Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Off to Ohio Seeking MAC Tournament Berth
3/2/2025 6:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles would clinch bid with win, Ball State loss to CMU
| Men's Basketball at Ohio | |
| Date | Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. |
| Venue | Convocation Center (13,000) | Athens, 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 | |
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Ohio will air on ESPN+ from the Convocation Center. 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
»Eastern, which is 8-8 in MAC play, can secure its bid to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2019. With a win Tuesday, March 4, the Eagles would also require a Ball State win over Central Michigan, or a Northern Illinois win over Bowling Green, or a Kent State win over Western Michigan. An Eastern win against the Bobcats would give EMU six road wins for the first time since the 2017-18 season and the Eagles' first two-game season sweep of Ohio since the 1994-95 season.
»EMU led for more than 38 minutes en route to topping Central Michigan, Feb. 28, 84-73. Senior Jalen Terry netted 25 points with six three-points while senior Da'Sean Nelson had 25 points and 10 rebounds.
»Eastern trailed by 16 at halftime against Bowling Green, Feb. 25, but ultimately fell, 65-60. The Eagles used a 20-2 run over a 10:03 span to tie the game at 36-36 but never led in the contest.
»Senior Jalen Terry put in a 35-foot buzzer-beater to lead Eastern past Northern Illinois, Feb. 22, 79-76. Despite trailing by 11 points in the second half and by four with 26 seconds left and the Huskies at the free throw line, the Eagles rallied to earn the improbable win.
»Senior Jalen Terry ranks second in the MAC at 17.0 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson ranks third with 16.4 points per game.
»EMU and Texas are the only teams in the nation to have at least three different players to score 32 points in separate games this season.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 46-76 record at EMU and a 255-283 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach.
ALL TIME SERIES VS. OHIO
Eastern and Ohio will meet for the 85th time as OU leads the all-time series, 55-29. The Bobcats hold a robust 36-6 advantage in Athens. Despite that mark, two of those EMU wins have come in the last six meetings at OU. Ohio has won four-straight in Athens including an 85-67 decision, Jan. 20, 2024.
The Eagles won the most recent meeting between the teams, 94-87, Jan. 21, in Ypsilanti behind an impressive 10-of-17 (58.8%) three-point shooting showcase. Da'Sean Nelson had 21 points, seven rebounds, and six assists; Christian Henry scored 18 points, Jalen Terry had 17 points, and Arne Osojnik had a season-high 16 points.
Eastern has not won back-to-back games against Ohio since Feb. 19, 2003, and Feb. 25, 2004, and has not beaten Ohio twice in the same season since 1995. The Eagles have not topped Ohio twice in the same regular season since 1988.
Tuesday's game marks the first March meeting between the teams since March 10, 1995, a 78-72 EMU win.
EASTERN MICHIGAN ROAD CLOSURE
Eastern Michigan will close the season at Ohio, March 4, and at Kent State, March 7.
The 2024-25 season will mark 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.
EASTERN MICHIGAN HAS FIVE ROAD WINS
Eastern has accumulated five true road wins in the 2024-25 season, which is first time reaching five road wins in one season since tallying seven in the 2017-18 campaign.
The Eagles' two road wins in MAC play matches its mark from the 2023-24 season. If EMU can secure a third road win in conference play, it would be the first time doing so since logging four MAC road wins in the 2018-19 season.
9-8 IN THE MAC...?
Eastern Michigan, which sits at 8-8 in the MAC for the first time since the 2018-19 season, is seeking a 9-8 record in conference play against Oho, March 4. The 2018-19 team was 9-8 in MAC play through 17 games.
EYEING THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Eastern Michigan, which has not qualified for the MAC Tournament since 2019, sits at 8-8 in conference play and is tied for sixth with Western Michigan in the MAC standings.
Eastern is expected to need one more MAC win to safely be in the field but could still qualify at 8-10.
If Eastern is _____ in its last two games:
»2-0: would clinch bid, could be seeded anywhere from 3-6 with No. 4 seed most likely.
»1-1: 99% chance of qualifying, could be seeded anywhere from 5-8 with No. 7 seed most likely.
»0-2: 41% chance of qualifying, could be seeded from 7-8 with No. 8 seed most likely.
*percentages per PlayoffStatus.com
IMPORTANCE OF OHIO GAME
Eastern Michigan's game against Ohio, March 4, could prove to be crucial in qualifying for the MAC Tournament with a challenging road game at Kent State, March 7, looming for the Eagles.
Eastern, which currently has a 70% chance of qualifying for the conference tournament, would jump up to a 99% chance with a win over the Bobcats, independent of other results. Conversely, a loss would see EMU's odds drop to 56%, independent of other results.
*percentages per PlayoffStatus.com
While the Eagles would lose head-to-head tiebreakers with Western Michigan and Ball State, EMU's win over Miami, Feb. 18, would allow Eastern to win head-to-head tiebreakers against Central Michigan and Bowling Green, respectively.
EASTERN CLINCHING SCENARIOS
Eastern Michigan is unable to secure a bid to the MAC Tournament as soon as Tuesday, March 4, if the Eagles lose to Ohio.
EMU would clinch at least the No. 7 seed if...
»EMU beats Ohio AND
»CMU beats Ball State AND
»Kent State beats WMU AND
»NIU beats BGSU
This is because EMU would have nine wins and would be guaranteed to finish ahead of either current-eight win WMU OR current seven-win BGSU, seven-win Ball State, then-seven-win CMU, four-win Buffalo, and then-two-win NIU.
EMU would clinch at least the No. 8 seed if...
»EMU beats Ohio AND
»CMU beats Ball State
This is because EMU would have nine wins and would be guaranteed to finish ahead of seven-win Ball State, seven-win CMU, seven-win BGSU, four-win Buffalo, and then-two-win NIU.
EMU would need a Ball State loss AND a loss by either WMU or BGSU because a potential four-way tie at 9-9 between EMU, Ball State, WMU, and BGSU, would leave Eastern on the outside looking in.
THE MAC TOURNAMENT BUBBLE'S SCHEDULES
Of Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Ball State, Bowling Green, and Central Michigan, three of those five teams will qualify for the MAC Tournament.
MAC Tournament Bubble Teams' Schedules:
Team Wins Game Date
EMU 8 at Ohio March 4
EMU 8 at Kent St. March 7
WMU 8 vs. Kent St. March 4
WMU 8 at BGSU March 7
Ball St. 7 vs. CMU March 4
Ball St. 7 at Miami March 7
BGSU 7 at NIU March 4
BGSU 7 vs. WMU March 7
CMU 6 at Ball St. March 4
CMU 6 vs. NIU March 7
MAC TOURNAMENT NO. 8 HISTORY
Eastern currently sits at eight MAC wins. No team with eight wins has been left out of the MAC's top-eight since Toledo in the 2015-16 season.
If Eastern secures a ninth MAC win, history would favor the Eagles as no team with nine wins in MAC play has been left out of the MAC's top-eight since the MAC has had 12 teams, starting with the 1997-98 season.
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 MAC Wins by No. 8 Seed: 7.52
Highest MAC Wins by No. 8 Seed: 10 (2004-05)
Lowest MAC Wins by No. 8 Seed: 6 (4x, last 2022-23)
12 MADE THREE-POINTERS AGAINST CMU
Eastern was an impressive 12-of-28 (42.9%) from three-point range against Central Michigan, Feb. 28. The 12 made threes are EMU's most since making 13 at Louisiana-Monroe, Feb. 10, 2024. EMU's 12 threes were its most in a MAC game since making 13 against Ohio, Jan. 31, 2023.
DA'SEAN NELSON 25 POINTS, 10 REBOUNDS
Senior Da'Sean Nelson recorded his second double-double of the season against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Nelson added five assists, making him the first Eagle to record 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists since March 5, 2011, when Brandon Bowdry had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists against Toledo. Nelson joins BGSU's Javontae Campbell as MAC players to record that stat line or better this season.
Nelson, who matched his season with 12 fouls drawn, converted a career-high 13 free throws on 14 attempts.
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.
16 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS AGAINST CMU
Eastern posted 16 offensive rebounds against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, its most on the offensive glass since a 22 offensive rebound performance, Dec. 30, 2023, against Northwood. The 16 offensive rebounds are Eastern's most in MAC play since Jan. 3, 2023, when the Eagles hauled in 19 against Bowling Green.
JALEN TERRY LAST FIVE GAMES
Senior Jalen Terry has been on a tear the previous five games, helping Eastern to a 4-1 mark in that span.
In the last five contests, Terry averaged 25.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and has been efficient, shooting 45-of-81 (55.6%) from the floor and 23-of-45 (51.1%) from three-point range.
Terry ranks third in the nation in points per game in the last five games played.
National PPG Leaders (last five games played):
1. Tre Johnson (Texas) 27.2
2. T.K. Simpson (Elon) 26.2
3. Jalen Terry (EMU) 25.8
Terry's complete game-by-game breakdown can be found on page 26.
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, which leads the MAC with 83 made three-pointers, is climbing Eastern's single-season three-point list. His 2.96 three-pointers per game would be an EMU record.
Eastern Single-Season Three-Point Leaders:
Team Made Avg/Game Season
1. Willie Mangum 93 2.91 2016-17
2. Carl Thomas 89 2.70 1990-91
3. Earl Boykins 85 2.93 1997-98
4. Jalen Terry 83 2.96 2024-25
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 15 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 15-14 9-5 5-9 1-0
255-283 166-95 53-151 36-37
An EMU win over Ohio, March 4, or at Kent State, March 7, would also yield 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 17.0 points per game while Da'Sean Nelson ranks third at 16.4 points per game.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (overall):
1. Quentin Jones (NIU) 17.1
2. Jalen Terry (EMU) 17.0
3. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 16.4
4. Uginus Jarusevicius (CMU) 16.0
5. Marcus Johnson (BGSU) 15.8
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, Terry averages 17.7 points to rank second and Nelson averages 17.6 points to rank third. 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) 18.9
2. Jalen Terry (EMU) 17.7
3. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 17.6
4. Quentin Jones (NIU) 17.5
5. Chansey Willis Jr. (WMU) 17.4
BILLINGSLEY SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fifth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 123-for-221 (.557).
Billingsley had 17-straight games with multiple made field goals prior to going 1-for-4 from the floor at NIU, Feb. 22. He responded with a 6-for-6 showing against BGSU, Feb. 25, and a 5-for-11 effort against Central Michigan, Feb. 28.
DA'SEAN NELSON BLOCKS IN 13-OF-14 GAMES
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who blocked one shot against Central Michigan, Feb. 28, has at least one block in 13 of the last 14 games.
Nelson has 25 blocks during the 14-game stretch (1.8 per game) and multiple blocks in six of those games.
DA'SEAN NELSON GETS FOULED A LOT
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has been fouled 180 times in 28 games played (6.4 fouls per game). During MAC play, Nelson has accumulated 111 fouls drawn in 16 games (6.9 fouls per game).
Nelson has drawn at least eight fouls in 12 games this season, all of which have come in the last 22 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 180 6.4
Christian Henry 120 4.1
Jalen Terry 72 2.6
Jalin Billingsley 68 2.3
ONE OF TWO 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 and Texas are the only two schools in the nation with at least three different players reaching 32 points this season.
Different Players Scoring 32+ Points:
T1. Eastern Michigan 3
Texas 3
In total, 189 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
T2. Eastern Michigan 4
Bellarmine 4
Oklahoma 4
Missouri 4
New Orleans 4
Portland 4
Prairie View A&M 4
San Jose State 4
In total, 505 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
SUCCESS IN CLOSE GAMES
After the Eagles won, 79-76, at Northern Illinois, Feb. 22, Eastern moved to 7-2 in games decided by four points or less. Eastern's seven wins by four or fewer is tied for the fifth-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.Georgia Southern 8
Marist 8
Middle Tennessee 8
T7. Eastern Michigan 7
nine other schools 7
TWO EAGLES AVERAGING 16 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.5 APG
Eastern is the only team in the nation to have multiple players averaging at least 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Senior Da'Sean Nelson is averaging 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while senior Jalen Terry is averaging 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
In total, 36 different players nationally are averaging 16 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Adding in a 1.0 steals bench mark makes Nelson and Terry two of the nation's 25 players to average those numbers as Nelson averages 1.0 steals and Terry logs 1.6 steals.
Nelson is one of just five players nationally to average at least 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Nelson averages 1.1 blocks and is joined by Duke's Cooper Flagg, NIU's Quentin Jones, Northwestern's Brook Barnhizer, and UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg on the list.
Terry is one of eight players nationally to average at least 17.0 points, 5.0 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 17.0
Da'Sean Nelson 16.1
Christian Henry 14.0
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 33.0 points in the first half.
In EMU's 29 games, the Eagles have scored more points in the second half than the first in 20 games.
Nine of the Eagles' 13 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)
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 37.3 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 39.2
2. Mitch Macari (Drake) 38.1
3. Nicholas Martinelli (NW) 37.5
4. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.5
5. Jalen Terry (EMU) 37.3
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.
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, 642-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit 12 threes against Central Michigan, Feb. 28 has now hit at least one triple in 642-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).
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 October 2024 to repair a torn meniscus, but returned to G-League action, Dec. 15, 2024, with 10 points and five rebounds. By Feb. 13, 2025, Bates had returned to form, dropping 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
NEXT UP
Eastern Michigan travels to Kent State Friday, March 7. The 7 p.m. game marks the regular-season finale.
FOLLOW US
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