I hate to admit that this was my first basketball games in years...

Sorely disappointed. Parts of the first half looked like we would win by more than 20 - we were up 26 to 13 at that time. Eastern came out pretty flat from half-time and Missuori State, to their credit, kept chipping away at the lead and won the game. Going into this one I thought we would win for sure, despite Bob's sage comments to the contrary. I mean, Missouri State was all of 1-11 on the road and we were 11-3 at home. No brainer, right? I suppose that's why they play the game. Sad loss.

As to what we, as fans, can do to turn our program(s) and athletic department around. The real answer is nothing. I have sent several respectful letters and emails to Dr. Gragg and have yet to receive any kind of a response. I even put open receipts on the emails I send to him and have yet to receive a receipt that he even received or opened one of my emails. Fan complaints are falling on deaf ears. In other words, no one at EMU really cares.

So...If winning in football and men's basketball isn't really the focus of the athletic department then what is? How can Dr. Gragg's position and continued employment be justified when the results are so abyssmal? I have said this so many times here and on the former MLive board - if we really aren't serious about contending for the MAC chanmpionship each and every year and, by extension, post season play why are we even fielding teams at the D-IA level? What is the purpose?

It has been said here that we, as fans, can affect the coaching positions and the decisions of the athletic department. How? Another poster wrote that if we "voiced" our anger and disappointment by not going to games it wouldn't matter because the games are so poorly attended. I agree. The attendance at the EMU-MSU game today was shockingly low. We have a beautiful venue and no one bothers to show up. Why? Is it because we have a poor team or is it because we live in Big Ten country? I would chalk it up to our record and the fact that we haven't done anything exciting in football and men's basketball in years. It has been said before, build it and they will come.

All of this has been said or written before...nothing new. I just don't think it's constructive to turn on each other in this forum when the administration at EMU cares less than we do. Things will not change until and unless THEY begin to care.

That was a complete mess. i put all the blame for this on Murphy. his lineup decisions are a joke. Harper for almost the entire second half. no harrison and almost no Bryant in the second half? Chandler and Strickland getting minutes? what was that all about? not only is our offense less organized than most rec teams, but Murphy isn't even putting our best players out there to play his unorganized offense. he needs to make some changes to his approach for next year.

i get that he's new to head coaching, and even the best coaches probably made a lot of dumb mistakes when they were this new. but, if he doesn't improve, it doesn't matter. i'll give him one more year with an improved roster, but he'd better make the most of it and display a coherent offensive system. Missouri State was almost on the same level as Rochester. i would probably pick Missouri State by 6 points if they played Rochester on a neutral court.

Bryant scores well by cutting to the basket and getting offensive putbacks. luckily, we have him handling the ball from 18+ feet out. simple things like that can easily be avoided. instead, Bryant goes in the doghouse for failing to do well in a position that doesn't suit him at all.

sorry for this rambling mess, but losing this game is not cool.

(02-23-2013 06:18 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  I hate to admit that this was my first basketball games in years...

Sorely disappointed. Parts of the first half looked like we would win by more than 20 - we were up 26 to 13 at that time. Eastern came out pretty flat from half-time and Missuori State, to their credit, kept chipping away at the lead and won the game. Going into this one I thought we would win for sure, despite Bob's sage comments to the contrary. I mean, Missouri State was all of 1-11 on the road and we were 11-3 at home. No brainer, right? I suppose that's why they play the game. Sad loss.

As to what we, as fans, can do to turn our program(s) and athletic department around. The real answer is nothing. I have sent several respectful letters and emails to Dr. Gragg and have yet to receive any kind of a response. I even put open receipts on the emails I send to him and have yet to receive a receipt that he even received or opened one of my emails. Fan complaints are falling on deaf ears. In other words, no one at EMU really cares.

So...If winning in football and men's basketball isn't really the focus of the athletic department then what is? How can Dr. Gragg's position and continued employment be justified when the results are so abyssmal? I have said this so many times here and on the former MLive board - if we really aren't serious about contending for the MAC chanmpionship each and every year and, by extension, post season play why are we even fielding teams at the D-IA level? What is the purpose?

It has been said here that we, as fans, can affect the coaching positions and the decisions of the athletic department. How? Another poster wrote that if we "voiced" our anger and disappointment by not going to games it wouldn't matter because the games are so poorly attended. I agree. The attendance at the EMU-MSU game today was shockingly low. We have a beautiful venue and no one bothers to show up. Why? Is it because we have a poor team or is it because we live in Big Ten country? I would chalk it up to our record and the fact that we haven't done anything exciting in football and men's basketball in years. It has been said before, build it and they will come.

All of this has been said or written before...nothing new. I just don't think it's constructive to turn on each other in this forum when the administration at EMU cares less than we do. Things will not change until and unless THEY begin to care.

well said. also, nice to have you back! haven't seen you on the message boards in a long time. what brought you back to a game?

After reading all the dribble + Hoopster's e-mails, I am not crying in my beer.

I went over to Bowen and watched the women finish 2nd and the men win the MAC indoor T&f.

I had to chance to meet Latipha Cross whose's story is as gut wrenching as any. She was impressive in the 400M and 400x4 relay. She even has turf toe. What a story!!

She had her foot in a boot after the meet.

The end of the hoops was not good but I'm having a very good day.

Cheer up guys. No one died...

Time for me to cheer up -- need a meal. :)

(02-23-2013 06:29 PM)EMUAARON Wrote:  well said. also, nice to have you back! haven't seen you on the message boards in a long time. what brought you back to a game?

Thank you sir!

Alumni appreciation day is what brought me back. What does that mean? I haven't the foggiest. I am an alum and I didn't feel very appreciated. I'm just kidding but I certainly didn't see anything "special" in the way of alumni appreciation. Then again, I don't know what I was expecting.

You didn't ask but I'll offer anyway - what kept me away from a basketball game for so long? I'm not really a basketball guy, I'm really not into spending good money on a losing proposition and I was busy being dad. Now that my two oldest kids are at EMU and my youngest is at Michigan State I have time to do the things I was either unwilling or unable to do. So, my son, a junior at EMU, and I have decided to start attending more EMU sporting events than just the football games.

I will be at the Toledo game on March 9th. Not expecting a victory but hoping nonetheless.

I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

(02-23-2013 08:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

Anyone else find it a little incongruent and disconcerting when the guy who goes around decked out in EMU regalia, is a supporter of all things EMU, and dubs himself "EMU Superfan" then goes online and gets all grumpy and rips the team? Johnny Spirit and MSU would never do such a thing!

The ONE guy I don't want to be objective would be the one dubbed "Superfan." Sorry, just an observation I've held inside for awhile. Please, no offense.

(02-23-2013 08:37 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

Anyone else find it a little incongruent and disconcerting when the guy who goes around decked out in EMU regalia, is a supporter of all things EMU, and dubs himself "EMU Superfan" then goes online and gets all grumpy and rips the team? Johnny Spirit and MSU would never do such a thing!

The ONE guy I don't want to be objective would be the one dubbed "Superfan." Sorry, I've held inside for awhile. Please, no offense.

Ooh I am hurt. NOT! I want my teams to win and show how good this university is and how they respects the people that come to these events. IF you have an autograph signing and they don't show you are damn right I am going to rip on them. And as far as saying we don't have any good ball handlers that is for the people that post on here an say "all we need is a different offence" like changing the offense will mean anything. "just an observation "

(02-23-2013 08:37 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

Anyone else find it a little incongruent and disconcerting when the guy who goes around decked out in EMU regalia, is a supporter of all things EMU, and dubs himself "EMU Superfan" then goes online and gets all grumpy and rips the team? Johnny Spirit and MSU would never do such a thing!

The ONE guy I don't want to be objective would be the one dubbed "Superfan." Sorry, just an observation I've held inside for awhile. Please, no offense.

What you want doesn't concern me one bit, just an observation .

(02-24-2013 08:47 AM)emussuperfan Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:37 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

Anyone else find it a little incongruent and disconcerting when the guy who goes around decked out in EMU regalia, is a supporter of all things EMU, and dubs himself "EMU Superfan" then goes online and gets all grumpy and rips the team? Johnny Spirit and MSU would never do such a thing!

The ONE guy I don't want to be objective would be the one dubbed "Superfan." Sorry, just an observation I've held inside for awhile. Please, no offense.

What you want doesn't concern me one bit, just an observation .

Nice comeback. You really ARE a super fan!

(02-24-2013 08:44 AM)emussuperfan Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:37 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-23-2013 08:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  I don't care what offensise system he has we don't have ANY ball handlers! And there was suppose to be a autograph singer afterwards but the only one I saw signing was Matt! There was around 10-15 kids waiting for autographs!

Anyone else find it a little incongruent and disconcerting when the guy who goes around decked out in EMU regalia, is a supporter of all things EMU, and dubs himself "EMU Superfan" then goes online and gets all grumpy and rips the team? Johnny Spirit and MSU would never do such a thing!

The ONE guy I don't want to be objective would be the one dubbed "Superfan." Sorry, I've held inside for awhile. Please, no offense.

Ooh I am hurt. NOT! I want my teams to win and show how good this university is and how they respects the people that come to these events. IF you have an autograph signing and they don't show you are damn right I am going to rip on them. And as far as saying we don't have any good ball handlers that is for the people that post on here an say "all we need is a different offence" like changing the offense will mean anything. "just an observation "

Yeah we all support EMU athletics. But we all have different opinions. I agree with superfan, if there is a scheduled autograph session, win or lose they should show up. I want to see EMU succeed as much as everyone else here.

A few comments after reading these posts:

Football comments-credit is due for this year's class considering a 2-10 record, but none of you criticizing our support of it apparently don't realize that people not connected with EMU football at all think its a pretty decent MAC class. Yes we all understand that English is a lame duck and if he doesn't win this coming year he's probably gone. It seems fair to me that he and his current assistants control their own fate. Yes a case could have been made for firing him after last year but lets move on and see what happens.

Basketball-yep losing to a 8-20 team at home shows me the program has even further to go than I expected. I think the team may end below .500 and with a worse record than last year. Again that would be a major disappointment. Two potential sub par .500 seasons isn't going to get Murphy any major college offers. Maybe next year will the year he cashs his chips in.

Gentlemen,

I know this is way off topic but... While at the game yesterday, I noticed that the players don't wear all the same shoes. Is there a reason why? Do they have to purchase their own shoes or have a choice in what they get to wear? Just curious.

Rob

(02-24-2013 12:39 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  Gentlemen,

I know this is way off topic but... While at the game yesterday, I noticed that the players don't wear all the same shoes. Is there a reason why? Do they have to purchase their own shoes or have a choice in what they get to wear? Just curious.

Rob

My guess, is they just pick what type of shoes they want to wear. Some guy's might have a brand of shoe they like better. No I don't think they buy them themselves. I think shoes are provided but you can wear your own shoes if you have some.

(02-24-2013 01:32 PM)EMUEagle17 Wrote:  

(02-24-2013 12:39 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  Gentlemen,

I know this is way off topic but... While at the game yesterday, I noticed that the players don't wear all the same shoes. Is there a reason why? Do they have to purchase their own shoes or have a choice in what they get to wear? Just curious.

Rob

My guess, is they just pick what type of shoes they want to wear. Some guy's might have a brand of shoe they like better. No I don't think they buy them themselves. I think shoes are provided but you can wear your own shoes if you have some.

No they don't pay for their own shoes AND come on EMUEagle17, you must know that we have a deal with Adidas and all the players wear that brand! Come on, now...

(02-24-2013 02:21 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-24-2013 01:32 PM)EMUEagle17 Wrote:  

(02-24-2013 12:39 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  Gentlemen,

I know this is way off topic but... While at the game yesterday, I noticed that the players don't wear all the same shoes. Is there a reason why? Do they have to purchase their own shoes or have a choice in what they get to wear? Just curious.

Rob

My guess, is they just pick what type of shoes they want to wear. Some guy's might have a brand of shoe they like better. No I don't think they buy them themselves. I think shoes are provided but you can wear your own shoes if you have some.

No they don't pay for their own shoes AND come on EMUEagle17, you must know that we have a deal with Adidas and all the players wear that brand! Come on, now...

I did note earlier in the season though that Riley was wearing some black Nike's, which is probably a big No-No since we are an Adidas sponsored team. Hopefully we weren't fined, but everyone should be wearing Adidas. I do think that everyone should at least wear the same color. Harper was wearing black, some players wear the bright yellow, white, etc. It does look a little sloppy...

No they don't pay for their own shoes AND come on EMUEagle17, you must know that we have a deal with Adidas and all the players wear that brand! Come on, now...
[/quote]I did note earlier in the season though that Riley was wearing some black Nike's, which is probably a big No-No since we are an Adidas sponsored team. Hopefully we weren't fined, but everyone should be wearing Adidas. I do think that everyone should at least wear the same color. Harper was wearing black, some players wear the bright yellow, white, etc. It does look a little sloppy...
[/quote]

That was my impression too, the variation in shoes looking a little sloppy. I guess team uniforms really doesn't mean uniform anymore. <smile>

Back to the original topic... The MAC, as a whole, didn't rair too well yesterday. The conference went 3-6 against non-conference opponents. Ohio lost by19 points to Belmont. CMU lost by 11 to Youngstown State. Bowling Green lost by 13 to IPFW. Miami lost by 6 to Southern Illinois. Buffalo lost by 1 to Manhattan. None of the non-conference opponents, with the exception of Belmont, are what I would consider outstanding teams based on their records alone.

Another thread discussed how Oakland University basketball has risen in the face of Eastern's decline in basketball. From the looks of things, it appears as though many mid-major conferences, with schools who's major claim to fame is besketball, have risen when compared to the Mid-American Conference. It doesn't necessarily surprise me and it makes sense that a lot of high school basketball players would want to go to a school where basketball is king rather than a school where it has to play second fiddle to football. That may explain, a little, why these formerly "non-existent" conferences have risen in comparison to the MAC.

(02-24-2013 02:21 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(02-24-2013 01:32 PM)EMUEagle17 Wrote:  

(02-24-2013 12:39 PM)HuronRob Wrote:  Gentlemen,

I know this is way off topic but... While at the game yesterday, I noticed that the players don't wear all the same shoes. Is there a reason why? Do they have to purchase their own shoes or have a choice in what they get to wear? Just curious.

Rob

My guess, is they just pick what type of shoes they want to wear. Some guy's might have a brand of shoe they like better. No I don't think they buy them themselves. I think shoes are provided but you can wear your own shoes if you have some.

No they don't pay for their own shoes AND come on EMUEagle17, you must know that we have a deal with Adidas and all the players wear that brand! Come on, now...

Let's see, I see a yellow Nike shoe, the rest look like Adidas.

Well, there it is. Indisputable evidence. Good catch EmuEagle17! Not sure why that player is wearing a Nike shoe!

they got those highlighter yellow shoes for a game earlier in the year. everyone wore them for that one game. some players still wear them.