Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 15
12/1/2025 5:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Football, General
EMU Scores Wins, Packs Miles, Features Cea and President Smith
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened Episode 15 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE with an extended rundown of one of the busiest weeks of the fall, a stretch they said produced "a lot of W's" across campus. The tone shifted between celebration, surprise and light humor as the pair framed the week's biggest storylines, starting with the men's basketball team's road upset at Cincinnati.
Steiner noted the win marked EMU's first road victory over a Power Conference opponent since 2014. Davis quickly reminded listeners that Steiner predicted the outcome before tipoff. "You called that game," she said. Steiner admitted he felt good about the matchup, even if the timing brought risk. "I said we were going to win this game," he said. "Could have looked poorly on my decision, but thankfully the guys went down there and bailed me out. A good team effort."
Steiner said he sensed a chance for EMU to take advantage of scheduling factors. He pointed to Cincinnati's injuries and the Bearcats' looming rivalry matchup with Xavier. The hosts differed on whether Cincinnati overlooked the Eagles, but Steiner said the holiday timing offered a reminder of how teams slip. "Sometimes you know a holiday is the next day and you're more worried about that Thanksgiving turkey than rebounding really well," he said.
EMU followed the upset with a home win over NJIT. Davis praised the players for navigating what she called a "2 a.m. Thanksgiving arrival" followed by a game later that day. "I mean, how is that even possible," she said. "You get home at 2 a.m., have Thanksgiving with your family, and then play a basketball game the next day."
Attention turned to the upcoming stretch: a national television matchup at Butler, then a home game against Cleary led by former EMU standout Carl Thomas. Steiner highlighted Thomas' return, noting his place in program history. "A member of that EMU team that was able to win in the NCAA and march to the Sweet 16," he said.
The women's team continued its upward trend as well. Davis pointed out that the Eagles surpassed last season's win total after defeating Detroit Mercy. "Sahar Nusseibeh and company continue to roll," Steiner said, previewing a homestand that includes Defiance and Duquesne before a trip to Indiana.
The show also teased two major interviews: junior point guard Ainhoa Cea and EMU President James Smith. Davis said Cea's adjustment from Spain produced some of her favorite off-mic conversations, including a discussion about routine on home game days. "She doesn't have that routine yet," Davis said. "She was like, what do I do? Do I go home before the game? Do I take a nap?"
Food came up too. Davis laughed while describing their exchange about Spanish cuisine. "I asked her what she misses food-wise," Davis said. "She's like, a Spanish omelet. I don't know if I've ever had that."
Steiner previewed Smith's farewell feature from the football broadcast. He said Smith used the conversation to reflect on a decade of campus change and the upcoming move to Northern Kentucky. "He will be departing the university in June," Steiner said. "He will be following Eastern Michigan from afar."
The hosts closed by promoting Giving Tuesday and the upcoming football signing day. Steiner said early enrollees played a role last season and will again. "A lot of this class is expected to be on campus for spring ball," he said.
Davis wrapped the segment by previewing Friday's basketball doubleheader and encouraging fans to donate winter clothing for free admission. "Your chance to enjoy Eastern Michigan athletics for no real cost," Steiner added.
Segment 1 - Ainhoa Cea
Eastern Michigan guard Ainhoa Cea shared her path from Spain to Ypsilanti and the early success of her first season on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. The junior point guard has started every game so far, a mark she said reflects the confidence the program placed in her from day one.
She said the starting role matters because it shows how much her teammates and coaches trust her. She added that it also shows they know what she is capable of. Cea joined EMU after three seasons at Lipscomb. She entered the transfer portal late in the spring and said the process moved fast. She recalled a hectic stretch with constant calls, but one conversation stood out. She said she felt right away that Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh was a great person. She said she did not want to hang up the phone because the connection felt strong.
A Zoom call with the full coaching staff confirmed her choice. She said the way the assistants spoke about one another and about the program showed a united vision. She said she believed in that vision and felt lucky to join the roster.
Cea described the biggest basketball change after leaving Spain. She said the pace in the United States pushed her from the start. She attended a prep school for a year to adjust to the speed and physical style. She said that helped her handle fast decisions. She explained that in college she has one second to read a play or risk a turnover.
The move also required language adjustments. She studied English from a young age and attended after school programs. She said that helped her, but the first month in the United States still brought challenges. She said the accent, slang, and basketball terms took time to learn.
Life outside the gym changed as well. Cea said the lifestyle in Spain centers on public transportation and close communities. Her hometown of Irun sits in the Basque Country near the French border. She said people often spend time in three nearby towns because they sit so close together. She said daily life in the United States feels larger and more spread out.
Eastern Michigan has one of the country's highest totals of international players. Cea said she enjoys that environment because teammates from different countries understand what the transition feels like. She said the variety of accents and jokes adds to team chemistry.
She said she misses Spanish omelets the most. She said she can make one, but the process takes time and she enjoyed picking one up at home. Basketball runs deep in her family. Her father coached professionally and now works with young players. Her mother played professionally and still plays for fun. Cea said she spent her childhood at practices and fell in love with the sport early.
Cea also shared that she is engaged. Her fiance plays professionally in Switzerland. Both have one more year of school, so they continue long distance. She said they plan to marry in Spain.
Cea closed by highlighting the team's style. She said EMU plays fast, takes many shots, forces turnovers, and stays aggressive. She said she hopes fans show up because the games stay close and the pace makes them fun to watch.
Segment 2 - President James Smith
Eastern Michigan President James Smith used his final home game as a moment to reflect on ten years of work, community ties, and the people he says shaped his tenure. He joined Greg Steiner, Tom Helmer, and Rob Rubick at halftime of the EMU football game against Western Michigan. The conversation mixed light humor with candid thoughts about leadership, campus change, and what comes next.
Smith opened by acknowledging the emotion of closing out his last game on campus before retirement in June. He said the difficult part is not the job itself, but the people he will leave behind. "You miss the camaraderie more than you think about the opportunities to do this," Smith said. He noted how much he valued time spent with the broadcast crew at games around the country. "Those are the things that you think about."
Asked about the accomplishments he values most, Smith pointed to the physical transformation of campus. He highlighted new residence halls and updated academic spaces shaped through detailed input from faculty and students. "I think the transformation of the look of campus," Smith said. "We worked hard to make the residence halls what students wanted in today's world. We worked hard to give faculty what they thought they needed. They are the experts."
He also cited teamwork as a point of pride. "We have kept our cabinet largely in place, so we have been able to work as a team," Smith said. "We have done good work on behalf of the university."
When asked what he hopes his legacy will be, Smith referenced advice he received early in his career. "The only thing you can ask for is did I make the place better when I left than when I came," he said. "I think we have made the place better."
The hosts also touched on the community work that Smith and his wife Connie have taken on in Washtenaw County. Smith described a recent event at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Center that distributed more than 1,000 meals. He credited Connie for much of the work. "She was fundamental in raising the money," he said. "People were there as early as 5:30 in the morning. The need was great."
Helmer shared a personal story about Smith's connection with students, including his own son. Smith said those relationships come from his roots in public schools. "I love being with students, and I hope students can see that," Smith said. "I try to speak to every one of the student government reps that are there."
The conversation shifted to WEMU, the station carrying the broadcast. Smith praised the work done inside what he described as a cramped and outdated studio. "We do great radio in a bad locale," Smith said. He encouraged listeners to support the station and the wider Giving Tuesday effort. "A 10 dollar gift is not inconsequential," he said. "Every gift they get, they will use to the best of their abilities."
Looking ahead, Smith plans to travel with Connie and explore new places. He also hopes to return to education work in a consulting role. "We want to help schools around the world," he said. "There are places where kids have to fight every day to get the education we take almost for granted."
Smith closed by thanking the broadcast crew and the fans. "This is a great team," he said. "I will be listening from afar."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened Episode 15 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE with an extended rundown of one of the busiest weeks of the fall, a stretch they said produced "a lot of W's" across campus. The tone shifted between celebration, surprise and light humor as the pair framed the week's biggest storylines, starting with the men's basketball team's road upset at Cincinnati.
Steiner noted the win marked EMU's first road victory over a Power Conference opponent since 2014. Davis quickly reminded listeners that Steiner predicted the outcome before tipoff. "You called that game," she said. Steiner admitted he felt good about the matchup, even if the timing brought risk. "I said we were going to win this game," he said. "Could have looked poorly on my decision, but thankfully the guys went down there and bailed me out. A good team effort."
Steiner said he sensed a chance for EMU to take advantage of scheduling factors. He pointed to Cincinnati's injuries and the Bearcats' looming rivalry matchup with Xavier. The hosts differed on whether Cincinnati overlooked the Eagles, but Steiner said the holiday timing offered a reminder of how teams slip. "Sometimes you know a holiday is the next day and you're more worried about that Thanksgiving turkey than rebounding really well," he said.
EMU followed the upset with a home win over NJIT. Davis praised the players for navigating what she called a "2 a.m. Thanksgiving arrival" followed by a game later that day. "I mean, how is that even possible," she said. "You get home at 2 a.m., have Thanksgiving with your family, and then play a basketball game the next day."
Attention turned to the upcoming stretch: a national television matchup at Butler, then a home game against Cleary led by former EMU standout Carl Thomas. Steiner highlighted Thomas' return, noting his place in program history. "A member of that EMU team that was able to win in the NCAA and march to the Sweet 16," he said.
The women's team continued its upward trend as well. Davis pointed out that the Eagles surpassed last season's win total after defeating Detroit Mercy. "Sahar Nusseibeh and company continue to roll," Steiner said, previewing a homestand that includes Defiance and Duquesne before a trip to Indiana.
The show also teased two major interviews: junior point guard Ainhoa Cea and EMU President James Smith. Davis said Cea's adjustment from Spain produced some of her favorite off-mic conversations, including a discussion about routine on home game days. "She doesn't have that routine yet," Davis said. "She was like, what do I do? Do I go home before the game? Do I take a nap?"
Food came up too. Davis laughed while describing their exchange about Spanish cuisine. "I asked her what she misses food-wise," Davis said. "She's like, a Spanish omelet. I don't know if I've ever had that."
Steiner previewed Smith's farewell feature from the football broadcast. He said Smith used the conversation to reflect on a decade of campus change and the upcoming move to Northern Kentucky. "He will be departing the university in June," Steiner said. "He will be following Eastern Michigan from afar."
The hosts closed by promoting Giving Tuesday and the upcoming football signing day. Steiner said early enrollees played a role last season and will again. "A lot of this class is expected to be on campus for spring ball," he said.
Davis wrapped the segment by previewing Friday's basketball doubleheader and encouraging fans to donate winter clothing for free admission. "Your chance to enjoy Eastern Michigan athletics for no real cost," Steiner added.
Segment 1 - Ainhoa Cea
Eastern Michigan guard Ainhoa Cea shared her path from Spain to Ypsilanti and the early success of her first season on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. The junior point guard has started every game so far, a mark she said reflects the confidence the program placed in her from day one.
She said the starting role matters because it shows how much her teammates and coaches trust her. She added that it also shows they know what she is capable of. Cea joined EMU after three seasons at Lipscomb. She entered the transfer portal late in the spring and said the process moved fast. She recalled a hectic stretch with constant calls, but one conversation stood out. She said she felt right away that Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh was a great person. She said she did not want to hang up the phone because the connection felt strong.
A Zoom call with the full coaching staff confirmed her choice. She said the way the assistants spoke about one another and about the program showed a united vision. She said she believed in that vision and felt lucky to join the roster.
Cea described the biggest basketball change after leaving Spain. She said the pace in the United States pushed her from the start. She attended a prep school for a year to adjust to the speed and physical style. She said that helped her handle fast decisions. She explained that in college she has one second to read a play or risk a turnover.
The move also required language adjustments. She studied English from a young age and attended after school programs. She said that helped her, but the first month in the United States still brought challenges. She said the accent, slang, and basketball terms took time to learn.
Life outside the gym changed as well. Cea said the lifestyle in Spain centers on public transportation and close communities. Her hometown of Irun sits in the Basque Country near the French border. She said people often spend time in three nearby towns because they sit so close together. She said daily life in the United States feels larger and more spread out.
Eastern Michigan has one of the country's highest totals of international players. Cea said she enjoys that environment because teammates from different countries understand what the transition feels like. She said the variety of accents and jokes adds to team chemistry.
She said she misses Spanish omelets the most. She said she can make one, but the process takes time and she enjoyed picking one up at home. Basketball runs deep in her family. Her father coached professionally and now works with young players. Her mother played professionally and still plays for fun. Cea said she spent her childhood at practices and fell in love with the sport early.
Cea also shared that she is engaged. Her fiance plays professionally in Switzerland. Both have one more year of school, so they continue long distance. She said they plan to marry in Spain.
Cea closed by highlighting the team's style. She said EMU plays fast, takes many shots, forces turnovers, and stays aggressive. She said she hopes fans show up because the games stay close and the pace makes them fun to watch.
Segment 2 - President James Smith
Eastern Michigan President James Smith used his final home game as a moment to reflect on ten years of work, community ties, and the people he says shaped his tenure. He joined Greg Steiner, Tom Helmer, and Rob Rubick at halftime of the EMU football game against Western Michigan. The conversation mixed light humor with candid thoughts about leadership, campus change, and what comes next.
Smith opened by acknowledging the emotion of closing out his last game on campus before retirement in June. He said the difficult part is not the job itself, but the people he will leave behind. "You miss the camaraderie more than you think about the opportunities to do this," Smith said. He noted how much he valued time spent with the broadcast crew at games around the country. "Those are the things that you think about."
Asked about the accomplishments he values most, Smith pointed to the physical transformation of campus. He highlighted new residence halls and updated academic spaces shaped through detailed input from faculty and students. "I think the transformation of the look of campus," Smith said. "We worked hard to make the residence halls what students wanted in today's world. We worked hard to give faculty what they thought they needed. They are the experts."
He also cited teamwork as a point of pride. "We have kept our cabinet largely in place, so we have been able to work as a team," Smith said. "We have done good work on behalf of the university."
When asked what he hopes his legacy will be, Smith referenced advice he received early in his career. "The only thing you can ask for is did I make the place better when I left than when I came," he said. "I think we have made the place better."
The hosts also touched on the community work that Smith and his wife Connie have taken on in Washtenaw County. Smith described a recent event at the George Gervin GameAbove Center Center that distributed more than 1,000 meals. He credited Connie for much of the work. "She was fundamental in raising the money," he said. "People were there as early as 5:30 in the morning. The need was great."
Helmer shared a personal story about Smith's connection with students, including his own son. Smith said those relationships come from his roots in public schools. "I love being with students, and I hope students can see that," Smith said. "I try to speak to every one of the student government reps that are there."
The conversation shifted to WEMU, the station carrying the broadcast. Smith praised the work done inside what he described as a cramped and outdated studio. "We do great radio in a bad locale," Smith said. He encouraged listeners to support the station and the wider Giving Tuesday effort. "A 10 dollar gift is not inconsequential," he said. "Every gift they get, they will use to the best of their abilities."
Looking ahead, Smith plans to travel with Connie and explore new places. He also hopes to return to education work in a consulting role. "We want to help schools around the world," he said. "There are places where kids have to fight every day to get the education we take almost for granted."
Smith closed by thanking the broadcast crew and the fans. "This is a great team," he said. "I will be listening from afar."
Players Mentioned
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