(12-04-2021 09:52 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 01:39 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  Never has a below average team been written about so much. I am hoping come mid January when the team is way below .500, these lengthy, in depth, monotonous posts start dropping off. I predict they will.

Bob sometimes these endless threads remind me of dogs at the dog park sniffing each others rear ends for hours at a time.

Get over yourself man. It’s a sports message board. That’s what people do here…talk about sports. I’m glad there’s some discussion about our basketball team, and not just 87 threads about Saint Creighton.

(12-04-2021 07:06 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-04-2021 07:03 AM)Miggy Wrote:  

(12-03-2021 05:43 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Luckey, I agree with your point that this team can become dominant as the year progresses if Luka, Mo, and Golson mature. It would really be a complete team if that happens.

That said, despite Miggy’s glaring bias for Monty, I do agree the kid is special. He seems to be able to create scoring opportunities regardless of his teammates or the game situation. His 2 point shooting percentage is incredible for a guard. I have started to wane a little on his passing/assists as some of those seem forced and lead to turnovers, but nonetheless still at least mildly impressive court vision along with a nice 3 ball. He is a pretty complete player that you can rely on game in game out, so will be a significant loss next year- as well as losing Nate Scott as I believe you sited also.

Sitting at 2-5 is probably not good for team morale, and the promising late season might just fizzle as the season goes on. But hoping they can stay undefeated at home over this 3 game stretch and right the ship a bit.

Do think EMU’s offense will be dominant if EMU continues to not play a low-post offense. Impressed by HC Heath’s ability in the UCSD game to make a U-turn and vastly improve EMU’s offense.

Now needs to do the same with EMU’s defense.

As EMU has to change it’s defensive system which is allowing opponents to score a ton of points. EMU has to guard the rim and run opponents off the three point line, and force opponent turnovers.

EMU has the players who can do that.

As for Monty, he only has a total of 8-turnovers in 5 of EMU’s 7 games, the lowest number of turnovers in those games of any EMU player playing substantial minutes. He made many assists last time I looked was ranked in top 10 of all MAC players in assists. Same for steals. That’s outstanding.

He did commit excessive turnovers in two games. His mistakes have been corrected the last two games (sorry I can’t share what those changes are) that has resulted in his committing a combined 3 turnovers (one was an offensive charge, not a bad pass). Going forward, don’t think they’ll be any reason for your confidence in his passing and making assists to wane.

It’s bad enough that Steve misleads readers by complaining about Monty’s 2-point shooting in a game he shot 8-14 on two’s. Monty is shooting 55.9 percent on two-point jumpers (19-34) probably highest percentage by far for a guard in the nation. Also shooting 65 percent at the rim.

Steve also criticizes Monty’s defense, while not acknowledging that EMU’s defense system is quite bad. Maybe he likes close-outs, I don’t.

I have a lot of respect for Steve’s views, but just wish he didn’t defend Scott being pulled with 4 minutes remaining in the first half and certain open shots that Monty took.

The above does seem to support that my “glaring bias” is backed-up by some facts.

Miggy, I do think Sam (not Steve) values Monty and has said so clearly. I do feel you have a glaring bias in Monty’s favor- my words not Sam’s, and I apologize if I was offensive in stating my perspective. To borrow Sam’s words, your bias ‘is very understandable’. You should be very proud of his accomplishments and immense skill level. Regardless, Monty like anyone else still has his flaws, and others on this team have strengths to contribute as well. So Sam and I probably see things a little different than you. And I might see things a little different than Sam as well. I see Monty almost at Noah’s level (key word ALMOST). These are the two best players on the team… and McBride is not far behind. But I don’t think Monty not playing for 4 minutes in the first half cost the game. Especially since he was only out for 2 minutes in the second half in which the deficit grew.

Although, the announcers seemed to think Monty got hurt late in the game and started to hinder his defensive performance. Hoping he is OK.

Also, please note that Bob Wickersham has a tendency to rub people the wrong way on this board. It is best to ignore him.

Well said. Great post.