Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, February 4
Ypsilanti, Mich.
6:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Kent State
Eastern Hosting Kent State in Critical MAC Matchup Tuesday
2/2/2025 6:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles and Golden Flashes set for 6:30 p.m. tip
| Men's Basketball vs. Kent State | |
| Date | Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. |
| Venue | George Gervin GameAbove Center (8,754) | Ypsilanti, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) | Media Guide (PDF) |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| Tickets | Purchase Tickets |
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team begins a critical stretch as six of its next eight games come at home. The Eagles welcome Kent State University Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as the teams represent two of the five teams sitting at 4-5 and tied for fifth during Mid-American Conference play. Click here to purchase tickets.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Kent State will air on ESPN+ from the George Gervin GameAbove Center as Ryan Wooley and Grant Long have the call. Tom Helmer and John Motherwell 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
»Despite Eastern scoring just 18 points in the first half at Western Michigan, Feb. 1, the game saw nine second-half lead changes before the Eagles ultimately came up short in Kalamazoo.
»Against the Broncos, Feb. 1, EMU held a 38-36 advantage on the glass, suffering its second loss of the season when out-rebounding its foe.
»Senior Da'Sean Nelson posted 20 points and 11 rebounds en route to his second career double-double at Western Michigan, Feb. 1.
»Eastern Michigan crawled back to within eight points on four different occasions after facing a 21-point early second-half deficit at Miami, Jan. 28, as the Eagles fell, 89-80, despite 25 points and six assists from junior Christian Henry.
»During conference play, junior Christian Henry tops the MAC in scoring with 18.0 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson is second with 17.8 points per game.
»Eastern Michigan, which sits at 4-5 in the MAC for the first time since the 2016-17 season, is seeking a 5-5 start in conference play against Kent State, Feb. 4.
»Eastern Michigan, Austin Peay, Oklahoma, and Prairie View A&M are the nation's only four teams to have at least four different players to score 28 points in separate games this season.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 41-73 record at EMU and a 250-280 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach. Heath led Kent State to the Elite Eight in 2001-02, finishing 30-6, after falling to the eventual national runner-up Indiana Hoosiers.
DA'SEAN NELSON DOUBLE-DOUBLE AT WMU
Senior Da'Sean Nelson posted 20 points and 11 rebounds en route to his second career double-double at Western Michigan, Feb. 1. Nelson drew nine fouls, scoring 14 second-half points.
His other double-double was a 27-point, 13-rebound effort against Wright State, Dec. 21.
10 JALIN BILLINGSLEY REBOUNDS AT WMU
Senior Jalin BIllingsley hauled in 10 rebounds to go with nine points, falling one point shy of his third career double-double at Western Michigan, Feb. 1.
Billingsley previously produced 10 rebounds against Siena Heights, Nov. 8, and against Miami, March 2, 2024.
5-5 IN THE MAC...?
Eastern Michigan, which sits at 4-5 in the MAC for the first time since the 2016-17 season, is seeking a 5-5 start in conference play against Kent State, Feb. 4. The 2016-17 team started 4-1 in MAC play before settling for a 5-3 start through eight games and then dropped seven-straight games, meaning the Eagles started 5-5 through 10 games that season.
EYEING THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Eastern Michigan, which has not qualified for the MAC Tournament since 2019, sits at 4-5 in conference play and is tied for fifth with four other teams in the MAC standings.
Eastern is expected to need at least four more MAC wins to be in the field.
No. 8 in MAC Standings Wins by Year (last 10 shown):
Year Wins School
2023-24 8 Kent State
2022-23 6 Miami
2021-22 6 CMU/BGSU/NIU
2020-21 8 Ball St. (no tournament)
2019-20 8 Toledo/Ohio
2018-19 8 Akron/NIU
2017-18 7 BGSU/Ohio/CMU
2016-17 7 EMU/BGSU/NIU
2015-16 9 EMU/NIU
2014-15 8 EMU/Miami/NIU
Data Since 1997-98 (first season with 12 MAC teams)
Average Wins by No. 8 Seed: 7.52
Highest Wins Needed: 10 (2004-05)
Lowest Wins Needed: 6 (4x, last 2022-23)
EASTERN MICHIGAN HAS FOUR ROAD WINS
Eastern has accumulated four road wins already in the 2024-25 season, which matches its total from last season. If the Eagles can secure another road win this season, it would mark their first time reaching five road wins in one season since tallying seven in the 2017-18 campaign.
HENRY LEADING THE MAC IN SCORING
During conference play, junior Christian Henry tops the MAC in scoring with 18.0 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson is second with 17.8 points per game.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (conference only):
1. Christian Henry (EMU) 18.0
2. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 17.8
3. Ryan Sabol (Buffalo) 17.0
HENRY MADE THREE-POINTER IN 16-STRAIGHT
With two made three-pointers at Western Michigan, Feb. 1, junior Christian Henry has converted at least one three-pointer in each of the last 16 games for the first time in his career.
HENRY IMPROVING AT THE FREE THROW LINE
Junior Christian Henry, who leads the team in three-point percentage at 38.1%, has made 22 of his last 24 free throws (91.7%) after making just 49 of his first 82 attempts (59.8%) this season.
In total, Henry is 71-for-106 (67.0%) from the charity stripe.
NELSON/TERRY 1,000 CAREER POINTS SOON
Seniors Da'Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry are both likely to reach 1,000 career points during the 2024-25 season.
Nelson has 944 career points (216 at EMU, 628 at DePaul) and Terry has 904 career points (293 at EMU, 688 at DePaul, 57 at Oregon). If Nelson continues his 15.9 points per game average, he would reach the milestone against Toledo, Feb. 15. If Terry continues his 14.6 points per game average, he would reach the milestone against Bowling Green, Feb. 25.
LOW BENCH SCORING MARK OF THE SEASON
At Western Michigan, Feb. 1, Eastern scored just two bench points, a pair of free throws by senior Yusuf Jihad. While lineups played a role in EMU's recent surge of bench scoring, the Eagles had entered the game with four-straight contests with at least 26 bench points.
Previous Four Games by Bench Scoring:
Date Against Bench Points
Jan. 28, 2025 Miami 30
Jan. 25, 2025 Buffalo 40
Jan. 21, 2025 Ohio 28
Jan. 18, 2025 at Bowling Green 26
The Eagles have been outscored by an average of 19.7-15.6 in bench points this season.
CHRISTIAN HENRY 25 POINTS, 6 ASSISTS AT MIAMI
Junior Christian Henry netted 25 points to go with six assists at Miami, Jan. 28. Henry is the first Eagle to record 25 points and six assists in the same game since Tyson Acuff had 29 points with six assists, Jan. 31, 2023, against Ohio.
NINE EAGLES WITH A BUCKET AT MIAMI
Against Miami, Jan. 28, nine different Eagles scored for the sixth time this season as all nine also made at least one field goal for the second time this season, with the other occurrence coming at Davidson, Dec. 28.
40 FREE THROWS ALLOWED AT MIAMI
At Miami, Jan. 28, Eastern allowed 40 free throw attempts, its highest in one game since Michigan shot 40, Nov. 11. The 40 free throw attempts (28 of which were made) by the RedHawks are the most by an Eagle opponent since Ohio went 33-for-42 at the line, Feb. 17, 2017. Eastern's 27 fouls were its most since recording 29 at Bowling Green, Jan. 2, 2024.
DA'SEAN NELSON 21-7-6 AGAINST OHIO
Senior Da'Sean Nelson registered 21 points, seven rebounds, and a career-high six assists against Ohio, Jan. 21.
Nelson is the first Eagle since March 5, 2011, to record at least 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a game. Brandon Bowdry posted 27 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists against Toledo in a 69-50 win.
HEATH WINS NO. 250
By defeating Buffalo, Jan. 25, Head Coach Stan Heath earned his 250th win as a collegiate head coach in the game. Heath has 41 wins at Eastern Michigan, 97 at South Florida, 82 at Arkansas, and 30 at Kent State.
Complete year-by-year of Heath's career as a collegiate head coach can be found on page 14.
TOP PAINT SCORING MARK OF THE SEASON
Against Buffalo, Jan. 25, Eastern notched 52 paint points, its highest point total of the season, topping the previous high of 48, set at Houston Christian, Nov. 25.
The Eagles have outscored their opponents by an average of 33.1-32.4 in paint points this season.
BILLINGSLEY + NELSON SHOOTING PERCENTAGES
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fourth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 92-for-165 (.558) while senior Da'Sean Nelson is eighth in the MAC at 112-for-218 (.514).
NELSON 10+ POINTS IN 15-STRAIGHT SNAPPED
After scoring nine points against Miami, Jan. 28, senior Da'Sean Nelson had his streak of 15-straight games with at least 10 points snapped. Nelson responded in a big way at Western Michigan, Feb. 1, netting 20 points.
DA'SEAN NELSON BLOCKS STREAK
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has six-straight games with at least one blocked shot, which marks the longest streak of his career. The Toledo native has back-to-back games with multiple blocks for the first time in his career after blocking two shots at Western Michigan, Feb. 1, and tallying a career-high three rejections at Miami, Jan. 28.
DA'SEAN NELSON GETS FOULED A LOT
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has been fouled 121 times in 20 games played (6.1 fouls per game). During MAC play, Nelson has accumulated 59 fouls drawn in nine games (6.6 fouls per game).
Nelson has drawn at least eight fouls in eight games this season, all of which have come in the last 14 games.
Eastern Michigan Leaders in Fouls Drawn:
Player Total Average
Da'Sean Nelson 121 6.1
Christian Henry 97 4.6
Jalin Billingsley 48 2.3
Jalen Terry 46 2.3
JALEN TERRY, A BIT OF EVERYTHING
Senior Jalen Terry is averaging 14.7 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game.
If Terry were to finish with those numbers, he would be the only player in program history to achieve those marks in a single season since assists became an official stat (1976-77).
Adding in his 1.5 steals per game, Terry is one of just 25 players nationally to average at least 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals. Terry is the only MAC player on the list of 25 players, which also includes former Eagle Orlando Lovejoy.
ONE OF FOUR SCHOOLS WITH 28+ POINTS (x4)
With senior Da'Sean Nelson's 32 points against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4, junior Christian Henry's 28-point showing against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30, senior Jalen Terry's 28 points against IU Indy, Nov. 14, and senior Jalin Billingsley's 32 points against Siena Heights, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan, Austin Peay, Oklahoma, and Prairie View A&M are the only teams in the nation with at least four different players reaching 28 points this season. APSU leads the nation with five different players achieving the mark.
Different Players Scoring 28+ Points:
1. Austin Peay 5
2. Eastern Michigan 4
Oklahoma 4
Prairie View A&M 4
In total, 401 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
SUCCESS IN CLOSE GAMES
After junior Christian Henry swished in a half-court shot at the buzzer in the game at Toledo, Jan. 7, to cut the margin to three points, Eastern moved to 6-1 in games decided by four points or less. Eastern's six wins by four or fewer is tied for the third-most in the nation. The trend has continued from the 2023-24 season when the Eagles were 8-3 in games decided by four points or less.
National Leaders in Wins by Four Points or Less:
1. UC-Riverside 9
2. Princeton 8
3. Eastern Michigan 6
Fairfield 6
Furman 6
Morehead State 6
Northeastern 6
Robert Morris 6
Texas A&M 6
Utah Valley 6
THREE EAGLES AVERAGING 14+ POINTS
Eastern has three players averaging 14.0 points for the first time since 2015-16 and four players averaging 10.0 points for the first time since 2017-18.
Player PPG 2024-25
Da'Sean Nelson 15.6
Christian Henry 15.4
Jalen Terry 14.9
Jalin Billingsley 10.9
Player PPG 2015-16
Elijah Minnie 16.8
Paul Jackson 14.9
James Thompson 14.5
Player PPG 2017-18
Ray Lee 15.1
Elijah Minnie 14.8
Willie Mangum 12.0
Ty Toney 11.0
TWO EAGLES AVERAGING 3.0+ ASSISTS
Eastern has two players averaging 3.0 assists for the first time since 2017-18.
Player APG 2024-25
Christian Henry 3.6
Jalen Terry 3.2
Player APG 2017-18
Paul Jackson 4.6
Tim Bond 3.5
SECOND-HALF SCORING
Eastern is averaging 39.8 points in the second half while averaging 33.0 points in the first half.
Eight of the Eagles' 10 top half totals have come in the second half.
Date Against Half Total (Half)
Dec. 21 Wright State 59 (2nd)
Jan. 7 Toledo 54 (2nd)
Nov. 30 Detroit Mercy 52 (2nd)
Jan. 21 Ohio 50 (1st)
Jan. 25 Buffalo 48 (2nd)
Nov. 14 IU Indy 45 (1st)
Jan. 21 Ohio 44 (2nd)
Nov. 8 Siena Heights 43 (2nd)
Dec. 28 Davidson 43 (2nd)
Jan. 11 Akron 43 (2nd)
JALEN TERRY MAC MINUTES LEADER
Senior Jalen Terry leads the MAC in minutes, averaging 36.6 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 38.6
2. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.8
3. Nicholas Martinelli (NW) 37.5
4. Mitch Macari (Drake) 37.4
5. R.J. Johnson (Charleston So.) 37.1
6. Ethan Taylor (Air Force) 37.0
7. Brooks Barnheizer (NW) 37.0
8. Johnathan Lawson (UALR) 37.0
9. Josh Bascoe (Bucknell) 36.7
10. Bud Clark (Merrimack) 36.6
11. Jalen Terry (EMU) 36.6
With former Eagle Tyson Acuff ranking fourth in the nation in minutes per game at 37.9 in 2023-24, if Terry can move back up into the top six, EMU would be the first school since Stony Brook (2021-23) to have different players rank inside the top six in minutes nationally in different seasons.
IMPORTANCE OF REBOUNDING
After out-rebounding Western Michigan, Feb. 1, 38-36, Eastern moved to 8-2 when recording the same amount or more rebounds as its opponent. The Eagles are 2-9 when being out-rebounded this season.
EMU's other loss when out-rebounding its foe came at Cleveland State, Nov. 16, as Eastern held a 34-29 advantage on the glass.
The other win when being out-rebounded came against Northern Arizona, Nov. 26, as the 46-31 Lumberjack rebounding edge marked EMU's first win when being out-rebounded by at least 15 since topping Buffalo, 81-69, Jan. 12, 2016, when being out-rebounded by 17 in that game. Entering that contest on a 22-game losing streak when being out-rebounded by 15, only three of those 22 games were single-digit losses. Since, Eastern has been out-rebounded by at least 15 twice (at Loyola Chicago, Dec. 3, -27 rebounding margin; vs Akron, Jan. 11, -15 rebounding margin). Both games produced 20-plus point losses.
DA'SEAN NELSON MAC POTW (x3)
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who was named MAC Player of the Week Dec. 2 and Dec. 23, won his third conference weekly honor of the season after an impressive 32-point, nine-rebound showing against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4.
By earning the recognition for the third time, Nelson is the first player in the MAC to accomplish that feat since former Akron Zip and current Indiana Pacer Enrique Freeman earned the honor eight times in 2023-24.
BELOW THE CENTURY MARK
In 379 games at the George Gervin GameAbove Center since opening in 1998-99, only two teams have reached 100 points against the Eagles as 2022-23 Florida Atlantic, which reached the 2023 Final Four, scored 101 at EMU, Dec. 4, 2022. The second team was Akron, Jan. 11, 2025, in a 105-81 EMU loss.
Top Point Totals by Foes at the George Gervin GameAbove Center:
Date School Points
Jan. 11, 2025 Akron 105
Dec. 4, 2022 Florida Atlantic 101
Dec. 15, 2024 Purdue Fort Wayne 99
Nov. 30, 2024 Detroit Mercy 98
Nov. 12, 2023 Illinois State 98
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 634-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit two threes against Western Michigan, Feb. 1, has now hit at least one triple in 634-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.
The Eagles had converted at least five three-pointers in 21-consecutive games, dating back to the final game of the 2023-24 season. The 21-game streak was EMU's longest since at least the 2008-09 season.
DOUBLEHEADER DAY
The Eagles are scheduled to play three double-headers with the EMU women's basketball team in 2024-25 with two of the three doubleheaders taking place in Ypsilanti. Both the EMU men's and women's teams play Jan. 11 (both lost vs. Akron), Feb. 15 (men vs. Toledo, women vs. Ball State), and Feb. 22 (Northern Illinois).
The men's team was 5-0 at home in doubleheader games in the 2023-24 season but fell to 0-1 in such games this season after the 105-81 loss to Akron, Jan. 11.
2024-25 PRESEASON ALL-MAC TEAMS
First Team
Payton Sparks, Senior, Center, Ball State
Anthony Pritchard, Senior, Guard, Central Michigan
VonCameron Davis, R-Senior, Forward, Kent State
AJ Clayton, Senior, Forward, Ohio
Javan Simmons, Sophomore, Forward, Toledo
Second Team
Isaiah Gray, Senior, Guard, Akron
Jalen Sullinger, Senior, Guard, Kent State
Shereef Mitchell, Graduate Student, Guard, Ohio
AJ Brown, R-Sophomore, Guard, Ohio
Isaiah Adams, Fifth Year, Guard, Toledo
PRESEASON PICKED NINTH
After finishing 10th in 2023-24, EMU was picked ninth in the MAC preseason coaches' poll.
2024-25 MAC Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First Place Votes)
1. Ohio (11) – 121
2. Akron (1) – 106
3. Kent State – 99
4. Toledo – 95
5. Bowling Green – 73
6. Miami – 72
7. Ball State – 67
8. Central Michigan – 55
9. Eastern Michigan – 36
10. Western Michigan – 33
11. Northern Illinois – 24
12. Buffalo – 11
Tournament Champion: Ohio (8), Kent State (3), Toledo (1)
The six Ohio schools made up the top six while the bottom six is filled with the rest of the MAC schools.
NEW FOE, WHO DIS?
The Eagles added competition against three first-time opponents this season; they faced off against Texas State, Nov. 4 (L, 44-64), Houston Christian, Nov. 25 (W, 74-73), and Wright State, Dec. 21 (W, 86-82).
WHO'S BACK??
EMU returns four players from its 2023-24 roster including seniors Jalin Billingsley, Yusuf Jihad, and Micah Schnyders, as well as sophomore Arne Osojnik.
WHO'S GONE??
EMU lost 10 players from its 2023-24 game one roster including Tyson Acuff (Rutgers), Orlando Lovejoy (Detroit Mercy), Legend Geeter (Detroit Mercy), Conner Serven (Virginia Tech), Cyril Martynov (Eastern Kentucky), Julius Ellerbe (Coppin State), John McGriff (transfer portal - no destination), Javantae Randle (Central State), Prakash Ketterhagen (Lourdes), and Andrew Wells (graduation). The Eagles also lost Director of Operations LaMonta Stone (Assistant Coach - Detroit Mercy) and Graduate Assistant Nick Madray (graduation --> Utah Jazz).
WHAT'S GONE??
EMU lost 1,332 of its 2,047 points (65.07%) from the 2023-24 season, most notably leading scorer Tyson Acuff, who averaged 21.7 ppg (8th in the nation) on 43/29/81 shooting splits and transferred to Rutgers.
FRESH FACES
EMU added 11 newcomers to its 2024-25 roster including seniors Jalen Terry (DePaul), Da'Sean Nelson (DePaul), John Shanu II (UTRGV), and Cooper Smith (Michigan), juniors Christian Henry (Panola College), Julian Lewis (Miami), and Trey Pettigrew (Salt Lake CC), and freshmen Mario Brunetto (Classical Gymnasium), Mbaye N'Diaye (SEED Academy), Godslove Nwabude (Zion Prep), and Dillon Tingler (Huntington Prep).
STAYING HOME
Eastern Michigan has just four players (Yusuf Jihad, Farmington Hills; Jalen Terry, Flint; Cooper Smith, Mio; and Julian Lewis, Ypsilanti) from the Mitten State on its 2024-25 roster, EMU's fewest since 2020-21 (four).
INTERNATIONAL INFLUX
International student-athlete representation doubled on the Eagles 15-player roster this season, as they added three true freshmen from Senegal (Mbaye N'Diaye), Nigeria (Godslove Nwabude), and Italy (Mario Brunetto), respectively. The trio joins sophomore Arne Osojnik who represented Slovenia twice as a member of the U18 national team at the Euro Championships. A complete breakdown of the EMU roster can be found on page 11.
Most international true freshmen in the nation:
1. Buffalo - 6
2. Florida Atlantic - 5
t3. Eastern Michigan - 3
Manhattan - 3
Oregon State - 3
San Francisco - 3
Seattle - 3
UT-Martin - 3
Weber State - 3
Most African true freshmen in the nation:
t1. Eastern Michigan - 2
Seton Hall - 2
Osojnik is one of five players from Slovenia in the country.
Slovenian MBB Players at NCAA Division I:
Arne Osojnik - Eastern Michigan
Klemen Vuga - UAPB
Urban Klavzar - Florida
Jan Vide - LMU (Calif.)
Sasa Ciani - UIC
Brunetto is one of 17 Italians players while N'Diaye is one of 32 Senegalese players and Nwabude is one of 38 Nigerian players.
EMONI BATES NBA + G-LEAGUE
Former Eagle Emoni Bates was named a G-League All-Star with the Cleveland Charge in 2023-24, averaging 24.8 ppg. Bates also appeared in 15 games with the Cavaliers during the 2023-24 season. He underwent surgery in early October to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to return to action at some point during the 2024-25 season.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan hosts Old Dominion for a 2 p.m. game Saturday, Feb. 8. The game is the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
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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