Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, December 5
Ypsilanti, Mich.
7:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Cleary
Eastern Hosting Cleary in Doubleheader Action Friday
12/4/2025 12:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles playing at 7:30 p.m. following EMU women's game at 5 p.m.
| Men's Basketball vs. Cleary | |
| Dates/Times | Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 | approximately 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center (8,754) | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) |
| Watch Live | ESPN+ |
| Listen Live | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| @emumbb | @emuathletics | |
| Tickets | Tickets for home games |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team looks to secure its third win in four games as it takes on Cleary University Friday, Dec. 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. The game follows the EMU women's contest against Defiance College at 5 p.m.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Cleary will air on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley, Reggie Butler, and Elena Davis on the call. Live stats will also be available on EMUEagles.com.
OPENING TIPS
» 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 Mo Habhab's 22 points, Eastern outscored NJIT by 18 points in the second half to win, 73-55, Nov. 28.
» Eastern stunned Cincinnati, 64-56, leading for 39:13 of game time, Nov. 26. The Eagles were 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line as Carlos Hart's team-high 15 points helped EMU secure its first Power Conference win since topping Michigan, Dec. 19, 2014 (W, 45-42).
»Mo Habhab, who is tied for fifth in the nation with five double-doubles, is one of eight players in the country to average at least 13.0 points, 9.0 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 52-82 record at EMU and a 261-289 record over 18 years as a collegiate head coach.
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 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
» Mo 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 occurrence 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 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)
» Mo 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-fo-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, 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 CCU 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.
MO HABHAB'S 22 POINTS
Mo 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.
CINCINNATI RECAP, NOV. 26
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST CINCINNATI
» EMU scored the first eight points.
» UC went on a 10-2 run.
» EMU launched a 17-1 run, holding UC without a made field goal for 10:01 of game time.
» UC went on a 9-0 run before EMU closed the half on a 7-1 spurt to lead at halftime, 36-23.
» A 15-2 UC run cut the EMU lead to 48-47.
» A 7-0 run for EMU put the visitors ahead by eight with three minutes left.
» EMU won, 64-56.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST CINCINNATI
» Carlos Hart: 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists
» Mo Habhab: 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST CINCINNATI
» EMU limited UC to 19-of-56 (33.9%) shooting
» EMU was 19-of-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line
» EMU outrebounded UC, 36-29.
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.
DEFENSIVE EFFORT AGAINST CINCINNATI
Eastern limited Cincinnati to 19-of-56 (33.9%) shooting in the win at UC, Nov. 26.
It marked EMU's best defensive effort against a Power Conference foe since the Eagles held Michigan to a 32.6% conversion rate in Eastern's 45-42 win at UM, Dec. 19, 2014.
FREE THROW SHOOTING AGAINST CINCINNATI
Eastern was an impressive 19-for-22 (86.4%) from the free throw line in the win at Cincinnati, Nov. 26.
EMU's 86.4% free throw percentage is its top mark (min. 20 attempts) since going 21-for-22 (95.5%) against Buffalo, Jan. 25, 2025.
SEASON HIGH TURNOVERS? NO PROBLEM
Eastern had a season-high 17 turnovers in the win at Cincinnati, Nov. 26. EMU gave up 19 points off turnovers, six points higher than its 13.0 season average.
EMU also had 17 turnovers in its last Power Conference win (prior to beating UC), a 45-42 win at Michigan, Dec. 19, 2014.
MAC ROAD WINS OVER CINCY
The last MAC team to beat Cincinnati was Bowling Green, which won 91-84 in overtime at the Stroh Center, Nov. 24, 2019. The previous MAC victory in Cincinnati came even earlier, when Bowling Green defeated the Bearcats, 69-67, Nov. 11, 2007, more than 18 years ago.
HOLDING CINCY UNDER 60
Eastern Michigan held Cincinnati to under 60 points, a feat few MAC teams have achieved. The last MAC team to do so was Miami, which lost 59-58 in Oxford, Dec. 1, 2021. However, the last time UC was held under 60 by a MAC foe and lost was Dec. 17, 1983, when Miami captured a 55-50 triumph at U.S. Bank Arena (formerly Riverfront Coliseum).
CINCY'S HOME SUCCESS OVER THE MAC
Cincinnati was a charter member of the MAC from 1947 to 1952, and since leaving the league, current MAC programs have struggled at UC's home court. The Bearcats hold dominant home records against most MAC teams: Akron 7-4, Ball State 4-0, Bowling Green 5-1, Buffalo 1-0, Central Michigan 1-0, Kent State 4-0, Miami 63-18, Northern Illinois 3-0, Ohio 27-13, Toledo 5-4, and Western Michigan 9-0. EMU's victory now ties its record with Cincinnati at 1-1 and highlights the rarity of road wins for MAC teams.
LOUISVILLE RECAP, NOV. 24
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST LOUISVILLE
» EMU scored the first basket.
» UL had a 15-0 run, leading 31-9, as EMU went scoreless for 6:35.
» EMU closed the half on an 8-2 run to trail, 33-17.
» UL opened the second half with a 21-9 run, later using a 9-0 spurt to extend their advantage.
» UL won, 87-46.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST LOUISVILLE
» Mo Habhab: 12 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals
» Carlos Hart: 11 points (9-10 FT)
» Mehki Ellison: 13 points and four assists
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST LOUISVILLE
» EMU was 16-of-57 (28.1%) from the field
» EMU was blocked 10 times and did not block UL
» EMU was outrebounded, 45-36, but had 11 offensive rebounds
MO HABHAB DOUBLE-DOUBLE PERFORMANCE
With his 12 points and 11 rebounds against No. 6 Louisville, Nov. 24, Mo Habhab recorded his fifth double-double of the season. He also notched a career-high four steals.
Habhab's double-double makes him the first Eagle to have a double-double against a current Power Conference team since James Thompson IV posted 15 points and 14 rebounds at No. 5 Kansas, Dec. 29, 2018. Thompson IV was also the last Eagle with a double-double against a ranked team when he had 11 points and 12 rebounds against No. 16 Buffalo, Jan. 18, 2019.
Additional information on Habhab and his double-doubles is available on pages 4-5.
FIRST CAREER POINTS
Two Eagles recorded their first career buckets on their first career shots against Louisville, Nov. 24.
Gregory Lawson II scored with a long-range two-pointer with 3:35 left, while Mbaye N'Diaye scored on a driving floater at the 1:39 mark.
Both shots marked the players' first career field goal attempt.
OAKLAND RECAP, NOV. 21
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST OAKLAND
» Neither team led by more than three points until Oakland took a 31-27 advantage with 7:05 left in the first half.
» OU led, 39-33, before EMU used a 13-2 run to lead 46-41 at halftime.
» An 11-6 spurt by the visitors tied the game at 52-52.
» The teams traded blows before a 7-0 EMU run gave the hosts a 75-67 advantage with 8:06 left.
» OU came within two points the rest of the way as EMU led by as many as 10 down the stretch.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST OAKLAND
» Mo Habhab: 24 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block, and zero turnovers
» Carlos Hart: 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists
» Mehki Ellison: 13 points and four assists
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST OAKLAND
» EMU was 37-of-59 (62.7%) from the field
» EMU was 10-of-22 (45.5%) from three-point range
» EMU tallied 25 assists
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).
EASTERN 3-2 FOR THE THIRD-STRAIGHT YEAR
With the win against Oakland, Nov. 21, Eastern improved to 3-2 for the third-straight year.
EMU hasn't three-straight seasons starting 3-2 or better since Rob Murphy's 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20 teams all began 4-1 or better.
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.
ON THE CLEARY GAME
IF EASTERN WINS...
» EMU will improve to 1-0 all-time against Cleary.
» EMU will improve to 6-4 for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
» EMU will improve to 4-1 at home for the third time in the Stan Heath era.
» EMU will improve to 41-2 against current NAIA programs (active NAIA schools only).
» EMU will win its 30th-straight game against current NAIA programs and its 69th-straight game against current non-Division I programs.
EASTERN IMPROVING TO 6-4?
With a win against Cleary, Dec. 5, Eastern would improve to 6-4 for the first time since the 2019-20 season (8-2).
EASTERN STARTING 4-1 AT HOME?
If Eastern can beat Cleary, Dec. 5, the Eagles would improve to 4-1 at the George Gervin Game Above Center for the third time in the Stan Heath era. Eastern was 5-0 through five home games in the 2020-21 season and 4-1 in the 2023-24 campaign.
EASTERN AGAINST THE NAIA
Eastern is 40-2 all-time against current NAIA institutions, suffering losses only to Defiance in 1949 and Taylor (Ind.) in 1966.
EMU has won 29-consecutive games against current NAIA schools and 68-straight against current non-Divsion I teams.
Eastern's last loss to a non-Division I school was Jan. 2, 1984, a 66-60 loss to Grand Valley State.
THE CLEARY-EMU CONNECTION
Cleary has a trio of coaches that played for Eastern Michigan as Head Coach Carl Thomas and Assistant Coaches Jake Fosdick and Grant Long.
Carl Thomas was a four-year letterman (1987-88 through 1990-91) and a key member of two NCAA Tournament and MAC championship teams. He helped EMU record an 84-40 record in his four years. Thomas played in 113 games with 66 starts and finished his career with 1,179 points and 452 rebounds, and set the career record for three-point field goals with 185 when he finished his career in 1991. He scored a career-best 27 points against UNC in the NCAA Sweet 16 game in 1991 and was named to the All-East Region Team of the NCAA Tournament in that season. He played a total of 63 games in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (1991-92), Cleveland Cavaliers (1996-98), Golden State Warriors (1997-98), and Orlando Magic (1997-98). Thomas would also play professionally overseas in France, Sweden, Greece, and Italy from 2000-2003. Carl and Charles Thomas are one of nine sets of twins who have both played in the NBA.
Jake Fosdick appeared in six games from 2009-11 for Eastern Michigan. Fosdick played under Carl Thomas when he was an assistant at EMU (2005-11).
Grant Long, a college teammate of Stan Heath, helped lead EMU to its first MAC men's basketball championship and first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 1988. He was the "Most Valuable Player" in the Mid-American Conference that season and went on to play in 1,003 NBA games.
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 high rate, despite being ranked 12th in the MAC at 71.1 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: Feb. 7, 2023 at Buffalo (L, 97-102)
»96: Nov. 30, 1996 at Drake (W, 96-81)
»95: Dec. 9, 2020 vs. Adrain (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)
»95-97: Nov. 21, 2025 vs. Oakland (W, 97-91)
»91-94: Jan. 21, 2025 at Ohio (W, 94-87)
»90: Jan. 25, 2025 vs. Buffalo (W, 90-77)
ACTIVE 2025-26 SEASON NOTES
NINE-STRAIGHT 10-POINT GAMES
Redshirt freshman Mo 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 NINE GAMES
Mo Habhab has produced five double-doubles in nine games 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
Mo Habhab has five double-doubles, averaging 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds.
Habhab is tied for five nationally in double-doubles, three behind MAC counterpart Delrecco Gillespie.
National Leaders in Double-Doubles:
1. Delrecco Gillespie Kent State 8
2. Michael Ajayi Butler 7
T3. Thomas Dowd Troy 6
Demetrius Lilley Binghamton 6
T5. Mo Habhab EMU 5
seven other players
HABHAB DOING IT ALL
Mo Habhab is averaging 15.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks.
Habhab is one of eight players in the nation to average at least 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
Players with 15.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 3.0 APG:
Mo Habhab EMU 15.6/8.6/3.3
Michael Ajayi Butler 16.3/12.0/3.4
Brycen Blaine Charleston So.22.1/8.4/4.0
Cameron Boozer Duke 23.6/9.3/3.7
Alex Condon Florida 15.1/9.0/3.0
Leonardo Bettiol UMass 16.7/8.9/3.3
Prophet Johnson Sac St. 15.5/8.7/3.8
Skylar Wicks St. Francis PA 19.0/8.6/3.3
Habhab and Boozer are the only freshmen on the list.
MO HABHAB SECOND-HALF SCORER
Mo Habhab has excelled in the second half of games, matching his first-half total or scoring more in the second half in every game this season.
Through nine games, Habhab has scored 90 points in second halves (10 points per second half) and 50 points in first havles (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 nine games, has seen an increase of 11.1 minutes per game (8.0 --> 19.1), an increase of 4.9 points per game (1.1 --> 6.0), an increase of 3.4 rebounds per game (2.3 --> 5.7), and an increase of 1.1 blocks per game (0.3 --> 1.4)
GODSLOVE NWABUDE BLOCKING SHOTS
Godslove Nwabude has ramped up his shot blocking this season, specifically the last three games. Nwabude has nine blocks in the last three games, highlighted by his career-high four rejections against NJIT, Nov. 28. The Nigerian native has multiple blocks in three-straight games and four of the last five contests.
Nwabude is the first Eagle with three-straight contests with multiple block since Da'Sean Nelson had 10 blocks in a three-game span during MAC play in the 2024-25 season.
If Nwabude can record at least two rejections against Cleary, Dec. 5, he would be the first Eagle with multiple blocks in four-straight games since Boubacar Toure did so in the 2018-19 season.
In total, Nwabude has 13 blocks for the season, averaging 1.4 per game. He is on pace to have the most profilic shot-blocking season for Eastern since Elijah Minnie and James Thompson IV each averaged 1.9 blocks during the 2017-18 season.
ROAD WARRIORS
Eastern Michigan is 2-3 on the road this season. With wins at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 18, and Cincinnati, Nov. 26, EMU is the only school in the MAC to have multiple road wins. The rest of the conference is a combined 4-15 in "true" road games.
If Eastern tops Butler on the road, Dec. 2, it would give the Eagles three non-conference road wins in back-to-back seasons, a feat EMU has not accomplished since the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons, before the Green and White even joined the MAC. Prior to last season, Eastern had not won three non-conference "true" road games since the 1996-97 season.
REBOUNDING SO FAR
Eastern Michigan has outrebounded its opponent in six of the first nine games. EMU is 5-1 in such games. The Eagles outrebounded IU Indy, 40-36, but lost, 90-83, Nov. 14.
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 655-STRAIGHT GAM3S
After converting eight three-pointers against Butler, Dec. 2, Eastern has hit at least one three-pointer in 655-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
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.
MO HABHAB'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST GSU
Mo 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
TOUGH ROAD CONTESTS ON THE HORIZON
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:
» Mo 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 travels to play Purdue Fort Wayne Wednesday, Dec. 11, 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
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