Eastern Insider

In this St. Patrick’s Day edition of Eastern Insider, hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner dive into a packed lineup of EMU sports. Rower Lily Wilhelm shares how she turned rejection into record-breaking success, while baseball coach Robbie Britt reflects on his team’s season-opening road trip and excitement for their first home games. Cheerleader and sports journalist Elena Davis joins to talk about EMU Club Hockey’s historic Nationals bid and her thoughts on March Madness. With lacrosse’s home opener and a fresh look at the NCAA tournament brackets, it’s a can’t-miss episode for Eagles fans

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In Episode 23 of the Eastern Insider Podcast, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down Eastern Michigan men's basketball’s thrilling road to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, highlighting a team that’s focused, hungry, and ready to make noise in Cleveland. Standouts Da'Sean Nelson and Yusuf Jihad join to reflect on the journey — from early-season promises to late-season surges — emphasizing the team's unique chemistry, improved health, and growing confidence. With a first-round matchup against Miami, both players and hosts agree: this team believes it can go all the way to the championship, fueled by determination and a rare shot at MAC glory.

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Episode 22 of the Eastern Insider Podcast dives into a critical stretch for Eastern Michigan basketball as the Eagles chase a MAC Tournament berth, highlighted by a dominant senior night win over Central Michigan. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down the unpredictable standings and preview upcoming road battles, while also spotlighting the impressive journey of women's basketball assistant coach Meg Cunningham, who has NBA coaching dreams, and baseball grad transfer Harrison Travis, whose resilience and leadership are making an early impact in Ypsilanti. With March in full swing, it's a pivotal time across EMU athletics.

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Episode 21 of The Eastern Insider recaps one of the most electrifying moments in EMU basketball history—a buzzer-beater by Jalin Terry that extended the Eagles' winning streak to three, the longest in the MAC. With a pivotal week ahead, EMU has a chance to clinch a MAC Tournament berth for the first time since 2018. The women’s basketball team also made waves with a hard-fought road win, while EMU Gymnastics, Track & Field, and Rowing gear up for key competitions. Special guests included rowing coach Kemp Savage, who discussed his team’s progress and standout Lily Wilhelm, and baseball’s Cooper Vance, who reflected on his growth as an everyday player.

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In Episode 20 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner debate whether the Super Bowl should be moved to Saturday, critique college football’s scheduling decisions, and analyze the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive dominance. The episode also introduces EMU’s new offensive line coach, Chris Wiesehan, who shares his coaching philosophy and vision for the team. Senior outfielder Logan Hugo joins the show to discuss his leadership role, offseason improvements, and the baseball team’s goals for the upcoming season. With crucial MAC basketball matchups ahead, the hosts emphasize the importance of finishing strong for postseason play.

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In Episode 19 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner recap EMU basketball’s tough week, with the women’s team showing resilience despite a loss to Toledo and the men’s squad struggling with consistency. Lacrosse standout Mackenzie Blackwell sets her sights on a 100-goal milestone and MAC domination, while baseball ace Bobby Jones shares how refining his changeup and an aggressive mindset will shape his success in 2025. From hardwood battles to diamond dominance, EMU athletes are gearing up for big seasons ahead.

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Episode 18 of the Eastern Insider Podcast dives into the thriving momentum across Eastern Michigan athletics as the spring sports season begins. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner discuss the men’s basketball team’s recent three-game winning streak under Coach Stan Heath, marking their best MAC start since 2017. Women’s basketball battles adversity while gearing up for Alumni Weekend and the annual “Play4Kay” game. Lacrosse head coach Maddie Dugan shares her ambitious vision for the program, bolstered by star Mackenzie Blackwell, as they aim for a MAC title in just their second season. On the baseball diamond, fiery leader Giano Zuccaro reflects on his journey, leadership role, and the team's championship aspirations. With excitement building across programs, EMU athletics is poised for a standout spring.

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Episode 17 of the Eastern Insider podcast delivered a mix of humor, inspiration, and athletic highlights. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner celebrated EMU men’s basketball’s gritty win at Bowling Green and shared insights into standout performances and upcoming challenges. Assistant coach Jay Smith reflected on his illustrious career, from recruiting the Fab Five to coaching alongside his son. Gymnastics star Priya Karle recounted the team’s thrilling win at the Golden Girls Classic and previewed the Purple Meet, raising awareness for epilepsy.

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Episode 16 of the Eastern Insider Podcast featured Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner recapping EMU's basketball seasons and upcoming conference matchups. The men's team aims for defensive improvements as they face Central Michigan and Bowling Green, while the women's team prepares for Buffalo after a narrow loss to Akron. Sisi Eleko celebrated her 1,000th career point and shared her journey in a heartfelt interview, while Hall of Fame coach Ben Braun reflected on his coaching legacy, the challenges of modern college basketball, and EMU's rich athletic tradition.

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In Episode 15 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner celebrated Eastern Michigan women’s basketball’s electrifying comeback win over Xavier, flipping a 20-point halftime deficit into a commanding victory fueled by stellar defense and Elena Cabello’s clutch shooting. The show also featured Nick Smith, Director of Compliance, discussing the intricacies of transfer portal management and the evolving world of college athletics, as well as Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee, who shared insights on NIL, facility upgrades, and the importance of Giving TrueDay in fostering community support. Additionally, updates on EMU men's basketball, standout players, and strategic goals for EMU sports rounded out the engaging episode.

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