(12-19-2019 08:52 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  Don’t think we need anymore forwards or guards for next year. Maybe a freshman forward who can redshirt. Assuming there isn’t any attrition besides Parris (and even that isn’t a given), we will only have two scholarships max to give and one absolutely has to be a center. I’d honestly use both on centers, one for a JUCO or grad, and one for a freshman.

It should be a relatively quiet offseason. At least I hope.

Agree. I assume we have two schollies to give and one center, King, returning.

If King gets in foul trouble or hurt, we are a total donut, a hole in the middle.

Regardless we need two new centers for 2021/2, may as well get two this recruiting season, if possible.

(12-18-2019 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:31 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  The game is tied at 48 and we miss a jump shot. I sit in the section above the EMU bench and got a great view of Ty Groce's elbow over the rim while he tipped the ball in. That was THE pivotal moment of the game. This guy is the only player we have that is capable of being recruited by the team we meet on Saturday. If this team does great things, Ty Groce will have to be great and this will be HIS team.

Obviously by now our core is Groce, Toure, Montero and Morgan, they are clearly MAC players, in fact I think Morgan could be truly special. Also Binelli is an absolute freak, His shooting stroke is near perfect and the reverse rotation of his ball flight is amazing, this guy is a pure shooter much like Steve Alford, he is just a lot taller.

Watching the coaching dynamic on the sideline adds more intrigue to the team. Matt Cline is clearly the X and O guy of the moment. I have no problem with that, Murph is more of a CEO and recruiter type coach. I still think this team finishes near the bottom of the MAC but it clearly will be better than it would have been with McAdoo, Ellison, Jones, etc... coming back.

Great post, Jerry, but with one disagreement... EMU is currently the 6th ranked team on MAC in many computer rankings. I think you are wrong that they will finish toward the bottom of the MAC.

Ramy I would LOVE to be wrong! Clearly this team is much better than it would have been had all of the transfers stayed with us. I am just uneasy with all of this early season success versus some weak competition. A competitive showing Saturday in East Lansing could result in more sanguine feelings.

(12-19-2019 05:58 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:31 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  The game is tied at 48 and we miss a jump shot. I sit in the section above the EMU bench and got a great view of Ty Groce's elbow over the rim while he tipped the ball in. That was THE pivotal moment of the game. This guy is the only player we have that is capable of being recruited by the team we meet on Saturday. If this team does great things, Ty Groce will have to be great and this will be HIS team.

Obviously by now our core is Groce, Toure, Montero and Morgan, they are clearly MAC players, in fact I think Morgan could be truly special. Also Binelli is an absolute freak, His shooting stroke is near perfect and the reverse rotation of his ball flight is amazing, this guy is a pure shooter much like Steve Alford, he is just a lot taller.

Watching the coaching dynamic on the sideline adds more intrigue to the team. Matt Cline is clearly the X and O guy of the moment. I have no problem with that, Murph is more of a CEO and recruiter type coach. I still think this team finishes near the bottom of the MAC but it clearly will be better than it would have been with McAdoo, Ellison, Jones, etc... coming back.

Great post, Jerry, but with one disagreement... EMU is currently the 6th ranked team on MAC in many computer rankings. I think you are wrong that they will finish toward the bottom of the MAC.

Ramy I would LOVE to be wrong! Clearly this team is much better than it would have been had all of the transfers stayed with us. I am just uneasy with all of this early season success versus some weak competition. A competitive showing Saturday in East Lansing could result in more sanguine feelings.

I'm going to make a point that someone else made a while ago...

I looked at the stats and for Supers' edification, I disaggregated out the non-D-I games.

EMU has played 7 D-I games and won 6 of them. In 5 of them the opponent scored 55 or less points.

Now the competition hasn't been world beaters, BUT what I note, and someone else noted, this team seems like Murph's first team - short of talent but long on defense.

We have a gaudy average of steals per game which suggests that our defense is very active, jumping the passing lanes, etc. In other words, opponents are having trouble with our defense.

In recent past seasons, the squads, with some exceptions (e.g., Bond) didn't play the type of defense needed to be effective in our zone.

(12-19-2019 06:21 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-19-2019 05:58 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:31 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  The game is tied at 48 and we miss a jump shot. I sit in the section above the EMU bench and got a great view of Ty Groce's elbow over the rim while he tipped the ball in. That was THE pivotal moment of the game. This guy is the only player we have that is capable of being recruited by the team we meet on Saturday. If this team does great things, Ty Groce will have to be great and this will be HIS team.

Obviously by now our core is Groce, Toure, Montero and Morgan, they are clearly MAC players, in fact I think Morgan could be truly special. Also Binelli is an absolute freak, His shooting stroke is near perfect and the reverse rotation of his ball flight is amazing, this guy is a pure shooter much like Steve Alford, he is just a lot taller.

Watching the coaching dynamic on the sideline adds more intrigue to the team. Matt Cline is clearly the X and O guy of the moment. I have no problem with that, Murph is more of a CEO and recruiter type coach. I still think this team finishes near the bottom of the MAC but it clearly will be better than it would have been with McAdoo, Ellison, Jones, etc... coming back.

Great post, Jerry, but with one disagreement... EMU is currently the 6th ranked team on MAC in many computer rankings. I think you are wrong that they will finish toward the bottom of the MAC.

Ramy I would LOVE to be wrong! Clearly this team is much better than it would have been had all of the transfers stayed with us. I am just uneasy with all of this early season success versus some weak competition. A competitive showing Saturday in East Lansing could result in more sanguine feelings.

I'm going to make a point that someone else made a while ago...

I looked at the stats and for Supers' edification, I disaggregated out the non-D-I games.

EMU has played 7 D-I games and won 6 of them. In 5 of them the opponent scored 55 or less points.

Now the competition hasn't been world beaters, BUT what I note, and someone else noted, this team seems like Murph's first team - short of talent but long on defense.

We have a gaudy average of steals per game which suggests that our defense is very active, jumping the passing lanes, etc. In other words, opponents are having trouble with our defense.

In recent past seasons, the squads, with some exceptions (e.g., Bond) didn't play the type of defense needed to be effective in our zone.

I can buy that supposition Steve. Whether I endorse the exclusive use of the 2-3 zone (I do not), it is most certainly what Murphy is GOING to play as he knows nothing else. Slow footed guys like Minnie and JT4 on the wings almost insured failure, akin to fitting the square peg into the round hole. You may have hit the target, Murphy may do better with dedicated athletes as opposed to more talented basketball players.

(12-19-2019 06:21 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(12-19-2019 05:58 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(12-18-2019 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-17-2019 10:31 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  The game is tied at 48 and we miss a jump shot. I sit in the section above the EMU bench and got a great view of Ty Groce's elbow over the rim while he tipped the ball in. That was THE pivotal moment of the game. This guy is the only player we have that is capable of being recruited by the team we meet on Saturday. If this team does great things, Ty Groce will have to be great and this will be HIS team.

Obviously by now our core is Groce, Toure, Montero and Morgan, they are clearly MAC players, in fact I think Morgan could be truly special. Also Binelli is an absolute freak, His shooting stroke is near perfect and the reverse rotation of his ball flight is amazing, this guy is a pure shooter much like Steve Alford, he is just a lot taller.

Watching the coaching dynamic on the sideline adds more intrigue to the team. Matt Cline is clearly the X and O guy of the moment. I have no problem with that, Murph is more of a CEO and recruiter type coach. I still think this team finishes near the bottom of the MAC but it clearly will be better than it would have been with McAdoo, Ellison, Jones, etc... coming back.

Great post, Jerry, but with one disagreement... EMU is currently the 6th ranked team on MAC in many computer rankings. I think you are wrong that they will finish toward the bottom of the MAC.

Ramy I would LOVE to be wrong! Clearly this team is much better than it would have been had all of the transfers stayed with us. I am just uneasy with all of this early season success versus some weak competition. A competitive showing Saturday in East Lansing could result in more sanguine feelings.

I'm going to make a point that someone else made a while ago...

I looked at the stats and for Supers' edification, I disaggregated out the non-D-I games.

EMU has played 7 D-I games and won 6 of them. In 5 of them the opponent scored 55 or less points.

Now the competition hasn't been world beaters, BUT what I note, and someone else noted, this team seems like Murph's first team - short of talent but long on defense.

We have a gaudy average of steals per game which suggests that our defense is very active, jumping the passing lanes, etc. In other words, opponents are having trouble with our defense.

In recent past seasons, the squads, with some exceptions (e.g., Bond) didn't play the type of defense needed to be effective in our zone.

Thanks

For what it’s worth, Northeastern beat Detroit tonight by 13, while still missing their big men.

For what it’s worth, are the Net rankings of EMUs non-conference opponents through yesterday 12/18.

32 Michigan St
105 UC-Irvine
106 N Texas
148 Valparaiso
176 Northeastern
227 UNLV
235 UMBC
249 NC A&T
315 Detroit Mercy

Compare to MAC...

58 Akron
96 Kent St
113 Bowling Green
136 Ball St
139 Ohio
141 Toledo
147 EMU
165 Buffalo
188 NIU
216 CMU
233 Miami
238 WMU

MSU lost Langford to surgery. Rocket Watts is also probably out.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...701715001/

This is one of the worst shooting teams that Izzo has had in a while. Even Winston is struggling from deep. If we can slow the game down to a crawl, force them to miss shots in the half court, and limit our turnovers, we have a chance. But if they can get us in transition, Winston will eat us alive. They all run well, and they have the best point guard in the country at the helm.

I’m not expecting much. A close game would be nice, but Izzo has destroyed us in the past. But as Steve mentioned, they’re banged up and have some struggling players, so who knows.

If we can make our shots maybe we can make it an ugly half court game.

Plus a few Binelli Bombs.

Line: MSU -23.5
O/U: 133.5

Sounds about right. Even with a few disappointing losses, they’re still one of the best teams in the country, and should still be considered the favorites in the Big Ten. Hoping for a relatively competitive game with no injuries.

(12-21-2019 07:38 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  Sounds about right. Even with a few disappointing losses, they’re still one of the best teams in the country, and should still be considered the favorites in the Big Ten. Hoping for a relatively competitive game with no injuries.

Reasonable post. Like you, I am a big MSU fan. I love Izzo and everything he stands for. That said, Eastern will probably not be competitive. Coaching kills in college basketball. Root for EMU but put your $$ on MSU! Michigan State wins by 32 (I'm being charitable).

(12-21-2019 07:38 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  Sounds about right. Even with a few disappointing losses, they’re still one of the best teams in the country, and should still be considered the favorites in the Big Ten. Hoping for a relatively competitive game with no injuries.

Sam,

I have watched MSU this season and believe they are a nationally ranked 10-20 team. I'm not sure if their shooting can propel them to the B1G championship but they have a heck of a coach who makes in game and in season adjustments with the best collegiate coaches in the game.

If we can contest their 3point shots, and defend the paint so that their baseline cutters don't have a dunk fest, then maybe we keep the game within 20. This would be Murphy's biggest win in his tenure.

BTW has Murphy ever beaten a ranked team?

My Heart: MSU 71 EMU 51

My Head: MSU 79 EMU 49

It would be a great Christmas gift to see an EMU victory!

O/T I believe this is one of Izzo's weaker team too. I believe last year's UB squad could best MSU.

Michigan was ranked the week before we beat them, but they lost to NJIT before us to fall out of the rankings. Closest we’ve been to beating one under Murphy.

(12-21-2019 02:43 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Michigan was ranked the week before we beat them, but they lost to NJIT before us to fall out of the rankings. Closest we’ve been to beating one under Murphy.

Thanks...that was a great victory!

Spottsville still starting. Let's see him do something big finally!!

(12-21-2019 07:08 PM)mpleafan Wrote:  Spottsville still starting. Let's see him do something big finally!!

Turned it over with a 5 second call on an inbound. Had Groce open in the back court.

I don’t know what Murphy sees in him.

I liked trying to work it in to Toure. We are overmatched everywhere but there. And then Murphy takes him out after 4 minutes.

For what it's worth, Toure has the look of an NBA player. One of those guys who develops later, at the highest level. Tonight though, where exactly are Eastern's points going to come from?