(01-24-2023 09:00 PM)emanoh Wrote:  

(01-24-2023 08:39 PM)Screwball Wrote:  Well, if nothing else, we might have the record for letting guys get career highs. That said, Bates has been incredible, you have to give him credit.

This happens every time we play someone. It's always some dude who averages 6 pts a game, goes for 25 against UT.

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Bates was the #1 ranked high school recruit in the country and is an NBA Draft prospect, so I don't think this compares to the usual giving up a career high to someone who scores very little.

Complain all you want about tonight’s game whether it was our defense on Bates or not playing our bench, but that was an excellent college basketball game. Sure, Toledo let Bates go off in the first half and Farrakhan in the second half. Toledo took EMU’s best shot of the season by far but dug deep and found a way to make plays down the stretch to pull out the win. Tonight’s game showed me a lot about Toledo’s mental toughness. They could have easily folded their tent being down by 11 with 6 minutes to go. But instead , they made winning plays and outscored EMU by 16 the rest of the way. Keys to the victory included all 5 Starters in Double Figures, 20-25 from the Free Throw Line, and 15 assists and only 4 turnovers. Props to the Crowd at Savage which was as loud as I can remember it being in several years, especially during that late rally by Toledo. It was a great night for Toledo as both Kent St and Ball St lost to Northern Ill. and Buffalo respectively!

Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

(01-24-2023 10:38 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

I don't think I'd looking forward to worrying about EMU in tournament. This second half is going to be crazy.

(01-24-2023 09:46 PM)Screwball Wrote:  It was incredible to watch this. 29 straight points, 42 or 43 (not sure) total. I'm sure this game will make Sports Center tomorrow, and that's a good thing.

Adding: this is what makes college basketball so cool.

You can bet your bottom dollar it'll be on Sports Center tomorrow as they've already tweeted out about it.

(01-24-2023 09:00 PM)emanoh Wrote:  

(01-24-2023 08:39 PM)Screwball Wrote:  Well, if nothing else, we might have the record for letting guys get career highs. That said, Bates has been incredible, you have to give him credit.

This happens every time we play someone. It's always some dude who averages 6 pts a game, goes for 25 against UT.

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Except Emoni Bates is far from just some dude.

(01-24-2023 11:20 PM)inductchuck16 Wrote:  

(01-24-2023 09:00 PM)emanoh Wrote:  

(01-24-2023 08:39 PM)Screwball Wrote:  Well, if nothing else, we might have the record for letting guys get career highs. That said, Bates has been incredible, you have to give him credit.

This happens every time we play someone. It's always some dude who averages 6 pts a game, goes for 25 against UT.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Except Emoni Bates is far from just some dude.

True but he hasn't exactly shown this level. I'm wondering now if he COULD HAVE been showing this level but was trying to work within the team, to help the whole get better. Some of those players were really stepping up in the second half. They have a proven coach. They could be dangerous.

I know Bates isn't a nobody, but still a career high, so it goes on the list. We have a list...

I agree with someone above, he had some hands in his face. They used Moss, Ray J, Maddox and Milner at one time or other against him, and for the most part I thought they did a pretty good job - he just went off. He made some tough shots, along with 7 boards. Only 4 of his points came from the line.

Toledo was a 20pt favorite, were down by 11 in the second half, this guy goes off for 43, and they win by 5. Wow, what a game.

Bates reclassified as older... So technically, he busted as a 17 year old in an 18 year old class. Now showing off as an 18 year old compared to 18's in his original class. Took a year, but maybe a valuable one... He's a talent no doubt.

So what was the attraction this guy transferring to of all schools, EMU ? I don't get it, is he related to Stan Heath ? Bates just had a great game. Let's see if he can duplicate this effort 2nd half of the season ? EMU has Bates, University of Detroit has Davis, both teams are losers.

Fun game. I thought we got a lot of open looks from three early and that sort of took us out of our offensive rhythm a bit. Probably wouldn't have noticed if we were making shots early, and hard to knock jump shooters for taking open looks.

Dennis and Shumate were a little off most of the game but came up big late. Game won at the free throw line as much as anything. If we aren't lethal from the line down the stretch EMU probably has a shot to win in the final possession.

Did not like us going away from the bench as that's been good to us lately and EMU isn't deep and I thought we could have worn them down a little faster with more of Wilson and Farmer rotating in.

Bates is from Ypsi to answer an earlier question of why he is at EMU. Secondly, his dad has a rep as overbearing and too involved (not saying that's fair, don't know enough) which might have scared off some teams. Also, by entering college a year early at Memphis he jumped the gun a bit, got pushed around at times and then hurt. Memphis mostly used him as a spot up corner 3 type guy, can't blame them as they made the tourney, but by going to EMU he has the opportunity to play his game. Farrkhan was a very highly regarded recruit too, a top 30 4/5 star player most of his high school years, but transferred for his senior season and had a down year and some big schools backed off on his recruiting-went to E Carolina for the covid year but it didn't work out. Bates and Farrkhan are pretty much unguardable one on one. Bates is quick, tall and has a lightening release. You have to assume he is about to shoot anytime he's within 30 feet-took Moss most of the game to figure that out. Farrkhan is a great athlete with handles who can get a step on anyone and then rise up for open looks. Too bad he can't develop better lower body mechanics to complement the nice release on his jumper-it causes him to be streaky. Both those guys lit up Michigan earlier this season and Bates had 36 on S Carolina too, so it's not like they can't score on high level players.

(01-25-2023 01:04 AM)Springboromark Wrote:  So what was the attraction this guy transferring to of all schools, EMU ? I don't get it, is he related to Stan Heath ?

Quote:People probably look at me crazy because I’m considering Eastern (Michigan). 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.

NIU had a whopping 837 in attendance. Yikes.

(01-24-2023 10:38 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

Great game and atmosphere last night!!!

Bates was signing autographs when he stopped near chute. Quite a few people with Sports illustrated covers of bates on clip-boards. He happily signed all those that made requests.

Watched the CBS game coverage twice. Announcers are not great but they did give some brutal assessments of Bates' past and current issues. They made 3 mentions of him wearing headphones in warmups up to just a few minutes before tip. They commented on some other negative traits as well. I'm not sure it was fair but he was their TV focus until the game became great at the 8 minute mark of 2nd half.

Bates' passing ability is a total unknown. He is a 6'10" guard and he will have to have superior passing talents to make it in the NBA. With his body he will spend all of his time in the NBA between the arcs - that is if he even makes a team. I'm not sure his talent transfers to the NBA. Good luck to him. Great theatre last night thanks to him (1st half) and the great UT team play in 2nd half.

Go Rockets!

(01-25-2023 10:27 AM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  NIU had a whopping 837 in attendance. Yikes.

(01-24-2023 10:38 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

Toughest trip in the league. Long haul bus ride then hop off and play in front of friends, family and a few curious onlookers.

Buffalo lost there the year they were 17-1 in league play and head and shoulders better than every team

(01-25-2023 12:48 PM)IamN2daRockets! Wrote:  Great game and atmosphere last night!!!

Bates was signing autographs when he stopped near chute. Quite a few people with Sports illustrated covers of bates on clip-boards. He happily signed all those that made requests.

Watched the CBS game coverage twice. Announcers are not great but they did give some brutal assessments of Bates' past and current issues. They made 3 mentions of him wearing headphones in warmups up to just a few minutes before tip. They commented on some other negative traits as well. I'm not sure it was fair but he was their TV focus until the game became great at the 8 minute mark of 2nd half.

Bates' passing ability is a total unknown. He is a 6'10" guard and he will have to have superior passing talents to make it in the NBA. With his body he will spend all of his time in the NBA between the arcs - that is if he even makes a team. I'm not sure his talent transfers to the NBA. Good luck to him. Great theatre last night thanks to him (1st half) and the great UT team play in 2nd half.

Go Rockets!

I'm not sure I'd want to be the team that found out.

He's a MUCH younger kid than I had realized and even looks it. 170lb spread over that frame, he did his fair share on the defensive boards. Scoring, rebounding and letting his teammates do what they do is probably their best bet to develop. They run ten deep. Farrakkan and Acuff have some offensive skills of their own. Keeping them on the floor to keep the defense honest, their coach maybe decided they to be the ones running the team.

I have to admit, I let that little car thing turn my head a bit. Kid is a hard worker, supported his teammates, showed respect on the court and was kind to the opposing team's fans after a tough loss.

(01-24-2023 10:12 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  What a fun game to attend! It was intense and there was awesome energy from the crowd of 5,100 during the great comeback and the last few minutes of the game! After going down 11 with 6 minutes to go, the Rockets went on a 15-2 run. A huge 3 from Shumate immediately followed by a 4 point play from Maddox completed the comeback. They made clutch free throws down the stretch. Great job Rockets!

Lost in all of the craziness of last night's thrilling win was the continued strong play of Maddox Jr. He has really stepped up his game in the absence of Cochran and has given Toledo another lethal scoring option both from the 3 point line and taking it to the basket. His 4 point play sparked the late rally and his clutch 2 free throws in the final minute forced Bates to take an off balance 3 in an attempt to tie it. TK has been very good finding "transfers" who fit his program's style on the court and culture off the court!

good call.

Toledo women did the same thing earlier this year with about the same amoutn fo crowd.

(01-25-2023 12:55 PM)adunifon Wrote:  

(01-25-2023 10:27 AM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  NIU had a whopping 837 in attendance. Yikes.

(01-24-2023 10:38 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

Toughest trip in the league. Long haul bus ride then hop off and play in front of friends, family and a few curious onlookers.

Buffalo lost there the year they were 17-1 in league play and head and shoulders better than every team

(01-25-2023 04:46 PM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  good call.

Toledo women did the same thing earlier this year with about the same amoutn fo crowd.

(01-25-2023 12:55 PM)adunifon Wrote:  

(01-25-2023 10:27 AM)rocketinchitown2 Wrote:  NIU had a whopping 837 in attendance. Yikes.

(01-24-2023 10:38 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Kent goes down to NIU. Weird MAC night.

Toughest trip in the league. Long haul bus ride then hop off and play in front of friends, family and a few curious onlookers.

Buffalo lost there the year they were 17-1 in league play and head and shoulders better than every team

For some reason weekend games there seem to be the easier trip than weeknight. I didn’t go back to look but I feel like the years when we’ve steamrolled them there, like this year, it was a Saturday afternoon game. Weeknight games we have struggled there. Could be completely off base but it really feels like that.

(01-25-2023 12:48 PM)IamN2daRockets! Wrote:  Great game and atmosphere last night!!!

Bates was signing autographs when he stopped near chute. Quite a few people with Sports illustrated covers of bates on clip-boards. He happily signed all those that made requests.

Watched the CBS game coverage twice. Announcers are not great but they did give some brutal assessments of Bates' past and current issues. They made 3 mentions of him wearing headphones in warmups up to just a few minutes before tip. They commented on some other negative traits as well. I'm not sure it was fair but he was their TV focus until the game became great at the 8 minute mark of 2nd half.

Bates' passing ability is a total unknown. He is a 6'10" guard and he will have to have superior passing talents to make it in the NBA. With his body he will spend all of his time in the NBA between the arcs - that is if he even makes a team. I'm not sure his talent transfers to the NBA. Good luck to him. Great theatre last night thanks to him (1st half) and the great UT team play in 2nd half.

Go Rockets!

The headphones item seems like a strange thing to call out. You see tons of athletes doing that these days, pros especially in sports like tennis and others. Reportedly helps them block out distractions and focus, and they can play things that get them pumped up for the game.