(01-07-2024 07:45 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(01-03-2024 01:37 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(01-03-2024 08:53 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  

(01-03-2024 08:07 AM)Miggy Wrote:  

(01-02-2024 07:21 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Happy for him. Sorry he left, but it’s given Acuff the chance to show what a star he is, so maybe it was for the best.

Would have been nice seeing Noah at PG, and Acuff as the SG last season rather than the other way around. But main problem was with the front court. Suspect it still may be.

Nah, the problem was Emoni taking a million shots a game and a genuine sense of apathy on defense. This year’s team would smoke last year’s team, simply because they play harder.

Sam, love your knowledge of basketball, and your very well thought out posts! But, If you put a motivated Bates, and Farrakhan, and three bench players, versus this year's starting 5, Bates, and Farrakhan would absolutely destroy them! And, It wouldn't be close! I watched Bates the other night take 13 shots, and score 29 points! Bates is so much better then anyone on this year's team when he's MOTIVATED! The issue last season was an offense that was literally isolation one on one, and forcing up ridiculously difficult shots, and very little defense!

Emoni Bates had the most offensive potential of any EMU player in recent history.

That fact accepted, did you watch the Kent St game? Their defense keyed in our star, just like they did last year. The defender on Acuff had zero "help" responsibility, his sole mission was to prevent Tyson from getting the ball and scoring. Acuff was running his butt off sideline to baseline to sideline again in an effort to get open. Do you remember when Emoni did the same? I don't. Bates prowled the 3-ball line instead, giving the defense a gift of playing four on four. How often did Geeter pass the ball to an open guy near the basket last year like he did vs Kent? When your "star' is moving all around and worrying the defense, that stuff happens.

JT4, Mangum, Lee and Toney had far more talent than this team. So did JT4, Minnie, Jackson and Toure. This team, while not as talented, just plain hustles. They crash the boards, dive for loose balls and play as good as defense as their limited athletic abilities allow. Emoni and Noah are great players, but they got EMU a GRAND TOTAL OF FIVE MAC WINS last year and were tough to watch. By contrast, I absolutely love watching this team.

Before this season started I said last year the E stood for Emoni and I hoped this year the E stood for Effort. I have been pleasantly surprised by this year's team which I think is winning fans hearts with their effort.