Eastern Michigan Athletics
Bond and Thompson Earn All-MAC Awards
3/6/2017 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Tim Bond and James Thompson IV each earned postseason honors from the conference
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team saw a pair of its student-athletes honored by the Mid-American Conference, Monday, March 6, as the league office announced its postseason award teams. EMU junior Tim Bond (Baltimore, Md.-City College) was named to the MAC All-Defensive team for the second straight year, while sophomore James Thompson IV (Baton Rouge, La.-Parkview Baptist) was named to the All-MAC Second Team for the second consecutive season.
Bond earned all-defensive team accolades for the second year in a row following an exceptional season for the Green and White. The Baltimore, Md. led the Mid-American Conference in steals at 2.2 per game and 69 in total. The 69 steals ranks as third-most in single season history. Bond has recorded three-or-more steals in 12 games this season, while picking the opponent's pocket at least twice in 20 games. On the year, the junior has recorded a steal in all but two games, and versus Toledo, March 4, Bond swiped the ball on eight occasions, which ties for the second most in a game in EMU history. In addition to his ability to intercept on the defensive end, the 6-foot-7 guard has become a prolific shot blocker for the Eagles. Bond averages 0.8 blocked shots per game, which is tied for the15th best in the conference, while he has two-or-more blocks in eight games this year.
Thompson was named to the All-MAC Second Team for the second straight year following the 2016-17 campaign. The Baton Rouge, La. native is currently averaging 14.5 points per game, good for 16th in the league, while posting the second most rebounds in the conference at 11 per contest, which also ranks sixth in the nation. Overall this season, Thompson has connected on 57 percent of his field goal opportunities, which is the second highest mark in the conference, while his 4.7 offensive rebounds per game is the best in the league and second-most in NCAA Division I basketball. The 6-foot-10 Thompson has corralled 331 rebounds this year, which is the sixth-most in a single season in EMU history. In addition, Thompson has recorded 18 double-doubles, which is the third-most in the conference, giving him 36 in his career. His 36 career double-doubles ranks fourth all-time at Eastern Michigan.
As the No. 8-seed, the Green and White begin Mid-American Conference Tournament play today, March 6, at 7 p.m. when the Eagles host the No. 9 seed, Northern Illinois University. To secure tickets to round one of the MAC Tournament visit EMUEagles.com/tickets or call 734.487.2282. EMU students will be admitted free with a valid student ID.
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC First Team
Isaiah Johnson, C, Akron
Marcus Keene, G, Central Michigan
Jimmy Hall, F, Kent State
Jaaron Simmons, G, Ohio
Thomas Wilder, G, Western Michigan
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Second Team
James Thompson IV, F, Eastern Michigan
Kwan Cheatham Jr., F, Akron
Tayler Persons, G, Ball State
Blake Hamilton, Wing, Buffalo
Steve Taylor Jr., F, Toledo
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Third Team
Franko House, F, Ball State
Braylon Rayson, G, Central Michigan
Marin Maric, C, Northern Illinois
Jon Williams, G, Toledo
Tucker Haymond, F, Western Michigan
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Honorable Mention
Antino Jackson, G, Akron
Zack Denny, G, Bowling Green
C.J. Massinburg, G, Buffalo
Michael Weathers, G, Miami
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio
2016-17 MAC All-Defensive Team
Tim Bond, G/F, Eastern Michigan
Zack Denny, G, Bowling Green
Deon Edwin, F, Kent State
Dontay Caruthers, G, Buffalo
Trey Moses, C, Ball State
2016-17 MAC All-Freshman Team
Michael Weathers, G, Miami
Jason Carter, F, Ohio
Reggie Jones, G, Western Michigan
Dylan Frye, G, Bowling Green
Eugene German, G, Northern Illinois
Bond earned all-defensive team accolades for the second year in a row following an exceptional season for the Green and White. The Baltimore, Md. led the Mid-American Conference in steals at 2.2 per game and 69 in total. The 69 steals ranks as third-most in single season history. Bond has recorded three-or-more steals in 12 games this season, while picking the opponent's pocket at least twice in 20 games. On the year, the junior has recorded a steal in all but two games, and versus Toledo, March 4, Bond swiped the ball on eight occasions, which ties for the second most in a game in EMU history. In addition to his ability to intercept on the defensive end, the 6-foot-7 guard has become a prolific shot blocker for the Eagles. Bond averages 0.8 blocked shots per game, which is tied for the15th best in the conference, while he has two-or-more blocks in eight games this year.
Thompson was named to the All-MAC Second Team for the second straight year following the 2016-17 campaign. The Baton Rouge, La. native is currently averaging 14.5 points per game, good for 16th in the league, while posting the second most rebounds in the conference at 11 per contest, which also ranks sixth in the nation. Overall this season, Thompson has connected on 57 percent of his field goal opportunities, which is the second highest mark in the conference, while his 4.7 offensive rebounds per game is the best in the league and second-most in NCAA Division I basketball. The 6-foot-10 Thompson has corralled 331 rebounds this year, which is the sixth-most in a single season in EMU history. In addition, Thompson has recorded 18 double-doubles, which is the third-most in the conference, giving him 36 in his career. His 36 career double-doubles ranks fourth all-time at Eastern Michigan.
As the No. 8-seed, the Green and White begin Mid-American Conference Tournament play today, March 6, at 7 p.m. when the Eagles host the No. 9 seed, Northern Illinois University. To secure tickets to round one of the MAC Tournament visit EMUEagles.com/tickets or call 734.487.2282. EMU students will be admitted free with a valid student ID.
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC First Team
Isaiah Johnson, C, Akron
Marcus Keene, G, Central Michigan
Jimmy Hall, F, Kent State
Jaaron Simmons, G, Ohio
Thomas Wilder, G, Western Michigan
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Second Team
James Thompson IV, F, Eastern Michigan
Kwan Cheatham Jr., F, Akron
Tayler Persons, G, Ball State
Blake Hamilton, Wing, Buffalo
Steve Taylor Jr., F, Toledo
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Third Team
Franko House, F, Ball State
Braylon Rayson, G, Central Michigan
Marin Maric, C, Northern Illinois
Jon Williams, G, Toledo
Tucker Haymond, F, Western Michigan
2016-17 Men's Basketball All-MAC Honorable Mention
Antino Jackson, G, Akron
Zack Denny, G, Bowling Green
C.J. Massinburg, G, Buffalo
Michael Weathers, G, Miami
Jordan Dartis, G, Ohio
2016-17 MAC All-Defensive Team
Tim Bond, G/F, Eastern Michigan
Zack Denny, G, Bowling Green
Deon Edwin, F, Kent State
Dontay Caruthers, G, Buffalo
Trey Moses, C, Ball State
2016-17 MAC All-Freshman Team
Michael Weathers, G, Miami
Jason Carter, F, Ohio
Reggie Jones, G, Western Michigan
Dylan Frye, G, Bowling Green
Eugene German, G, Northern Illinois
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