I was the game Saturday its really too bad more people don't show up for these games, I have to say after the Longwood win, I'm a bit more impressed with this year's team the reason why is the depth shows itself when you play three back to back Div I games.

Alvano-I like his D for a frosh, I think he's lost some confidence in his outside shot, he did penetrate around his guy a few times. Definitely keeps Talley fresh and out of foul trouble.

Samuels-out of the three center candidates he is the biggest and surprisely to me the one with the most hustle, certainly not the shot blocking presence. I do expect him to foul out about 50% of the games.

Talley-when its crunch time you want the ball in his hands, the offense steps it up a notch when he is at point.

Lee-yep, as long as Raven stays focused he should be first team all MAC by the end of this season.

Ward the last member of the big three and he's gotten better in about every department this year, another candidate for first team All MAC.

Price-in the game I saw he looked lost on the offensive end, rebounded better than I expected, still searching for his spot on the offense I kinda expected blazing outside shooting maybe it will come as the season develops.

Hunter-in the game I saw he lived up to minutes eater off the bench.

Okoloji-better than advertised, does all the little things well, sneaky in term of scoring and rebounds.

Ajayi-now number 3 in the center rotation, like to see him get jumped started.

Nazione-see Hunter comments.

It will be interesting to see how Bond slips in the rotation when he's healthy.

The one thing about EA, is that he is getting his 'baptism under fire' so to speak while Bond is healing.

If Bond was healthy, EA wouldn't be starting (presumably Bond, with Talley off the bench at the first TO).

So EA's development needs to be in the context that he is being asked to do more then he would under different circumstances.

I think folks are giving too much credence to EA starting. As everyone knows this is MT III's team and that he will get the most important minutes.

I see MT III off the bench more to 'balance' the '1st and 2nd' teams then a reflection on Talley himself.

Don't normally see a PG as a sixth man, but that is what it appears to me.

So far, I haven't been a huge fan of bringing Talley off the bench. It hasn't hurt us, but I don't really see how it's helping either. I understand that with his style of play, using him for 30 minutes a game might not be the best idea, but I guess I'm just the kind of person who wants his best 5 guys starting AND finishing games. Our best 5 is easily Talley-Lee-Ward-Okoloji-Whichever of the three centers is doing the best that day.

Maybe my view will be different once Bond comes back. I'm really anxious to see that kid play. I just think the difference between Talley and Alvano is pretty significant at this point. But I see a lot more potential in Ethan than I ever did in Ross. He looks like he could end up being a really solid PG down the road.

Sam, I understand your points, but Lee and Ward can create their own offense and scoring.

Talley is more helpful if Lee or Ward are on the bench and say replaced by Price and Talley can do his driving, etc. for scoring punch.

As we saw yesterday and Saturday (?, when we started to blow a nice lead), the team really bogs down without Lee, Ward, etc.

The best players belong in the game from the start.

(11-24-2014 11:30 AM)emu steve Wrote:  Sam, I understand your points, but Lee and Ward can create their own offense and scoring.

Talley is more helpful if Lee or Ward are on the bench and say replaced by Price and Talley can do his driving, etc. for scoring punch.

As we saw yesterday and Saturday (?, when we started to blow a nice lead), the team really bogs down without Lee, Ward, etc.

Yes that did happen Saturday, UNCG made a 3 point shot and all of sudden Talley, Lee and Ward came back in I think it was about the 2 minute mark.

I like the upside on Alvano from what I"ve seen so far this year.

One point on Samuels:

He had not played a college game in what 2 1/2 years (he didn't play '12/'13 and '13/'14) so I get March 2012.

So I guess he was not game-ready for 30 months.

He might not be 100% in terms of conditioning until early 2015.

you people act like we really play good teams this weekend. that is just silly.

My conspiracy theory...

Murphy had to promise Alvano he will be a 4 year starter if he came to EMU. Otherwise this playing arrangement is hard to understand/ justify. Alvano is a great, freshman ready recruit. But Talley is simply better at this point in time.

(11-24-2014 01:55 PM)rayEMU Wrote:  My conspiracy theory...

Murphy had to promise Alvano he will be a 4 year starter if he came to EMU. Otherwise this playing arrangement is hard to understand/ justify. Alvano is a great, freshman ready recruit. But Talley is simply better at this point in time.

I can shoot it down.

I believe Bond was ticketed to start before he broke his pinky.

Murphy in Blue Ribbon Yearbook: "I think he'll have a chance to start."

Actually, Murphy apparently wanted to redshirt Alvano. "Might be a redshirt candidate" and then goes on to say he might force me to play him.

I think we are reading too much into it.

Quite frankly, Talley has little to prove against teams we played over the weekend.

I BELIEVE Murphy is grooming Talley's successors (Alvano and Bond, when healthy) during this OOC schedule.

MAYBE, we'll see things differently come the Dayton game with Murphy playing say his top 8 or 9 players and starting those will start in January.

(11-24-2014 01:55 PM)rayEMU Wrote:  My conspiracy theory...

Murphy had to promise Alvano he will be a 4 year starter if he came to EMU. Otherwise this playing arrangement is hard to understand/ justify. Alvano is a great, freshman ready recruit. But Talley is simply better at this point in time.

I can shoot it down.

I believe Bond was ticketed to start before he broke his pinky.

Murphy in Blue Ribbon Yearbook: "I think he'll have a chance to start."

Actually, Murphy apparently wanted to redshirt Alvano. "Might be a redshirt candidate" and then goes on to say he might force me to play him.

I think we are reading too much into it.

Quite frankly, Talley has little to prove against teams we played over the weekend.

I BELIEVE Murphy is grooming Talley's successors (Alvano and Bond, when healthy) during this OOC schedule.

MAYBE, we'll see things differently come the Dayton game with Murphy playing say his top 8 or 9 players and starting those will start in January.

I will concede the theory is shot down with the blue ribbon quotes.

And might be able to see Alvano holding the spot for another injured player- some coaches do things like that.

But still, Talley is a solid PG and a senior. Bond would have to be at least the next Boykins. Otherwise this part of the rotation is strange.

(11-24-2014 01:35 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  you people act like we really play good teams this weekend. that is just silly.

Hi Super, you're right but at least they were Div I teams not Division III. The other point you're forgetting is playing back to back three games in three days-that' a good preseason stress test.

Honestly my daughter (CMU graduate, former Sexton teacher who had Forbes, Hayes, Valentine, Clemmons as students) who is taking her doctorate at MSU really enjoyed the game and the student section the Zoouperstars were strange to say the least. She wants to come with me and my wife to another game. She said its sad more people from the community don't come out and enjoy the games. Sigh I wish they up the marketing for the EMU Classic. Anyone who enjoys college hoops should enjoy it.