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The Eastern Echo Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 | Print Archive
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Eagle Sports Tips and Tales | Feb. 3-9

Get ready for a whirlwind of action! From Feb. 3-9, 2026, the sports calendar is absolutely packed with everything from high-stakes conference clashes to celebratory senior send-offs. Here is a fan's Tips and Tales preview of the week ahead.

Tuesday, Feb. 3: Midweek MACtion

We kick things off Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, with a heavyweight battle on the hardwood. The University of Akron Zips fly into Ypsilanti to face the Eastern Michigan University Eagles at the George Gervin GameAbove Center at 6:30 p.m.

  • The Tale: These teams have a long, storied history dating back to 1968. While the Eagles have secured some massive wins over the years, Akron has held the upper hand recently, winning eight of the last 10 matchups. 
  • The Tip: Those unable to make it to the arena can watch this game on ESPN+ or listen to it on WEMU/Varsity Network. 

Wednesday, Feb. 4: Heading east

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, the Eastern Michigan women's basketball team heads to Amherst to take on the University of Massachusetts at 6 p.m.

  • The Tale: UMass is currently a powerhouse, ranked No. 94 in the NET and third in the Mid-American Conference.
  • The Tip: This is a huge road test for the eighth-ranked Eagles. The Eagles will need to channel the energy from players like Peyton Hill, who recently scored her first career double-double.

Friday, Feb. 6: Lacrosse season opener and tennis marathon

Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 is massive. Lacrosse is officially back, and they are starting the season with a bang.

  • The Tale: The Eagles travel to face Marquette University for their 2026 Season Opener at noon Central Time. History shows a 0-3 record against the Golden Eagles, including a heartbreaker on Senior Day last year. 
  • The Tip: Forget the past! With a new season comes new energy. This is a deep squad with 12 seniors and an exciting new freshman class. 

Friday is also all about endurance for the women's tennis squad. They face a daunting doubleheader in Richmond, Kentucky, taking on Eastern Kentucky University at 11 a.m and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga at 4 p.m.

  • The Tale: History isn't on the Eagles' side against Eastern Kentucky, as they dropped their only previous matchup in 2013, but in their first matchup against Chattanooga, they’ll be looking to set a new precedent and make their mark on program history.
  • The Tip: Two matches in one day is a physical gauntlet. The team will need to rely on the momentum of their perfect 6-0 start to sweep the day. 

Saturday, Feb. 7: The super Saturday challenge

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 is the crown jewel of the week, featuring the MAC-SBC Challenge between the MAC and Sun Belt Conference.

  • Men’s hoops: The men travel to Appalachian State University for a 1 p.m. tipoff. This is part of a massive 13-game slate where the MAC looks to exert dominance over the Sun Belt.
  • Women’s hoops: At 2 p.m., the Eagles host Arkansas State University. Arkansas State is the reigning SBC champion, so expect some fireworks in Ypsilanti.
  • Swimming and diving: For those who prefer the water, the Senior Day Extravaganza starts at 1 p.m. at the Jones Natatorium. It's a heartfelt way to celebrate the veterans who have powered the program over their collegiate careers. 
  • Track and field: Early birds can head to Ann Arbor for the Michigan Invitational starting at 10 a.m. The team has been on fire lately, recently earning three program top-10 marks.

Sunday, Feb. 8: The home takeover

The week closes with a spectacular Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, featuring two thrilling sports at home.

After their season-opening road trip, the energy shifts back to Ypsilanti for a massive regular-season lacrosse home debut.

  • The Tale: The Eagles return to the Indoor Practice Facility to face Lindenwood University at 1 p.m. This is fans' first opportunity to see the squad compete in Ypsilanti for the 2026 regular season.
  • The Tip: With new coaching staff additions like Ty McGuire brought in for the 2026 season, expect this team to play with a renewed tactical edge and high intensity. This home opener is the perfect time to start building a fortress atmosphere in Ypsilanti.

Women’s gymnastics also takes the spotlight Sunday in a clash against one of their most frequent and fierce rivals.

  • The Tale: The Eagles have a storied history against the Central Michigan University Chippewas, having earned eight wins in the series since February 2003. These matches are often close; in 2006, the Eagles secured a victory over the Chippewas by a razor-thin margin of 0.125 points.
  • The Tip: The team has been sensational at home recently, maintaining a perfect record in their latest outings at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. They will need to lean on that home-floor momentum to carry them through this gritty conference battle.
Ruby Brannon

Ruby Brannon uses she/her pronouns, and has worked for The Eastern Echo since Fall 2025. She started as a sports reporter, then moved to Sports Editor in the 2026 winter semester. Brannon is a communications major with a double minor in psychology and marketing.

Her job entails covering EMU athletics by writing game recaps, features, and previews, focusing on telling accurate, engaging stories about our dedicated student-athletes and programs. For Brannon, the best part is capturing the energy behind EMU sports, spotlighting EMU's incredible athletes, and sharpening her skills as a sports journalist for her future endeavors. Contact her with any questions at rbranno1@emich.edu. Brannon is on Instagram (@rubybrannon).

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