Eastern Michigan Athletics
Tuesday, March 4
Athens, Ohio
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Ohio
MAC Tournament Berth Secured, Eastern Battling Kent State Friday to Close Regular Season
3/5/2025 10:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Eagles could jump as high as No.3 seed in conference tournament with win
| Men's Basketball at Kent State | |
| Date | Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. |
| Venue | M.A.C. Center (6,721) | Kent, 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. |
KENT, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) -- With a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth secured, the Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team will battle for improved seeding at Kent State University Friday, March 7. The game is set for 7 p.m. inside the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Kent State will air on ESPN+ from the M.A.C. Center. 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 is 9-8 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 and currently sit fifth. With a win against Kent State, March 7, EMU could finish as high as the No. 3 seed.
»Eastern held a 15-point first-half lead against Ohio only to see that advantage evaporate in a 6:11 span as the Bobcats tied the game at 38-38 at the buzzer. The Eagles, despite having seven fouls spread out over their top three scorers at the break, were not rattled and never trailed in the game, building their lead out to as many as 11 in the second half before the final buzzer.
»The win over Ohio gave 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.
»With Eastern's win over Ohio, March 4, the Eagles will have the opportunity to win at Ohio and at Kent State in the same season for the first time in program history.
»EMU led for more than 38 minutes en route to topping Central Michigan, Feb. 28, 84-73. Senior Jalen Terry netted 25 points, including 20 in the second half, with six three-pointers while senior Da'Sean Nelson had 25 points and 10 rebounds.
»Senior Jalen Terry ranks second in the MAC at 16.9 points per game while senior Da'Sean Nelson ranks third with 16.3 points per game.
»Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fourth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 47-76 record at EMU and a 256-283 record over 17 years as a collegiate head coach, the first which came at KSU.
ALL TIME SERIES VS. KENT STATE
Eastern and Kent State will meet for the 87th time as KSU leads the all-time series, 50-26. The Golden Flashes hold a robust 33-9 advantage in Kent. Eastern has lost five-straight games in Kent, all by at least 10 points.
EMU's last win in Kent came Feb. 6, 2018, a 71-67 victory.
The Eagles lost the most recent meeting between the teams, 70-49, Feb. 4, in Ypsilanti. Christian Henry, Jalen Terry, Yusuf Jihad each had 10 points to lead EMU in a game that Da'Sean Nelson limited to 1-of-9 from the floor with four blocks.
Friday's game marks the first March regular season meeting between the teams since March 1, 1997, a 73-59 EMU win.
EASTERN MICHIGAN SEED SCENARIOS
Eastern Michigan has secured at least the No. 7 seed and can improve its seed ahead of the MAC Tournament Friday, March 7, if the Eagles beat Kent State. The Eagles, which currently hold the No. 5 seed, can still finish as high as fifth with a loss.
EMU would be the No. 3 seed if...
»EMU beats Kent State AND
»Toledo beats Ohio
This is because EMU would hold a 4-2 mark in a round-robin with Kent State, Toledo, and Ohio. The Golden Flashes would also have a 4-2 record, but the Eagles would have the advantage due to their win over Miami as KSU finished 0-2 against Miami. In that scenario, Ohio would be the No. 6 as a result of being 1-5 in the four-team round-robin.
EMU would be the No. 4 seed if...
»EMU beats Kent State AND
»Ohio beats Toledo
This is because EMU would win the tiebreaker over Kent State due to its win over Miami as KSU finished 0-2 against the RedHawks. In that scenario, Kent State would be the No. 5 seed.
EMU would be the No. 5 seed if...
»Kent State beats EMU AND
»BGSU beats WMU AND
»Ohio beats Toledo
A three-way round-robin with Toledo and BGSU would result in each team being 1-1. EMU would have the advantage due to its win over Miami as both Toledo and BGSU finished 0-1 against the RedHawks. In that scenario, Kent State would be the No. 4 seed.
EMU would be the No. 6 seed if...
»Kent State beats EMU AND
»BGSU beats WMU AND
»Toledo beats Ohio
This is because EMU would win the tiebreaker over BGSU due to its win over Miami as BGSU went 0-1 against the RedHawks. In that scenario, Kent State would be the No. 3 seed.
EMU would be the No. 7 seed if...
»Kent State beats EMU AND
»WMU beats BGSU
This is because EMU lost to WMU, Feb. 1, in the teams' lone meeting this season. Even if Ohio were to beat Toledo to create a three-way tie between the Rockets, WMU, and EMU, the Eagles hold a 1-2 record in the three-team round-robin while Toledo is 2-1 and WMU is 1-1. Miami is the No. 2 seed.
IMPACTING EASTERN MICHIGAN SEED SCHEDULE
With Eastern Michigan securely in the MAC Tournament field, a trio of MAC games will impact where the Eagles would be seeded.
MAC Games That Impact Eastern Michigan Seeding:
Team Time
Eastern Michigan at Kent State 7 p.m.
Ohio at Toledo 7 p.m.
Western Michigan at BGSU 7 p.m.
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES AGAINST THE SAME TEAM...?
If Eastern Michigan finishes seeded anywhere from fourth to sixth in the MAC Tournament, the Eagles would be expected to play Kent State once again, which would mark the second-consecutive game in which the teams will play after closing the regular season, March 7.
Although some conferences elected to have teams play against each other back-to-back games during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eastern escaped the 2020-21 season without playing any school in consecutive matchups. If Eastern and Kent State were to play in the MAC Tournament's opening round, March 13, it would mark the Eagles' first time playing the same team in two-straight games since closing the 2015-16 season with a win over Toledo prior to opening the MAC Tournament by downing the Rockets once more.
EASTERN MICHIGAN ROAD CLOSURE
Eastern Michigan played at Ohio, March 4, and will close 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.
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 tops 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.
10-8 IN THE MAC...?
Eastern Michigan, which sits at 9-8 in the MAC for the first time since the 2018-19 season, is seeking a 10-8 record in conference play against Kent State, March 7. This would be Eastern's best conference record since an 11-7 mark in the 2017-18 season.
A THIRD THREE-GAME MAC WINNING STREAK...?
Eastern Michigan, which has already had a pair of three-game winning streaks during MAC play, is seeking its third different three-game winning streak during conference play at Kent State, March 7.
The Eagles have not had a trio of separate three-game winning streaks in MAC play since the 1987-88 season, in which EMU was an impressive 14-2 in conference action.
Eastern's first three-game MAC win streak:
Date Against Score
Jan. 18, 2025 at Bowling Green W, 68-62
Jan. 21, 2025 Ohio W, 94-87
Jan. 25, 2025 Buffalo W, 90-77
Eastern's second three-game MAC win streak:
Date Against Score
Feb. 15, 2025 Toledo W, 80-73
Feb. 18, 2025 Miami W, 76-66
Feb. 22, 2025 at Northern Illinois W, 79-76
LAST TIME EASTERN WON AT OHIO AND KSU...?
Hindered by a 36-6 mark on the road in the all-time series entering the game, Eastern Michigan won at Ohio, March 4, to earn its first two-game season sweep of the Bobcats since the 1994-95 season.
Similarly, Eastern trails Kent State, 33-9, in the all-time series at KSU, as EMU is seeking it first win in Kent since Feb. 6, 2018.
Dating back through the 1974-75 season, Eastern's first time playing both Ohio and Kent State on the road in the same season, the Eagles have never defeated both the Bobcats and the Golden Flashes at their home arena in the same season. During that 50-season stretch, Eastern has had played both schools on the road 33 times as Friday's game will mark EMU's 34th opportunity to beat both teams on their home floor.
EASTERN HAS WON 5-OF-6 GAMES
Eastern Michigan was won five of its last six games, all of which were MAC contests. EMU tallied five wins in a six-game stretch in the non-conference slate earlier this season but had not done so in MAC play since a six-game winning streak to close the 2017-18 regular season.
EASTERN'S KENT STATE CONNECTION
Head Coach Stan Heath was the Coach of the Golden Flashes during the 2001-02 season, helping KSU to a 30-6 record and an Elite Eight appearance. Although recent NFL Hall of Fame Antonio Gates played for Eastern during the 1999-00 season, Heath coached Gates as a Golden Flash during Heath's lone season at the helm of KSU.
Assistant Coach Jay Smith earned his Master's degree in Sport Management from KSU in 1986 prior to serving on staff from 1984-89.
CHRISTIAN HENRY 23 POINTS AT OHIO
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.
YUSUF JIHAD 10 POINTS AT OHIO
Senior Yusuf Jihad netted 10 points for a perfect 4-of-4 shooting in 15:34 minutes of action at Ohio, March 4. His 15:34 of floor time marked his fifth-most of the season. After going scoreless in four-consecutive games, playing a combined 16:21 over those four games, Jihad came up clutch with his sixth double-digit scoring effort of the season as senior Da'Sean Nelson was limited to 24 minutes due to foul trouble.
In the game at Ohio, March 4, Jihad hit his lone three-point attempt, which marked his first three-point attempt and conversion since Jan. 14 at Central Michigan. Jihad's 10-point showing was his first game in double figures since scoring 10 points against Kent State, Feb. 4.
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.
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 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 84 made three-pointers, is climbing Eastern's single-season three-point list. His 2.90 three-pointers per game is among the top marks in EMU history.
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 84 2.90 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 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 16-14 9-5 6-9 1-0
256-283 166-95 54-151 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 16.9 points per game while Da'Sean Nelson ranks third at 16.3 points per game.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (overall):
1. Quentin Jones (NIU) 17.1
2. Jalen Terry (EMU) 16.9
3. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 16.3
4. Uginus Jarusevicius (CMU) 16.2
5. Marcus Johnson (BGSU) 15.9
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-eight.
MAC Points Per Game Leaders (conference only):
1. Uginus Jarusevicius (CMU) 18.5
2. Chansey Willis Jr. (WMU) 17.8
T3. Jalen Terry (EMU) 17.5
Quentin Jones (NIU) 17.5
5. Da'Sean Nelson (EMU) 17.4
BILLINGSLEY SHOOTING PERCENTAGE
Senior Jalin Billingsley ranks fifth in the MAC in field goal percentage, shooting 127-for-227 (.559).
Billingsley has multiple made field goals in 28-of-30 games this season, converting at least one in every game.
DA'SEAN NELSON BLOCKS IN 13-OF-15 GAMES
Senior Da'Sean Nelson, who did not record a block against Ohio, March 4, has at least one block in 13 of the last 15 games.
Nelson has 25 blocks during the 15-game stretch (1.6 per game) and multiple blocks in six of those games.
DA'SEAN NELSON GETS FOULED A LOT
Senior Da'Sean Nelson has been fouled 183 times in 29 games played (6.3 fouls per game). During MAC play, Nelson has accumulated 114 fouls drawn in 17 games (6.7 fouls per game).
Nelson has drawn at least eight fouls in 12 games this season, all of which have come in the last 23 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 183 6.3
Christian Henry 124 4.1
Jalen Terry 78 2.7
Jalin Billingsley 69 2.4
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, 193 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, 512 different players have a 28-point performance this season.
10-0 WHEN LEADING AT THE HALF
Eastern Michigan is a perfect 10-0 when leading at halftime this season. The Eagles are the only team in the MAC to have a unblemished mark when holding a halftime lead while Akron, Ohio, and Toledo are the only teams in the conference to have just one loss when taking an advantage into the locker room.
While Eastern has had some success when leading a 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 28-12 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
Georgia Southern 8
Marist 8
Middle Tennessee 8
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 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while senior Jalen Terry is averaging 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.
In total, 35 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 24 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, Northwestern's Brook Barnhizer, South Carolina's Collin Murray-Boyles and UAB's Yaxel Lendeborg on the list.
Terry is one of 11 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 16.9
Da'Sean Nelson 16.3
Christian Henry 14.3
Jalin Billingsley 10.5
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 39.8 points in the second half while averaging 33.2 points in the first half.
In EMU's 30 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 37.3 minutes per game.
National Minutes Leaders:
1. Bennett Stiritz (Drake) 39.4
2. Mitch Macari (Drake) 38.3
3. Gibson Jimerson (SLU) 37.6
4. Nicholas Martinelli (NW) 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, 643-STRAIGHT GAM3S
Eastern, which hit six threes against Ohio, March 4 has now hit at least one triple in 643-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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