(12-30-2022 08:56 PM)emu79 Wrote:  Nice late effort but falls short. We end up 3-10 in non conference play when many of us thought we would be 10-3. Reset for conference play hopefully.

Amen! I think Billingsley’s play is improving (despite only 1 rebound today), and still have faith Geeter will come through. Not sure where Golson was today. But we need much more from this front court. Hoping the MAC play will be a gentler place for this frontcourt to develop and gain some confidence- not sure if that will happen.

Very, very disappointed in the lack of improvement this team has made in 13 games. This team is out of position on defense, no help defense, no shot contesting, no blocking out…..pitiful!

On offense it’s mostly dribble, dribble, dribble - difficult shot.

Glad Emoni was on today but his defense along with the rest of the team is terrible.

I believe the coaches poll had us picked very lowly in the conference and I believe they are right.

Truly disappointed in Coach Heath and how this team struggles with intensity on defense.

(12-30-2022 07:23 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Noah back, thankfully.

Unfortunately a dismal offensive performance from Noah today. 6 points on 3-10 shooting (0-4 from three point). I am wondering how much that head injury that laid him out effected him. Wondering if he should have stayed out as precautionary for his safety mainly but ALSO you don’t want a showing like that in front of 15 NBA scouts. Hope he will be fine after this.

Holy moly- that hit on Noah’s head was severe. Rewatching the game now, and that was a really hard hit. Interestingly 4 of his only 6 points occurred before the hit. I think that had more of an impact than anyone was realizing during the game time. Hopefully concussive symptoms don’t show up later. Poor kid.

South Carolina beat EMU 74-64. It was a good sign that EMU and SC each scored the same number of points in the second half. Especially EMU holding SC to only 34-points.

I didn't see the game but Bates couldn't carry EMU by himself even though he scored 36-points, including shooting 8-15 on three's.

Bates scored 8 of EMU's 10 made three's, that allowed EMU to make 10 three's compared to SC's 8-three's.

In order to keep opponents scoring down, EMU needs to hold opponents to scoring just 5-three's per game. ENu can do that by taking away opponents three ball by forcing opponents further out. EMU should not have allowed SC to take 28 three's. EMU must force opponents to taking fewer threes. Hopefully that will lead to fewer opponent three's made.

I would like to see Jihad shoot more three's as he's been shooting them well. He was 1-2 on three's in this game.

Billingsley shot 3-4 from the floor, but only shot 1-5 at the foul-line.

Both Noah and Acuff were ok shooting two's, but Acuff shooting 1-7 and Noah 0-4 on three's didn't help. EMU was hurt by Noah playing only 20 minutes due to being injured. Hopefully going forward they'll hit more three's or concentrate on shooting two pointers.

EMU only committed 9 turnovers, but didn't take advantage as they had but 5 steals.

Fewer EMU turnover and lesser fouls will keep opponents scoring down. Lovejoy still committing fouls at an alarming rate.

South Carolina won this game in part because USC had 8 more offensive rebounds than EMU that resulted in SC scoring 8-more points than EMU did off of second chance shots.

EMU only managed on the road to shoot 9 foul-shots.

There's reason for optimism as EMU over the last three games has held opponents to averaging less than 73 ppg. They need to continue to do so.
EMU is no longer among the nations worse defensive teams. Sense that Jihad and Randle playing more has helped. Impressed by Randle's 7 rebounds in 19-minutes of playing time.

EMU holding SC to shooting only 30 percent on three's is a big improvement for EMU's defense. Need to see more of that.

With a slightly better shooting performance, EMU should be able to win it's first MAC game against Bowling Green at home next Thursday night.

Bowling Green comes-in with a 6-7 non conference record. BG is not a good three-point shooting team. A 1-0 MAC record would make fans quickly forget EMU's non conference games to date.

(12-31-2022 12:20 AM)Miggy Wrote:  South Carolina beat EMU 74-64. It was a good sign that EMU and SC each scored the same number of points in the second half. Especially EMU holding SC to only 34-points.

I didn't see the game but Bates couldn't carry EMU by himself even though he scored 36-points, including shooting 8-15 on three's.

Bates scored 8 of EMU's 10 made three's, that allowed EMU to make 10 three's compared to SC's 8-three's.

In order to keep opponents scoring down, EMU needs to hold opponents to scoring just 5-three's per game. ENu can do that by taking away opponents three ball by forcing opponents further out. EMU should not have allowed SC to take 28 three's. EMU must force opponents to taking fewer threes. Hopefully that will lead to fewer opponent three's made.

I would like to see Jihad shoot more three's as he's been shooting them well. He was 1-2 on three's in this game.

Billingsley shot 3-4 from the floor, but only shot 1-5 at the foul-line.

Both Noah and Acuff were ok shooting two's, but Acuff shooting 1-7 and Noah 0-4 on three's didn't help. EMU was hurt by Noah playing only 20 minutes due to being injured. Hopefully going forward they'll hit more three's or concentrate on shooting two pointers.

EMU only committed 9 turnovers, but didn't take advantage as they had but 5 steals.

Fewer EMU turnover and lesser fouls will keep opponents scoring down. Lovejoy still committing fouls at an alarming rate.

South Carolina won this game in part because USC had 8 more offensive rebounds than EMU that resulted in SC scoring 8-more points than EMU did off of second chance shots.

EMU only managed on the road to shoot 9 foul-shots.

There's reason for optimism as EMU over the last three games has held opponents to averaging less than 73 ppg. They need to continue to do so.
EMU is no longer among the nations worse defensive teams. Sense that Jihad and Randle playing more has helped. Impressed by Randle's 7 rebounds in 19-minutes of playing time.

EMU holding SC to shooting only 30 percent on three's is a big improvement for EMU's defense. Need to see more of that.

With a slightly better shooting performance, EMU should be able to win it's first MAC game against Bowling Green at home next Thursday night.

Bowling Green comes-in with a 6-7 non conference record. BG is not a good three-point shooting team. A 1-0 MAC record would make fans quickly forget EMU's non conference games to date.

Most glaring state line? SC had 46 rebounds to EMU's 30.

(12-30-2022 09:59 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Very, very disappointed in the lack of improvement this team has made in 13 games. This team is out of position on defense, no help defense, no shot contesting, no blocking out…..pitiful!

On offense it’s mostly dribble, dribble, dribble - difficult shot.

Glad Emoni was on today but his defense along with the rest of the team is terrible.

I believe the coaches poll had us picked very lowly in the conference and I believe they are right.

Truly disappointed in Coach Heath and how this team struggles with intensity on defense.

I couldn’t have said it any better. This team is tough to watch, for the opposite reasons that Murphy’s teams were tough to watch. I’d rather see an aggressive team that’s in foul trouble every single night, than watch a parade of layups and wide open threes by our opponent. The defensive communication is a nightmare on switches and rotations. I’ll gladly take the “hero ball” offense if we were more active and competent defensively. But you’re right luckey…we aren’t doing well on either end of the floor.

There’s time to improve, as this is still a very young team. But if we continue on this pace and miss the MAC tournament, Heath’s seat should be warming up a bit. This is not acceptable basketball with the talent we have.

South Carolina won this game in part because USC had 8 more offensive rebounds than EMU that resulted in SC scoring 8-more points than EMU did off of second chance shots.



Most glaring state line? SC had 46 rebounds to EMU's 30.
[/quote]

Best to just look and the offensive rebounding differential between the two teams as more offensive rebounds mean additional scoring opportunities, and allow fans to to see how that effected scoring by each team.

Total rebounds is more related to shooting percentages and number of shots taken.

(12-31-2022 11:15 AM)Miggy Wrote:  South Carolina won this game in part because USC had 8 more offensive rebounds than EMU that resulted in SC scoring 8-more points than EMU did off of second chance shots.



Most glaring state line? SC had 46 rebounds to EMU's 30.

Best to just look and the offensive rebounding differential between the two teams as more offensive rebounds mean additional scoring opportunities, and allow fans to to see how that effected scoring by each team.

Total rebounds is more related to shooting percentages and number of shots taken.
[/quote]

Okay I will translate our front court gets overpowered frequently. This one of many examples this season.

[quote='EagleSam' pid='18696648' dateline='1672498478']
[quote='Luckeyone' pid='18696294' dateline='1672455544']
Very, very disappointed in the lack of improvement this team has made in 13 games. This team is out of position on defense, no help defense, no shot contesting, no blocking out.

I don't believe in perimeter defenders helping out inside as very rarely does that do any good. Helping out inside leaves a three-point shooter unattended and forces a defender to run at the shooter. By then it's too late. That's why pro's rarely help out. I'd rather see perimeter defenders force three-point shooters further out, make them dribble, and contest any shots.

All players should go to the defensive boards for rebounds as most front court players are weak rebounding the ball.

Don't like that Heath has his bigs stray from defending the rim as far too often we see opponents simply drive around our bigs and score at the rim. Such also takes our bigs from getting in position to rebound a misssx shot.

Nor do I like seeing EMU players defend two-point jump shots as too many shooting fouls ensue. One has to give up something on defense and my choice is to make opponents shoot two-point jump shots that are converted at a lower rate.

I hate saying this, because I was done with Murphy and was very happy with the Heath hire, but…I can’t help but think that Murphy would have at least 6 or 7 wins right now with this current roster. I need to see a lot more from Heath.

Let's cut the team some slack. MAC play is beginning next week. It's the start of conference competition. All conference teams have the same record. One can only hope Heath and his young team has learned from the games played so far.

(12-31-2022 09:54 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(12-30-2022 09:59 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Very, very disappointed in the lack of improvement this team has made in 13 games. This team is out of position on defense, no help defense, no shot contesting, no blocking out…..pitiful!

On offense it’s mostly dribble, dribble, dribble - difficult shot.

Glad Emoni was on today but his defense along with the rest of the team is terrible.

I believe the coaches poll had us picked very lowly in the conference and I believe they are right.

Truly disappointed in Coach Heath and how this team struggles with intensity on defense.

I couldn’t have said it any better. This team is tough to watch, for the opposite reasons that Murphy’s teams were tough to watch. I’d rather see an aggressive team that’s in foul trouble every single night, than watch a parade of layups and wide open threes by our opponent. The defensive communication is a nightmare on switches and rotations. I’ll gladly take the “hero ball” offense if we were more active and competent defensively. But you’re right luckey…we aren’t doing well on either end of the floor.

There’s time to improve, as this is still a very young team. But if we continue on this pace and miss the MAC tournament, Heath’s seat should be warming up a bit. This is not acceptable basketball with the talent we have.

I would agree with you guys more if we were talking about the first half of the non-conference play. I think the second half of non-conference play there are signs of improvement.

These are the blocks for each of the games in order of schedule- ie, Wayne St, Mich, Bradley, etc.
1, 2, 0, 1, 0, 1, 5, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3

It is a bit of an ebb and flow, but the general trend should be somewhat clear in the positive direction. My sense is that early in the season, players were literally just standing around watching guys drive to the basket- no one helped once the initial defender was beat AND the initial player just give up on the play. In the back half of the non-con play, there is definitely more help in the post, the initial defender is trying to recover (and going after the ball rather then side-swiping/fouling), and defenders both in the frontcourt AND the backcourt are putting more effort to keep their man in front of him.

I think what I am describing above is not obvious because EMU is still losing nonetheless, and they are still allowing opponents to score inside too easily on many occasions (but fewer occasions or at least not as easily). This is still happening in my opinion for two reasons. 1) losing track of their man when they are rotating out to the perimeter, and 2) they are playing too much “statue defense” in the post (outstretched hands and a generally stationary position that the defender just easily leans around). Point 2 is what I would like the players to start working on next- I think they do “statue defense” to avoid fouling (and maybe to avoid biting on pump fakes), but you also need to learn to anticipate what your opponent is doing and you can’t be as flat footed as our post players are being.

Nonetheless, I think there are signs of improvement defensively already. But it is dead slow progress and may not come to fruition until late this year or more likely next year. Which would obviously be too late to make use of Emoni Bates.

(12-31-2022 03:47 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(12-31-2022 09:54 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(12-30-2022 09:59 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  Very, very disappointed in the lack of improvement this team has made in 13 games. This team is out of position on defense, no help defense, no shot contesting, no blocking out…..pitiful!

On offense it’s mostly dribble, dribble, dribble - difficult shot.

Glad Emoni was on today but his defense along with the rest of the team is terrible.

I believe the coaches poll had us picked very lowly in the conference and I believe they are right.

Truly disappointed in Coach Heath and how this team struggles with intensity on defense.

I couldn’t have said it any better. This team is tough to watch, for the opposite reasons that Murphy’s teams were tough to watch. I’d rather see an aggressive team that’s in foul trouble every single night, than watch a parade of layups and wide open threes by our opponent. The defensive communication is a nightmare on switches and rotations. I’ll gladly take the “hero ball” offense if we were more active and competent defensively. But you’re right luckey…we aren’t doing well on either end of the floor.

There’s time to improve, as this is still a very young team. But if we continue on this pace and miss the MAC tournament, Heath’s seat should be warming up a bit. This is not acceptable basketball with the talent we have.

I would agree with you guys more if we were talking about the first half of the non-conference play. I think the second half of non-conference play there are signs of improvement.

These are the blocks for each of the games in order of schedule- ie, Wayne St, Mich, Bradley, etc.
1, 2, 0, 1, 0, 1, 5, 2, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3

It is a bit of an ebb and flow, but the general trend should be somewhat clear in the positive direction. My sense is that early in the season, players were literally just standing around watching guys drive to the basket- no one helped once the initial defender was beat AND the initial player just give up on the play. In the back half of the non-con play, there is definitely more help in the post, the initial defender is trying to recover (and going after the ball rather then side-swiping/fouling), and defenders both in the frontcourt AND the backcourt are putting more effort to keep their man in front of him.

I think what I am describing above is not obvious because EMU is still losing nonetheless, and they are still allowing opponents to score inside too easily on many occasions (but fewer occasions or at least not as easily). This is still happening in my opinion for two reasons. 1) losing track of their man when they are rotating out to the perimeter, and 2) they are playing too much “statue defense” in the post (outstretched hands and a generally stationary position that the defender just easily leans around). Point 2 is what I would like the players to start working on next- I think they do “statue defense” to avoid fouling (and maybe to avoid biting on pump fakes), but you also need to learn to anticipate what your opponent is doing and you can’t be as flat footed as our post players are being.

Nonetheless, I think there are signs of improvement defensively already. But it is dead slow progress and may not come to fruition until late this year or more likely next year. Which would obviously be too late to make use of Emoni Bates.

Ramy if you watch the Niagra game and then the South Carolina contest, we have made HUGE progress. That is not a big compliment, we made a horrible Niagra look like world beaters with our "ole" defense. Still, I personally saw a whole lot of improvement against UDM and SC and that does make me happy.

We simply are not very athletic in the frontcourt. No Ty Groce or Tim Bond's to be sure.

https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/...93177.html

https://youtu.be/0aDPqz63cHY

So how much slack are we fans giving out for conference play?

(12-31-2022 02:11 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I hate saying this, because I was done with Murphy and was very happy with the Heath hire, but…I can’t help but think that Murphy would have at least 6 or 7 wins right now with this current roster. I need to see a lot more from Heath.

Murphy was a pointless bridge to nowhere. Yeah, he might have eeked out 6-7 ugly wins but ultimately it would have been thoroughly unenjoyable.