Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, January 10
Kalamazoo, Mich.
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Eastern Seeking Second-Straight MAC Road Win, at Western Saturday
1/8/2026 4:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EMU could win back-to-back MAC road games for third-straight season in 1 p.m. tilt
| Men's Basketball at Western Michigan | |
| Dates/Times | Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 | 1 p.m. ET |
| Venue | University Arena (5,421) | Kalamazoo, Mich. |
| Preview Info | EMU Notes (PDF) |
| Watch Live | ESPN+ |
| Listen Live | WEMU (89.1 FM) | The Varsity Network App |
| Live Stats | Fan Stats | Media Stats |
| @EMU_MBB | @EMUAthletics | |
| @emumbb | @emuathletics | |
| Tickets | Tickets for home games |
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team seeks it second-straight Mid-American Conference road win at Western Michigan University Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. inside University Arena.
ON AIR
Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan will air on ESPN+. Tom Helmer 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 topped Ball State, 74-52, Jan. 6, with help from an impressive 48-12 run and 37-18 rebounding advantage. Carlos Hart led the way with 18 points while Addison Patterson had 12.
» Despite holding Ohio to just 15 first-half points and registering a 20-point second-half lead, Eastern suffered a stunning 68-67 loss to the Bobcats, Jan. 3, as OU hit a 30-footer at the buzzer to win after EMU missed a pair of free throws with 5.8 seconds remaining.
» Against OU, Jan. 3, Addison Patterson had 17 points while Braelon Green netted a career-high 16 points.
» Carlos Hart had 23 points and 12 rebounds to go with Addison Patterson adding 14 points and 11 rebounds in Eastern's 80-74 win over UMass, Dec. 30. Mohammad Habhab posted 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three blocks.
» Mohammad Habhab is one of 10 players nationwide averaging at least 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
» Eastern finished 9-9 in MAC play and 16-16 overall in the 2024-25 season, and secured its bid to the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2020, playing in postseason competition in Cleveland for the first time since 2018.
» EMU replaced key contributors from last year's squad. The Eagles returned 7.8% of minutes played (502) and 2.9% of points scored (69), with four players returning.
» Eastern played a quartet of high-profile road games in the 2025-26 season (Nov. 10 at Pittsburgh, Nov. 24 at No. 6 Louisville, Nov. 26 at Cincinnati, and Dec. 2 at Butler).
» The Eagles were picked ninth in the MAC Preseason Poll after tying for sixth last season.
» EMU has nine players from the state of Michigan, its most since the 2022-23 season (11).
» Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath is in his fifth year at the helm of the Eagles, holding a 55-86 record at EMU and a 264-293 record over 18 years as a collegiate head coach.
BALL STATE RECAP, JAN. 6
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST BALL STATE
» EMU led, 5-2.
» A 9-0 BSU run helped the hosts take a 20-14 lead.
» EMU closed the first half with a 25-5 run, leading 39-24 at halftime.
» EMU opened the second half with a 22-7 run to lead 62-32.
» BSU scored the following seven points before EMU took a 74-43 lead.
» BSU scored the final nine points.
» EMU won, 74-52.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST BALL STATE
» Carlos Hart: 18 points and three assists
» Addison Patterson: 12 points
» Mohammad Habhab: nine points, nine rebounds, and three assists
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST BALL STATE
» EMU held BSU to 4-of-29 (13.8%) shooting, which includes a stretch of 12-straight misses, from the 10:34 mark of the first half through the 6:09 mark of the second half. The span lasts for 24:25 and EMU outscored BSU, 48-12, during that time (trailed, 20-14, at the start; led, 62-32, at the end).
» EMU out-rebounded BSU, 37-18.
» EMU registered 10 second-chance points while limiting BSU to two.
» EMU had 14 turnovers while forcing just seven BSU giveaways.
» EMU was 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free-throw line, while BSU was 13-of-15 (86.7%).
37-18 REBOUNDING ADVANTAGE OVER BALL ST.
Eastern out-rebounded Ball State, 37-18, Jan. 6. The 18 Ball State rebounds are the fewest by an EMU opponent since the Eagles out-rebounded Detroit Mercy, 21-18, Nov. 21, 2023, in Eastern's 76-72 win.
Ball State was also the last MAC school with 18 or fewer boards against EMU as the Cardinals had just 16 in the Eagles' 60-58 win in Ypsilanti, Jan. 9, 2013.
Eastern's +19 rebounding margin is its highest since holding a 50-27 (+23) advantage against Adrian, Dec. 9, 2020, in EMU's 95-35 win. The Green and White last had a +19 rebounding margin against a Division I foe when the Eagles out-rebounded Northern Illinois 45-26 (+19) in a 75-69 road win.
TWICE AS MANY TURNOVERS IN WIN AT BALL ST.
Eastern Michigan had 14 turnovers compared to just seven for Ball State, Jan. 6. The Eagles last won when having twice as many or more turnovers than their opponent, Jan. 29, 2022, when EMU won, 85-75, over Miami, despite tallying 18 turnovers to the RedHawks' eight.
WON AT BALL STATE WITH JUST SIX FREE THROWS
In the win at Ball State, Jan. 6, Eastern was 5-of-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line, its fewest attempts since Feb. 25, 2025, against Bowling Green (2-of-4), a 65-60 loss.
EMU last won when shooting six free throws or fewer during the 2017-18 season as the Eagles topped Niagara, March 14, 2018, (83-65, 2-of-6) and won at Miami, Jan. 27, 2018 (58-48, 3-of-6).
OHIO RECAP, JAN. 3
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST OHIO
» EMU led, 9-2.
» EMU led 29-10 before taking a 32-15 lead into halftime.
» EMU led, 35-15, its largest lead of the game.
» Ohio used a 19-7 run to cut EMU's lead to 42-34.
» Ohio's 11-straight points gave the visitors a 56-54 lead at the 5:16 mark.
» EMU retook the lead, gaining a 66-61 lead with 1:34 to go before holding a 67-63 edge with 14 seconds left.
» Up 67-65 with 5.8 seconds left, EMU missed a pair of free throws to open the door for an Ohio 30-footer to win at the buzzer, 68-67.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST OHIO
» Braelon Green: career-high 16 points (6-6 FG, 3-3 3 PT) in 19 minutes
» Addison Patterson: 17 points, six rebounds, and two assists
» Jon Sanders II: 12 points (2-4 3PT, 6-8 FT)
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST OHIO
» EMU was 7-for-16 (43.8%) from three-point range, and Ohio was 7-for-27 (25.9%) at the charity stripe.
» EMU held Ohio to 15 points (1-15 3PT) in the first half but conceded 53 points (6-12 3PT) in the second half.
» EMU out-rebounded OU, 38-35.
» Each team had four second-chance points apiece.
BRAELON GREEN CAREER-HIGH 16 POINTS
Braelon Green scored a career-high 16 points against Ohio, Jan. 3. Green was a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor, which includes a 3-of-3 conversion mark from three-point range.
Green had previously never scored more than 10 points against a Division I foe and topped his career high of 15 points scored against NAIA Taylor University while at Bowling Green, Nov. 11, 2024.
His trio of three-pointers marks the first time in his career he has made multiple three-pointers.
UMASS RECAP, DEC. 30
SCORING/RUNS SUMMARY AGAINST UMASS
» EMU scored the first six points, jumping out to a 9-2 advantage.
» A 12-2 UMass run gave the Minutemen their first lead of the game, 23-20.
» EMU's 9-4 spurt put the hosts back ahead, 31-27.
» UMass responded with an 8-0 run, leading 41-38 at halftime.
» UMass held the lead until EMU launched a 14-3 run, which included nine-straight points for the Eagles, to take a commanding 62-54 advantage at the 7:24 mark.
» UMass cut the EMU's edge to two points with 3:36 left before the hosts pulled away to win, 80-74.
NOTEWORTHY PLAYERS AGAINST UMASS
» Carlos Hart: 23 points, 12 rebounds
» Addison Patterson: 14 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists
» Mohammad Habhab: 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and one steal
KEY TEAM STATS AGAINST UMASS
» EMU was 27-for-39 (69.2%) from the free-throw line and UMass was 12-for-18 (66.7%) at the charity stripe.
» EMU turned the ball over nine times while forcing seven UMass giveaways.
» EMU had eight blocks.
HART AND PATTERSON DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Carlos Hart and Addison Patterson each recorded double-double against UMass, Dec. 30. Hart tallied 23 points and 12 rebounds while Patterson had 14 points and 11 boards.
Eastern's last two players to record double-doubles in the same game were Monty Scott and Mo Njie, Dec. 11, 2021, against Florida International in the four-overtime game. EMU won, 92-88.
Before that, EMU last had two players with double-doubles in the same game in regulation, Jan. 16, 2021, when Yeikson Montero and Miles Gibson registered double-doubles in the 75-64 loss at Central Michigan.
MOHAMMAD HABHAB'S STAT LINE AGAINST UMASS
Mohammad Habhab produced a standout showing against UMass, Dec. 30. He notched 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and one steal, becoming the first player nationally with that stat line or better this season.
Overall, the last player to achieve Habhab's numbers or better was then-UAB Blazer and current Michigan Wolverine Yaxel Lendeborg, who had 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and five steals against East Carolina on March 14, 2025.
SEVEN TURNOVERS FORCED AND WON
EMU forced just seven turnovers in the win over UMass, Dec. 30. The last time Eastern won when forcing seven turnovers or fewer came against Central Michigan, Feb. 17, 2018, when EMU forced seven in the 72-67 win in Mt. Pleasant.
EIGHT BLOCKS AGAINST UMASS
Highlighted by a career-high three blocks by Mohammad Habhab, Eastern Michigan posted eight blocks in the win over UMass, its most since recording eight at Central Michigan, March 8, 2024, in the 65-62 loss.
FIRST MAC MEETING BETWEEN EMU AND UMASS
EMU and UMass met on the hardwood for the first time as MAC members, Dec. 30, adding a new chapter to the league's history. In EMU's first games against current MAC foes, the Eagles posted a 6-7 record, including wins over Buffalo in 1999 and victories over Kent State and Ohio during the league's expansion in the mid-1970s.
Akron - 1993 - L, 57-62
Ball State - 1975 - L, 78-84
Bowling Green - 1974 - L, 71-74
Buffalo - 1999 - W, 54-51
Central Michigan - 1974 - L, 75-96
Kent State - 1974 - W, 56-55
Miami - 1974 - L, 57-60
Northern Illinois - 1975 - W, 83-70
Ohio - 1974 - W, 73-71
Toledo - 1974 - L, 59-81
UMass - 2025 - W, 80-74
Western Michigan - 1974 - L, 65-80
ON THE WESTERN MICHIGAN GAME
IF EASTERN WINS...
» EMU will improve to 57-66 all-time against Western Michigan.
» EMU will improve to 488-553 all-time against current MAC schools.
» EMU will secure back-to-back MAC road wins for the third-straight season.
EASTERN AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan are playing for the 123rd time. The Broncos lead the all-time series, 66-56.
Eastern is 8-5 in the last 13 games against Western but has dropped three-straight in Kalamazoo. EMU's last win at WMU was Jan. 4, 2022, an 85-79 win.
Saturday's meeting marks the third meeting in four games at WMU and is the seventh time Eastern has played at Western in the last 10 games.
The Eagles dropped last season's meeting, 61-54, Feb. 1, 2025, in Kalamazoo. In that game, Da'Sean Nelson had 20 points and 11 rebounds as EMU trailed, 23-18 at halftime despite scoring just eight points in the first 14:30. The game featured nine second-half lead changes but a key 8-0 WMU run put the game in favor of the Broncos for good.
EASTERN AGAINST THE MAC
Eastern holds a 487-553 all-time mark against current Mid-American Conference schools.
ALL-TIME AGAINST THE CURRENT MAC SCHOOLS 487-553
»Akron 24-39
»Ball State 47-72
»Bowling Green 45-58
»Buffalo 16-22
»Central Michigan 102-107
»Kent State 36-51
»Miami 30-56
»Northern Illinois 48-59
»Ohio 29-56
»Toledo 53-64
»UMass 1-3
»Western Michigan 56-66
BACK-TO-BACK MAC ROAD WINS
If Eastern Michigan can beat Western Michigan, Jan. 10, the Eagles would secure consecutive MAC road wins for the third-straight season, the first time doing so since the 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98 seasons.
Last time EMU won consecutive MAC road games in three-straight seasons:
1997-98
2-18-98 at C. Mich. W 97-82
2-11-98 at Ball State W 89-77
1996-97
2-1-97 at C. Mich. W 100-94
1-29-97 at Akron W 79-76
1995-96
1-24-96 at Miami W 91-79
1-13-96 at C. Mich. W 81-76
1-6-96 at Akron W 82-73
Active EMU streak of consecutive seasons with back-to-back MAC road wins:
2025-26
1-10-26 at W. Mich. ? ??-??
1-6-26 at Ball St. W 74-52
2024-25
3-4-25 at Ohio W 83-79
2-22-25 at NIU W 79-76
2023-24
3-5-24 at Akron W 61-60
2-24-24 at Ball St. W 58-56
WINNING BY 10+ IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES?
Eastern has never won consecutive games by double digits in the five-year Stan Heath era, last doing so under Rob Murphy in the 2020-21 season, topping Division III foes Adrian (W, 95-35, Dec. 9, 2020) and Olivet (W, 95-65, Dec. 27, 2020).
If the Eagles can beat Western Michigan, Jan. 10, by at least 10, it would be first time Eastern has won back-to-back games by double-figures against Division I foes since EMU won home games against Western Michigan (W, 69-51, Feb. 15, 2019) and Kent State (W, 70-49, Feb. 18, 2019).
EMU last won back-to-back road games by at least 10 against Coppin State (W, 73-62, Dec. 21, 2015) and Central Michigan (W, 99-80, Jan. 6, 2016).
Eastern last won consecutive MAC road games by double digits during the 1997-98 season when EMU won at Ball State (W, 89-77, Feb. 11, 1998) and at Central Michigan (W, 92-77, Feb. 18, 1998).
WINNING BY 20+ IN BACK-TO-BACK GAMES?
If Eastern is able to secure a win by 20+ points at Western Michigan, Jan. 10, it would be EMU's first time winning consecutive games by at least 20 points since beating Adrian (W, 95-35, Dec. 9, 2020) and Olivet (W, 95-65, Dec. 27, 2020).
EMU last won back-to-back games against Division I foes by at least 20 points in the 1986-87 season when the Eagles defeated Western Michigan (W, 88-64, Feb. 28, 1987) and Miami (W, 87-64, March 5, 1987).
Eastern has never won consecutive road MAC games by more than 16 points (won 86-71 over Akron, 80-64 over Central Michigan in 1994-95 season) and last won back-to-back road games by least 20 points during the 1954-55 season against Central Michigan (W, 89-69, Jan. 6, 1955) and Western Ontario (W, 85-55, Jan. 8, 1955).
IN CASE EASTERN WINS BY A LOT
ALL GAMES
Last time Eastern won by AT LEAST...
»72 or more: never
»63-71: Nov. 14, 2008 vs. Marygrove (W, 119-48) (71)
»61-62: Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Siena Heights (W, 117-55) (62)
»39-60: Dec. 9, 2020 vs. Adrian (W, 95-35) (60)
»1-38: Dec. 5, 2025 vs. Cleary (W, 86-48) (38)
HOME GAMES ONLY
Last time Eastern won by AT LEAST...
»72 or more: never
»63-71: Nov. 14, 2008 vs. Marygrove (W, 119-48) (71)
»61-62: Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Siena Heights (W, 117-55) (62)
»39-60: Dec. 9, 2020 vs. Adrian (W, 95-35) (60)
»1-38: Dec. 5, 2025 vs. Cleary (W, 86-48) (38)
ROAD GAMES ONLY
Last time Eastern won by AT LEAST... on the road
»60 or more: never
»36-59: Jan. 17, 1968 at Western Ontario (W, 100-41) (59)
»29-35: Jan. 12, 1970 at UW-Whitewater (W, 96-61) (35)
»27-28: Feb. 28, 2017 at Central Mich. (W, 109-81) (28)
»23-26: Jan. 26, 2019 at Western Mich. (W, 93-67) (26)
»1-22: Jan. 6, 2026 at Ball State (W, 74-52) (22)
ACTIVE 2025-26 SEASON NOTES
10-STRAIGHT GAMES WITH BETTER 3PT%
Eastern has rattled off 10 straight games with a better three-point shooting percentage than its opponent.
During that 10-game span, EMU is 67-of-179 (37.4%) and its opponents are 58-of-200 (29.0%).
EMU is 5-5 in its last nine games, 2-4 in its last five, and 4-5 during that stretch against Division I foes.
Game EMU%Opp% W/L
Ball State 52.4 31.3 W
Ohio 43.8 25.9 L
UMass 25.0 24.0 W
Wright St. 38.5 26.7 L
Akron 26.3 16.7 L
PFW 36.4 35.7 L
Cleary 26.1 15.4 W
Butler 57.1 55.0 L
NJIT 38.9 34.8 W
Cincinnati 33.3 24.1 W
MORE ON EASTERN'S THREE-POINTERS
Eastern averages 6.3 makes from deep and 17.8 attempts per game (35.1%). The 17.8 attempts is 2.1 lower than any other team in the MAC (Central Michigan, 19.9) while the 35.1% conversion rate ranks fifth in the conference. EMU's 6.3 makes per game edges CMU's 5.6 conversions for the 12th-ranked mark in the MAC.
Eastern's 17.8 three-point attempts per game is its fewest since the 2013-14 season when EMU averaged 16.4 three-point shots, putting in 30.9%.
During Stan Heath's tenure, EMU has not finished higher than eighth in the MAC in three-point attempts per game, despite finishing as high as fourth in conversion rate.
Season 3PA/G 3PA Rk. 3PT% 3PT% Rk.
2025-26 17.8 13th 35.1 5th
2024-25 21.6 8th 34.9 4th
2023-24 18.9 11th 30.4 9th
2022-23 19.6 12th 31.6 11th
2021-22 20.5 11th 30.8 12th
EASTERN'S THREE-POINT DEFENSE
EMU's three-point defense has limited opponents to averages of 6.6 makes and 21.0 attempts per game (31.25%), its best defensive three-point percentage since the 2012-13 season (29.9%).
Eastern also put up impressive defensive numbers in the 2023-24 (31.6%) and 2013-14 (31.28%) seasons.
EASTERN FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
While Eastern ranks last in the MAC in three-point attempts at 17.8 per game, part of the reason for that stems from the Eagles' ability to get to the free throw line, as evidenced by their 19.3 free throw attempts per game, an average that ranks eighth in the MAC and is EMU's highest mark since the 2019-20 season (22.3 FTA/game).
The Green and White are converting from the charity stripe at a rate of 70.8%, which ranks ninth in the conference.
MAK MANCIEL FROM THREE-POINT RANGE
Mak Manciel is 23-for-55 (41.8%) from three-point range this season. His 41.8% conversion rate ranks 12th in the MAC.
Manciel has four games with at least three made triples this season with three of those four coming in the last eight games.
If Manciel can maintain his percentage, he would be the first Eagle to shoot 41.8% or better (min. 20 made three-pointers) since both Jarred Axon shot 41.7% in the 2007-08 season.
TRIO OF TRIPLES
Eastern has a trio of players converting at an efficient, high-volume rate from behind the three-point line.
Mak Manciel, Carlos Hart, and Jon Sanders II are all making at least 1.0 three-pointer per game and shooting 35.0% or better.
Player 3PM 3PA 3PT%
Mak Manciel 1.4 3.4 41.8
Carlos Hart 1.2 3.1 38.8
Jon Sanders II 1.1 2.9 38.6
Manciel, Hart, and Sanders II would be the first EMU trio to each make at least 1.0 three-pointers per game while converting at a rate of 35.0% or better since the 2007-08 season.
Player 3PM 3PA 3PT%
Jesse Bunkley 2.2 6.2 36.2
Jarred Axon 2.1 5.4 38.7
Travis Lewis 1.0 2.3 41.2
HOME SUCCESS
In seven home games, EMU posted a 5-2 record while outscoring opponents by an average of 11.7 points per contest. The Eagles shoot 47.0% from the floor at home and average 79.6 points, a 14.9 point jump from their road production. EMU also dominated the glass at home, holding a +7.1 rebounding margin.
Eastern Michigan averages 15.7 assists per game in home contests while forcing opponents into 14.6 turnovers per game.
The assist-to-turnover ratio at home stands at 1.3, compared to 0.9 in road games. Mohammad Habhab and Addison Patterson combine for 47 assists in home play.
SOME WINS/LOSSES TRENDS
In eight wins this season, Eastern Michigan displayed balance on both ends of the floor. EMU averaged
77.1 points while holding opponents to 60.9. Field goal defense stood out, with opponents shooting
37.0% overall and 26.5% from three. The Eagles also controlled the glass with a +9.1 rebounding margin.
In EMU's eight losses, opponents averaged 83.1 points and shot 50.1% from the field. Three-point defense slipped to 36.1% allowed. EMU also faced a -4.7 rebounding margin in losses, creating additional scoring chances for opponents.
Carlos Hart averages 13.3 points in losses and converted 74.5% at the free-throw line. Addison Patterson shot 54.5% from the field in losses while contributing 13.8 points per game. Mo Habhab added 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per loss, often facing heavy defensive attention.
DOUBLE-DIGIT GAMES
Mohammad Habhab leads the team with 12 games scoring at least 10 points.
Eastern's Double-Digit Performances:
12 - Mohammad Habhab
11 - Carlos Hart
11 - Addison Patterson
6 - Jon Sanders II
3 - Godslove Nwabude
2 - Braelon Green
2 - Mak Manciel
1 - Mehki Ellison
With Habhab's nine-straight double-digit performances to open the season, he is the first Eastern freshman to have nine-straight games with at least 10 points in each game since James Thompson IV had a streak of 13 games in the 2015-16 season.
FIVE DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN 15 GAMES
Mohammad Habhab has produced five double-doubles in 15 games played in the 2025-26 season.
Habhab is the first EMU freshman to record five double-doubles in one season since James Thompson IV had 19 in the 2015-16 campaign.
HABHAB AMONG THE NATION'S LEADERS
Mohammad Habhab has five double-doubles, averaging 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.
Habhab is tied for 43rd nationally in double-doubles, eight behind MAC counterpart Delrecco Gillespie from Kent State and Butler's Michael Ajayi for the nation's lead.
HABHAB DOING IT ALL
Mohammad Habhab is averaging 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks.
Habhab is one of 10 players nationwide averaging at least 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
DEVELOPMENT OF GODSLOVE NWABUDE
Godslove Nwabude has played an increased role for Eastern Michigan in his second season in the Green and White.
Nwabude, who has started 15 games, has seen an increase of 9.7 minutes per game (8.0 --> 17.7), an increase of 4.2 points per game (1.1 --> 5.3), an increase of 3.0 rebounds per game (2.3 --> 5.3), and an increase of 1.1 blocks per game (0.3 --> 1.4)
GODSLOVE NWABUDE BLOCKING SHOTS
Godslove Nwabude has ramped up his shot blocking this season, specifically in recent games. Nwabude has 18 blocks in the last nine games, highlighted by his career-high five rejections against Cleary, Dec. 5. The Nigerian native has multiple blocks in six of the previous 12 contests.
Prior to his block-free outing at PFW, Dec. 10, Nwabude became the first Eagle with four-straight contests with multiple blocks since Boubacar Toure did so in the 2018-19 season.
In total, Nwabude has 23 blocks for the season, averaging 1.4 per game. He is on pace to have the most prolific shot-blocking season for Eastern since Elijah Minnie and James Thompson IV each averaged 1.9 blocks during the 2017-18 season.
THR33-POINT STR3AK, 662-STRAIGHT GAM3S
After converting 11 three-pointers against Ball State, Jan. 6, Eastern has hit at least one three-pointer in 662-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.
EASTERN IN THE MAC-SBC CHALLENGE
Eastern is 3-2 in the MAC-SBC Challenge and 3-0 at home. The Eagles will play a road game, Feb. 7, against a to-be-determined opponent in the second leg of the MAC-SBC Challenge.
Eastern plays at Appalachian State, Feb. 7.
Eastern's MAC-SBC Challenge Results:
Date Against Score
Feb. 8, 2026 at Appalachian State ????????
Nov. 3, 2025 Georgia State W, 71-49
Feb. 8, 2025 Old Dominion W, 76-70
Nov. 4, 2024 at Texas State L, 44-64
Feb. 10, 2024 at Louisiana-Monroe L, 76-82
Nov. 11, 2023 Georgia Southern W, 70-60
PREVIOUSLY IN THE 2025-26 SEASON NOTES
CARLOS HART'S 32 POINTS AND 18 FTA
Carlos Hart scored a career-high 32 points at Akron, Dec. 19. His previous Division I career-high was 22 points against Oakland, Nov. 21.
Da'Sean Nelson also scored 32 points for EMU in last season's MAC opener against NIU.
Hart's 32 points are the most by an Eagle since Jalen Terry netted 38 against Toledo, Feb. 15, 2025. His 32 points are the fifth-most by a MAC player this season.
Hart was 12-of-18 (66.7%) from the free-throw line. His 18 attempts are tied for the fourth-most in a single game in program history and are the most since Carlos Medlock shot 18 against SEMO, Feb. 23, 2008. Hart's 18 free throw attempts are tied for the 10th-most in Division I this season and the most by a MAC player this season.
CAREER DAY FOR GODSLOVE
Godslove Nwabude produced his first career double-double in the best game of his career against NJIT, Nov. 28.
Nwabude notched top career marks in points (12), rebounds (14), blocks (4), steals (4), and minutes (28).
Nwabude is the only player in the nation this season to produce at least 12 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals.
Only one player did so during the 2024-25 season as then-UAB Blazer and current Michigan Wolverine Yaxel Lendeborg had 30 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and five steals against East Carolina on March 14, 2025.
Former Akron Zip and current Indiana Pacer Enrique Freeman was the most recent MAC player to record at least 12 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals in one game, Dec. 7, 2023.
The 16 Players with 12+ Points, 14+ Rebounds, 4+ Blocks, and 4+ Steals in One Game Since 2002-03:
Godslove Nwabude EMU Nov. 28, 2025
Yaxel Lendeborg UAB March 14, 2025
Enrique Freeman Akron Dec. 7, 2023
Norchad Amier Arkansas St. Feb. 23, 2022
Paul Reed Jr. DePaul Dec. 8, 2019
Lamine Diane CSUN Jan. 5, 2019
Ben Lammers GA Tech Nov. 19, 2017
Pascal Siakam NMST Feb. 20, 2016
Trayvon Palmer Chicago St. Nov. 18, 2015
Ryan Bacon St. Peter's Jan. 21, 2011
Gregory Echenique Rutgers March 1, 2009
Marqus Blakely Vermont Feb. 20, 2008
Joseph Harris CCU Dec. 7, 2007
Aleks Maric Nebraska Nov. 17, 2007
Mark Zoller Penn March 2, 2007
Cuthbert Victor Murray State Jan. 29, 2004
Nwabude, who played 28:03, is the only player on the list to accomplish the feat in less than 30 minutes.
LAST POWER CONFERENCE WIN AND MORE
Before beating Cincinnati, Nov. 26, Eastern's last Power Conference (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) win was Dec. 9, 2014, at Michigan (W, 45-42). EMU improved to 20-129 all-time against current Power Conference schools.
The 56 points allowed were Eastern's fewest against a Power Conference opponent since the 45-42 win at Michigan, Dec. 9, 2014.
The eight-point win was Eastern's largest against a Power Conference opponent since beating Texas Tech, 93-77, Dec. 27, 1995, at the Sierra Medical Center Sun Carnival in El Paso, Texas.
EASTERN'S 37-OF-59 (62.7%) SHOOTING VS. OU
Eastern shot 37-of-59 (62.7%) against Oakland on Nov. 21, its fifth-best conversion rate for a single game in program history. The 62.7% shooting percentage marked EMU's best since Nov. 21, 2023, when the Eagles shot 63.6% at Detroit Mercy. That game also marked the last time EMU won when securing four or fewer offensive rebounds, as the Eagles had four against the Titans and Golden Grizzlies, respectively.
EASTERN'S 25 ASSISTS AGAINST OAKLAND
Eastern had 25 assists against Oakland, Nov. 21, tying for the second-highest mark in program history and the team's most since Dec. 11, 2016, against Siena Heights (26).
MOHAMMAD HABHAB TRIPLE-DOUBLE
Mohammad Habhab recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking the program's first triple-double and the fourth by a MAC player since the start of the 2024-25 season.
The 10 assists are the most by an Eagle since Paul Jackson posted 10, Jan. 26, 2019, against Western Michigan.
BACK-TO-BACK GAMES 56 AND UNDER
EMU, which held Cincinnati to 56 points, Nov. 26, and NJIT to 55 points, Nov. 28, produced consecutive outings allowing 56 points or fewer for the first time since conceding 56 to Kent State, Jan. 18, 2022, and 46 in its next game to Akron, Jan. 22, 2022.
13-POINT SECOND HALF COMEBACK
Despite trailing 43-30, with 18:16 left, Eastern Michigan rallied to win at Detroit Mercy, Nov. 18, 72-62. The 13-point second-half comeback marked EMU's largest since overcoming a 17-point second-half deficit to beat Kent State in overtime, Jan. 6, 2024.
MOHAMMAD HABHAB'S PERFORMANCE AGAINST GSU
Mohammad Habhab, just a redshirt freshman, produced an impressive 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the 71-49 win over Georgia State, Nov. 3.
Habhab is the first player in the MAC to record that stat line or better since Nov. 22, 2003, when Northern Illinois' Marcus Smallwood had 17 points, 21 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks.
There were a total of eight performances in Division I with a player tallying at least 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the 2024-25 season, none of which were by freshmen. Through Nov. 11, 2025, Habhab was the only player in Division I to achieve that line this season.
Habhab is the first freshman in the nation to record at least 15 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks since former Gonzaga Bulldog and recent NBA champion Chet Holmgren had 20 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks, Feb. 5, 2022, against BYU.
Habhab is the first Eagle to have 15+ and 15+ rebounds in one game since James Thompson IV had 20 points and 23 rebounds, March 5, 2019, against Ball State.
Habhab is the first Eagle to record 16 rebounds in one game since Boubacar Toure had 17 against Akron, Jan. 4, 2020. Concerning Habhab's eight offensive rebounds against Georgia State, Toure is also the last Eagle with at least eight offensive rebounds in one game, grabbing nine against Michigan-Dearborn, Nov. 14, 2019. James Thompson IV's 11 offensive rebounds against Ball State, Jan. 8, 2019, mark the last time an Eagle had at least eight against a Division I foe.
PRE-2025-26 SEASON NOTES
WHAT IS EASTERN RETURNING FROM LAST YEAR?
Eastern returned four players from its 2024-25 roster. The Eagles returned 7.8% of minutes played (502) and 2.9% of points scored (69).
» John Shanu II: 287 minutes, 38 points
» Godslove Nwabude: 207 minutes, 29 points
» Cooper Smith: 7 minutes, 2 points
» Mbaye N'Diaye: 1 minute, 0 points
POWER CONFERENCE ROAD CONTESTS
Eastern played a quartet of high-profile road games in the 2025-26 season:
» Nov. 10 at Pittsburgh; L, 66-78
» Nov. 24 at No. 6 Louisville; L, 46-87
» Nov. 26 at Cincinnati; W, 64-56
» Dec. 2 at Butler; L, 68-84
Eastern had not played four Power Conference foes in single season since the 2018-19 season, when the Eagles faced Duke, Rutgers, TCU, and Kansas, all on the road.
DePAUL DUO --> NORTHWESTERN STATE DUO
Out with one transfer duo and in with another. After DePaul transfers Da'Sean Nelson and Jalen Terry teamed up to both earn Second-Team All-MAC honors in the 2024-25 season, Eastern acquired another transfer duo in the offseason as Northwestern State transfers Addison Patterson and Jon Sanders II decided to become Eagles.
MAC --> EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern added a trio of players who were at MAC schools at one point in their careers:
» Mohammad Habhab: Central Michigan in 2024-25
» Braelon Green: Bowling Green in 2024-25
» Aidan Rubio: Central Michigan in 2023-24
NCAA ELIGIBILITY: PATTERSON AND SMITH
Both Addison Patterson and Cooper Smith had waivers approved by the NCAA to be eligible for the 2025-26 season. EMU compliance officers Alex Hensley and Kayla Gribble played a key role in getting both student-athletes eligible, with Patterson's ruling coming exactly one month before the first game.
STAYING HOME
Eastern Michigan has nine players from the state of Michigan, its most since the 2022-23 season (11).
EASTERN MICHIGAN IS HOME
Eastern's 14 players have combined to play for 28 different schools prior to coming to Eastern Michigan. In total, three Eagles (Gregory Lawson II, Godslove Nwabude, and Mbaye N'Diaye) began their collegiate careers at EMU.
ANY STAFF CHANGES?
Eastern's staff saw minor changes in the offseason:
» Carlos McMath: promoted to Director of Operations/Assistant Coach from Director of Operations
» Pritish Kokate: promoted to Head Student Manager from Student Manager
» Alex Kling: hired as Graduate Manager
» Shawn McCall: hired as Graduate Manager
COOPER SMITH: 9TH-OLDEST PLAYER
Cooper Smith is the ninth-oldest player in Division I, and one of 14 known players born in the 20th century:
1. Ramel Bethea, Green Bay - July 27, 1996
2. Brett White III, Oakland - Feb. 17, 1998
3. Corey Sands, Chicago State - Jan. 5, 1999
4. Nginyu Ngala, Kansas - April 3, 1999
5. Curt Lewis, Southern Miss - May 19, 1999
6. Olajuwon Ibrahim, FIU - May 26, 1999
7. Antwaan Jones, UNCG - May 29, 1999
8. Blaise Keita, Western Kentucky - June 29, 1999
9. Cooper Smith, Eastern Michigan - July 12, 1999
10. Devin Haid, South Florida - Aug. 22, 1999
11. Hunter Erickson, Hawaii - Sept. 14, 1999
12. Dawson Baker, BYU - Oct. 29, 1999
13. Bouna Kebe, Delaware - Dec. 24, 1999
14. Jordan Brinson, CSUN - Dec. 31, 1999
UP NEXT
Eastern hosts Northern Illinois University for a Tuesday game, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. The game is on ESPN+ and will be held in Ypislanti, Mich., inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
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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