Coaching can not be overstated on how well a team does in producing a winning record.


Where’s Heath?


https://theathletic.com/4982079/2023/10/...ino/?amp=1

(10-25-2023 06:52 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(10-25-2023 06:24 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-24-2023 12:36 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Getting Closer. Under two weeks.

Introduction of one of our new players…
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/1716827003352227942

I am pretty gosh darn certain this team is going to massively exceed expectations! Partly because the bar is set so low at 8 wins. Partly because of expected growth of returning players and hopefully ? improved team dynamics. And also, I am curious about the contributions of these new guys. It may be a decent class itself.

Ramy, I suppose my first question is "Who set the bar at eight wins"? I was a card-carrying member of the "get rid of Murphy club" and quite frankly I would be embarrassed that I was eager to get rid of a coach who had a season low of FOURTEEN wins in his nine years prior to the Covid season. I really like Stan but in year three, I would set the bar much higher, it just makes sense.

Nevertheless, I am excited to see what Stan can do with these guys, as Sam pointed out, it cannot be worse. If, however, it is, then we need to have a conversation with Coach Heath on a buyout.

Ramy, our OCC looks to have 6 very possible wins alone! If we go .500 in the MAC that alone is 15 wins! Heath has 17 years of D1 coaching experience, In year 3, that should be the absolute minimum goal! A winning record should be the goal...The better MAC coaches in year 3, had their teams competing for MAC championships! Jan's, Hurley, Boals, Tod K, Oats, etc.....Let's shock em!

NIU and CMU hired new coaches the same time we did So far the NIU coach is the only one to slowly reach an upward track. Ball St Bowling Green Buffalo Miami Ohio have newer coaches than we do
WMU is interesting because their head coach may have been a candidate for our job .

(10-24-2023 12:36 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Getting Closer. Under two weeks.

Introduction of one of our new players…
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/1716827003352227942

I am pretty gosh darn certain this team is going to massively exceed expectations! Partly because the bar is set so low at 8 wins. Partly because of expected growth of returning players and hopefully ? improved team dynamics. And also, I am curious about the contributions of these new guys. It may be a decent class itself.

I will be thrilled if this year's team exceeds the 11 win total in Heaths first year.

If this year's team can have some success, it will set them up well for the following season because there are no seniors on the roster.

Another newbie introduction. McGriff the crime dog (hope you don’t mind me stealing your joke, ‘79)
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/1717349001568153680

(10-26-2023 08:36 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  If this year's team can have some success, it will set them up well for the following season because there are no seniors on the roster.

I know what you are saying, and agree. BUT we have an early commitment from the best high school recruit we have had since JT4 (the Vanzee referenced 247 for this, for what it is worth). So no seniors is both a blessing and a curse.
https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/17...5779256399

(10-26-2023 08:43 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:36 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  If this year's team can have some success, it will set them up well for the following season because there are no seniors on the roster.

I know what you are saying, and agree. BUT we have an early commitment from the best high school recruit we have had since JT4 (the Vanzee referenced 247 for this, for what it is worth). So no seniors is both a blessing and a curse.
https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/17...5779256399

Again I raise the question where is our open scholarship for this recruit? I count us full for this year and next year.

(10-26-2023 06:18 AM)emu79 Wrote:  I will be thrilled if this year's team exceeds the 11 win total in Heaths first year.

Then prepare yourself to be thrilled. My rationale (or kool-aid as you called it in the past)…

We (you) were really excited about last year’s class even before Emoni Bates signed. I would say the results were:
*Orlando Lovejoy-> exceeded expectations (for a freshman)
*TyCuff-> met expectations (played great, but as he was already a 3rd year player)
*Jalin Billingsley-> clearly failed to meet expectations (he started the season appearing distracted and unmotivated on the floor. But I started to track his improvement defensively as the year went on)
*Legend Geeter-> clearly failed to meet expectations (great passer for a big man, yet inconsistent inside scoring and even worse defensively inside. Hardly noticed improvement over the course of the year.)

So I would say mixed grades, but I would not say a disappointment other than the final product/record. Given the inexperience of Lovejoy and Geeter, I am expecting/hoping for potentially huge improvements from those two. There is more basis to expect it from Lovejoy. But Geeter may just have been shell shocked by the speed of college games after having not played for a year since high school. Plus with Lamonta Stone on staff from the start (if not during the offseason) will help him too.

Hopefully Billingsley will be focused from the start to set a positive tone for himself. Jihad had shown signs of things finally clicking for him last year as well. Add to it that we may have underestimated this years recruiting class. This years team has the potential to be very deep and balanced.

(10-26-2023 08:51 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:43 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:36 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  If this year's team can have some success, it will set them up well for the following season because there are no seniors on the roster.

I know what you are saying, and agree. BUT we have an early commitment from the best high school recruit we have had since JT4 (the Vanzee referenced 247 for this, for what it is worth). So no seniors is both a blessing and a curse.
https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/17...5779256399

Again I raise the question where is our open scholarship for this recruit? I count us full for this year and next year.

Great question. A transfer or 2 could be assumed. There are a few guys that are in their 4th or 5th year of college so graduations may also be a factor.

(10-26-2023 10:25 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:51 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:43 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 08:36 AM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  If this year's team can have some success, it will set them up well for the following season because there are no seniors on the roster.

I know what you are saying, and agree. BUT we have an early commitment from the best high school recruit we have had since JT4 (the Vanzee referenced 247 for this, for what it is worth). So no seniors is both a blessing and a curse.
https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/17...5779256399

Again I raise the question where is our open scholarship for this recruit? I count us full for this year and next year.

Great question. A transfer or 2 could be assumed. There are a few guys that are in their 4th or 5th year of college so graduations may also be a factor.

Good point. Or it could be a very difficult isdue come springtime. Given your suggestion, I could see any of the following scenarios:

*Lovejoy has a great season and transfers up next year.

*Jihad (skipped a grade) or TyCuff (Cass Tech) are both 4th year players, with denonstrated academic intelligence, and have already transferred once. So graduating this year is their only real option to transfer again efficiently if they so desire. Rice is in that same boat, but I am not familiar with his academic record.

*I did not see either Pranger or Randle in the scrimmage highlights. If they are buried in the rotation again this year, they may decide to transfer as well.

Everyone else, I would imagine would have a hard time and/or no reason to transfer.

(10-26-2023 09:28 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 06:18 AM)emu79 Wrote:  I will be thrilled if this year's team exceeds the 11 win total in Heaths first year.

Then prepare yourself to be thrilled. My rationale (or kool-aid as you called it in the past)…

We (you) were really excited about last year’s class even before Emoni Bates signed. I would say the results were:
*Orlando Lovejoy-> exceeded expectations (for a freshman)
*TyCuff-> met expectations (played great, but as he was already a 3rd year player)
*Jalin Billingsley-> clearly failed to meet expectations (he started the season appearing distracted and unmotivated on the floor. But I started to track his improvement defensively as the year went on)
*Legend Geeter-> clearly failed to meet expectations (great passer for a big man, yet inconsistent inside scoring and even worse defensively inside. Hardly noticed improvement over the course of the year.)

So I would say mixed grades, but I would not say a disappointment other than the final product/record. Given the inexperience of Lovejoy and Geeter, I am expecting/hoping for potentially huge improvements from those two. There is more basis to expect it from Lovejoy. But Geeter may just have been shell shocked by the speed of college games after having not played for a year since high school. Plus with Lamonta Stone on staff from the start (if not during the offseason) will help him too.

Hopefully Billingsley will be focused from the start to set a positive tone for himself. Jihad had shown signs of things finally clicking for him last year as well. Add to it that we may have underestimated this years recruiting class. This years team has the potential to be very deep and balanced.

You do realize other MAC teams have new players and returnees as well.

(10-26-2023 11:54 AM)emu79 Wrote:  You do realize other MAC teams have new players and returnees as well.

Drink the Kool-Aid, ‘79. You will be much happier that way.

(10-26-2023 06:17 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-25-2023 06:52 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(10-25-2023 06:24 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-24-2023 12:36 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Getting Closer. Under two weeks.

Introduction of one of our new players…
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/1716827003352227942

I am pretty gosh darn certain this team is going to massively exceed expectations! Partly because the bar is set so low at 8 wins. Partly because of expected growth of returning players and hopefully ? improved team dynamics. And also, I am curious about the contributions of these new guys. It may be a decent class itself.

Ramy, I suppose my first question is "Who set the bar at eight wins"? I was a card-carrying member of the "get rid of Murphy club" and quite frankly I would be embarrassed that I was eager to get rid of a coach who had a season low of FOURTEEN wins in his nine years prior to the Covid season. I really like Stan but in year three, I would set the bar much higher, it just makes sense.

Nevertheless, I am excited to see what Stan can do with these guys, as Sam pointed out, it cannot be worse. If, however, it is, then we need to have a conversation with Coach Heath on a buyout.

Ramy, our OCC looks to have 6 very possible wins alone! If we go .500 in the MAC that alone is 15 wins! Heath has 17 years of D1 coaching experience, In year 3, that should be the absolute minimum goal! A winning record should be the goal...The better MAC coaches in year 3, had their teams competing for MAC championships! Jan's, Hurley, Boals, Tod K, Oats, etc.....Let's shock em!

NIU and CMU hired new coaches the same time we did So far the NIU coach is the only one to slowly reach an upward track. Ball St Bowling Green Buffalo Miami Ohio have newer coaches than we do
WMU is interesting because their head coach may have been a candidate for our job .

Ramy, combined all those coaches don't have 17 years D1 coaching experience! The worst season Murphy had was 14 wins(minus the covid season), Heath needs to deliver now, or a buyout needs to happen! Have Boykins on speed dial......I can see 15 wins with this schedule.....

In year 3, you must have an upward trajectory to sell recruits your program is heading in the right direction. I felt after seeing how the players were managed last year, Heath put himself in an unrecoverable position. He gambled and most likely lost. If we don’t win at least 7 - 8 games in the conference - next coach up!!!

(10-26-2023 02:35 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 06:17 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-25-2023 06:52 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(10-25-2023 06:24 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(10-24-2023 12:36 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Getting Closer. Under two weeks.

Introduction of one of our new players…
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/1716827003352227942

I am pretty gosh darn certain this team is going to massively exceed expectations! Partly because the bar is set so low at 8 wins. Partly because of expected growth of returning players and hopefully ? improved team dynamics. And also, I am curious about the contributions of these new guys. It may be a decent class itself.

Ramy, I suppose my first question is "Who set the bar at eight wins"? I was a card-carrying member of the "get rid of Murphy club" and quite frankly I would be embarrassed that I was eager to get rid of a coach who had a season low of FOURTEEN wins in his nine years prior to the Covid season. I really like Stan but in year three, I would set the bar much higher, it just makes sense.

Nevertheless, I am excited to see what Stan can do with these guys, as Sam pointed out, it cannot be worse. If, however, it is, then we need to have a conversation with Coach Heath on a buyout.

Ramy, our OCC looks to have 6 very possible wins alone! If we go .500 in the MAC that alone is 15 wins! Heath has 17 years of D1 coaching experience, In year 3, that should be the absolute minimum goal! A winning record should be the goal...The better MAC coaches in year 3, had their teams competing for MAC championships! Jan's, Hurley, Boals, Tod K, Oats, etc.....Let's shock em!

NIU and CMU hired new coaches the same time we did So far the NIU coach is the only one to slowly reach an upward track. Ball St Bowling Green Buffalo Miami Ohio have newer coaches than we do
WMU is interesting because their head coach may have been a candidate for our job .

Ramy, combined all those coaches don't have 17 years D1 coaching experience! The worst season Murphy had was 14 wins(minus the covid season), Heath needs to deliver now, or a buyout needs to happen! Have Boykins on speed dial......I can see 15 wins with this schedule.....

Jerry/Glory, I am totally with you guys. This is a hot seat year for Coach Heath. His first two years were both abysmal- far below what the talent level was. The two things going for him are 1) he is still recruiting pretty decently especially given his record, and 2) he seems to be creating a positive environment for the players including stressing the academic component (not always the case at colleges). But he has got to be able to win more than 8-10 games a year or the recruiting will completely dry up.

Glory, if it turns out Coach Heath fails a third year, I will fully apologize to you for not listening to your declarations sooner. You were indeed the first to call it. That said, I am hoping Coach Heath and team comes out and shocks em all (as you say)… Go EMU!!

(10-26-2023 12:01 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:54 AM)emu79 Wrote:  You do realize other MAC teams have new players and returnees as well.

Drink the Kool-Aid, ‘79. You will be much happier that way.

My point is that scrimmages etc are all great but its all about the real games. I hope the team plays together as a team this year and we see some real effort to play you know defense, pass the ball, work for the best shot and actually rebound. Some of these have been lacking the past TWO years and have not been fixed. Last year's team was the worst chemistry since Breaking Bad. I like to see guys who love to play together and support each other the way it appears our football team does.

(10-27-2023 04:13 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 12:01 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:54 AM)emu79 Wrote:  You do realize other MAC teams have new players and returnees as well.

Drink the Kool-Aid, ‘79. You will be much happier that way.

My point is that scrimmages etc are all great but its all about the real games. I hope the team plays together as a team this year and we see some real effort to play you know defense, pass the ball, work for the best shot and actually rebound. Some of these have been lacking the past TWO years and have not been fixed. Last year's team was the worst chemistry since Breaking Bad. I like to see guys who love to play together and support each other the way it appears our football team does.

Amen ‘79!

NIT picking just got more confusing...

https://x.com/GoodmanHoops/status/171796...77495?s=20

https://x.com/BigSkyCommish/status/17180...34732?s=20

(10-27-2023 06:25 PM)emu steve Wrote:  https://x.com/BigSkyCommish/status/17180...34732?s=20

Steve, you probably won't believe this, but I truly suspect this is all about the money. LOL! Who hosts NIT games anyhow? The team that has the highest potential of gate receipts, rather than the one with the most accomplishments. Thus, the MAC regular season champ, Toledo plays a 'bottom half B1G team" U-M in Ann Arbor.

The MAC, quite frankly, plays substandard basketball when compared to the P6. As impressive as Nate Oats' Buffalo team was, they failed to match Ben Braun's EMU and Stan Heath's Kent St. prior accomplishments. The MBB world has changed, and the transfer portal and NIL will only accentuate that divide.