(12-20-2017 10:02 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Last night Ball State crushed N. FLORIDA 79-65.

The game at Oakland will determine whether or not we're Pretenders or Contenders.

Couple thoughts:

1). It was at Ball State,

2). We played them on the SEVENTH DAY of a 3-game road trip through IN and FL.

3). UNF played a "puncher's chance" game - try to make a ton of 3's which they did.

I hardly find the two games at all comparable.

Matter of fact, I am almost tempted to toss the game as not representative of anything. Has MSU, Duke, etc. gone on a one week road trip playing 3 games on the road without returning home?

(12-20-2017 10:47 AM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 10:02 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Last night Ball State crushed N. FLORIDA 79-65.

The game at Oakland will determine whether or not we're Pretenders or Contenders.

Couple thoughts:

1). It was at Ball State,

2). We played them on the SEVENTH DAY of a 3-game road trip through IN and FL.

3). UNF played a "puncher's chance" game - try to make a ton of 3's which they did.

I hardly find the two games at all comparable.

Matter of fact, I am almost tempted to toss the game as not representative of anything. Has MSU, Duke, etc. gone on a one week road trip playing 3 games on the road without returning home?

Nope, not many high majors do that, unless they are in some kind of tournament. And those are never true road games.

The big difference between our game with UNF and Ball State's was that UNF only hit 29% from three against BSU. If they shot like that against us, or if we shot like we did against Oakland or Long Beach, we would have blown them out too. They were hot from three, and we couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, yet we STILL took them to overtime.

I agree that it shouldn't be indicative of how we will do in the MAC. And I'll disagree completely with Luckey that our road game against Oakland (whom we've already beat) will be the barometer for the rest of the season.

(12-20-2017 10:02 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Last night Ball State crushed N. FLORIDA 79-65.

The game at Oakland will determine whether or not we're Pretenders or Contenders.

I agree with Steve's comments on this one.Did you see the EMU game vs N Florida? EMU looked exhausted missing wide open shots under the basket several times. I said this right after the game, so not excusing because of the comparison you are currently bringing up. Plus Ball St played at home?

But I think an earlier post of yours hit the nail on the head. If EMU is in fact a decent team, then they will be competive to the end against Oakland and lose by a respectable low teens at most against Syracuse. Gonna be a very telling couple games.

(12-20-2017 08:58 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 10:02 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Last night Ball State crushed N. FLORIDA 79-65.

The game at Oakland will determine whether or not we're Pretenders or Contenders.

I agree with Steve's comments on this one.Did you see the EMU game vs N Florida? EMU looked exhausted missing wide open shots under the basket several times. I said this right after the game, so not excusing because of the comparison you are currently bringing up. Plus Ball St played at home?

But I think an earlier post of yours hit the nail on the head. If EMU is in fact a decent team, then they will be competive to the end against Oakland and lose by a respectable low teens at most against Syracuse. Gonna be a very telling couple games.

Ramy, yep, I watched us against N.Florida. I completely agree we were playing lethargic and/or tired. We gave up too many uncontested 3pt shots against them. Even though we were tired, I don't think we should have lost that game because our talent was much better than theirs.

At any rate, hopefully we keep it close against Oakland like they did at EMU.

IMO whatever we were supposed to read from the NFLorida loss, I've been unable to reconcile with the Long Beach State win.

(12-20-2017 08:58 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-20-2017 10:02 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Last night Ball State crushed N. FLORIDA 79-65.

The game at Oakland will determine whether or not we're Pretenders or Contenders.

I agree with Steve's comments on this one.Did you see the EMU game vs N Florida? EMU looked exhausted missing wide open shots under the basket several times. I said this right after the game, so not excusing because of the comparison you are currently bringing up. Plus Ball St played at home?

But I think an earlier post of yours hit the nail on the head. If EMU is in fact a decent team, then they will be competive to the end against Oakland and lose by a respectable low teens at most against Syracuse. Gonna be a very telling couple games.

We frequently talk about how some (most?) mid-majors get really bad schedule full on bad road games, sometimes bad road trips.

Here is the EMU women's 2017/8 schedule. They played EIGHT STRAIGHT GAMES away from home.

http://emueagles.com/schedule.aspx?path=wbball

St. Bonaventure just beat Syracuse in OT.

One thing about our four losses.

We were in every game in the second half or in the last minute.

Indiana was close with 12 minutes to go, UNF was an OT loss, Oakland was one possession with a minute to go and 'Cuse was tied in the second half.

No blowout losses where we were outclassed early and not in the game.

(12-28-2017 02:06 PM)emu steve Wrote:  One thing about our four losses.

We were in every game in the second half or in the last minute.

Indiana was close with 12 minutes to go, UNF was an OT loss, Oakland was one possession with a minute to go and 'Cuse was tied in the second half.

No blowout losses where we were outclassed early and not in the game.

After finishing 9-4 in the OOC Schedule, I predict 10-8 virtually my same prediction I made before the season started. If we could have beaten Oakland, Syracuse, or Indiana on the road, I would change my prediction to be MAC west champions at 13-5.

What sayeth you?

(11-10-2017 11:40 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  -Combined record 14-17
-Conference record 8-10

Ok, Luckey. I can see how 10-8 is “virtually” the same as your original pick of 8-10. Both are just a hair different than .500. BUT in the MAC that could be the difference between a fifth seed and a ninth seed.

In any case, it seems like you are more impressed with the team than at the beginning of the year. I am curious of your thoughts.

(11-10-2017 06:39 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  21-10 (12-6 MAC).

Not to gloat, but I called the pre-season record of 9-4. Alrhough, in retrospect, should have been better. 1) some of EMUs opponents were more down this year than originally expected- particularly the Florida schools.; and 2) I had no idea Jackson was going to be so good. Definitely should have beaten N Florida.

Anyway, I am staying with my 12-6 conference record, if not should be a little better. Incredible talent in Jackson/Bond/Minnie/Thompson. Not much consistent depth beyond that (at this point), which really hurts.

(12-28-2017 10:03 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(11-10-2017 06:39 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  21-10 (12-6 MAC).

Not to gloat, but I called the pre-season record of 9-4. Alrhough, in retrospect, should have been better. 1) some of EMUs opponents were more down this year than originally expected- particularly the Florida schools.; and 2) I had no idea Jackson was going to be so good. Definitely should have beaten N Florida.

Anyway, I am staying with my 12-6 conference record, if not should be a little better. Incredible talent in Jackson/Bond/Minnie/Thompson. Not much consistent depth beyond that (at this point), which really hurts.

As did I! You were a bit more optimistic about the conference record than I was, but I'm leaning towards your prediction. I think we have the best player in the conference, and he's going to be a brutal cover for basically every MAC team. If Jackson and Minnie continue to play well, then I think we will get a bye. If our freshmen find some consistency and give us an additional weapon or two off the bench, then I think we can win the conference. Those are some big "ifs", but the potential is there.

(12-28-2017 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(11-10-2017 11:40 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  -Combined record 14-17
-Conference record 8-10

Ok, Luckey. I can see how 10-8 is “virtually” the same as your original pick of 8-10. Both are just a hair different than .500. BUT in the MAC that could be the difference between a fifth seed and a ninth seed.

In any case, it seems like you are more impressed with the team than at the beginning of the year. I am curious of your thoughts.

Wow Ramy, calling me out in my prediction LOL.

Minnie has really impressed me and I feel his versatility scoring inside and outside could make him a difference maker.

Ditto for Paul Jackson. Have you listened to his post game interview? He's so humble but also so smooth. If he had a consistent 3pt jump shot, he would give Wilder a run for an All Mac guard position. Jackson is not without faults (who is) but he's the best PG at EMU since Boykins.
Bond - he's improved his offense over last season. He can shoot the 3, hit the mid jumper, and finish at the rim like no one else in this conference.
JT4 - best MAC Center.
Nobles - plays within himself, understands his role, very consistent


Bench - Ellison will give us some quality minutes if Murphy develops him. When the Ball's in his hands, I believe he can improve on making "good" things happen plus he hits his free throws. McCadoo....I like his assertiveness and aggressiveness. He is not tentative when he comes into the game. He attacks the rim with a lot of confidence. He should keep improving over the season. Groce has impressed me the most off the bench. He also plays with a lot of confidence, and is very athletic and can score by getting an offensive tip in, 3 pt shot or filling the wing on a break. Our biggest weakness as we all know- we don't have a back up center.

So why 10-8 and not 13-5 which is the record the MAC West Champion will probably earn? Well, all of you already know how I feel when we don't change out of a zone to mix things up once in awhile. Mostly I feel this team is missing a gamer. By that, I mean when we need a basket, the ball goes to our "gamer" who has a knack for scoring the ball, making his free throws, etc in crunch time when we really need a basket. I believe Minnie is a gamer for us and Paul Jackson is close; however, I noticed in close games, sometimes we turn the ball over, don't get the defensive rebound, miss free throws, and don't play with as much confidence. Anybody who saw Brian Tolbert, Earl Boykins, and Derrick Dial would know what I mean by being a "gamer". I think to win in basketball consistently you need two gamers. We have 1...need one more to step up


So I upped my prediction from 8-10 to 10-8 based on what I've seen during the OOC Schedule. I just have a gut feel that the MAC just doesn't have great teams this year so hopefully I'm wrong on my prediction and we win more games than 10.

What's your thoughts, Ramy?

(12-28-2017 10:39 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Bench - Ellison will give us some quality minutes if Murphy develops him. When the Ball's in his hands, I believe he can improve on making "good" things happen plus he hits his free throws. McCadoo....I like his assertiveness and aggressiveness. He is not tentative when he comes into the game. He attacks the rim with a lot of confidence. He should keep improving over the season. Groce has impressed me the most off the bench. He also plays with a lot of confidence, and is very athletic and can score by getting an offensive tip in, 3 pt shot or filling the wing on a break.

it sounds like you see the young bench guys the same way i do. i'm excited about them. McAdoo's confidence is ridiculous for a freshman guard, and he can score in a few different ways. i didn't expect anything from him, and i couldn't be happier to be wrong.

Groce has a super high ceiling. he has the athleticism to be the Bond of the future. he's a wildcard with the ball right now, particularly when he's trying to lead a break after a rebound or steal, but the talent is there.

I read somewhere that the entire Mac means teams had a winning record in OOC play

(12-28-2017 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(11-10-2017 11:40 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  -Combined record 14-17
-Conference record 8-10

Ok, Luckey. I can see how 10-8 is “virtually” the same as your original pick of 8-10. Both are just a hair different than .500. BUT in the MAC that could be the difference between a fifth seed and a ninth seed.

In any case, it seems like you are more impressed with the team than at the beginning of the year. I am curious of your thoughts.

I can explain it: "Un-diagnosed case of dyslexia" (the 'old' definition of reading words and letters backwards*).

*On sports forum boards, can also refer to reading win and loss records in reverse order.

(12-29-2017 01:34 AM)EMUAARON Wrote:  

(12-28-2017 10:39 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Bench - Ellison will give us some quality minutes if Murphy develops him. When the Ball's in his hands, I believe he can improve on making "good" things happen plus he hits his free throws. McCadoo....I like his assertiveness and aggressiveness. He is not tentative when he comes into the game. He attacks the rim with a lot of confidence. He should keep improving over the season. Groce has impressed me the most off the bench. He also plays with a lot of confidence, and is very athletic and can score by getting an offensive tip in, 3 pt shot or filling the wing on a break.

it sounds like you see the young bench guys the same way i do. i'm excited about them. McAdoo's confidence is ridiculous for a freshman guard, and he can score in a few different ways. i didn't expect anything from him, and i couldn't be happier to be wrong.

Groce has a super high ceiling. he has the athleticism to be the Bond of the future. he's a wildcard with the ball right now, particularly when he's trying to lead a break after a rebound or steal, but the talent is there.

Lets remember we have something like 8 new guys playing regular games for the first time together Murphy could have gone the juco route or transfer route for the 2017 class but decided to take the long view which is better for the program

Good thoughts everyone. I am in agreement with most. My thoughts...

I think Murphy’s best team was the 2013-14 team that underperformed a little at 10-8 in the conference. And made an incredible run to the semifinals in the tourney (though back then the format, made it impossible to win if not among the top 4 seeds.)

The teams since then had talent, but always a weak link. 14-15, no center. 15-16, inconsistent guard play. 16-17, weak center. But this years team has a solid starting 5 (including Nobles) that might be better than 13-14, though less consistency from the bench. In retrospect, I think my 12-6 was optimistic based on expectation that Minnie would be solid and Jackson serviceable. With Jackson being GREAT, than I am definitely still at that prediction, if not better. Particularly if we can get greater bench consistency out of a talented freshman class, as you all point out...

...Unless Murphy coaches them to an under performing 10-8 as he did in 2013-14. (I expect/hope he has learned over the years) Even if that happens, they could still compete for tourney on talent and emotion alone given the current format. So I am excited for this year. Anyway, for fun the Starting Lineup comparison, then and now.

2013-14. 2017-18
PG Talley. Jackson
SG. Lee. Nobles
SF. Ward. Bond
PF. Bryant Minnie
C. Riley. Thompson

(11-10-2017 11:40 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  My thoughts after looking at our roster:

1) We have the best center in the conference in JT4
2) We have the best defender, and slasher in the conference in Tim Bond
3) We have a bonafide D1 scorer in Minnie

However, all of us are just guessing so we should hold the same poll before conference play. With that said, we do not have a back up center for JT4 except a 6'8" 220 lb freshman (too small). Plus we don't have any outside shooters and will have to rely on freshman for that roll.

My guess at this point is:

-Combined record 14-17
-Conference record 8-10

I hope that I'm wrong but shooting really concerns me and no back up center.

I hope you're wrong too. And in a couple hours you will be. At least for 1/2 of the prediction:

Doing middle school math, you predicted an OOC record of 6 - 7 (difference between the conference record and the combined records).

Almost certainly it will be 9 - 4 in a few hours.

The only way we finish 8 - 10 in conference would be a rash of injuries.

All right. None of this makes sense. In a year where we beat Akron and Kent State on the road . . .
Currently 14-10, 5-6 in MAC. There are seven regular season games remaining.

@ Bowling Green (Last game - lost at home by 4 in OT)
Miami (Last game - won at Miami by ten)
@CMU (Last game - won at home by five)
Toledo (Not this season, dropped both last season)
NIU - (Last game - lost at NIU by 12)
@WMU - Last game - lost at home by many bucketzzz)
@Toledo (See above)

First - why do we always play Toledo twice at the end of our season? MAC schedulers just copy and paste these schedules or what?

Second - Murphy's 20 win extension would depend on either winning six of the next seven (with two against Toledo) OR getting some postseason wins in the MAC tourney (and he usually does).

Third - the parity is crazy in this conference if you ignore Toledo and Buffalo right now. Nobody else is better than 6-5.

I'm sticking with 18-13. Before I guess at postseason, anyone know if a 10-8 conference record would get home advantage in the first round?