Eastern Illinois women's basketball will open the 2024-25 season on Monday, November 4 as the Panthers host Illinois Wesleyan. On Wednesday (Oct. 16) the Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason predicted order of finish along with the players to watch for each of the eleven league schools.
The Panthers were picked to finish third in the preseason poll as head coach
Marqus McGlothan, an assistant at EIU the last two seasons, takes over for his first season at the helm. EIU was 15-18 overall, 11-7 in the OVC as they finished second in the OVC for the second straight season advancing to a second consecutive OVC Tournament semifinal appearance.
Macy McGlone and
Lalani Ellis were named the EIU players to watch in the OVC this season as the Panthers return six players from last season including two starters.
McGlone was dominant in the OVC last season and returns as the league's Player of the Year and Defender of the Year. McGlone averaged 17.8 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. She finished second in the NCAA with 26 double-doubles.
Ellis got off to a quick start to her career last season earning OVC Player of the Week honors for the opening week. She would end the season averaging 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game playing through some injuries for a good part of the season.
Southern Indiana was selected as the preseason OVC favorite followed by UT Martin and Eastern Illinois. The OVC Tournament returns to the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana once again this year from March 5-8.
Following the home opener against Illinois Wesleyan, EIU travels to North Dakota for opening weekend games at North Dakota and North Dakota State.
Schools in the OVC are taking part in the OVC Virtual Media Day over the next two days (October 16 & 17) as the season is just weeks away.
