With a first-round win for the Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team in the Mid American Conference tournament, the question is what will happen next?
On Wednesday, the Eagles will face the Kent State Golden Flashes. The last time these teams met resulted in a 75-66 Eagle victory. Of course, no team comes into the tournament the same way it came out of its regular season games. This is a lesson EMU learned Saturday against Miami. You can expect the Eagles to play with intensity and dominance in the first half on Wednesday, getting the Golden Flashes where they want them and keeping them there.
Once the Eagles get past the Flashes, they likely will be playing Toledo, the No.1 seed in the MAC. Toledo has only lost one game to another MAC team. Last week, the Eagles lost 65-64 to the Rockets after holding the lead most of the first half.
The tournament game will be about more than getting to the MAC championship game; it will be about revenge. EMU will be looking to take advantage of the game as an opportunity to prove to Toledo and the nation that it is capable beating a much higher-ranked seed. If the Eagles play together, bring energy and are smart about the shots they take I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the final round of the MAC tournament.
If the Eagles get past the Rockets, their next task will be winning against Central Michigan or Bowling Green, depending on who wins their match. Every time EMU faces off with the Chippewas, emotions are heated and the game means more than just a victory.
These in-state rivals have met twice this season, and CMU walked away with a 2-0 record against the Eagles. In their most recent matchup, the Eagles suffered another heartbreak as they lost 68-67. They lost 60-55 to BGSU in their regular-season game.
Once again, the Eagles will have to prove themselves and every detail of the game will matter. They will have to play with control, make free throws and be consistent in order to pull away with the win.
Assuming the Eagles earn three more wins, they will find themselves in the NCAA Tournament. It might seem like a far-fetched goal, but don’t forget where this team came from.
In this season alone, the squad has faced consequences of four self-reported NCAA rule violations and the death of former associate head coach Leonard Drake just a week later. As if that wasn’t enough, senior Raina Spencer suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will not step foot on the court again.
Shortly after that, senior De’Ja Wills suffered a torn medial collateral ligament and had to sit out for almost a month.
Still, this team has earned 20 wins. This is also the team that kept up with Ohio State, the nation’s No.1 preseason seed, losing to it by 12 and defeated Temple 65-56 in the second game of a six-game winning streak.
Being the underdog is not unusual to the Eagles. Having to face adversity and overcome tough situations is something they are capable of doing.
This is a group that can pull off the unthinkable and accomplish whatever it sets its minds to do. Not to mention, the Eagles have already set their minds on the NCAA Tournament, and settling for anything less would be difficult.
“It’s March so you never know what will happen,” coach AnnMarie Gilbert said.
This is very true, but she has also said “there is some type of magic in this team,” and I believe this “magic” will take the Eagles places. I am confident this tight, cohesive unit will find itself further than round one of the NCAA Tournament.
