(09-17-2021 08:45 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-17-2021 07:50 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Miggy,
You have seemingly replaced Steve as the EMU basketball fan wearing rose pedaled glasses :-)
Question for you: Is your projection of the success the team is going to have this year based on watching the players scrimmage against each other or entirely from highlight YouTube videos?
I believe Luka’s stock has fallen a bit based on your latest analysis on him. His highlights look very promising but he will definitely need to add some muscle to play in the MAC.
I am going to try to watch a basketball scrimmage when practice can start back up.
Meanwhile, although we have a couple veteran transfers and returning players, looks like Heath recruited a great foundation of players to build his program on that should be very competitive in years 2-4. Freshman just typically do not contribute that much their first year due to the adjustment required from high school to D1 basketball. I remember watching Brian Tolbert as a freshman and telling myself this kid has huge potential but he was a minor role player his freshman year on an average team.
When I look at our returning players: Kongo, Binelli, McBride, Spottsville, and Ballard, I only see average MAC players. However, admittedly so my analyses of these players are in Murphy’s street ball system. I do believe that these players will definitely perform much better in a structured system. Binelli could be one of the top shooters in the MAC if a coach set up plays to run him off screens. In Murphy’s system, Binelli had to create his own shots which meant a long 3 ball off the dribble with a defender on him. Heck even pros would struggle in Murphy’s offensive system
Ballard reminds me of Draymond Green - a guy who scraps every possession and every team needs this type of player.
McBride - he’ll be a nice guard where he should average 7-10 ppg.
Okongo- jury’s out on him due to injury and playing time but from I have seen his foot speed is not there to be anything more than a role player.
It’s too bad that our potential All-MAC forward transferred to Butler.
Since freshman are pretty much role players, and we don’t have all returning all MAC players on the roster , I believe this team may achieve 1-2 games over 0.500 in the conference.
I have a lot of faith in Coach Heath because of his previous coaching success. Next season EMU will be a force in the MAC. However this season will be used to see what pieces are needed to win the MAC.
I do believe that EMU is a sleeping giant to attract players because 1) We have a very successful coach 2) a coach who runs an exciting system, 3) We are adjacent to an amazing city to our west with many things to do, 4) EMU has one of the top MAC facilities, and 5) our campus is looking pretty damper these days.
It will take awhile for the fans to return but they will because Heath will reinstate an exciting brand of basketball with exciting players. We’re a SLEEPING GIANT that will begin to awake !!!!
Hey a step into reality out of fanasty island. Guess what lots of new talented coaches in the MAC West. I believe the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes will be critical for Heath. Hence I am curious to see if we sign anyone in the early signing period this year. Yes I agree we have some potential on the current squad but it will take time.
Luckyone:
Thanks for the informative information you provided on EMU bb and it’s returning players.
Although a EMU fan, I don’t think I look at EMU bb players through rose colored glasses. What I’ve tried to point out, like you have, is that Heath has put together a good, improved, and competitive roster.
I’m guardedly optimistic about the upcoming season. Have not made any projections here about what EMU’s win-loss record will be.
Do believe that at the top of the MAC are 3 or 4 teams that are closely bunched together. It remains be seen whether EMU can be competitive with those teams. Will need to see which players are consistently good shooters. Hope EMU has three or four.
Some of those teams will play similar to EMU by pressuring the ball to force steals, and will also playup-tempo on offense.
I agree with you that the returning players should not be judged on past season’s performance. Rather, I look for significant improvement by the players on both sides of the ball as they’re now playing in a far better system under Coach Heath. I look for players shooting percentages to increase, and thus so will EMU’s team shooting percentages.
It’s hard to determine how good EMU’s defense will be until we see EMU’s interior defense play. Before he started recruiting, Heath said EMU will have one of the MCC’s best defenses. Glad EMU has some tall bigs upfront.
I do know the high skill-set of both M.Scott and N.Farrakhan. I have worked with both. Consider them family.
I really like N. Scott, but we’ll all know more when we see them play.
I also like EMU’s returnee McBride’s offense, but his defense needs a lot to be desired. Find Spottsville perplexing as his stats are inconsistent the last two years, and therefore really want to see him play.
My knowledge of returning players are from a variety of sources. One being stats. Videos are helpful in seeing a player’s handles, shooting form, jump shot, quickness, ability to getting to and finish at the rim, tendency to foul, and his all important bb IQ. I also study both shooting and non-shooting stats, and how a team plays with a particular player. . Although I have not attended any scrimmages, I have received feedback from knowledgeable bb observers who have.
Been told that Luka S is a solid player which is supported by his videos and stats. His skill level is high level as he can create space, shoot off his dribble, and get by his defender and either or dish-off inside or finish at the rim. Is a terrific passer. But understand he needs more consistency in his shooting.
Will take him time to adjust to American game that I’m told is different from European bb. We’ll need to see if he improves enough in the next month and a half practicing with the team to earn some playing time when EMU’s bb season commenses.