EMU basketball teams will honor seniors, look to stay in 1st place in Saturday doubleheader
The Eastern Michigan men’s and women’s basketball teams are both sitting atop the Mid-American Conference West Division standings.
On Saturday, they’ll have something else in common: Both will honor their respective senior classes during a doubleheader against Ball State at the Convocation Center.
The women’s team (20-7, 12-2) can clinch at least a share of a division title when it takes on the fifth-place Cardinals (9-18, 4-10) at 2 p.m. It will be the final regular-season home game for seniors Tavelyn James and Paige Redditt.
Eastern Michigan senior Paige Redditt drives to the basket during a game against Kent State earlier this month.
Jeffrey Smith | AnnArbor.com
James and Redditt have played in 124 career games for the Eagles, tied for second most in school history. Barring injury, they’ll move into first place during the MAC Tournament.
James, the nation’s second-leading scorer, holds the school record for career points (2,372) and career 3-pointers (283). Redditt is one of just two EMU players to post more than 900 points, 700 rebounds and 100 blocks in a career.
A victory would give the Eagles their fourth division title since 2004.
EMU is already assured of a top-four record in the MAC and a berth in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals. Wins in its final two games would move EMU straight into the semifinals of the tournament, which will be held March 8-10 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
The tournament picture isn’t as clear for the EMU men’s team, which will take on Ball State 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women’s game.
While the Eagles control their own destiny in terms of winning a division title, seeding for the MAC Tournament is determined by winning percentage, regardless of division standings.
The Eagles (12-16, 7-6) are tied with Bowling Green for the fifth-best record in the MAC - two games behind a three-way tie for second — with three games remaining.
If the Eagles don’t move into the top four spots, the four seniors they’ll honor on Saturday will likely be on the Convocation Center court once more on March 5. The No. 5 through No. 8 seeds host first round tournament games.
Saturday will be the final regular-season game for seniors Quintin Dailey, Antonio Green, Kamil Janton and Darrell Lampley.
The university is offering prizes for those that attend, including a $1,000 MacBook that will be given away during the women’s game and a 12-month lease on a two-bedroom apartment that will be awarded during the men’s game.