Wheeling, W. Va. – Since October, the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (11-17, 6-14) have been preparing to play their best basketball in March. On Wednesday, the March Madness officially begins as the Cardinals begin their run in the 2025 Mountain East Conference (MEC) Men's Basketball Tournament. Wheeling will close out the first round action when they take on #8 Davis & Elkins with tip-off at 8:30 PM.
In their regular season finale, the Cardinals would head up the hilltop to face rival West Liberty, looking to lock down their spot in the tournament. It was an offensive game from the get-go, with both teams shooting over 50% in the first half. The Hilltoppers would build an early lead, scoring eight of the first 10 points, but the Cardinals battled back, tying the game at 16-16. The game would come even four more times in the first half, and the Cardinals would keep West Liberty in striking distance. As they headed for halftime, the Cardinals would trail 63-56, but the Hilltoppers offense just kept coming. Both teams would reach the century mark in the game, as the Cardinals continued shooting the ball well, hitting a 42.85% clip in the second half. However, the Hilltoppers would win the day, as the Cardinals fell 119-103.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was Sean Ealy, headlining one of five Cardinals to hit double figures on the day. Although it wasn't one of his most efficient days of the season, Ealy would lead the way with 20 points, with nearly half of those coming from the free throw line. Ealy would get to the line 10 times on the day, making nine of those free throws in the effort. The senior, who earned his first All-MEC honors when he was named First Team All-MEC earlier in the day, reached the 20-point mark for the third time in the last four games and the 17th time this season. He sits third in the conference, averaging 18.6 PPG, and sixth with 90 assists as the Cardinals will look for him to be a leader throughout the tournament.
Finishing behind Early was Alex Smith, who put up 16 points on the day tying second on the team. He was the Cardinals most efficient shooter, going 5-9 (55.5%) from the floor while also leading the team with eight rebounds. Smith has taken on many rules for the Cardinals this season, what would be a guy who goes to get the rebound or a shooter. Saturday with Smith's second straight double digit performance And he looks to continue scoring for the Cardinals throughout the tournament. The other Cardinal to reach the 16 point mark was S.J. Hutchinson . The Junior has transitioned from being a bench player to getting more starts as the season's gone on and he took advantage of his opportunity. The last is offensive game, Hutchinson has also set up his defensive game as of late earning him more starting time.
Have a head into the 2025 MEC Men's Basketball Tournament, The Cardinals will be playing in first round for the third season in a row. They enter as the #9 for the second straight season, after falling to #8 Notre Dame College in the first round of last year's tournament. Many of the same contributors back this season, Wheeling is looking to put that loss behind them, as they compete for their spot in the Quarter-final round. Wheeling last made The MEC quarterfinals during the 2021-2022 season when they beat Anderson Broaddus 97-91. With a veteran group, many of whom played on last year's team, Wheeling will look to build on that experience and get back to the quarterfinals in 2025, were their rival #1 West Liberty awaits.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Senators our meeting for the 34th time in program history, and just the second time in postseason play. Wheeling leads the all-time series at 24-9 while also winning the loan postseason matchup between the two teams. The teams have gone back and forth over their last four matchups, splitting the four games, And this season the home team has been the victor each time. Wheeling is averaging 82.33 points per game in the previous 33 matchups, and will look to get more offense going Wednesday night.
In the last meeting, Wheeling would pick up a win inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center by the score of 80-73. It would be a big day for Sean Ealy, who put up 21 points in the effort, with most of those coming in the second half. Alex Smith would add 103 points and 11 rebounds to complete the double double, while Curtis Harrison IV added 10 points off the bench.
The Details
Tip-off For Wednesday night's First Round matchup is scheduled for 8:30 PM inside WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling, West Virginia. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with lives stats by clicking HERE.
