The RedHawks enter this Tuesday’s game ranked #21 and as the only remaining undefeated team in the country with a 27-0 (14-0 MAC) record, its best start to a season in program history. Miami holds a new program record for wins in a season, breaking the mark of 25 established last year. The RedHawks have also secured the best start for a program in MAC history (originally set by WMU in 1975-76 at 19-0) and the longest win streak in MAC history (originally set by Kent State in 2001-02 at 21-0). The game will be on ESPN+ with tipoff at 630pm on Tuesday.
Eastern Michigan is currently 10-18 (4-11 MAC), as the Eagles are coming off of a 75-94 loss at Toledo. Eastern Michigan went 16-16 (9-9 MAC) last year. Head coach Stan Heath is in his fifth season with the Eagles. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Eastern Michigan was selected to finish ninth overall in the 2025-26 MAC Coaches’ Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll. Redshirt freshman forward Mohammad Habhab (14.3) and redshirt senior forward Addison Patterson (13.7) lead the Eagles in points. Habhab also leads the team in rebounds (8.4/game), assists (3.2/game) and blocks (1.4/game). Patterson has recorded the most steals as well (1.2/game).
We can’t sleep on Eastern, especially in Ypsilanti. They’ve played Akron and Kent close (both times). Besides playing us, they are playing for their MAC tournament lives so I expect them to give their best effort of the year.
They are a slightly above average defensive team. They are big across the board and have the 2 bigs inside. However, they don’t get out in the passing lanes so we should be able to run our offens smoothly. The trap Eastern sets is to jack 3s without any movement. We have to will ourselves into the lane to drive or cut and be content with some mid-range pullups. Another thing that should favor us is their guards will either trail or go under screens and their bigs play drop coverage in the pick and roll. Playing 2 bigs makes Eastern slower in defensive transition as well so anything we can do to speed the game up would be good.
For us on defense, Eastern’s offense runs through Habhab. While both of their bigs are good passers, Habhab is the better of the 2. He can do anything except shoot the 3. This is a game where I wouldn’t hedge hard on ball screens because that frees up Habhab to make a play. Their guards are solid, but not dynamic. We could try doubling the post because we only have to worry about Lawson and Manciel from the outside. Green is a pretty good 3 point shooter as well, but I think we can help and recover on all of their shooters.
I want to see us play with some energy, not be too business-like. I’m not sure how much of a crowd will be there. Michigan is at home tomorrow night so the general crowd will be somewhat limited.
I feel like Dick smiles down from the great beyond every time you write about hoops strategy. Just excellent detail. There are so many knowledgeable hoops fans on the board. I feel like this run is deserved on a million levels.
I’ve had 4 different flights out of NYC Metro airports to Detroit cancelled. I was supposed to be at the Pistons-Spurs game tonight, but obviously that didn’t happen.
I’m currently on an overnight Amtrak from NYC to Philly, where I’m currently scheduled to take a 6am flight to Minneapolis and then connect onward to Detroit.
Eastern is a weird team. As mz pointed out, they lost by 2 in at home to Akron and by 1 in OT to Kent. They also won at UC (though that was before Jizzle’s return, fwiw). However, they lost at home to a dreadful IU Indy team, got swept by WMU, and lost by 35 at CMU.
Have seen some of the snow scenes from New York and Boston and what a mess.