Thank God for the MAC! I am absolutely worn out from all the election analysis and the dozens of phone calls from the Republican clone army. The MAC gave me EMU basketball and Miami-Toledo football to watch tonight to soothe my fevered brain.

The open practice at the Convo Center took the form of a full court scrimage, no scoring, but played with refs and in regulation time. The one thing I took away from watching the action was how disciplined the players were. Even the true freshmen understood the offensive and defensive schemes and played within the flow of the game. There was no showboating or "I'm going to play my own special offense" that we saw with Hart. Freer and Van Solkema played together on the White team and looked good in ball handling and outside shooting. Matthews looks rested and ready to take on the MAC and the veterans Markus Austin and John Bowler ran the court like they were eager for competition. Jackson played with the younger players and was absolutely fluid in his shooting and passing. Danny McElhinny hit 2 beautiful treys and Michael Ross ran the veteran laden Green team like the seasoned warrior he is.

I look forward to see these guys face real competition. There is an exhibition on Nov. 13 against Slippery Rock but the first time Eagle fans will get to see this team in action is the MAC opener on Nov. 30 against Marshall.