Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, March 13
Cleveland, Ohio
4:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Miami
Eastern Opening MAC Tournament Thursday Against Miami
3/11/2025 7:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles' return to Cleveland tip time approximately set for 4 p.m.
| Men's Basketball vs. Miami in MAC Tournament Quarterfinal | |
| Date | Thursday, March 13, at 4 p.m. (approximate) |
| Venue | Rocket Arena (19,432) | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 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 | |
| MAC Tournament Tickets | Click here to purchase tickets for the MAC Tournament. |
| Fan Bus | Transportation to Cleveland! Click to claim your place on the bus - 12:30 p.m. departure from the George Gervin GameAbove Center! |
| Student Eagle Nation Bus | Secure your spot on the student Eagle Nation bus! 12:30 p.m. departure from the George Gervin GameAbove Center! |
| Watch Party | Students that are unable to make it to Cleveland can watch the game from EMU Student Center! Join us for EMU swag bags, free snacks, and exciting Eastern postseason hoops! |
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- The No. 7 seed Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team will begin its quest to claim the Mid-American Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a quarterfinal matchup against No. 2 seed Miami University Thursday, March 13. The game is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m. inside Rocket Arena with the winner playing either Kent State or Western Michigan. Click here to purchase tickets.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Miami will air on ESPN+ from the Rocket Arena. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner 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
»Eastern, which finished 9-9 in MAC play, secured its bid to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2020 and will play in postseason play in Cleveland for the first time since 2018.
»By beating Ohio, March 4, the Eagles earned at least the No. 7 seed. Eastern, which led by 14 with 11:09 remaining against Kent State, March 7, would have claimed the No. 3 seed if the Eagles were able to hold on.
»Eastern is playing in the MAC Tournament for the first time since the 2019-20 season and the first time in Cleveland for the conference tournament since the 2017-18 campaign. This season marks the first time Eastern has ever qualified for the MAC Tournament as the MAC went to eight-team maximum ahead of the 2020-21 season.
»The Eagles, which are seeking their first MAC Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament berth since the 1997-98 season, are 32-35 all-time in the MAC Tournament. EMU is 5-4 against Miami in the conference tournament, which includes a 92-77 win in the 1998 championship game.
»Senior Jalen Terry ranks second in the MAC at 16.5 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson is tied for fifth with 16.0 points per game.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 47-77 record at EMU and a 256-284 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach.
EASTERN IN THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Eastern Michigan is 32-35 all-time in the MAC Tournament, which includes a 3-4 mark as the No. 7 and a 1-6 clip against the No. 2 seed. Eastern has lost three-straight MAC Tournament games, most recently a 86-76 loss to Kent State, March 9, 2020. The Eagles are 7-31 in games in which they are the worse seed with their most recent win in such games came as the No. 8 seed, March 11, 2015, knocking off No. 5 seed Bowling Green 73-67. Eastern is also 13-12 in MAC Quarterfinal games.
EASTERN WINNING THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Eastern Michigan has four MAC Tournament championships, taking the crown in 1998, 1996, 1991, and 1988. The Eagles were the top seed in all of those tournaments, other than 1998, when EMU was the No. 4 seed.
THE LAST TIME EASTERN PLAYED A TEAM THREE TIMES
Eastern's game against Miami, March 13, will be the third time the teams have met this season after they split the season as the Eagles won, 76-66, Feb. 18, after Miami won, 89-80, Jan. 28. EMU last played an opponent three times in one season during the 2018-19 campaign as the Eagles won twice against Ball State before falling, 61-43, in the MAC Tournament.
THE ANTOWNE WOOLFOLK PIECE
Miami's Antowne Woolfolk visited Eastern Michigan after entering the transfer portal out of Rutgers after the 2023-24 season and has been a key piece in the results of the meetings between the two schools this season.
In the 89-80 Miami win, Jan. 28, Woolfolk scored 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting (8-of-10 free throws) to go with 10 rebounds. In the 76-66 EMU win, Feb. 18, Woolfolk was held scoreless, attempting just one shot, to go with one rebound.
EASTERN MICHIGAN ROAD CLOSURE
Eastern Michigan played at Ohio, March 4, and closed the season at Kent State, March 7.
The 2024-25 season marks the third-consecutive year in which the Eagles' final two regular season games are on the road, while EMU will play its last regular season competition away from home for the eighth-straight season. Eastern's last two regular season contests have been road games five of the last seven years.
9-9 IN THE MAC
Eastern Michigan finished conference play at 9-9 in the MAC for the first time since a 9-9 mark in the 2018-19 season.
YUSUF JIHAD 24 POINTS IN LAST TWO GAMES
Senior Yusuf Jihad has been a key piece of the bench for Eastern, particularly the last two games as the forward has 24 points on 9-of-11 shooting.
Entering the game at Ohio, March 4, Jihad went scoreless in four-consecutive games, playing a combined 16:21 over those four games. He came up clutch with his sixth and seventh double-digit scoring efforts of the season against Ohio, March 4, and Kent State, March 7, respectively, as senior Da'Sean Nelson was limited to 45 minutes between the two games due to foul trouble.
Jihad has been at Eastern for all four of Head Coach Stan Heath's seasons at EMU.
CHRISTIAN HENRY 35 POINTS LAST TWO GAMES
Junior Christian Henry poured in 23 points to pace the EMU offense at Ohio, March 4. Henry's 8-for-12 shooting from the floor marks his most efficient rate of the season and is four less field goal attempts than any other 20-plus point performance he has had.
Henry, who was 6-for-6 from the free throw line for the third time this season, notched his sixth 20-point performance of the campaign and first since dropping 25 points at Miami, Jan. 28.
Henry added 18 points at Kent State, March 7, giving him 35 in the regular season's final two games on 14-of-22 shooting.
FIVE EAGLES WITH 10+ POINTS AT OHIO
With junior Christian Henry (23), senior Jalen Terry (15), senior Da'Sean Nelson (14), sophomore Arne Osojnik (13) and senior Yusuf Jihad (10) all scoring in double figures at Ohio, March 4, the Eagles had five players in double figures for the second time this season after also doing so against Buffalo, Jan. 25.
NELSON AND TERRY 25 POINTS APIECE
DePaul transfers Da'Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry each netted 25 points against Central Michigan, Feb. 28. Terry and Nelson are the first Eastern duo to score 25 points apiece in one game since Jan. 29, 2022, when Noah Farrakhan (28) and Nate Scott (25) did so against Miami.
JALEN TERRY BUZZER-BEATER AT NIU
Senior Jalen Terry drilled a 35-foot buzzer-beat at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22, to push EMU past NIU, 79-76. Terry's make was featured as the No. 2 play on SportsCenter's top-10 plays. Terry also made the game-tying lay-up with 14 seconds left with a 28-point showing.
JALEN TERRY THREE-POINT SUCCESS
Senior Jalen Terry, who leads the MAC with 85 made three-pointers, is climbing Eastern's single-season three-point list. His 2.83 three-pointers per game is among the top marks in EMU history.
Eastern Single-Season Three-Point Leaders:
Player Made Avg/Game Season
1. Willie Mangum 93 2.91 2016-17
2. Carl Thomas 89 2.70 1990-91
T3. Jalen Terry 85 2.83 2024-25
Earl Boykins 85 2.93 1997-98
JALEN TERRY FREE-THROW SUCCESS
Senior Jalen Terry, who ranks third in the MAC in free throw percentage at 87.5% (70-of-80), would finish as Eastern's all-time leader in free percentage if he keeps up his conversion rate.
Eastern Single-Season Free-Throw Leaders (min. 50 makes):
Player FT-FTA Percent Season
1. Jalen Terry 70-80 87.5% 2024-25
2. Raven Lee 114-143 85.7% 2016-17
3. Michael Ross 82-96 85.4% 2004-05
Eastern Career Free-Throw Leaders (min. 50 makes/season):
Player FT-FTA Percent Seasons
1. Jalen Terry 70-80 87.5% 2024-25
2. Darrell Lampley 157-187 84.0% 2010-12
3. Michael Ross 106-127 83.5% 2006-08
TEAM FREE-THROW SUCCESS
Despite Eastern being ranked sixth in the MAC in free throw percentage at 73.9%, the Eagles' conversion rate this season is third in program history.
Eastern Single-Season Free-Throw Leaders (min. 50 makes):
Season FT-FTA Percent Games
1. 2022-23 441-575 76.7% 30
2. 2020-21 243-326 74.5% 18
3. 2024-25 441-597 73.9% 31
4. 2007-08 465-638 72.9% 31
JT 25+ POINTS, 6+ THREE-POINTERS
Senior Jalen Terry logged 25 points with six made three-pointers against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, after recording 28 points with six made three-pointers at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22. He also scored 38 points with six made three-pointers against Toledo, Feb. 15, and posted back-to-back games with at least 25 points and six made three-pointers at IU Indy, Nov. 14, and at Cleveland State, Nov. 16. He is one of five MAC players to accomplish that feat and the first to do so since Jordan Dartis for Ohio University in 2019.
Terry is the first Eagle since the 2002-03 season to record five such games in one season.
EMU Players With 25 Points AND Six Three-Pointers TOTAL Games in One Season (Since 2002-03):
1. Jalen Terry 5 2024-25
T2. Tyson Acuff 2 2022-23
T2. Emoni Bates 2 2022-23
T2. Elijah Minnie 2 2018-19
T2. Willie Mangum 2 2016-17
MAC Players With 25 Points AND Six Three-Pointers in CONSECUTIVE Games (Since 2002-03):
MOH Michael Bramos 4 Dec. 3-13, 2008
EMU Jalen Terry 2 Nov. 14-16, 2024
OU Jordan Dartis 2 Nov. 24-30, 2019
CMU Marcus Keene 2 (x2) Dec. 3-6, 2016; Jan. 17-21, 2017
BSU Skip Mills 2 March 4-6, 2006
Terry was also the first Eagle since Carlos Medlock, Feb. 11-15, 2006, to knock down six three-pointers in back-to-back games.
HEATH'S MOST WINS SINCE 2011-12
Head Coach Stan Heath and the Eagles have 16 wins in the 2024-25 season, Heath's most as a collegiate head coach since the 2011-12 season.
YEAR TEAM O'ALL HOME AWAY NEUT
2001-02 KSU 30-6 12-0 10-3 8-3
2002-03 ARK 9-19 8-8 1-9 0-2
2003-04 ARK 12-16 10-6 1-8 1-2
2004-05 ARK 18-12 13-3 2-7 3-2
2005-06 ARK 22-10 15-1 3-5 4-4
2006-07 ARK 21-14 13-3 2-8 6-3
2007-08 USF 12-19 7-8 3-10 2-1
2008-09 USF 9-22 7-7 1-12 1-3
2009-10 USF 20-13 11-5 4-6 5-2
2010-11 USF 10-23 7-9 1-12 2-2
2011-12 USF 22-14 14-2 5-8 3-4
2012-13 USF 12-19 10-8 2-10 0-1
2013-14 USF 12-20 7-10 5-7 0-3
2021-22 EMU 10-21 8-7 2-14 0-0
2022-23 EMU 8-23 6-7 2-13 0-3
2023-24 EMU 13-18 9-6 4-11 0-1
2024-25 EMU 16-15 9-5 6-10 1-0
256-284 166-95 54-152 36-37
EMU's win over Ohio, March 4, also yielded Eastern's six road win of the season, Heath's most road wins since tallying 10 with Elite Eight-qualifying Kent State in the 2001-02 season.
MAC SCORING LEADERS
Senior Jalen Terry ranks second in the MAC in scoring at 16.5 points per game while Da'Sean Nelson ranks fourth at 16.0 points per game.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (overall):
1. Quentin Jones (NIU) 16.6
2. Jalen Terry (EMU) 16.5
3. Uginus Jarusevicius (CMU) 16.2
4. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 16.0
5. Marcus Johnson (BGSU) 16.0
With former Eagle Tyson Acuff leading the MAC in scoring at 21.7 points per game in the 2023-24 season, Eastern would be the first school to have the conference scoring champ in back-to-back seasons since Western Michigan's David Kool led the league in scoring in both 2008-09 (17.9 ppg) and 2009-10 (21.6 ppg). The Eagles would be the first team with different players leading the conference in scoring in back-to-back seasons since Ball State had Keith McLeod (2001-02; 21.9 ppg) and Chris Wiliams (2002-03; 24.5 ppg).
Furthermore, if both Terry and Nelson can stay in the top five, the duo would be the first MAC duo to both rank in the conference's top-five in scoring since CMU's Marcus Keene (30.0 ppg; 1st) and Braylon Rayson (21.2 ppg; 2nd) in the 2016-17 season.
During conference play, both Terry and Nelson scored 303 points, averaging 16.8 points per game to rank fifth. Eastern is the only team in the MAC with two players in the top-seven.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (conference only):
1. Uginus Jarusevicius (CMU) 18.4
2. Chansey Willis Jr. (WMU) 17.5
3. Jalen Sullinger (KSU) 17.3
4. Sam Lewis (TOL) 16.9
T5. Jalen Terry (EMU) 16.8
Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 16.8
BILLINGSLEY SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fifth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 131-for-233 (.562).
Billingsley has multiple made field goals in 29-of-31 games this season, converting at least one in every game.
DA'SEAN NELSON BLOCKS IN 13-OF-16 GAMES
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who did not record a block against Ohio, March 4, or against Kent State has at least one block in 13 of the last 16 games.
Nelson has 25 blocks during the 16-game stretch (1.5 per game) and multiple blocks in six of those games.
DA'SEAN NELSON GETS FOULED A LOT
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has been fouled 186 times in 30 games played (6.2 fouls per game). During MAC play, Nelson has accumulated 117 fouls drawn in 18 games (6.5 fouls per game).
Nelson has drawn at least eight fouls in 12 games this season, all of which have come in the last 24 games.
The forward matched his season high with 12 fouls drawn against Central Michigan, Feb. 28.
Eastern Michigan Leaders in Fouls Drawn:
Player Total Average
Da'Sean Nelson 186 6.2
Christian Henry 131 4.2
Jalen Terry 79 2.6
Jalin Billingsley 71 2.3
ONE OF THREE SCHOOLS WITH 32+ POINTS (x3)
With senior Jalen Terry's 38 points against Toledo, Feb. 15, senior Da'Sean Nelson's 32 points against Northern Illinois, Jan. 4, and senior Jalin Billingsley's 32 points against Siena Heights, Nov. 8, Eastern Michigan, Louisville, and Texas are the only three schools in the nation with at least three different players reaching 32 points this season.
Different Players Scoring 32+ Points:
T1. Eastern Michigan 3
Louisville 3
Texas 3
In total, 175 different players have a 32-point performance this season.
Adding in junior Christian Henry's 28-point showing against Detroit Mercy, Nov. 30, Eastern Michigan is one of nine teams in the nation with at least four different players reaching 28 points this season. Austin Peay leads the nation with five different players achieving the mark.
Different Players Scoring 28+ Points:
1. Austin Peay 5
San Jose 5
T2. Eastern Michigan 4
Bellarmine 4
Louisville 4
Oklahoma 4
Missouri 4
New Orleans 4
Portland 4
Prairie View A&M 4
San Francisco 4
San Jose State 4
In total, 532 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
10-1 WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF
Eastern Michigan is a 10-1 when leading at halftime this season, suffering its first loss when leading at the intermission, March 7, at Kent State, after being unable to hold a 36-31 halftime lead. The Eagles joining Akron, Ohio, and Toledo are the four teams in the MAC to have just one loss when taking an advantage into the locker room.
While Eastern has had some success when leading at the half under Head Coach Stan Heath, the Eagles were 18-12 when outscoring their foe in the first half in Heath's first three seasons prior to this season's 10-0 mark bumping that figure up to 28-13 in Heath's tenure.
SUCCESS IN CLOSE GAMES
Helped by a pair of Ohio three-pointers in the final 7.5 seconds to make the score tighter, Eastern used an 83-79 win over the Bobcats, March 4, to move to 8-2 in games decided by four points or less. Eastern's eight wins by four or fewer is tied for the fourth-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. Michigan 11
T2. Princeton 9
UC-Riverside 9
T4. Eastern Michigan 8
four other schools 8
TWO EAGLES AVERAGING 16 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.5 APG
Eastern is the only team in the nation to have multiple players averaging at least 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Senior Da'Sean Nelson is averaging 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while senior Jalen Terry is averaging 16.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
In total, 48 different players nationally are averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Adding in a 1.0 steals benchmark makes Nelson and Terry two of the nation's 36 players to average those numbers as Nelson averages 1.1 steals and Terry logs 1.6 steals.
Nelson is one of just four players nationally to average at least 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Nelson averages 1.1 blocks and is joined by Duke's Cooper Flagg, Northwestern's Brook Barnhizer, and UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg on the list. Nelson, averages 29.8 minutes, is the only player on the list that averages less than 30 minutes per contest.
Terry is one of 19 players nationally to average at least 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Terry is the only MAC player on the list.
THREE EAGLES AVERAGING 14.0+ POINTS
Eastern has three players averaging 14.0 points for the first time since 2017-18 and four players averaging 10.0 points for the first time since 2016-17.
Player PPG 2024-25
Jalen Terry 16.5
Da'Sean Nelson 16.0
Christian Henry 14.4
Jalin Billingsley 10.6
Player PPG 2017-18
Elijah Minnie 16.8
Paul Jackson 14.9
James Thompson 14.5
Player PPG 2016-17
Ray Lee 15.7
Willie Mangum 15.7
James Thompson 14.8
Ty Toney 10.2
SECOND-HALF SCORING
Eastern is averaging 39.6 points in the second half while averaging 33.3 points in the first half.
In EMU's 31 games, the Eagles have scored more points in the second half than the first in 21 games.
Ten of the Eagles' 14 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)
Feb. 8 Old Dominion 47 (2nd)
Nov. 14 IU Indy 45 (1st)
March 4 Ohio 45 (2nd)
Jan. 21 Ohio 44 (2nd)
Feb. 28 Central Michigan 44 (1st)
Nov. 8 Siena Heights 43 (2nd)
Dec. 28 Davidson 43 (2nd)
Jan. 11 Akron 43 (2nd)
Feb. 15 Toledo 43 (2nd)
JALEN TERRY MAC MINUTES LEADER
Senior Jalen Terry leads the MAC in minutes, averaging 37.4 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 39.4
2. Mitch Macari (Drake) 38.4
3. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.8
4. Nicholas Martinelli (NW) 37.6
5. Jalen Terry (EMU) 37.4
With former Eagle Tyson Acuff ranking fourth in the nation in minutes per game at 37.9 in 2023-24, if Terry can remain in 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.
EASTERN MICHIGAN HAS SIX ROAD WINS
Eastern has accumulated six true road wins in the 2024-25 season, which is first time reaching six road wins in one season since tallying seven in the 2017-18 campaign.
The Eagles' three road wins in MAC play and is the first time doing so since logging four MAC road wins in the 2018-19 season.
MAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who was named MAC Player of the Week Dec. 2, Dec. 23, and 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.
Senior Jalen Terry earned the honor Feb. 11 and Feb. 18, meaning the Eagles' five honors lead the MAC.
Terry also received Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week accolades, Feb. 18.
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 644-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit seven threes against Kent State, March 7, has now hit at least one triple in 644-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.
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.
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).
UP NEXT
Eastern will play an opponent to-be-determined in the opening round of the MAC Tournament, March 13, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Eagles will play at a time to-be-determined against either Miami, Kent State, or Ohio.
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