Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 7 - Episode 23
3/10/2025 10:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball, General
Cleveland Bound: EMU Hoops Ready to Dance in MAC Tournament!
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The road to Cleveland is officially over for Eastern Michigan men's basketball, and according to hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner on this week's Eastern Insider, the Eagles are more focused than ever. After clinching a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Tuesday night, the team's mindset remains all business, showing little difference in energy even after a narrow loss at Kent State to end the regular season.
"The mood in the locker room Tuesday when they clinched wasn't much different than Friday," Helmer said. "They've got business to take care of."
Eastern Michigan, seeded seventh, will open the tournament against No. 2 Miami — a matchup Helmer calls "ideal" given EMU's previous success against the RedHawks. Despite the seeding, both hosts expressed confidence, emphasizing EMU's ability to advance with a healthier roster and renewed focus. "You're a better team than Miami," Hemler said, highlighting how Eastern had already shown they could handle Miami earlier in the season.
Looking ahead, the potential path to the title could run through Kent State or Western Michigan — both familiar opponents — and possibly top-seeded Akron. Health has been a factor, as key players like Jalin Terry and Christian Henry battled illnesses in recent games. Now with time to regroup, Head Coach Stan Heath has given his squad a few days to reset physically and mentally before the tournament grind.
Helmer and Steiner also encouraged fans to head to Cleveland and show support, noting how rare this opportunity is. "When there's an opportunity to go to an NBA arena, Cleveland's a great city," Helmer said. "So why wouldn't you want to go?"
With a hungry team and fans ready to rally, Eastern Michigan looks primed to make noise in Cleveland.
Segment 1 - Da'Sean Nelson
When Eastern Michigan men's basketball standout Da'Sean Nelson sat down with Helmer, there was a sense of accomplishment—and unfinished business. Back in November, Nelson had boldly predicted that EMU would return to the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Cleveland and be playing its best basketball when it mattered most. Fast forward to March, and Nelson has delivered on that promise, helping lead the Eagles to their first MAC Tournament appearance since 2020 — and their first trip to Cleveland since 2018.
"It feels great to get this team to Cleveland," Nelson said. "Like I told you before, this team is unique. I really love everybody on this team. Even when I'm in foul trouble or not playing well, they know how to pick me up."
That trust and camaraderie have fueled EMU's late-season surge, and Nelson credited the team's turnaround to focusing on the basics. "Just focusing on not fouling and rebounding really," Nelson explained. "That's our two biggest downfalls right now."
Despite acknowledging his own struggles — "I had zero rebounds today. That's unacceptable." — Nelson remains confident heading into the MAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, where EMU will face Miami in the first round. "We split games with them, and I feel like in a neutral site, we can beat a lot of teams," Nelson said. "So I'm very confident."
When asked if EMU could go all the way to the title game, Nelson didn't hesitate: "Definitely. I feel like y'all will see us on Saturday in the championship."
For a player who kept his word about reaching Cleveland, a run to NCAA March Madness might just be his next promise fulfilled.
Segment 2 - Yusuf Jihad
For the first time in his Eastern Michigan career, senior forward Yusuf Jihad is headed to Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference Tournament — and the moment is not lost on him.
"It's a great feeling," Jihad told Helmer on this week's Eastern Insider Podcast. "We haven't done it in the three-year span that I've been here, so it's just a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to it."
The Eagles, who closed the regular season winning six of their last nine games, are peaking at the right time. Jihad himself has found a rhythm, scoring 10 points against Ohio and 14 in a tough battle with Kent State. But for the senior, the shift hasn't been about personal stats.
"I don't think anything's really changed," he said. "Day-Day [Farrakhan] got into some foul trouble, so when my name was called, I was ready. I've just been trying to stay focused on helping my team win by any means possible."
As the No. 7 seed, EMU will take on Miami (OH) in the opening round, and Jihad likes the Eagles' chances. "I think we match up well with them. It's a good matchup — one we can hopefully take advantage of," he noted.
Reflecting on the journey alongside Head Coach Stan Heath, Jihad acknowledged how far the program has come. "We've gotten progressively better over the years, and for this to be, I guess, the climax, it's a great feeling," he said.
With improved culture, defense, and cohesion, Jihad believes this team is built to make a run. "We're trying to get that [NCAA] bid — that's the goal," he said, smiling. "Hopefully, we can achieve that."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The road to Cleveland is officially over for Eastern Michigan men's basketball, and according to hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner on this week's Eastern Insider, the Eagles are more focused than ever. After clinching a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Tuesday night, the team's mindset remains all business, showing little difference in energy even after a narrow loss at Kent State to end the regular season.
"The mood in the locker room Tuesday when they clinched wasn't much different than Friday," Helmer said. "They've got business to take care of."
Eastern Michigan, seeded seventh, will open the tournament against No. 2 Miami — a matchup Helmer calls "ideal" given EMU's previous success against the RedHawks. Despite the seeding, both hosts expressed confidence, emphasizing EMU's ability to advance with a healthier roster and renewed focus. "You're a better team than Miami," Hemler said, highlighting how Eastern had already shown they could handle Miami earlier in the season.
Looking ahead, the potential path to the title could run through Kent State or Western Michigan — both familiar opponents — and possibly top-seeded Akron. Health has been a factor, as key players like Jalin Terry and Christian Henry battled illnesses in recent games. Now with time to regroup, Head Coach Stan Heath has given his squad a few days to reset physically and mentally before the tournament grind.
Helmer and Steiner also encouraged fans to head to Cleveland and show support, noting how rare this opportunity is. "When there's an opportunity to go to an NBA arena, Cleveland's a great city," Helmer said. "So why wouldn't you want to go?"
With a hungry team and fans ready to rally, Eastern Michigan looks primed to make noise in Cleveland.
Segment 1 - Da'Sean Nelson
When Eastern Michigan men's basketball standout Da'Sean Nelson sat down with Helmer, there was a sense of accomplishment—and unfinished business. Back in November, Nelson had boldly predicted that EMU would return to the Mid-American Conference Tournament in Cleveland and be playing its best basketball when it mattered most. Fast forward to March, and Nelson has delivered on that promise, helping lead the Eagles to their first MAC Tournament appearance since 2020 — and their first trip to Cleveland since 2018.
"It feels great to get this team to Cleveland," Nelson said. "Like I told you before, this team is unique. I really love everybody on this team. Even when I'm in foul trouble or not playing well, they know how to pick me up."
That trust and camaraderie have fueled EMU's late-season surge, and Nelson credited the team's turnaround to focusing on the basics. "Just focusing on not fouling and rebounding really," Nelson explained. "That's our two biggest downfalls right now."
Despite acknowledging his own struggles — "I had zero rebounds today. That's unacceptable." — Nelson remains confident heading into the MAC Tournament as the No. 7 seed, where EMU will face Miami in the first round. "We split games with them, and I feel like in a neutral site, we can beat a lot of teams," Nelson said. "So I'm very confident."
When asked if EMU could go all the way to the title game, Nelson didn't hesitate: "Definitely. I feel like y'all will see us on Saturday in the championship."
For a player who kept his word about reaching Cleveland, a run to NCAA March Madness might just be his next promise fulfilled.
Segment 2 - Yusuf Jihad
For the first time in his Eastern Michigan career, senior forward Yusuf Jihad is headed to Cleveland for the Mid-American Conference Tournament — and the moment is not lost on him.
"It's a great feeling," Jihad told Helmer on this week's Eastern Insider Podcast. "We haven't done it in the three-year span that I've been here, so it's just a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to it."
The Eagles, who closed the regular season winning six of their last nine games, are peaking at the right time. Jihad himself has found a rhythm, scoring 10 points against Ohio and 14 in a tough battle with Kent State. But for the senior, the shift hasn't been about personal stats.
"I don't think anything's really changed," he said. "Day-Day [Farrakhan] got into some foul trouble, so when my name was called, I was ready. I've just been trying to stay focused on helping my team win by any means possible."
As the No. 7 seed, EMU will take on Miami (OH) in the opening round, and Jihad likes the Eagles' chances. "I think we match up well with them. It's a good matchup — one we can hopefully take advantage of," he noted.
Reflecting on the journey alongside Head Coach Stan Heath, Jihad acknowledged how far the program has come. "We've gotten progressively better over the years, and for this to be, I guess, the climax, it's a great feeling," he said.
With improved culture, defense, and cohesion, Jihad believes this team is built to make a run. "We're trying to get that [NCAA] bid — that's the goal," he said, smiling. "Hopefully, we can achieve that."
Players Mentioned
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