After Eastern finished ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference on a four-game win streak highlighted by a 73-58 win over Southeast Missouri, the Panthers feel like they can ride that momentum into the new season.
The Panthers finished last season with an overall record of 12-19 and 8-12 in the OVC and are predicted to finish 10th in the OVC preseason polls.
“We’re trying to get to that tournament, and we’re really trying to set the tone this year because everybody in the conference is looking over us,” senior guard Zion Fruster.
This season, Eastern added 10 players to the roster along with four returners.
Here are some players to watch for the Panthers:
The graduate forward from Sellersburg, Indiana, played and started all 31 games for the Panthers last season. Jacobi led the OVC in rebounds averaging 8.9 per game and 37th in the NCAA. Jacobi finished ninth on the EIU single season rebounding list and averaged 11.8 points per game. The conference listed Jacobi as a player to watch for the 2025-2026 season.
The senior guard from Douglasville, Georgia, played in 28 of 31 games with 21 starts. Fruster averaged 11.6 points per game and had 17 total double digit scoring games. Fruster was also another OVC player to watch for the 2025-2026 season.
The junior guard from McKinney, Texas, transferred to Eastern during the summer transfer portal from Tennessee Tech. Layton averaged 8.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assist and 1.0 steal per game with Tennessee Tech last season. Layton made 61 three-pointers last season, which was ranked eighth in the OVC.
The sophomore forward from Oklahoma City played in 20 games last season as a true freshman and will look to build on his freshman campaign with his versatility. McMorris shot 63.2% from the field and had 10 steals, one block and five assists on the season.
The fifth-year senior comes into Eastern after playing two years at Point Park University where he averaged a double-double last season with 11.3 points and 11 rebounds per game.
The Panthers were the second ranked scoring defense in the OVC last year, and that is something they want to replicate this season.
“I think we can do it again by just listening to coach and really continuing day by day to get better,” Jacobi said. “I think we’re buying in very well as a team but continue to do that every day and maybe get first on that this year.”
With basically a new team, the Panthers feel confident.
“I feel like we are all gelling together, feeling like a brotherhood. So I’m definitely loving the new pieces we’ve added this year,” Fruster said.
Head coach Marty Simmons said the team’s strong offseason chemistry has him optimistic heading into the year.
“We’re really excited, we had our guys here this summer, talent wise, character wise and camaraderie wise, we think this is one of our best groups,” Simmons said.
Eastern opens the season on Nov. 4 at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, Indiana, against Valparaiso to start the BBN United Tipoff Classic.
Eastern’s home opener will be Nov. 7 against Nicholls at 7 p.m. for the classic at Groniger Arena.
The Panthers will hit the road to play two power four conference opponents: Nov. 11 at Notre Dame and Nov. 14 at Kentucky to finish the classic.
Eastern is ready to achieve its goals.
“I think there is a lot of parody in the league,” Simmons said. “I think we all feel like if we continue to grow and get better and stay healthy, we’ll have a chance to compete at the top.”
Cameron Thomas can be reached at 581-2812 or at cathomas8@eiu.edu.
