(04-30-2022 12:23 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 10:24 AM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-30-2022 08:27 AM)emu79 Wrote:  [quote='mpleafan' pid='18216540' dateline='1651323067']
For what it's worth (which is probably nothing):

A 247 Michigan board poster who usually has some inside information on the Michigan basketball team made a post yesterday morning saying that

"Bates and Rocket Watts to Eastern Michigan. Just got to work out a few details and it’s on. In the meantime."

Then again, after that Ant Wright (former U of M player and sort of insider) said Emoni to Michigan.


...So who knows? But man imagine if we got Rocket Watts and Emoni lol
[/quote

If that happened are we MAC champs next year?

We’d at least be in the hunt.

I called my bookie:

Even money he signs with a WASTHENAW county college.

I asked for more odds. Said they're not taking bets on Emoni to Concordia. That's good. I know some people who would bet $5 at 1,000 : 1. Those are the same ones who play Powerball.

Wouldn't say what the odds on UofM and EMU are yet.

That WAS a joke but I think it is 50 - 50 it will be UofM/ EMU AND 50 - 50 one of the other 4 .

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/...4SkIFAohjA

Welp. We made his top 6! https://www.on3.com/news/memphis-transfe...6-schools/

(don't know if thats paywalled but its us, Michigan, Arkansas, Seton Hall, Depaul, and Louisville).

I think the interview is paywalled, so here is the relevant EMU discussion:

Eastern Michigan is the local school for you. What would it be like for you to transfer back home?

People probably look at me crazy because I’m considering Eastern. But if I went there, I would be like the neighborhood hero. I used to play at Eastern during my high school games when I was at Lincoln, and we used to pack it out every time. That would be crazy for me to be able to bring love to the city.

One of your good friends, Rocket Watts, is in the portal right now too. I know Eastern Michigan is a school that you two have in common. What would it be like for you to team up with him?

It would be a blessing. That’s like my big brother. I’ve been working out with him and have been around him since I was in middle school. It would be crazy if we could team up in college. We never got to play with each other in high school. That would be lit. Rocket is my dog.

(04-21-2022 09:39 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I feel like this thread is the type of thing that garnered the nickname “Sunshine Steve”. You might want to temper down any expectations.

My sense is Emoni Bates listed EMU in that ~13 team list because he is “throwing a bone” to his hometown team as ‘Bovine suggests. He did the same thing with his Twitter post when EMU previously offered him. To Emoni’s credit, both were class acts. This time it is even more beneficial to EMU especially as our recruiting process has stalled. Puts our name in some pretty impressive company as a potential selling point to other recruits.

But as far as coming to EMU:
Penny and Howard being NBA alum might be just as good at prepping him for the NBA…
Michigan is just as close to home…
Etc, I don’t think there are any logical reasons he would transfer to EMU over other options.

But there might be the slimmest of chances for EMU (and astronomically slim at that). EMU is not “close to home”, IT IS HOME. Things were going great when he was “home” during his freshman/sophomore years. Hopefully he has a great psychological association with us?!?!?

I could feel it in my bones. And then someone said, what you are feeling is arthritis.

What I like to do in recruiting esp. big name cases is try to work out scenarios.

Why would a particular recruit choose school X? School Y? And not choose School Z.

Very easy to make cases for both EMU and UofM. Harder for say DePaul. What was his experience at Memphis like? Would that argue against say L'ville? or Arkansas? Does he want to play in NYC?

As far as EMU, he could with the help of a lot of available scholarships help assembly a team of players he wants to be teammates with.

I'm sure Heath has portrayed that scenario where he comes home to where he was a local hero, helps recruit a team of newcomers, etc. Gets with Noah. Scores 20 PPG. Told that with Noah the team will run. Maybe the 'Fastbreak Club II." (Fastbreak Club was what Braun had while he was here).

My view is that EMU and UofM are on one side of the bracket and the other four the other bracket.

There is an old expression: Big fish in a small pond OR a small fish in a big pond.

(05-02-2022 07:08 PM)mpleafan Wrote:  Welp. We made his top 6! https://www.on3.com/news/memphis-transfe...6-schools/

(don't know if thats paywalled but its us, Michigan, Arkansas, Seton Hall, Depaul, and Louisville).

I think the interview is paywalled, so here is the relevant EMU discussion:

Eastern Michigan is the local school for you. What would it be like for you to transfer back home?

People probably look at me crazy because I’m considering Eastern. But if I went there, I would be like the neighborhood hero. I used to play at Eastern during my high school games when I was at Lincoln, and we used to pack it out every time. That would be crazy for me to be able to bring love to the city.

One of your good friends, Rocket Watts, is in the portal right now too. I know Eastern Michigan is a school that you two have in common. What would it be like for you to team up with him?

It would be a blessing. That’s like my big brother. I’ve been working out with him and have been around him since I was in middle school. It would be crazy if we could team up in college. We never got to play with each other in high school. That would be lit. Rocket is my dog.

*Tries mightily not to get his hopes up*

Emoni lists U-M and EMU in top six.
https://trib.al/UtXtIJ3?fbclid=IwAR3Q4Vn...5joFdc52ro

I have heard from connected people on the UM side that they have no interest. They weren’t interested when he was in high school either, so I tend to believe it.

I actually think DePaul is the biggest competition here.

(05-02-2022 07:32 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(05-02-2022 07:08 PM)mpleafan Wrote:  Welp. We made his top 6! https://www.on3.com/news/memphis-transfe...6-schools/

(don't know if thats paywalled but its us, Michigan, Arkansas, Seton Hall, Depaul, and Louisville).

I think the interview is paywalled, so here is the relevant EMU discussion:

Eastern Michigan is the local school for you. What would it be like for you to transfer back home?

People probably look at me crazy because I’m considering Eastern. But if I went there, I would be like the neighborhood hero. I used to play at Eastern during my high school games when I was at Lincoln, and we used to pack it out every time. That would be crazy for me to be able to bring love to the city.

One of your good friends, Rocket Watts, is in the portal right now too. I know Eastern Michigan is a school that you two have in common. What would it be like for you to team up with him?

It would be a blessing. That’s like my big brother. I’ve been working out with him and have been around him since I was in middle school. It would be crazy if we could team up in college. We never got to play with each other in high school. That would be lit. Rocket is my dog.

*Tries mightily not to get his hopes up*

I know, Sam. This is taking things too far, right? I am no longer at the “no chance in heck” level. But still trying very hard not to think of this as an actual possibility.

Mpleafan, much appreciation for your contributions here. Even with the likelihood that Emoni commits elsewhere, I love that EMU is getting consideration from not only him but ALSO Rocket (who apparently also was a highly touted recruit). This is great advertisement for EMU

(05-02-2022 08:16 PM)holybovine Wrote:  I have heard from connected people on the UM side that they have no interest. They weren’t interested when he was in high school either, so I tend to believe it.

I actually think DePaul is the biggest competition here.

Assuming your info is valid, I'll make EMU the even money (50 - 50) choice to get Emoni.

I'm standing by my assessment (NO inside information, etc.) but the options are come home to your family, glory, your comfort zone, etc. etc OR take another flyer and hope it pans out.

What am I getting at? Decisions are best made when they aren't scattershot like I like (this) about L'ville; however Seton Hall has (this); but DePaul has (this) that I like, etc.

The big thing about EMU is that it is unique among the 5 listed schools (not listing UofM).

The decision is: EMU (Y | N). If no, then the process continues and it could be ANY of the other schools. I don't see how any school would be a real favorite.

(05-02-2022 08:16 PM)holybovine Wrote:  I have heard from connected people on the UM side that they have no interest. They weren’t interested when he was in high school either, so I tend to believe it.

I actually think DePaul is the biggest competition here.

I recall Juwan Howard coming to at least 2 of his high school games at the Convo. Maybe he was scouting other players. But UM did extend an offer nonetheless. So must have been some interest.

In any case, why DePaul? Because they are our sister ninth place school of the Big East?

https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/15...X-s5KN7v0A

(05-02-2022 09:08 PM)emu steve Wrote:  https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/15...X-s5KN7v0A

He must be reading this board. As we covered points 1 and 2 extensively. Points 3-5 are intersting though.

(05-02-2022 09:14 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(05-02-2022 09:08 PM)emu steve Wrote:  https://twitter.com/thevannzee/status/15...X-s5KN7v0A

He must be reading this board. As we covered points 1 and 2 extensively. Points 3-5 are intersting though.

He knows his stuff. I learn a lot from his Tweets.

I don’t think Rocket Watts would be eligible at EMU because this would be his second transfer. He’d have to sit out one year. Emoni is only playing ball one season and then he’s off to the NBA.

(05-02-2022 09:41 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  I don’t think Rocket Watts would be eligible at EMU because this would be his second transfer. He’d have to sit out one year. Emoni is only playing ball one season and then he’s off to the NBA.

True, but since he would be transferring back home he could apply for a waiver.

(05-02-2022 09:02 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(05-02-2022 08:16 PM)holybovine Wrote:  I have heard from connected people on the UM side that they have no interest. They weren’t interested when he was in high school either, so I tend to believe it.

I actually think DePaul is the biggest competition here.

I recall Juwan Howard coming to at least 2 of his high school games at the Convo. Maybe he was scouting other players. But UM did extend an offer nonetheless. So must have been some interest.

In any case, why DePaul? Because they are our sister ninth place school of the Big East?

DePaul has big money/donors in an elite media market. They are in a big-time league and are a bad enough program that they could offer him 20 shots a game…

For those who were around when George Gervin transferred to EMU, what was the reaction like? Was there a lot of excitement? I know it was a much different time media wise.

It’s going to be interesting to see the NIL deal that Emoni will land from a rich alumni fan base.

https://www.si.com/.amp/college/2022/05/...recruiting

What Emoni does at EMU is that overnight he transforms a program and a community.
He doesn't do that at any other school on his list.

(05-03-2022 06:14 AM)emu79 Wrote:  What Emoni does at EMU is that overnight he transforms a program and a community.
He doesn't do that at any other school on his list.

Emoni game on both sides of the ball needs a lot of work.

At Memphis, Emoni only made half his fga’s in 2 of the 7 conference games he played in, and shot but 29 percent on 3’s in those games. Had worse defensive rating among all players.

It’s my opinion, Noah and Mounir will set EMU on a positive course. Emoni and other players are needed as well.

(05-03-2022 06:43 AM)Miggy Wrote:  

(05-03-2022 06:14 AM)emu79 Wrote:  What Emoni does at EMU is that overnight he transforms a program and a community.
He doesn't do that at any other school on his list.

Emoni game on both sides of the ball needs a lot of work.

At Memphis, Emoni only made half his fga’s in 2 of the 7 conference games he played in, and shot but 29 percent on 3’s in those games. Had worse defensive rating among all players.

It’s my opinion, Noah and Mounir will set EMU on a positive course. Emoni and other players are needed as well.

It is hard for me (us) to tell what happened at Memphis. He certainly didn't play up to his known abilities.

It would be nice to have Friday night games at the Gervin GA Center and have them on ESPN2/U.

A positive is we have plenty of scholarships AND the hour is late. Heath has a chance to 'run the table.'