(06-29-2022 11:50 PM)holybovine Wrote: [ -> ]Per Miggy, it’s unwise to project our depth chart until the roster is complete. But as Marlene Dietrich once sang, “I can’t help it…”
PG - Farrakhan/Lovejoy/Savicevic
SG - Acuff/Rice/Savicevic
SF - Bates/Billingsley/Golson Jr.
PF - Golson Jr./Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Geeter/Jihad/Randle
That is a pretty damn fine roster, gentlemen.
So, we have one more scholarship, unless we have an unexpected departure. I’m not quite sure where we should spend it…We have pretty good talent AND depth at all positions. That said, I might go with a guard. Lovejoy is talented but unproven, and Savicevic really struggled last year. I could see them adding a developmental combo guard. Of course, I see Geeter as a C, and others may disagree.
So what do you think? Where should we direct the final scholarship?
Our best lineup may be using 3 forwards without a true center which is the lineup suggested here. I view Geeter as more of a forward.
EMU may have three potential NBA worthy players. As EMU still
has one or two bb scholarship openings. We need to see who those two players are. Hope one is a another highly ranked back-court player, and the other an upgrade at the Center position.
(06-30-2022 05:17 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2022 11:50 PM)holybovine Wrote: [ -> ]Per Miggy, it’s unwise to project our depth chart until the roster is complete. But as Marlene Dietrich once sang, “I can’t help it…”
PG - Farrakhan/Lovejoy/Savicevic
SG - Acuff/Rice/Savicevic
SF - Bates/Billingsley/Golson Jr.
PF - Golson Jr./Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Geeter/Jihad/Randle
That is a pretty damn fine roster, gentlemen.
So, we have one more scholarship, unless we have an unexpected departure. I’m not quite sure where we should spend it…We have pretty good talent AND depth at all positions. That said, I might go with a guard. Lovejoy is talented but unproven, and Savicevic really struggled last year. I could see them adding a developmental combo guard. Of course, I see Geeter as a C, and others may disagree.
So what do you think? Where should we direct the final scholarship?
Our best lineup may be using 3 forwards without a true center which is the lineup suggested here. I view Geeter as more of a forward.
I think you’re first three staters are spot on, but even that may change with EMU’s next signing. Agree that Geeter is more of a forward but may have to start at Center. I’m hoping that Geeter can start at forward instead of Golson. I may be wrong, but I don’t see Golson, under any circumstances, being in EMU’s starting line-up.
My 3 deep
PG - Farrakhan/Savicevic/Lovejoy
SG - Bates/Acuff/Rice
SF - Billingsley/Bates/Rice
PF - Geeter/Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Golson Jr./Randle/Jihad
Wooden’s suggestion of playing Bates as a guard is growing on me. But I think it will depend on how skilled J-Bill/Legend/Randle are compared to Acuff/Lovejoy/Luka/Rice.
I see Golson as the starting center- he is quick and strong and can use that against MAC centers despite his short stature. This prompted me to put Randle ahead of Jihad as he has a couple inches on him and will be used in case when Golson’s height is actually getting taken advantage of.
As far as Noah’s backup, Lovejoy looks college ready in his videos, but still keeping Luka ahead of him in case he is not. I know some are citing some of his deficiencies from last season, but players tend to make a sophomore leap and we got decent minutes from Luka as a freshman.
But in the end, who knows…
I have nothing to add about starters, etc. but I did go looking at Providence and G'town fan forums yesterday (up in the recruiting thread).
My 2 cents is that both Billingsley and Geeter will fit what I think Heath is trying to do. LaMonta Stone said Geeter is one of those 'position-less' players. I think they'll fit a fast breaking team.
I got the impression that both players were well regarded by fans at their previous schools. They should be solid MAC newcomers, esp. after a year in the Big East.
The important thing, as we know, Noah and Emoni are the the two primary scoring options. Billingley and Geeter don't need to hoist a bunch of treys. Just run the floor, get easy buckets, some garbage buckets, pull down a half dozen rebounds, etc.
(06-30-2022 11:38 AM)RamyEMU Wrote: [ -> ]My 3 deep
PG - Farrakhan/Savicevic/Lovejoy
SG - Bates/Acuff/Rice
SF - Billingsley/Bates/Rice
PF - Geeter/Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Golson Jr./Randle/Jihad
Wooden’s suggestion of playing Bates as a guard is growing on me. But I think it will depend on how skilled J-Bill/Legend/Randle are compared to Acuff/Lovejoy/Luka/Rice.
I see Golson as the starting center- he is quick and strong and can use that against MAC centers despite his short stature. This prompted me to put Randle ahead of Jihad as he has a couple inches on him and will be used in case when Golson’s height is actually getting taken advantage of.
As far as Noah’s backup, Lovejoy looks college ready in his videos, but still keeping Luka ahead of him in case he is not. I know some are citing some of his deficiencies from last season, but players tend to make a sophomore leap and we got decent minutes from Luka as a freshman.
But in the end, who knows…
Here’s my projected line-up. I’m including Johnson because I hope he commits to EMU.
PG: Noah/ Lovejoy/Luka (if he returns)
SG:Johnson/Acuff/Rice
SF: Bates/Rice
PF:Geeter/Billingsley or Golson
C: Randle or Geeter/ Jihad
Johnson will lead team in rebounds.
(07-03-2022 10:30 AM)Miggy Wrote: [ -> ] (06-30-2022 11:38 AM)RamyEMU Wrote: [ -> ]My 3 deep
PG - Farrakhan/Savicevic/Lovejoy
SG - Bates/Acuff/Rice
SF - Billingsley/Bates/Rice
PF - Geeter/Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Golson Jr./Randle/Jihad
Wooden’s suggestion of playing Bates as a guard is growing on me. But I think it will depend on how skilled J-Bill/Legend/Randle are compared to Acuff/Lovejoy/Luka/Rice.
I see Golson as the starting center- he is quick and strong and can use that against MAC centers despite his short stature. This prompted me to put Randle ahead of Jihad as he has a couple inches on him and will be used in case when Golson’s height is actually getting taken advantage of.
As far as Noah’s backup, Lovejoy looks college ready in his videos, but still keeping Luka ahead of him in case he is not. I know some are citing some of his deficiencies from last season, but players tend to make a sophomore leap and we got decent minutes from Luka as a freshman.
But in the end, who knows…
Here’s my projected line-up. I’m including Johnson because I hope he commits to EMU.
PG: Noah/ Lovejoy/Luka (if he returns)
SG:Johnson/Acuff/Rice
SF: Bates/Rice
PF:Geeter/Billingsley or Golson
C: Randle or Geeter/ Jihad
Johnson will lead team in rebounds.
One thing I've noticed about Ivey with the Pistons. People think he was hurt at Purdue with a huge center clogging up HIS team's middle on offense.
This year we do not want a center like Okongo. We want a center who can roll to the basket ala NBA and give the players like Noah, Bates, and hopefully Johnson plenty of room to space the court.
I keep hearing theory that as the court has been spaced it is harder and harder for a player to defend his man one on one.
Golson has a nice 2-point jump shot and drives well to the hoop.However, he should forego shooting three’s as his conversion rate is only 12 percent.
Golson has to upgrade his defense as he’s often clueless as to where he’s suppose to be. Primary reason he had a bad defensive rating. Also, his lack of height keeps him from effectively defending inside. EMU would be off if he defended the perimeter.
Will be interesting to see if Golson will be competing for playing time along with Billingsley and Geeter as EMU’s starting PF, or will he be competing with Rice to back-up Bates at SF?
My projected lineup with and without Keyontae Johnson:
PG: Noah/ Lovejoy/Luka (if he returns)
SG:Johnson/Acuff/Rice
SG: Acuff/Luka
F: Bates/Golson/Jihad
F: Billingsley/Geeter/Randle/Ballard
Surveying our teams from 1987 to now, on paper this would be the most talented EMU team. It would win the MAC conference and MAC tournament and with the right seed could make a final four (ok I’m in fantasy land with Johnson signing but if he does, the sky is the limit.) This team could be a top 15-25 ranked team. We won the MAC with the conference MVP and future NBA pick 6’9” Grant Long. If Billingsley can play close to the level Sparks plays at, that would be the missing piece. I hear he is very talented at 6’8”, he’s very close in size to Sparks. Like Noah grew immensely from his shortened covid19 freshman year to his freshman year, I expect amazing growth for Emoni, Billingsley, Golson, Geeter and Luka. I also hear Acuff is a knockdown shooter. Acuff will lead this team in scoring some games.
My lineup without Johnson:
PG: Noah/ Lovejoy/Luka
SG:Acuff/Luka
SG: Bates/Rice
F: Golson/Geeter/Ballard
F: Billingsley/Geeter/Randle
I believe Toledo, Or Kent would win the MAC conference but we would be in synchronization by end of season and win the MAC tournament. This team could pull an upset in the first round of NCAA tournament.
Randle is better than Mo facing the basket but still developing strength and low post moves to play with his back to the basket. He will be a dynamite player his junior and senior years.
(06-30-2022 05:17 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2022 11:50 PM)holybovine Wrote: [ -> ]Per Miggy, it’s unwise to project our depth chart until the roster is complete. But as Marlene Dietrich once sang, “I can’t help it…”
PG - Farrakhan/Lovejoy/Savicevic
SG - Acuff/Rice/Savicevic
SF - Bates/Billingsley/Golson Jr.
PF - Golson Jr./Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Geeter/Jihad/Randle
That is a pretty damn fine roster, gentlemen.
So, we have one more scholarship, unless we have an unexpected departure. I’m not quite sure where we should spend it…We have pretty good talent AND depth at all positions. That said, I might go with a guard. Lovejoy is talented but unproven, and Savicevic really struggled last year. I could see them adding a developmental combo guard. Of course, I see Geeter as a C, and others may disagree.
So what do you think? Where should we direct the final scholarship?
Our best lineup may be using 3 forwards without a true center which is the lineup suggested here. I view Geeter as more of a forward.
'79 you pretty much nailed it!
Three guards, three forwards, PG, SG, PF, SF, etc..., who in the heck cares? You play your best athletes, and you win in today's game. 6'4" Ryan Rollins was just two short of being Toledo's leading rebounder last season. The days of the needing the "Big Center" are over.
(07-11-2022 05:57 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: [ -> ] (06-30-2022 05:17 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (06-29-2022 11:50 PM)holybovine Wrote: [ -> ]Per Miggy, it’s unwise to project our depth chart until the roster is complete. But as Marlene Dietrich once sang, “I can’t help it…”
PG - Farrakhan/Lovejoy/Savicevic
SG - Acuff/Rice/Savicevic
SF - Bates/Billingsley/Golson Jr.
PF - Golson Jr./Billingsley/Ballard Jr.
C - Geeter/Jihad/Randle
That is a pretty damn fine roster, gentlemen.
So, we have one more scholarship, unless we have an unexpected departure. I’m not quite sure where we should spend it…We have pretty good talent AND depth at all positions. That said, I might go with a guard. Lovejoy is talented but unproven, and Savicevic really struggled last year. I could see them adding a developmental combo guard. Of course, I see Geeter as a C, and others may disagree.
So what do you think? Where should we direct the final scholarship?
Our best lineup may be using 3 forwards without a true center which is the lineup suggested here. I view Geeter as more of a forward.
'79 you pretty much nailed it!
Three guards, three forwards, PG, SG, PF, SF, etc..., who in the heck cares? You play your best athletes, and you win in today's game. 6'4" Ryan Rollins was just two short of being Toledo's leading rebounder last season. The days of the needing the "Big Center" are over.
That's true. I watched Howard play the 2021-22 MBB season w/out a center on their roster.
They had hoped to have Makur Maker at center, but at the very end he thought it would have been to risky to come back if the 2021/22 season got curtailed because of Covid. Both Howard and D.C. were very strict on Covid and cancelled games, etc. He opted to go overseas. New Zealand??
EMU has to take F Keyontae Johnson if he’ll sign as he’s of the best players in the nation. A powerhouse on offense, and plays like GS Warfiors Draymond Green on defense.
If he doesn’t sign, I believe EMU needs an experienced Center.
(07-11-2022 07:18 PM)Miggy Wrote: [ -> ]EMU has to take F Keyontae Johnson if he’ll sign as he’s of the best players in the nation. A powerhouse on offense, and plays like GS Warfiors Draymond Green on defense.
If he doesn’t sign, I believe EMU needs an experienced Center.
Agree Keyontae Johnson would make us a try op 15-25 team in the country!
EMU’s “X” factors this season are Billingsley, Geeter, and Randle. Even though Geeter and Randle have yet to play a college game, and Billingsley has but one season under his belt, all three players should combine to put-up better stats than both N.Scott and Njie did last season.
N.Scott and Njie combined in averaging 47.2 mpg and 16.5 ppg. They combined in scoring but 5 two-pointers per game, and that was offset, in part, by Njie committing one turnover every 10 minutes he played.
N.Scott shot 3’s at but 31 percent. His three’s will be taken by better shooters. Both rebounded decently as they averaged 9.4 rebounds per game.
On defense, both were EMU’s top defenders inside, but even so EMU was not a good defensive team inside as Nije simply couldn’t move and was not good defending the rim as conference opponents shot 51.5 percent on two’s.
EMU’s perimeter defense allowed conference opponents to shoot three’s at 37 percent, and EMU’s overall poor defense allowed conference opponents to average 75 ppg.
EMU should be far more productive offensively with the addition of Acuff, Bates, and Lovejoy, and even stronger defensively inside if Randle is able to use his length, quickness, and his outstanding shot-blocking from HS (10 blocks per game) to defend the rim at EMU.
Both Acuff and Bates length and quickness should also help EMU defend better on the perimeter.
(07-14-2022 12:08 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (07-14-2022 11:53 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Where is Luka? We know where Luka is:
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/15476...fPDaw2M4FQ
I’m expecting big things from Luka this season doubling his average and playing great team ball. Can’t wait for the season!
Although Luka S. showed flashes of having the potential to be a good player, overall he did not have a particularly good freshmen season as he shot but 35 percent on two’s, and 30 percent on three’s in conference play. Plus, too often he made bad passes or dribbled mindlessly, and both resulted resulted in his turning the ball over once every 11 minutes.
Also. he hardly made any steals. He needs to learn that when playing off the ball to look for passes to the player he’s guarding, so he can step in and intercept the pass.
Luka did demonstrate he had a good jump shooter at times, but I still have reservations about his overall game. He needs to demonstrate that
he has used this summer playing abroad to improve his game, and has gotten the bad out of his game. I need to see Luka’s improvement before I can share your confidence in Luka S.
Presently, I have have more confidence in Lovejoy coming out of HS as he’s considered among one of Michigan’s top HS players. But we’ll get to see if as a freshman he’s more advanced than Luka is as a rising sophomore. I sense that Lovejoy has a higher skill-set and plays with more smarts and tenacity than Luka S.does.
But we’ll get to see if my belief in Lovejoy is warranted. Would gladly tip my hat to you if you’re right about Luka. Either way, EMU will come out a winner.
(07-14-2022 12:08 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (07-14-2022 11:53 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Where is Luka? We know where Luka is:
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/15476...fPDaw2M4FQ
I’m expecting big things from Luka this season doubling his average and playing great team ball. Can’t wait for the season!
I side more with Luckey than Miggy on this. Luka will have the Sophomore leap as they say. I agree with Miggy that Lovejoy may be freshman ready. And hope Luka has worked on some of the things that Miggy sited. We’ll see. But in the meantime…
Great job representing, Luka! And best of luck in the Euro tourney!
Will be very interesting to how Heath distributes playing-time among Billingsley, Geeter, and Golson.
(07-14-2022 08:01 PM)RamyEMU Wrote: [ -> ] (07-14-2022 12:08 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (07-14-2022 11:53 AM)emu steve Wrote: [ -> ]Where is Luka? We know where Luka is:
https://twitter.com/EMU_MBB/status/15476...fPDaw2M4FQ
I’m expecting big things from Luka this season doubling his average and playing great team ball. Can’t wait for the season!
I side more with Luckey than Miggy on this. Luka will have the Sophomore leap as they say. I agree with Miggy that Lovejoy may be freshman ready. And hope Luka has worked on some of the things that Miggy sited. We’ll see. But in the meantime…
Great job representing, Luka! And best of luck in the Euro tourney!
Ramy, you have a good take in my opinion.
Luka is a Euro BB player where the game is far less physical. He looked absolutely LOST early in the season! I remember him entering one game, being separated from the ball while bringing it up and that was all she wrote for that contest. I thought he was a huge recruiting mistake along with Mo Njie.
At season end, however, both Mo and Luka made monumental improvements, a tribute to the coaching staff for sure. Luka hit his stride and made passes and shots that anyone not named Farrakhan could.