in COVID, recruiting off video. NIL, the transfer portal, everything has shifted. But we've made steady improvement."
This year's team faces another rebuild. Only 7.8 percent of minutes and two percent of scoring return from last season's roster. Heath, though, isn't fazed. "That's normal now," he said. "Everyone's got new guys. I like my team a lot, and I think we have a chance to be really good."
The new group brings a strong local flavor, something Heath didn't plan but appreciates. "We have eight or nine guys from the state of Michigan," he said. "A lot of them have known each other since they were 10 or 11. That helps with chemistry and building relationships."
That familiarity is part of Heath's vision for a team built on identity and purpose. The program's new mantra is "PITT" — Pace, Intensity, Toughness, and Together. "We wanted to create an identity," Heath said. "We want to play fast, be aggressive, play with intensity for 40 minutes, and be tough on loose balls and rebounds. But the most important part is together. If we do all that as one, this team can be special."
Heath said he expects his defense to fuel offense. "Defense still wins championships," he said. "But now that might mean you're winning games in the seventies, not the sixties. We want to create offense from our defense, play with pace, and disrupt opponents."
EMU's roster features experience and versatility. Graduate guard Addison Patterson, newly cleared for a seventh season, will play a key role. "Addison's unique," Heath said. "He's six-six, can rebound, pass, score, and guard multiple positions. He's going to cause matchup problems all year."
Heath is also high on freshman Gregory Lawson II, who chose Eastern Michigan over high-major offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, and Louisville. "He's from Saginaw and wanted to play right away," Heath said. "He's a really good fit, and we're glad to have him."
Three MAC transfers—Braelyn Green from Bowling Green, Mohamed Habhab from Central Michigan, and Aidan Rubio, who spent time at Central and UNC Asheville—bring league familiarity. "They've all been great additions," Heath said. "Mo Habhab has been a big surprise. He's 6-foot-10, can shoot, pass, and defend. He's going to be a force."
Among returners, Heath praised forward GodsLove Nwabude as the most improved player. "He's honed in on rebounding and finishing," Heath said. "He's so mobile for his size. He's going to have a high impact."
EMU's schedule features heavyweights Louisville, Cincinnati, Butler, and Pittsburgh, matchups Heath called "both challenging and necessary." "Let's be honest," he said. "They help us prepare for the MAC, and they help fund NIL. Until our league becomes a multi-bid conference, we have to use those games to grow and get better."
The Eagles open with an exhibition against Tuskegee at Wayne State before returning to Ypsilanti for their Nov. 3 home debut. Heath, entering his fifth year with the same energy as his first, summed up his goal clearly: "We want to win the MAC, get to Cleveland, and compete for a championship. That's what we're building toward every day."
Segment 2 - Sahar Nusseibeh
Eastern Michigan women's basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh knows exactly what she wants her program to be in year two. Confident, connected, and relentless.
After a season of learning and growing in her first year leading the Eagles, Nusseibeh told Greg Steiner on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE that familiarity has been key heading into 2025. "It's really nice to have familiarity with the place you're in," she said. "Eastern was new to me, new to our entire staff. Now we know how things work here within the athletic department."
While the surroundings are familiar, the roster is anything but. "We don't have a familiar roster," Nusseibeh said. "We've got a lot of new faces." Two returning seniors, whom she calls her "pillars," provide the foundation. "I'm really leaning on them—not in a pressure way—but to help all our newcomers model the way," she said. "They've done a tremendous job."
Among the returning standouts, Sisi Eleko gained valuable experience competing internationally. "When she got the email about Team Canada, she was beaming," Nusseibeh said, recalling the moment Eleko learned of her FIBA invitation. "It gave her a confidence boost and validated her talent. She's carried that confidence into our program."
Brooklyn Thrash, another key veteran, continues to evolve from role player to leader. "Brooklyn's the girl where I might forget a drill detail and ask her what comes next," Nusseibeh joked. "She's a peer coach on the floor. I rely on her heavily." The coach expects Thrash's consistency to set the tone. "She can do so much that doesn't show up in the stats," she said. "She's ready to meet the challenge of being a consistent producer."
Eastern's offseason overhaul brought a blend of high school, transfer, and international recruits, a strategy Nusseibeh said was about fit and belief. "We want people who want us," she said. "When I talk about being workers, winners, and believers, I can see in their eyes whether it excites them. That authenticity matters." International players, she noted, brought maturity and perspective. "They have a pro mentality," she said. "They're not worried about last year's record. They're focused on what's next."
One of the most anticipated newcomers is Alli Zajac, daughter of EMU alumni and former student-athletes Kristy and Jon Zajac. "Alli is special," Nusseibeh said. "She's an innate leader and connector. She's already elevated our locker room culture." At 6-foot-3, Zajac also brings versatility. "She can rim run, pick and pop, and stretch the floor," Nusseibeh said. "Her defense could make her one of the most complete players in the MAC."
The Eagles will spend much of November on the road, a challenge Nusseibeh embraces. "We're already talking about being road warriors," she said. "We've got five chances to show everyone who we are before we play in front of our home crowd."
EMU opens the season at the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge at Louisiana Monroe, then visits Canisius, Nusseibeh's former school. "It's going to be special," she said. "I'm excited to see the people who gave me my shot. But when the ball tips, we'll be locked in."
When asked to sum up her team's 2025-26 mindset, Nusseibeh smiled. "Last year was 'green light go,'" she said. "This year, it's 'all gas, no brakes.'"
Players Mentioned
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