(05-29-2021 04:18 PM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 12:39 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 10:34 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 08:50 AM)EagleSam Wrote:  Hard to disagree. I’d prefer McBride off the ball, so either Luka starts at point for me, or Spottsville does if Luka isn’t quite ready. I also like a little bit of small ball since our guards are big and the forwards are athletic. My starting lineup would tentatively be:

Luka/Spottsville
McBride
Scott
Golson/Binelli
Okongo/Njie/Randle

Everything is a crapshoot at this point. I’m liking what we are assembling in the front court though. Lots of size and options, plus the depth allows the younger guys to develop. Great job by Coach Heath so far.

I’ve been watching some of the highlight videos and I’ll join in on the way too early prediction on a starting lineup. First off, we are loaded with depth and pieces that are interchangeable.

1st Team
PG Luka
SG Scott
SG McBride
SF Golson
C Njie

2nd Team
G Spottsville/Clements
SG/SF Binelli
SF/C Randle
C Okongo

Lukas highlights are impressive because he shoots jump shots over defenders and also does the step back to create space. At 6’3”-6’4” he has the size but I still need to see if he has the quicks and the strength for the MAC. I believe Stan sees Luka as the former great KSU guard - Huffman. He could be a candidate for MAC freshman of the year with his deep range.

Scott-All MAC potential and should average 17-20 in uptempo structured offense

McBride - can he be consistent? There may be some games he leads the team in scoring and other games he may need to be a delegate. Needs to improve his strength.

Golson-nice size and strength. Should average 10-14 ppg. Does he have midrange game? Will play center most likely on some occasions when we play small ball.

NJie - nice player but in his film I didn’t see him play with passion and nastiness. Kind of reminds me of Tim Duncan style. He could be the MAN in two seasons. His great size and strength should propel him to immediate starter. Even as a freshman, should average 6-10 ppg and 7 rebounds.

Randle- love his energy and athleticism. Definitely a sub who will garner a lot of minutes . Avg 4-6 ppg, 3-5 rebounds, lead team in shot blocks.

Spottsville- love his strength, size, motor and tenacity. He doesn’t give up!! Sam could be right that he starts because of his defensive skill set and experience. If Heath can improve his FT and outside shooting, he could be the most improved from last season. Will he play with confidence???

Binelli-beaming with potential!! He’s a bit unknown because of covid19 season, injury, Murphy system etc. However he’s an unbelievable pure shooter. If the game is close, I don’t see him on the bench. If Heath runs Binelli off screens, he’ll have games where he could go off for 20 points. Can he play D? He’s not big enough to play C but he should get lots of pt.

Okongo - big, and strong but not explosive. Quickness? Since he has limited eligibility I don’t see him starting but providing a rest for NJie.

Clements - I love his motor, quicks, size and strength!!! He can get to the rim but he needs to develop consistent jump shooting over defenders. His body is D1 ready....at some point he’ll be much better than Spottsville. He could be a heckuva player if he develops outside shooting.

Ok this was just for fun obviously based on highlights.

EMU is a sleeping giant in basketball as coach Heath proclaimed. One of our big advantages is being so close to AA and UofM. It is going to be interesting to see how these youngsters perform against scrimmages with UofM this summer which has a team that may win the NCAA championship next season. That’s a recruiting tool that helps us by telling our players you’ll be going up against a national contender during the summer.

I hope Juwan will give us a 1 for 2 but probably not. Maybe Izzo will because of relationship with Stan.

I do predict the convo is going to be rocking this season!!! Ohio should come in ranked, rival Toled should get preseason accolades, Buffalo, BSU, BG should be really tough.

Let’s fix the schedule and get the convo rocking!!!

You got say 75 - 100K to donate so we can 'buy' a D-I game?

As we've said many said (re-phrased), "Money talks, and non-D-I games walk..."

We'll see if say Izzo will CHARITABLY do a 1 for 2 game with Stan. Normally schools don't like to give away say 250K or more by playing a game for friendship. 250K is an estimate of what MSU could net playing a no-name D-I opponent.

Don’t need the 75-100k....you’ve been fed a line by Murphy who padded his schedule with D3 for wins. Play the B1G away for money and then schedule home and home with Oakland, IUPUI, Cleveland St, UofD, etc

This is not rocket science. Watch Heath fix the schedule

Actually, is this a prediction or a recitation of history?

Virtually the ONLY D-I home games we get ARE home and homes.

UC-Irvine, Northeastern, UDM, Vermont, etc.

The serious question is: Take a MEAC school. Do they WANT a home and home (which sounds nice but does very little for their financial bottom line) OR do they want to play an away game for $75K - 100k?

A home and home sounds fair, great, etc. but does NOTHING for the bottom line. How much is the gate for an EMU home MBB game? Not much.

We might go on the road and collect 100K. We play an NAIA team at home for 10K. You do the math: 100k - 10k = 90K. I believe EMU MBB shoots for a goal of net revenues from their OOC games. Just like when you balance your checkbook. Want income to exceed expenses by X dollars. I also believe these dollars are shared with WBB. Think I was told that. Might have been by Murphy. There is very little revenue in mid-major WBB so they 'can't carry their own weight' in terms of revenues.

I was told a few years ago, bemoaning the lack of financial parity in MAC MBB. EMU is far behind schools like Toledo, UB, etc. I was told this by a member of the former staff. It should be NO surprise. Look at all of the butts in seats at TOL, UB, etc. and our empty seats.

Do the matt: Say 3K paying customers at $20 per game x 15 home games. Some MAC teams might net $1M home game for the season. We a small fraction of it.

Which school TOL or EMU can afford to write a couple 100K checks?

As far as 2021/2: Will any coaches give Heath a sweet heart deal? E.g., Izzo? Maybe a 1 for 2????

What kind of shape is the MBB budget in? Don't have a clue.

I think you have a 'conspiracy theory' view of scheduling.