Western Michigan

CLEVELAND – With four quarterfinals games today I am just going to get the highlights of the games and try to give fans a flavor for what is going.

Game One: WMU vs EMU

Led by David Kool’s 24 points No. 2 seed Western Michigan (20-11) beat No. 7 seed Eastern Michigan (14-17). In a game that Eastern Michigan never led, they did make it interesting when at the 10:34 mark they tied the game at 34-34 when Jarrad Axon made two foul shots, but that was a fleeting moment of joy as the Broncos closed it out to end Eastern Michigan’s season.
Fav quote:

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Southern Illinois slipped even deeper into the scoring funk that has strangled the team's offense and led to five losses in the past six games. Western Michigan was the benefactor of SIU's offensive misery this time, winning, 57-41, Tuesday night and holding the Salukis to their lowest point total in 21 years.

Western Michigan Broncos

Last night there were only two games in the MAC as Akron was pitted against Gardner-Webb in the consolation game of the College Basketball Experience Classic and Western Michigan was on the road against Indiana State. Akron beat Gardner-Webb to start the season 1-1 while Western Michigan lost a tough one to the Sycamores. On to the recaps.

The story of the game in Akron’s big win over Gardner-Webb, 89-61, was the play of its two forwards, Romeo Travis and Jeremiah Woods. They combined for 15-of-23 shooting and 35 points as the Zips bounced back from a tough loss to Arkansas-Little Rock the night before. Wood also nabbed 12 boards on route to his seventh career double-double. The Zips also used defense to hold off the Bulldogs, as Gardner-Webb managed to shoot just 36 percent. Akron finished the night shooting 51% from the field. They will be back in action on Sunday for their home opener against Tiffin.

The Western Michigan men’s basketball program has announced the signing Juston Hairston to a National Letter of Intent.

Hairston was an Indiana Junior All-Star and member of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association 16-player Underclassmen All-State Team after leading South with 17 points and five rebounds on its way to a 14-7 record and Summit Athletic Conference co-championship last season. Hairston averaged 15 points and four rebounds per game during a 13-9 sophomore season. He has been named to the all-conference team each of the last two seasons.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward from Ft. Wayne (Ind.) South High School will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2007-08 season.

In the MAC East, the Akron Zips were voted to finish first this year. The Ohio University Bobcats were picked to finish right behind them in what should be a very competitive division. The Kent State Golden Flashes and the Miami (OH) RedHawks were picked third and fourth respectively. Rounding out the MAC East were the Buffalo Bulls and the Bowling Green Falcons. In the MAC West, the Toledo Rockets were picked to finish first. Coming in second are the Northern Illinois Huskies. Third and fourth are the Western Michigan Broncos and the Ball State Cardinals. Rounding out the MAC West are the Eas