Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 14
11/24/2025 4:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Football, General
Rivalry Week, Senior Night, and EMU Basketball Stars
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan's rivalry week and a full holiday slate set the tone for Episode 14 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE, as hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened with a mix of Thanksgiving notes, postseason math, and senior night reflections that framed the final week of the 2025 regular season.
Steiner started the focus on Tuesday night's matchup with Western Michigan, a game with major league implications for the Broncos and a spoiler opportunity for Eastern. "The most likely scenario is that Western Michigan is playing in the MAC championship, but there are 32 outcomes, including seven that see CMU and Western Michigan rematching."
Steiner noted how rare that pairing would be at Ford Field. "Western Michigan, Miami, Ohio, Central Michigan and Toledo are all still in the hunt with four critical football games," he said. He added that 25 of the 32 possible results keep the Broncos on track for Detroit. Davis asked about Western's previous trip. Steiner answered without pause. "P. J. Fleck, his final year," he said. "It has to be 2016." He remembered the date for a personal reason. "It is the only MAC championship I have not done in the last twenty years because I was on my way to the Bahamas to set up the introductory press conference for Eastern Michigan being in the Bahamas Bowl."
Davis laughed at the memory. "Was that cool?" she asked. Steiner said the trip stood out. He recalled Western's strong showing that season. "They rolled to an easy victory and lost to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl," he said.
Attention turned to Eastern's senior night. Fifteen players will walk before kickoff. "Time goes by fast in college," Davis said. She pointed to quarterback Noah Kim as an example of the emotion behind the moment. "First year here, ending his collegiate football time here and still emotional," she said. "Walking with your parents, you get sad. This is really happening."
The hosts outlined ticket information and promotions. Steiner noted that buyers before noon Tuesday receive the five dollar offer. The first 200 fans receive a scarf, while the next 500 receive a slice of pizza.
Basketball updates followed. Steiner highlighted EMU's wins over Detroit Mercy and Oakland before a road test at Louisville. Davis praised freshman Mo Habhab and noted he finished one assist short of a triple double. "You cannot get better than that," she said. They also looked ahead to women's basketball, which starts a home stretch Wednesday against Robert Morris.
Davis then previewed the episode's featured interview with Ruby Brannon. She said the junior guard brought humor and perspective. "She is such a talker," Davis said. The conversation touched on Brannon's move from Australia, cultural differences, and early impressions. "When you think of Australia, what is the first thing that comes to mind?" Davis asked Steiner. "Kangaroos," he replied. Davis insisted her own answer was spiders. "Someone has to agree with me," she said.
The open closed with holiday reflections. Davis said she felt thankful for family, friends and professional momentum. Steiner said he appreciated the show's audience. "I am thankful for our listeners who tune in every Monday," he said.
The episode then shifted toward interviews with head coach Chris Creighton and Brannon as Eastern prepared for a defining week on and off the field.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan Head Coach Chris Creighton used this week's Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE to break down a two game surge, highlight senior leadership, and set the stage for the regular season finale. He spoke with plain detail about preparation, development, and the push to finish strong at home.
Creighton opened by noting how fast the year moved. "It goes fast every year," he said. With a day to go before the finale, he pointed to a wire to wire win at Ball State as an example of full team progress. "It did feel like it was a complete game," he said. He added that perfection was not the standard. He focused on readiness. "The guys handled all of that well, and they were ready to go from the beginning."
Wind shaped the start. "We won the toss and deferred," he said. Eastern kicked into the wind. They covered the kick, forced a punt, then scored on the first drive. "It was probably the best start," he said.
Running back Jermarian Wheeler stood out. He rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Creighton noted the timing, because Wheeler delivered his senior message the night before the game. "He did an awesome job," Creighton said. "He had his best game by far of his career."
Freshman defensive end Quincy Bias continued to grow. Bias recorded one and a half sacks. Creighton emphasized the progress of both Bias and fellow freshman Hector Rodriguez. "They are everything we want in an Eastern Michigan football player," he said. He added praise for Bias. "He was awesome on Saturday."
Creighton addressed a late season jump on defense. Sacks over six weeks increased by 400 percent. Yards allowed per game dropped by almost 30 percent. He credited experience and improved planning. "There is a balance between the game plan and too much," he said. "Our defensive staff has done a good job with making sure our guys are confident and able to play."
He also touched on a brief meeting with former Eastern running back Shaq Van, who now works at Ball State. "Super proud of him," Creighton said.
Western Michigan awaits in the finale. The Broncos seek a league title shot. Creighton said the energy of the matchup fits the moment. "You could not ask for a better script," he said. The game lands at home, on senior night, with a long running rival across the field. He said Eastern wants to finish strong. "We want to play our absolute best football," he said.
He expects Western's quarterback run game to test the defense. "He is more of a powerful runner," Creighton said. He described a player who fights for hard yards and forces defenders to finish tackles.
Creighton also discussed the Senior Day tradition in which each senior brings the most influential man in his life into the locker room. "It is right before we take the field," he said. He said the moment gives players a space to speak clearly about support, sacrifice, and connection.
Asked about gratitude in 2025, Creighton listed faith, family, and the strength of his team. "I am thankful for a team that has some depth of character and stays together," he said.
Segment 2 - Ruby Brannon
Eastern Michigan guard Ruby Brannon used this week's Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE to detail her path from coastal Australia to Division I basketball, outline major cultural and competitive adjustments, and explain how EMU's international roster shaped her transition.
Brannon told host Elena Davis that her earliest shock came from simple scale. "Definitely the size of everything," she said. "Food, stores, everything is way bigger." She pushed back against the idea that Australia is overrun with spiders. "I think I've seen bigger spiders in Mississippi and Michigan than I have in Australia," she said.
Brannon is set to become sports editor of the Eastern Echo, a role that requires quick learning of American sports. She laughed as she described her first football game. "I remember being super excited, then showing up and the realization hit me that it goes for almost three hours. I was like, what is this, I don't want to be here." She said the game changed once she learned the rules. "It is way more enjoyable to watch."
Her biggest on court shift involved moving from FIBA basketball to the American game. "We play under the FIBA rules," she said. "The style of play is super different." She pointed to dribble heavy offense in the United States. "The system I played in back at home was all pass first," she said. "There's not a lot of dribbling." She added that full court defense in her old system created a different pace.
Brannon said EMU's international presence eased her adjustment. "I was the only international in my second year at junior college," she said. "I found that pretty isolating." Eastern brought the opposite experience. "We've got eight or nine of us. It makes the place feel a lot more like home." She said teammates provide connection on and off the court. "We're quite literally the best of friends off the court."
Asked how she describes her hometown, Brannon did not hesitate. "It is quite literally paradise," she said. She added details about walking barefoot, the beach, nearby mountains, and proximity to Sydney. The distance from home remains challenging. "Travel day is about 27 hours," she said. The time zone gap forced her to establish consistent routines with her mother. "When she's on her way to school in the morning, that's my time to call."
Brannon said the college pathway drew her toward basketball. "If I want to do this, pursue this career path, I've got to be all in," she said. She credited disciplined teammates in Australia for helping her take the sport seriously.
The pace of Division I basketball presented the biggest on court hurdle. "The foot speed of girls here," she said. "The athleticism is extremely high." She said her training focus is clear. "That first step quickness is something I didn't realize I didn't have until I got here."
Brannon described herself as the team's vocal spark. "I'm the energy kid," she said. "I'm going crazy on that bench. I am super loud." A strong performance, she said, is easy to recognize. "The huddles are tight, the bench is loud, we're getting hype."
She closed by outlining the team's main priority. "We're focused on consistency," she said. "Stacking days. Bringing effort and toughness every single day."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan's rivalry week and a full holiday slate set the tone for Episode 14 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE, as hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened with a mix of Thanksgiving notes, postseason math, and senior night reflections that framed the final week of the 2025 regular season.
Steiner started the focus on Tuesday night's matchup with Western Michigan, a game with major league implications for the Broncos and a spoiler opportunity for Eastern. "The most likely scenario is that Western Michigan is playing in the MAC championship, but there are 32 outcomes, including seven that see CMU and Western Michigan rematching."
Steiner noted how rare that pairing would be at Ford Field. "Western Michigan, Miami, Ohio, Central Michigan and Toledo are all still in the hunt with four critical football games," he said. He added that 25 of the 32 possible results keep the Broncos on track for Detroit. Davis asked about Western's previous trip. Steiner answered without pause. "P. J. Fleck, his final year," he said. "It has to be 2016." He remembered the date for a personal reason. "It is the only MAC championship I have not done in the last twenty years because I was on my way to the Bahamas to set up the introductory press conference for Eastern Michigan being in the Bahamas Bowl."
Davis laughed at the memory. "Was that cool?" she asked. Steiner said the trip stood out. He recalled Western's strong showing that season. "They rolled to an easy victory and lost to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl," he said.
Attention turned to Eastern's senior night. Fifteen players will walk before kickoff. "Time goes by fast in college," Davis said. She pointed to quarterback Noah Kim as an example of the emotion behind the moment. "First year here, ending his collegiate football time here and still emotional," she said. "Walking with your parents, you get sad. This is really happening."
The hosts outlined ticket information and promotions. Steiner noted that buyers before noon Tuesday receive the five dollar offer. The first 200 fans receive a scarf, while the next 500 receive a slice of pizza.
Basketball updates followed. Steiner highlighted EMU's wins over Detroit Mercy and Oakland before a road test at Louisville. Davis praised freshman Mo Habhab and noted he finished one assist short of a triple double. "You cannot get better than that," she said. They also looked ahead to women's basketball, which starts a home stretch Wednesday against Robert Morris.
Davis then previewed the episode's featured interview with Ruby Brannon. She said the junior guard brought humor and perspective. "She is such a talker," Davis said. The conversation touched on Brannon's move from Australia, cultural differences, and early impressions. "When you think of Australia, what is the first thing that comes to mind?" Davis asked Steiner. "Kangaroos," he replied. Davis insisted her own answer was spiders. "Someone has to agree with me," she said.
The open closed with holiday reflections. Davis said she felt thankful for family, friends and professional momentum. Steiner said he appreciated the show's audience. "I am thankful for our listeners who tune in every Monday," he said.
The episode then shifted toward interviews with head coach Chris Creighton and Brannon as Eastern prepared for a defining week on and off the field.
Segment 1 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan Head Coach Chris Creighton used this week's Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE to break down a two game surge, highlight senior leadership, and set the stage for the regular season finale. He spoke with plain detail about preparation, development, and the push to finish strong at home.
Creighton opened by noting how fast the year moved. "It goes fast every year," he said. With a day to go before the finale, he pointed to a wire to wire win at Ball State as an example of full team progress. "It did feel like it was a complete game," he said. He added that perfection was not the standard. He focused on readiness. "The guys handled all of that well, and they were ready to go from the beginning."
Wind shaped the start. "We won the toss and deferred," he said. Eastern kicked into the wind. They covered the kick, forced a punt, then scored on the first drive. "It was probably the best start," he said.
Running back Jermarian Wheeler stood out. He rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Creighton noted the timing, because Wheeler delivered his senior message the night before the game. "He did an awesome job," Creighton said. "He had his best game by far of his career."
Freshman defensive end Quincy Bias continued to grow. Bias recorded one and a half sacks. Creighton emphasized the progress of both Bias and fellow freshman Hector Rodriguez. "They are everything we want in an Eastern Michigan football player," he said. He added praise for Bias. "He was awesome on Saturday."
Creighton addressed a late season jump on defense. Sacks over six weeks increased by 400 percent. Yards allowed per game dropped by almost 30 percent. He credited experience and improved planning. "There is a balance between the game plan and too much," he said. "Our defensive staff has done a good job with making sure our guys are confident and able to play."
He also touched on a brief meeting with former Eastern running back Shaq Van, who now works at Ball State. "Super proud of him," Creighton said.
Western Michigan awaits in the finale. The Broncos seek a league title shot. Creighton said the energy of the matchup fits the moment. "You could not ask for a better script," he said. The game lands at home, on senior night, with a long running rival across the field. He said Eastern wants to finish strong. "We want to play our absolute best football," he said.
He expects Western's quarterback run game to test the defense. "He is more of a powerful runner," Creighton said. He described a player who fights for hard yards and forces defenders to finish tackles.
Creighton also discussed the Senior Day tradition in which each senior brings the most influential man in his life into the locker room. "It is right before we take the field," he said. He said the moment gives players a space to speak clearly about support, sacrifice, and connection.
Asked about gratitude in 2025, Creighton listed faith, family, and the strength of his team. "I am thankful for a team that has some depth of character and stays together," he said.
Segment 2 - Ruby Brannon
Eastern Michigan guard Ruby Brannon used this week's Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE to detail her path from coastal Australia to Division I basketball, outline major cultural and competitive adjustments, and explain how EMU's international roster shaped her transition.
Brannon told host Elena Davis that her earliest shock came from simple scale. "Definitely the size of everything," she said. "Food, stores, everything is way bigger." She pushed back against the idea that Australia is overrun with spiders. "I think I've seen bigger spiders in Mississippi and Michigan than I have in Australia," she said.
Brannon is set to become sports editor of the Eastern Echo, a role that requires quick learning of American sports. She laughed as she described her first football game. "I remember being super excited, then showing up and the realization hit me that it goes for almost three hours. I was like, what is this, I don't want to be here." She said the game changed once she learned the rules. "It is way more enjoyable to watch."
Her biggest on court shift involved moving from FIBA basketball to the American game. "We play under the FIBA rules," she said. "The style of play is super different." She pointed to dribble heavy offense in the United States. "The system I played in back at home was all pass first," she said. "There's not a lot of dribbling." She added that full court defense in her old system created a different pace.
Brannon said EMU's international presence eased her adjustment. "I was the only international in my second year at junior college," she said. "I found that pretty isolating." Eastern brought the opposite experience. "We've got eight or nine of us. It makes the place feel a lot more like home." She said teammates provide connection on and off the court. "We're quite literally the best of friends off the court."
Asked how she describes her hometown, Brannon did not hesitate. "It is quite literally paradise," she said. She added details about walking barefoot, the beach, nearby mountains, and proximity to Sydney. The distance from home remains challenging. "Travel day is about 27 hours," she said. The time zone gap forced her to establish consistent routines with her mother. "When she's on her way to school in the morning, that's my time to call."
Brannon said the college pathway drew her toward basketball. "If I want to do this, pursue this career path, I've got to be all in," she said. She credited disciplined teammates in Australia for helping her take the sport seriously.
The pace of Division I basketball presented the biggest on court hurdle. "The foot speed of girls here," she said. "The athleticism is extremely high." She said her training focus is clear. "That first step quickness is something I didn't realize I didn't have until I got here."
Brannon described herself as the team's vocal spark. "I'm the energy kid," she said. "I'm going crazy on that bench. I am super loud." A strong performance, she said, is easy to recognize. "The huddles are tight, the bench is loud, we're getting hype."
She closed by outlining the team's main priority. "We're focused on consistency," she said. "Stacking days. Bringing effort and toughness every single day."
Players Mentioned
S/W
/ Women's Basketball
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