http://www.emueagles.com/roster.aspx?ros...ath=mbball

No Samuels.

(06-29-2015 05:45 PM)emu79 Wrote:  http://www.emueagles.com/roster.aspx?ros...ath=mbball

No Samuels.

Interesting. I didn't know when they'd post the 2015-16 roster, but today (as I have been posting) is the day new players and old start school and off season drills. (obviously both FB and hoops).

The good news is that the JUCOs have done what they needed to do to get through the NCAA clearing house.

We need another 2015 "Summer Edition" recruiting thread. Lol.

We don't have a true center. I guess everyone here knows that...

EDIT: I checked the heights and weights: Wofford-Humphreys is listed at 6' 9" 235. That weight is more than I thought he weighed.

Bond is now #1.

I have the impression that we are "waiting" for somebody or still looking.

(06-29-2015 06:11 PM)emu79 Wrote:  I have the impression that we are "waiting" for somebody or still looking.

The nice thing is that for fans they've released what they have as of the first day of Summer Session II.

It also indicates that if there is a #13 (13th scholarship player) he apparently isn't on campus...

Ouch! That will really hurt. Losing Ajayi AND Samuels with no one replacing them.

I could see playing small ball for 20-25 minutes per game, maybe even 30. But there always seems to be a time when you need to have a true center in the game. Hopefully I am wrong, but this might shoot the season.

EMU is loaded from positions 1-3, and solid at the 4 spot. This is really a shame that they literally have nothing at center

(06-29-2015 06:11 PM)emu79 Wrote:  I have the impression that we are "waiting" for somebody or still looking.

I have NO idea but here is the site I'd used for transfers:

http://www.verbalcommits.com/transfers/2015

This is the kid I like IF he is a graduate eligible transfer.

http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/j-p-kambola

Some of the rest (centers) are high major transfer candidates or players who PPG are less than their GPA. (lot of centers transferring have really anemic stats).

I don't have a real good JUCO site (the one I have has top 100 soph JUCOs but that list is really, really picked through - and we did our part, taking three. Don't see an available center).

My guess is that Lamar Wofford-Humphreys needs, as Dennis would say, 'eat his Wheaties', and be ready to play against some big boys...

(06-29-2015 10:37 PM)rayEMU Wrote:  EMU is loaded from positions 1-3, and solid at the 4 spot. This is really a shame that they literally have nothing at center

We are a lot like the rest of the MAC now. Just look at Buffalo, who made it to the dance with no real center. Moss is a terrific post player, but he's 6'7. There just aren't many "true centers" in the league that scare me. You can count them on one hand.

I don't know how well the zone will work for us without an inside presence, but there were plenty of times last year when our defense improved with Nazione in the middle. For as big as Samuels is, he wasn't quick and was a foul machine. Ajayi played his ass off, but wasn't the rim protector that a 6'10 guy should be. I know next to nothing about Wofford-Humphrey, but I can only assume he would split minutes with Naz in the middle if we continue to run the zone. Nobles could see some time there as well...his length could bother teams without true "back to the basket" players.

It is a definite concern though. We will basically have a new identity this coming season. It may be more exciting to watch...I personally love 3 guard basketball, especially when your "forward" is someone like Tim Bond. But will it translate to victories? That remains to be seen.

To play devils advocate, the last team to make the NCAA tournament in 97-98' had Ezugwu 6'7 235 at center. Wofford-Humphrey has 2 inches on him. The other frontcourt players that year were Zajac 6'7, Head 6'7, and Ajani Williams 6'10 with build similar to Nobles.

That being said it would be nice to add some muscle in the post but this team should be well suited for quick transition offense.

bummer about Samuels. Is Madray the only guy who is sitting out this year? the rest of the roster is available to play, right?

i don't think we'll have anything near a traditional rotation (pg, sg, sf, pf, c), so i'm thinking about the depth chart in these categories, which are inspired by Zach Lowe:

guards: Lee, Mangum, Toney, Alvano, Stone (possible redshirt)
wings: Bond, Perry, Price
bigs: Nazione, Wofford-Humphrey, Nobles

i think we'll normally have 2 of the guards on the floor, 1 or 2 wings and 1 or 2 bigs. i'm sure Murphy will mix it up a lot during the first 15-20 games of the season.

(06-30-2015 01:30 PM)EMUAARON Wrote:  bummer about Samuels. Is Madray the only guy who is sitting out this year? the rest of the roster is available to play, right?

i don't think we'll have anything near a traditional rotation (pg, sg, sf, pf, c), so i'm thinking about the depth chart in these categories, which are inspired by Zach Lowe:

guards: Lee, Mangum, Toney, Alvano, Stone (possible redshirt)
wings: Bond, Perry, Price
bigs: Nazione, Wofford-Humphrey, Nobles

i think we'll normally have 2 of the guards on the floor, 1 or 2 wings and 1 or 2 bigs. i'm sure Murphy will mix it up a lot during the first 15-20 games of the season.

Yep, Madray is the only sit-out. I'm kinda hoping Stone redshirts, but then that would leave us at 10 scholarship players for the season. I guess we could burn the redshirt if someone got hurt, but I'm still holding out hope that we add one more "big".

Yes, Madray is the only guy who is a transfer sitout.

Interesting if Madray plays the '5' in 2016/17 he may prove to be a good offensive threat he easily has consistent three point range.

I remember reading a discussion on 'stretch 4' position and it goes like this: A PF (or anyone) who shoots from say 15 - 17 feet isn't taking a high probability shot which counts two points. A stretch four moves out to the arc and shoots an equal or better percentage and gets three points for it.

So a 250 lb. PF shooting 15 -17 feet out, making 35% of those shots, belongs in a museum (as a basketball relic), not on the court.

(06-30-2015 01:43 PM)emu steve Wrote:  I remember reading a discussion on 'stretch 4' position and it goes like this: A PF (or anyone) who shoots from say 15 - 17 feet isn't taking a high probability shot which counts two points. A stretch four moves out to the arc and shoots an equal or better percentage and gets three points for it.

a midrange jumper is only a low percentage shot if you're bad at it. it's not inherently bad. a 4 or a 5 that can consistently hit a midrange shot has tremendous value. look at the space Dirk opens up for Chandler or LMA for Lopez by being dangerous from midrange.

Very true Aaron. I hate long twos. But having a big man that can step outside and take shots comfortably will greatly help our slashing guards. From the sounds of it, Toney likes to play a drive-and-dish game, and we obviously know Raven likes to get to the basket. With Madray on the floor, it could open more space for those guys to work. It's a shame Talley never had a guy like that. He would've benefitted the most.

Interesting, apparently this version of the roster has now been removed from the website.

BTW I understand Nobles is a PF / SF. NOT A backup center.

Think LWH plus new recruit at center.

Things are making sense...

So we HAVE a new recruit at center?

(07-03-2015 06:48 AM)emu79 Wrote:  So we HAVE a new recruit at center?

It would make sense, since they took the roster down. We must be adding someone.

Discussing a below .500 basketball team 5 months before the season even starts? Wha?!

Dude, we went 21-14. That's not below .500. Or even close.