pono
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RE: 2021/2 MBB Schedule!!!
(09-05-2021 05:42 PM)Miggy Wrote: (09-05-2021 04:23 PM)pono Wrote: (08-30-2021 10:22 AM)Miggy Wrote: (08-30-2021 08:26 AM)emu79 Wrote: (08-30-2021 06:42 AM)pono Wrote: Good for EMU to finally get a quality home schedule non-conf. As some folks said above MAC should be strong this year. Lots more talent came in through the portal than went out and the top 2 transfers out (Marreon Jackson, Nuga) were covid seniors who weren't expected back at Toledo and Kent save the extra year of eligibility thing. I'd guess it like this, with the disclaimer as Miggy said that you gotta wait and see which newcomers are better than expected, which are disappointments, and how teams gel (some quickly, some later on, some never).
Toledo-should be a similar team, perimeter oriented, deep and talented through the 1-3 positions, but dealing with another injury to their center so playing small ball again. Got a really good transfer pg (Boise St starter) and Rian Rollins is gonna compete for league POY and be the next NBA prospect out of the MAC.
Ohio-should be similar in overall competitiveness although Preston gave them a game changer who could lift up the entire team in big games. Sears will be a good MAC pg, but not Preston. Deepest inside talent and experience I can remember in a MAC program in a couple decades.
Akron-on paper should be weaker, but if a couple talented transfers and freshmen adapt and fit in quickly they could be comparable to last season.
Miami should be better. They came together in MAC play last year and got a roster all hitting their prime. Not a lot of newcomers but added a pretty good BC transfer-big wing- and emerging sf Javin Etzler could be a breakout player.
Kent on paper is weaker, but could become dangerous once the pieces come together. Along w BG dded the most transfer talent in the league and have a decent core back. Depends on how it gels, but lots of veteran guys, most with some size and toughness.
BG should be better. Turner was replaced by a slew of proven sg transfers. Everyone else is back. 15 guys on scholarship. More size and depth.
Buffalo should be similar. Lost an all-mac guy in graves but added 2 proven veteran A10 sg transfers. Everyone else is back.
CMU, EMU, NIU, all look better on paper, but lots of new faces and coaches. May take time at some places to figure it out.
Ball St may be down a bit but worked the portal and could surprise.
WMU looks similar on paper but seems to be gathering momentum as a program (recruiting very well) and could surprise.
Thanks Pono. MAC rosters should be finalized shortly.
Pono, thanks for your analysis of MAC teams. Losing both Jackson and Littleson who combined for 33 ppg in MAC conference play is a big loss for Toledo.
We disagree on Boise State transfer PG RayJ Dennis helping Toledo as he’s not much of a scorer, is only only 6’2”, and was a sub-par 3-point shooter (31.4 percent) in conference play. He also rarely got to to the foul-line, nor did he make many steals (averaged 1-steal every 27 minutes) on defense.
More impressed by Toledo’s rising sophomore Ryan Rollins, who’s terrific getting to the hoop with some nifty moves (he shot 64 percent at the hoop).ButI suspect that Toledo fast l-breaker alot,,and that he scored a lot by getting into the open court. His 2-point mid-range shooting not good ( only 27 percent). Bart Torvik stats.
His handles slightly sub-par, and is not quick. His three-point shooting was slightly below average at 33 percent in conference play last season. He’s overall shooting is good. It would be a big jump for him to be MAC Player if the Year as a sophomore, but he will continue to help Toledo.
At 6’4, slight build and lacking quickness, his having NBA potential seems a reach.
Miggy, have you watched Rollins play? "Not quick" is not how most of the defenders he just went by would describe him. Most of his points came in the half court taking people off the dribble so, even though he plays w pace, handles and quickness are legit. Secondly, he's got great guard size at 6-4 with a plus wingspan and standing reach. A little thin as a true frosh but has a great frame and muscle tone and should fill in well over the next year or two. You're right that his %'s were mediocre but expect that to go up. He missed a lot of shots at the rim that were makeable and should finish better with a bit more strength and experience. His mid range game is really good, but wasn't always in play with Marreon Jackson as the ball dominant guard last year. Expect to see him iso more and use his length for 14 foot turnarounds and pull ups this season.
True, Jackson and Littleson are a big loss. Jackson actually mostly from a competition standpoint as he set an aggressive tone and was willing to take tough shots and attack down the stretch. However, closely observant Rocket fans will tell you he was pretty inefficient in big games last year and Rollins is the better natural scorer.
As for RayJ Dennis, he's 6-2/6-3 so a couple inches taller than Jackson at the point. Wasn't a primary option at Boise so we'll see how his scoring evolves with more opportunity at UT. He's known for his ESPN featured 17 points in the last 3 minutes of a game vs Utah St that rallied his team back from double digits down to a win, so he can be explosive (also had a high scoring game last yr against Houston's stifling defense).
Toledo also adds rs frosh G Raheim Moss who is a big time athlete, leaper, HS football star who will replace Littleson's defensive presence (but not his 3 point shooting). Moss is a loud vocal competitive guy who MAC fans will get to know (and mostly hate) when they go to games as he'll make his verbal and physical presence known.
Elijah Wilson is a talented 6-5 frosh guard who plays a lot like Rollins and had an SEC offer. Won't predict anything for him as freshmen are typically inconsistent and struggle to finish the year well, but the word from coaches is that he has made a big impression and wants to be an elite defender which tends to get you minutes.
Looking forward to the season, EMU and UT are so close that it's always fun when the programs are both solid. I've always been a Stan Heath fan and like what he's been doing. Expecting EMU to be better, although maybe not as fast as your board hopes.
If
I wasn’t questioning that Rollins is a good college player, just expressing my belief that he’s not a potential future NBA player as you asserted, given his being only 6’4,” not being “quick” by NBA standards, is not a consistent and above par 2 and 3-point jump shot, does not have good handles as he has a high dribble and is turnover prone. He’s quick enough in colege ball, but not by NBA standards. I pointed out he had nifty moves driving to the rim. He’s no Cam Thomas now playing for the Nets.
I’ve already commented on transfer Dennis. Not impressed.
Agree that Toledo’s Ra’heim Moss will be a good player. Can get to the rim, and steal the ball. Not sure whether he’s a good jump shooter. What did he shoot on three’s in HS?
well, we'll see over time how Rollins career progresses but I think you'll re-evaluate your analysis the more you watch him.
as for Moss, I don't put much stock in HS %s, inconsistent stat keeping, shorter line, mostly uncontested jump shots. I'm usually judging a kid's percentages on his 2nd year of college ball once he starts to get consistent minutes and figure out his role, adjusts to the competition level, and the coaches have worked with him to fine tune his mechanics. For example, EMU recruit Luka S. has a great looking perimeter game, but may not shoot a high % as a frosh, but will probably be a good shooter from deep before he's done.
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