The 2017-18 Women's Basketball Season Quickly Approaching

CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team officially opens the 2017-18 campaign in just seven days when it hosts Hillsdale College in an exhibition game at the Convocation Center, Nov. 1. Another sign that the season is rapidly nearing is the yearly release of the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll, as the Eagles were picked to finish sixth in the West Division as voted by the league's head coaches, the conference office announced Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Under the direction of second-year Head Coach Fred Castro, the Eagles return five letterwinners who garnered significant minutes a season ago. The Green and White will be led by seniors Sasha Dailey (Toledo, Ohio-Rogers), Tori Easley (Toledo, Ohio-Rogers), and Micah Robinson (Ann Arbor, Mich.-Huron). Dailey led the Eagles in scoring in 2016-17, averaging 15.8 points per game, while Easley ranked second on the team in rebounding (6.0 rpg).and Robinson led the league in minutes played per game (37.2). Along with the five returners, EMU adds the top recruiting class in the conference, along with four transfers to the roster, as it looks to bounce back from a 6-25 record in 2016-17.

"We look forward to competing in the West Division," Castro said. "I'm excited to see our team grow throughout the year."

Defending MAC West Division Champion Central Michigan University received 10 first-place votes for the West, while the defending MAC Tournament Champion University of Toledo and Ball State University were slotted second and third, respectively, with one first-place vote apiece. Western Michigan University rounded out the top-four, while Northern Illinois University and EMU closed out the division. The University at Buffalo was picked as the preseason favorite in the East, receiving 10 first-place nods, while Kent State University and Ohio University picked up one first-place vote each to round out the top-three.

CMU was also picked to win the MAC Tournament Championship in the 2018 season while Ball State and UB each received votes.

Eastern Michigan opens the 2017-18 season at home Friday, Nov. 10, against Florida A&M University as part of an Education Day doubleheader with the EMU men's basketball team. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the Convocation Center.

The MAC portion of the Eagles' schedule kicks off Saturday, Dec. 30, against Kent State. With all 12 teams participating in the MAC Tournament, the postseason will open with first round games Monday, March 5, at campus sites. The final three rounds of the tournament will be played at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, March 7-10.

Eastern Michigan men's and women's basketball tickets are now available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.ENOW or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

2017-18 MAC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First-Place votes in parentheses)
East Division
1. Buffalo (10 first place votes) – 69 points
2. Kent State (1) - 52 points
3. Ohio (1) – 47 points
4. Miami – 40 points
5. Bowling Green – 23 points
6. Akron – 21 points

West Division
1. Central Michigan – 70 (10 first place votes) - 70
2. Toledo (1) - 60
3. Ball State (1) - 46
4. Western Michigan - 32
5. Northern Illinois - 29
6. Eastern Michigan - 15

2018 MAC Regular Season Predicted Champion: Central Michigan (10), Ball State (1), Buffalo (1)

2018 MAC Tournament Predicted Champion: Central Michigan (9), Ball State (1), Buffalo (1), Western Michigan (1)

Preseason All-MAC East Team
Carly Santoro, Bowling Green
Stephanie Reid, Buffalo
Jordan Korinek, Kent State
Lauren Dickerson, Miami
Taylor Agler, Ohio

Preseason All-MAC West Team
Moriah Monaco, Ball State
Presley Hudson, Central Michigan
Tinara Moore, Central Michigan
Mikaela Boyd, Toledo
Breanna Mobley, Western Michigan

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Sasha Dailey

Tori Easley

Micah Robinson

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