Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, December 19
Akron, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Akron
Photo by: Joey Wolter
Eastern Opening MAC Play at Akron Friday
12/17/2025 1:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Friday game slated for 7 p.m. start
| Men's Basketball at Akron | |
| Dates/Times | Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 | 7 p.m. |
| Venue | James A. Rhoades Arena (5,500) | Akron, Ohio |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) |
| Watch Live | ESPN+ |
| Listen Live | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| Live Stats | Live Stats |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| @emumbb | @emuathletics | |
| Tickets | Tickets for home games |
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Akron will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer will have the call live on WEMU (89.1 FM) and the Varsity Network App. Live stats will also be available on EMUEagles.com.
OPENING TIPS
» EMU dropped an 80-65 decision at Purdue Fort Wayne, Dec. 10, trailing by as many as 26 in the second half.
» Eastern had 11 different players convert at least one field goal in the 86-48 win against Cleary, Dec. 5.
» Godslove Nwabude led EMU with 14 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks against Cleary, Dec. 5.
» Four Eagles scored double-digit points but Eastern could not hold its 29-25 lead until the end, ultimately falling, 84-68, at Butler, Dec. 2.
» Helped by career highs for Goldslove Nwabude in points (12), rebounds (14), blocks (4), and steals (4) and Mohammad Habhab's 22 points, Eastern outscored NJIT by 18 points in the second half to win, 73-55, Nov. 28.
»Mohammad Habhab, who is tied for 10th in the nation with five double-doubles, is one of five players in the country to average at least 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
»Eastern finished 9-9 in MAC play and 16-16 overall in the 2024-25 season, and secured its bid to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2020, playing in postseason competition in Cleveland for the first time since 2018.
»EMU replaced key contributors from last year's squad. The Eagles returned 7.8% of minutes played (502) and 2.9% of points scored (69), returning four players.
»Eastern played a quartet of high-profile road games in the 2025-26 season (Nov. 10 at Pittsburgh, Nov. 24 at No. 6 Louisville, Nov. 26 at Cincinnati, and Dec. 2 at Butler).
»The Eagles were picked ninth in the MAC Preseason Poll after tying for sixth last season.
»EMU has nine players from the state of Michigan, its most since the 2022-23 season (11).
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fifth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 53-83 record at EMU and a 262-290 record over 18 years as a collegiate head coach.
PFW RECAP, DEC. 10
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST PFW
» PFW led, 8-2.
» EMU hit four three-pointers in a 2:22 span to lead 14-13.
» PFW outscored EMU 34-16 the rest of the way to lead, 47-29, at halftime.
» PFW expanded its lead to as many as 26 at 59-33 with 13:59 left.
» EMU made a 23-10 run to cut the deficit to 69-56 at the 6:36 mark.
» PFW won, 80-65.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST PFW
» Addison Patterson: 13 points (6-9 FG)
» Mak Manciel: nine points (3-5 3PT)
» Gregory Lawson II: six points (2-3 3PT)
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST PFW
» Both teams shot 50.0% but EMU had 25 made field goals to PFW's 28
» EMU was 7-of-15 (46.7%) from the free throw line while PFW was 19-of-23 (82.6%)
SHOT 50% AND LOST
Eastern was 25-for-50 (50.0%) against PFW, Dec. 10, marking the team's first loss when shooting at least 50% since Feb. 11, 2025, when Eastern shot 55.6% in the loss at Ball State.
The 80-65 loss is EMU's largest when shooting at least 50% since Feb. 10, 2010, at Buffalo, when Eastern shot 52.2% in an 84-67 loss.
MAK MANCIEL TRIO OF THREE-POINTERS
Mak Manciel put in a trio of three-pointers at PFW, Dec. 10.
Manciel, who is shooting 43.9% from three-point range this season, has seven made threes in the last three games, producing his 17th career game with at least three triples against the Mastodons.
GREGORY LAWSON II TWO THREE-POINTERS
Highly-touted freshman Gregory Lawson II nailed a pair of triples at PFW, Dec. 10.
Lawson II has played 34 minutes over the last two contests, compared to averaging 2.1 minutes per game in his previous seven games played.
CLEARY RECAP, DEC. 5
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST CLEARY
» Cleary scored the first basket, but EMU used a 17-2 run to take control.
» EMU's 10-0 spurt pushed the lead to 44-23 at halftime.
» EMU opened the second half with a 15-2 run to lead 59-25.
» EMU closed the game with a 12-4 spurt to win 86-48.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST CLEARY
» Godslove Nwabude: 14 points, nine rebounds, and five steals
» Addison Patterson: 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 16:33 of court time
» Mbaye N'Diaye: eight points, five rebounds, two assists
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST CLEARY
» EMU had 11 players make at least one field goal
» EMU's bench outscored Cleary's, 41-28
» EMU outscored Cleary in the paint, 52-26
11 PLAYERS WITH ONE MADE FIELD GOAL
The Eagles had 11 different players convert at least one field goal against Cleary, Dec. 5, for the first time since Jan. 11, 2022, against Central Michigan. In both the Cleary and CMU games, Eastern had nine different players net multiple field goals.
41 BENCH POINTS
Eastern scored 41 bench points against Cleary, Dec. 5, its most since recording 50 bench points against Central Michigan, Jan. 11, 2022.
52 PAINT POINTS
EMU scored 52 paint points against Cleary, Dec. 5, its second-most of the season, as the Eagles had 54 paint points against Georgia State, Nov. 3.
LARGEST WIN SINCE 2020
Eastern's 86-48 win over Cleary, Dec. 5, is its largest since beating Adrian, Dec. 9, 2020.
FEWEST POINTS ALLOWED SINCE 2022
The Eagles' 86-48 win over Cleary, Dec. 5, marks its fewest points allowed since giving up just 46 to Akron, Jan. 22, 2022.
NWABUDE CAREER HIGH IN POINTS/BLOCKS
Godslove Nwabude continued his strong play against Cleary, Dec. 5, scoring a career-high 14 points off a career-high seven made field goals. The sophomore forward added a career-high five blocks while falling just one rebound short of his second career double-double.
MBAYE N'DIAYE'S BEST GAME
Mbaye N'Diaye saw significant time for the first time in his career against Cleary, Dec. 5, producing the best performance of his career with eight points, five rebounds, and two assists. N'Diaye played 21:38 in the contest despite having played a combined 6:27 the rest of his career.
BUTLER RECAP, DEC. 2
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST BUTLER
» Butler led, 11-7.
» An 8-0 run for Eastern propelled it to a 29-25 lead.
» Butler scored 16 points in the last 4:39 of the half to lead, 41-36, at halftime.
» EMU cut the lead to 47-41.
» Butler used a 12-5 run to lead 59-46 before a 9-0 run late in the game put the contest away.
» Butler won, 84-68.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST BUTLER
» Mohammad Habhab: 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals
» Mak Manciel: 12 points (3-4 3PT) in 16 minutes
» Merritt Alderink: six points in 2:25 of court time after hitting three-pointers on back-to-back possessions
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST BUTLER
» EMU was 8-for-14 (57.1%) from three-point range but Butler countered with an 11-for-20 (55.0%) mark
» EMU was 12-for-13 (92.3%) from the free throw line
MAK MANCIEL FROM THREE
Mak Manciel's three made triples at Butler, Dec. 2, mark his 16th career game with at least three made three-pointers. Manciel has done so twice at Eastern, with the other coming against Oakland, Nov. 21.
MERRITT ALDERINK FROM THREE
Merritt Alderink drilled three-pointers in back-to-back possessions at Butler, Dec. 2, marking his first made triples in an Eagle uniform and the first time in his career that he has made multiple threes in one game.
NJIT RECAP, NOV. 28
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST NJIT
» NJIT took an 18-12 lead.
» EMU's 6-0 run to close the first half tied the game at 31-31.
» EMU used an 8-0 run to lead, 44-37.
» An 11-0 EMU spurt as part of a 17-3 run to put the game out of reach.
» EMU won, 73-55.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST NJIT
» Godslove Nwabude: career-highs in points (12), rebounds (14), blocks (4), steals (4), and minutes (28)
» Mohammad Habhab: 22 points and four rebounds
» Jon Sanders II: 14 points, two assists, and two steals
» Addison Patterson: seven points, six assists, career-high four steals
» Aidan Rubio: eight points in 9:45 of court time
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST NJIT
» EMU limited NJIT to 19-of-52 (36.2%) shooting while going 29-of-58 (50.0%) from the floor
» EMU forced a season-high 19 turnovers
» EMU blocked seven shots, all in the first half
CAREER DAY FOR GODSLOVE
Godslove Nwabude produced his first career double-double in the best game of his career against NJIT, Nov. 28.
Nwabude notched top career marks in points (12), rebounds (14), blocks (4), steals (4), and minutes (28).
Nwabude is the only player in the nation this season to produce at least 12 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals.
Only one player did so during the 2024-25 season as then-UAB Blazer and current Michigan Wolverine Yaxel Lendeborg had 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and five steals against East Carolina on March 14, 2025.
Former Akron Zip and current Indiana Pacer Enrique Freeman was the most recent MAC player to record at least 12 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals in one game, Dec. 7, 2023.
The 16 Players with 12+ Points, 14+ Rebounds, 4+ Blocks, and 4+ Steals in One Game Since 2002-03:
Godslove Nwabude EMU Nov. 28, 2025
Yaxel Lendeborg UAB March 14, 2025
Enrique Freeman Akron Dec. 7, 2023
Norchad Amier Arkansas St. Feb. 23, 2022
Paul Reed Jr. DePaul Dec. 8, 2019
Lamine Diane CSUN Jan. 5, 2019
Ben Lammers GA Tech Nov. 19, 2017
Pascal Siakam NMST Feb. 20, 2016
Trayvon Palmer Chicago St. Nov. 18, 2015
Ryan Bacon St. Peter's Jan. 21, 2011
Gregory Echenique Rutgers March 1, 2009
Marqus Blakely Vermont Feb. 20, 2008
Joseph Harris Coastal Carolina Dec. 7, 2007
Aleks Maric Nebraska Nov. 17, 2007
Mark Zoller Penn March 2, 2007
Cuthbert Victor Murray State Jan. 29, 2004
Nwabude, who played 28:03, is the only player on the list to accomplish the feat in less than 30 minutes.
MOMAMMAD HABHAB'S 22 POINTS
Mohammad Habhab had just seven points 30 minutes into the game against NJIT, Nov. 28, before scoring 15 points in the game's final 9:16, including a trio of dunks in the last 2:12 of the contest.
Habhab's 22 points mark his second career game with at least 20 points (24 vs. Oakland, Nov. 21).
AIDAN RUBIO'S EIGHT POINTS
Aidan Rubio provided a key boost in the win over NJIT, Nov. 28, scoring eight of EMU's 10 bench points.
Rubio rebounded an Eagle airball before laying it in in the first half, before drilling three-pointers 34 seconds apart in the second half, extending EMU's lead to 10, its largest advantage of the game at the time.
ON THE AKRON GAME
IF EASTERN WINS...
» EMU will improve to 25-38 all-time against Akron.
» EMU will improve to 11-20 all-time at Akron.
» EMU will have won back-to-back road games at Akron for the first time since winning there in both 1996 and 1997.
» EMU will improve to 21-31 all-time in MAC openers and 20-32 in its first MAC road contest of the season.
EASTERN AGAINST AKRON
Eastern is 24-38 all-time against Akron and 10-20 all-time at Akron.
EMU has not won back-to-back contests at UA since 1996 and 1997.
Full series history against Akron can be found on page 3.
MAC OPENERS
The Eagles are 20-31 all-time in MAC openers and 19-32 in their first MAC road contest of the season.
Eastern is 2-2 in MAC openers during Stan Heath's tenure, most recently beating NIU, 75-71, to start the 2024-25 MAC slate.
EMU has dropped three-straight MAC road openers and is seeking its first such win since an 85-79 win at Western Michigan, Jan. 4, 2022. Despite the three-straight losses in MAC road openers, the Eagles hold a 7-8 mark in the last 15 such games.
EARLY MAC GAME
The Dec. 19 MAC opener at Akron marks EMU's earliest MAC game in a non-COVID season since the 2004-05 season (Nov. 30, 2004, vs. Marshall).
With Eastern's Dec. 30 game against UMass, the Eagles will have played multiple MAC contests before the turn of the calendar for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign.
THREE-STRAIGHT ROAD GAMES
Eastern Michigan is on a three-game road swing against PFW, Dec. 10; Akron, Dec. 19, and at Wright State, Dec. 22.
EMU also played four straight road games in the 2024-25 season, going 3-1 in that span.
» at IU Indy, Nov. 14, W, 74-71
» at Cleveland State, Nov. 16, L, 63-71
» at Oakland, Nov. 21, W, 68-64
» at Houston Christian, Nov. 25, W, 74-73
Before last season, Eastern had not played three-straight road games since the 2019-20 season, when the Eagles closed the campaign with a pair of road contests before dropping a MAC Tournament game at Kent State to the Golden Flashes.
Prior to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, Eastern's last consecutive three-game road stretch was in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns.
Adding in Eastern's road contests at Louisville, Nov. 24, at Cincinnati, Nov. 26, and at Butler, Dec. 2, EMU has six road games in an eight-game span for the first time since the 2013-14 team also played six-of-eight games "true" road games in a stretch that saw the Eagles play at No. 9 Duke and at No. 2 Syracuse.
EASTERN AGAINST THE MAC
Eastern holds a 485-551 all-time mark against current Mid-American Conference schools.
Full series history against Akron can be found on page 3.
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE CURRENT MAC SCHOOLS 485-551
»Akron 24-38
»Ball State 46-72
»Bowling Green 45-58
»Buffalo 16-22
»Central Michigan 102-107
»Kent State 36-51
»Miami 30-56
»Northern Illinois 48-59
»Ohio 29-55
»Toledo 53-64
»UMass 0-3
»Western Michigan 56-66
IN CASE EASTERN SCORES A LOT
With Eastern's 97-point output against Oakland, Nov. 21, the Eagles have shown the ability to score at a high rate, despite being ranked 12th in the MAC at 71.9 points per game.
Last time Eastern scored EXACTLY...
»135 or more: never
»134: Feb. 5, 1970 at Hillsdale (W, 134-113)
»127-133: never
»126: Feb. 12, 1969 vs. Hillsdale (W, 126-90)
»124-125: never
»123: Dec. 11, 1971 vs. SIUE (W, 123-88)
»121-122: never
»120: Feb. 20, 1991 vs. Chicago State (W, 120-77)
»119: Nov. 14, 2008 vs. Marygrove (W, 119-48)
»118: March 2, 1974 vs. Wheaton (W, 118-45)
»117: Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Siena Heights (W, 117-55)
»116: Feb. 23, 1970 vs. Kentucky State (W, 116-98)
»115: Dec. 2, 2002 vs. Concordia (Mich.) (W, 115-80)
»114: never
»113: Dec. 27, 1966 vs. Ferris State (W, 113-64)
»112: Dec. 29, 1966 vs. Manchester(W, 112-105)
»111: Dec. 4, 1995 vs. San Francisco State (W, 111-61)
»110: Jan. 7, 1972 vs. Brockport State (W, 110-99)
»109: Feb. 28, 2017 at Central Michigan (W, 109-81)
»108: Nov. 25, 2015 vs. Marygrove (W, 108-64)
»107: Dec. 8, 1989 vs. St. Francis (NY) (W, 107-85)
»106: Nov. 26, 1996 vs. St. Joseph's (Ind.) (W, 106-70)
»105: Dec. 8, 2018 vs. Central State (W, 105-53)
»104: Jan. 8, 1997 vs. Central Michigan (W, 104-67)
»103: Nov. 12, 2021 vs. Illinois State (W, 103-98)
»102: Nov. 24, 1990 vs. St. Mary's (W, 102-77)
»101: Nov. 12, 2019 vs. Goshen (W, 101-49)
»100: Dec. 28, 2014 vs. Concordia (Mich.) (W, 100-42)
»99: Jan. 11, 2022 vs. Central Michigan (W, 99-68)
»98: Dec. 29, 2016 vs. Long Beach State (W, 98-72)
»97: Nov. 21, 2025 vs. Oakland (W, 97-91)
»96: Nov. 30, 1996 at Drake (W, 96-81)
»95: Dec. 9, 2020 vs. Adrian (W, 95-35)
»94: Jan. 21, 2025 at Ohio (W, 94-87)
»93: Nov. 8, 2019 vs. Siena Heights (W, 93-51)
»92: Dec. 11, 2021 vs. FIU (W, 92-88)
»91: Feb. 27, 2021 vs. NIU (W, 91-57)
»90: Jan. 25, 2025 vs. Buffalo (W, 90-77)
Last time Eastern scored AT LEAST...
»135 or more: never
»124-134: Feb. 5, 1970 at Hillsdale (W, 134-113)
»121-123: Dec. 11, 1971 vs. SIUE (W, 123-88)
»120: Feb. 20, 1991 vs. Chicago State (W, 120-77)
»118-119: Nov. 14, 2008 vs. Marygrove (W, 119-48)
»110-117: Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Siena Heights (W, 117-55)
»106-109: Feb. 28, 2017 at CMU (W, 109-81)
»104-106: Dec. 8, 2018 vs. Central State (W, 105-53)
»100-103: Nov. 12, 2021 vs. Illinois State (W, 103-98)
»98-99: Jan. 11, 2022 vs. Central Michigan (W, 99-68)
»90-97: Nov. 21, 2025 vs. Oakland (W, 97-91)
IN CASE EASTERN WINS BY A LOT
ALL GAMES
Last time Eastern won by AT LEAST...
»72 or more: never
»63-71: Nov. 14, 2008 vs. Marygrove (W, 119-48)
»61-62: Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Siena Heights (W, 117-55)
»39-60: Dec. 9, 2020 vs. Adrian (W, 95-35)
»1-38: Dec. 5, 2025 vs. Cleary (W, 86-48)
ROAD GAMES ONLY
Last time Eastern won by AT LEAST... on the road
»60 or more: never
»36-59: Jan. 17, 1968 at Western Ontario (W, 100-41)
»29-35: Jan. 12, 1970 at UW-Whitewater (W, 96-61)
»27-28: Feb. 28, 2017 at Central Mich. (W, 109-81)
»13-26: Jan. 26, 2019 at Western Mich. (W, 93-67)
»11-12: Nov. 30, 2022 at Florida International (W, 80-68)
»1-10: Nov. 18, 2025 at Detroit Mercy (W, 72-62)
ACTIVE 2025-26 SEASON NOTES
NINE-STRAIGHT 10-POINT GAMES
Redshirt freshman Mohammad Habhab produced at least 10 points in each of the season's first nine games.
With Habhab's performances, he is the first Eastern freshman to have nine-straight games with at least 10 points in each game since James Thompson IV had a streak of 13 games in the 2015-16 season.
FIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN 10 GAMES
Mohammad Habhab has produced five double-doubles in 10 games played to open the 2025-26 season.
Habhab is the first EMU freshman to record five double-doubles in one season since James Thompson IV had 19 in the 2015-16 campaign.
HABHAB AMONG THE NATION'S LEADERS
Mohammad Habhab has five double-doubles, averaging 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds.
Habhab is tied for 13th nationally in double-doubles, five behind MAC counterpart Delrecco Gillespie from Kent State, who leads the country.
HABHAB DOING IT ALL
Mohammad Habhab is averaging 14.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks.
Habhab is one of five players in the nation to average at least 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
Players with 14.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG:
Mohammad Habhab EMU 14.9/8.1/3.2
Michael Ajayi Butler 16.5/11.5/3.0
Cameron Boozer Duke 23.3/10.2/3.7
Jadis Jones Lindenwood 15.8/8.0/3.0
Prophet Johnson Sac St. 15.5/8.7/3.8
Habhab and Boozer are the only freshmen on the list.
MOHAMMAD HABHAB SECOND-HALF SCORER
Mohammad Habhab has excelled in the second half of games, matching his first-half total or scoring more in the second half in all but one game played this season.
Through 10 games played, Habhab has scored 93 points in second halves (9.3 points per second half) and 56 points in first halves (5.6 points per first half).
DEVELOPMENT OF GODSLOVE NWABUDE
Godslove Nwabude has played an increased role for Eastern Michigan in his second season in the Green and White.
Nwabude, who has started all 11 games, has seen an increase of 10.7 minutes per game (8.0 --> 18.7), an increase of 5.6 points per game (1.1 --> 6.7), an increase of 3.3 rebounds per game (2.3 --> 5.6), and an increase of 1.3 blocks per game (0.3 --> 1.6)
GODSLOVE NWABUDE BLOCKING SHOTS
Godslove Nwabude has ramped up his shot blocking this season, specifically in recent games games. Nwabude has 14 blocks in the last five games, highlighted by his career-high five rejections against Cleary, Dec. 5. The Nigerian native has multiple blocks in five of the last seven contests.
Over that five-game span, his 14 blocks are tied for the 13th-most in the nation.
Prior to his block-free outing at PFW, Dec. 10, Nwabude became the first Eagle with four-straight contests with multiple blocks since Boubacar Toure did so in the 2018-19 season.
In total, Nwabude has 18 blocks for the season, averaging 1.6 per game. He is on pace to have the most prolific shot-blocking season for Eastern since Elijah Minnie and James Thompson IV each averaged 1.9 blocks during the 2017-18 season.
NO GAMES WITHIN FIVE POINTS... YET
Eastern Michigan's 97-91 win over Oakland, Nov. 21, which featured an OU buzzer-beater to cut the deficit is the Eagles' closest game so far this season. Eastern was 8-2 in games decided by five points or less in the 2024-25 season and 8-3 in such games in the 2023-24 campaign for a 16-5 record in games decided by five points or fewer in the previous two seasons.
EMU has not started a season with 11-straight games decided by six points or more since the 2020-21 season, which did not see a game decided by single digits until the campaign's 18th and final contest (shortened season due to COVID-19).
REBOUNDING SO FAR
Eastern Michigan has outrebounded its opponent in seven of the first 11 games. EMU is 6-1 in such games. The Eagles outrebounded IU Indy, 40-36, but lost, 90-83, Nov. 14.
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 657-STRAIGHT GAM3S
After converting eight three-pointers against PFW, Dec. 10, Eastern has hit at least one three-pointer in 657-straight games. EMU last failed to score from downtown Jan. 24, 2004, when Miami held the Eagles to 0-of-7 from behind the arc.
EASTERN IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
Eastern is 3-2 in the MAC-SBC Challenge and 3-0 at home. The Eagles will play a road game, Feb. 7, against a to-be-determined opponent in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
Eastern's MAC-SBC Challenge Results:
Date Against Score
Nov. 3, 2025 Georgia State W, 71-49
Feb. 8, 2025 Old Dominion W, 76-70
Nov. 4, 2024 at Texas State L, 44-64
Feb. 10, 2024 at Louisiana-Monroe L, 76-82
Nov. 11, 2023 Georgia Southern W, 70-60
PREVIOUSLY IN THE 2025-26 SEASON NOTES
LAST POWER CONFERENCE WIN AND MORE
Before beating Cincinnati, Nov. 26, Eastern's last Power Conference (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) win was Dec. 9, 2014, at Michigan (W, 45-42). EMU improved to 20-129 all-time against current Power Conference schools.
The Eagles moved to 4-7 all-time against current Big 12 schools and won against a current Big 12 school for the first time since Dec. 27, 1995, vs. Baylor (W, 71-69).
The 56 points allowed were Eastern's fewest against a Power Conference opponent since the 45-42 win at Michigan, Dec. 9, 2014.
The eight-point win was Eastern's largest against a Power Conference opponent since beating Texas Tech, 93-77, Dec. 27, 1995, at the Sierra Medical Center Sun Carnival in El Paso, Texas.
EASTERN'S 37-OF-59 (62.7%) SHOOTING VS. OU
Eastern shot 37-of-59 (62.7%) against Oakland on Nov. 21, its fifth-best conversion rate for a single game in program history. The 62.7% shooting percentage marked EMU's best since Nov. 21, 2023, when the Eagles shot 63.6% at Detroit Mercy. That game also marked the last time EMU won when securing four or fewer offensive rebounds, as the Eagles had four against the Titans and Golden Grizzlies, respectively.
EASTERN'S 25 ASSISTS AGAINST OAKLAND
Eastern had 25 assists against Oakland, Nov. 21, tying for the second-highest mark in program history and the team's most since Dec. 11, 2016, against Siena Heights (26).
MO HABHAB TRIPLE-DOUBLE
Mo Habhab recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking the program's first triple-double and the fourth by a MAC player since the start of the 2024-25 season.
The 10 assists are the most by an Eagle since Paul Jackson posted 10, Jan. 26, 2019, against Western Michigan.
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES 56 AND UNDER
EMU, which held Cincinnati to 56 points, Nov. 26, and NJIT to 55 points, Nov. 28, produced consecutive outings allowing 56 points or fewer for the first time since conceding 56 to Kent State, Jan. 18, 2022, and 46 in its next game to Akron, Jan. 22, 2022.
13-POINT SECOND HALF COMEBACK
Despite trailing 43-30, with 18:16 left, Eastern Michigan rallied to win at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 18, 72-62. The 13-point second-half comeback marked EMU's largest since overcoming a 17-point second-half deficit to beat Kent State in overtime, Jan. 6, 2024.
BACK-TO-BACK 16-POINT GAMES
Jon Sanders II scored 16 points against IU Indy, Nov. 14, and 17 points at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 18.
Sanders II has scored 16-plus points in back-to-back games at three different Division I schools but has never done so in three-straight games.
Sanders II opened the 2024-25 season at Northwestern State by scoring 16 points against Dallas Christian and 18 points against Texas Tech after scoring 17 points against Wofford and 17 points against College of Charleston while at Coastal Carolina.
MOHAMMAD HABHAB'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST GSU
Mohammad Habhab, just a redshirt freshman, produced an impressive 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the 71-49 win over Georgia State, Nov. 3.
Habhab is the first player in the MAC to record that stat line or better since Nov. 22, 2003, when Northern Illinois' Marcus Smallwood had 17 points, 21 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks.
There were a total of eight performances in Division I with a player tallying at least 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the 2024-25 season, none of which were by freshmen. Through Nov. 11, 2025, Habhab was the only player in Division I to achieve that line this season.
Habhab is the first freshman in the nation to record at least 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks since former Gonzaga Bulldog and recent NBA champion Chet Holmgren had 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks, Feb. 5, 2022, against BYU.
Habhab is the first Eagle to have 15+ and 15+ rebounds in one game since James Thompson IV had 20 points and 23 rebounds, March 5, 2019, against Ball State.
Habhab is the first Eagle to record 16 rebounds in one game since Boubacar Toure had 17 against Akron, Jan. 4, 2020. Concerning Habhab's eight offensive rebounds against Georgia State, Toure is also the last Eagle with at least eight offensive rebounds in one game, grabbing nine against Michigan-Dearborn, Nov. 14, 2019. James Thompson IV's 11 offensive rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 8, 2019, mark the last time an Eagle had at least eight against a Division I foe.
PRE-2025-26 SEASON NOTES
WHAT IS EASTERN RETURNING FROM LAST YEAR?
Eastern returned four players from its 2024-25 roster. The Eagles returned 7.8% of minutes played (502) and 2.9% of points scored (69).
» John Shanu II: 287 minutes, 38 points
» Godslove Nwabude: 207 minutes, 29 points
» Cooper Smith: 7 minutes, 2 points
» Mbaye N'Diaye: 1 minute, 0 points
POWER CONFERENCE ROAD CONTESTS
Eastern will have a quartet of high-profile road games in the 2025-26 season:
» Nov. 10 at Pittsburgh; L, 66-78
» Nov. 24 at No. 6 Louisville; L, 46-87
» Nov. 26 at Cincinnati; W, 64-56
» Dec. 2 at Butler; L, 68-84
Eastern has not played four Power Conference foes in single season since the 2018-19 season, when the Eagles faced Duke, Rutgers, TCU, and Kansas, all on the road.
EMU began the 2023-24 season by playing at Butler.
DePAUL DUO --> NORTHWESTERN STATE DUO
Out with one transfer duo and in with another. After DePaul transfers Da'Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry teamed up to both earn Second-Team All-MAC honors in the 2024-25 season, Eastern acquired another transfer duo in the offseason as Northwestern State transfers Addison Patterson and Jon Sanders II decided to become Eagles.
MAC --> EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern added a trio of players who were at MAC schools at one point in their careers:
» Mohammad Habhab: Central Michigan in 2024-25
» Braelon Green: Bowling Green in 2024-25
» Aidan Rubio: Central Michigan in 2023-24
NCAA ELIGIBILITY: PATTERSON AND SMITH
Both Addison Patterson and Cooper Smith had waivers approved by the NCAA to be eligible for the 2025-26 season. EMU compliance officers Alex Hensley and Kayla Gribble played a key role in getting both student-athletes eligible, with Patterson's ruling coming exactly one month before the first game.
PRESEASON PICKED NINTH
After finishing tied for sixth in 2024-25, EMU was picked ninth in the MAC preseason coaches' poll.
2025-26 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Akron (11) – 143
2. Miami (2) – 133
3. Kent State – 122
4. Ohio – 108
5. UMass – 98
6. Toledo – 95
7. Bowling Green – 73
8. Ball State – 62
9. Eastern Michigan – 52
10. Western Michigan – 46
11. Buffalo – 37
12. Central Michigan – 31
13. Northern Illinois – 14
Tournament Champion: Akron (8), Miami (2), Kent State (1), Ohio (1) UMass (1)
The six Ohio schools made up six of the top seven with UMass taking fifth, while the bottom six are filled with the rest of the MAC schools.
STAYING HOME
Eastern Michigan has nine players from the state of Michigan, its most since the 2022-23 season (11).
EASTERN MICHIGAN IS HOME
Eastern's 14 players have combined to play for 28 different schools prior to coming to Eastern Michigan. In total, three Eagles (Gregory Lawson II, Godslove Nwabude, and Mbaye N'Diaye) began their collegiate careers at EMU.
ANY STAFF CHANGES?
Eastern's staff saw minor changes in the offseason:
» Carlos McMath: promoted to Director of Operations/Assistant Coach from Director of Operations
» Pritish Kokate: promoted to Head Student Manager from Student Manager
» Alex Kling: hired as Graduate Manager
» Shawn McCall: hired as Graduate Manager
COOPER SMITH: 9TH-OLDEST PLAYER
Cooper Smith is the ninth-oldest player in Division I, and one of 14 known players born in the 20th century:
1. Ramel Bethea, Green Bay - July 27, 1996
2. Brett White III, Oakland - Feb. 17, 1998
3. Corey Sands, Chicago State - Jan. 5, 1999
4. Nginyu Ngala, Kansas - April 3, 1999
5. Curt Lewis, Southern Miss - May 19, 1999
6. Olajuwon Ibrahim, FIU - May 26, 1999
7. Antwaan Jones, UNCG - May 29, 1999
8. Blaise Keita, Western Kentucky - June 29, 1999
9. Cooper Smith, Eastern Michigan - July 12, 1999
10. Devin Haid, South Florida - Aug. 22, 1999
11. Hunter Erickson, Hawaii - Sept. 14, 1999
12. Dawson Baker, BYU - Oct. 29, 1999
13. Bouna Kebe, Delaware - Dec. 24, 1999
14. Jordan Brinson, CSUN - Dec. 31, 1999
UP NEXT
Eastern plays at Wright State Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m.
FOLLOW US
For the most up-to-date information on the Eagles, visit EMUEagles.com. Fans can also follow the team on social media, including Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB).
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/ Men's BasketballThank You from EMU Men's Basketball!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Men's Basketball
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Men's Basketball
Monday, December 01
2025-26 Field of 68 Men's Basketball Preview: Eastern Michigan Eagles
Tuesday, October 21