75-61 final. Some good things, some bad. Bryant and Sims played very well. Glen had a double double.

We head into MAC play at .500. Ball State comes to town on wednesday.

(01-05-2013 03:41 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Chad Bush just said that Ray Lee might play again this season. Depends on how he adjusts after the cast comes off.

:)

We need an offensive weapon.

(01-05-2013 02:52 PM)holybovine Wrote:  Murphy is a one-trick pony: Teacher of the sometimes pesky 2-3 zone. Everything else appears suspect. His offense has no shape or form. Turnovers and missed free throws abound. His recruiting is limited to transfers, felons, or both.

His 2-3 can give the uninitiated trouble, but if that doesn't work, he has no answer.

Amen. His 2-3 zone and offensive ineptitude will never work against good teams, so unless your goal is to eek out wins against bad teams, this season is absolutely pointless.

(01-05-2013 04:04 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 02:52 PM)holybovine Wrote:  Murphy is a one-trick pony: Teacher of the sometimes pesky 2-3 zone. Everything else appears suspect. His offense has no shape or form. Turnovers and missed free throws abound. His recruiting is limited to transfers, felons, or both.

His 2-3 can give the uninitiated trouble, but if that doesn't work, he has no answer.

Amen. His 2-3 zone and offensive ineptitude will never work against good teams, so unless your goal is to eek out wins against bad teams, this season is absolutely pointless.

That made little sense. Do you really believe their goal is to "eek out wins against bad teams"? I understand that you're a disgruntled fan, and you have some legitimate complaints (just like we all do), but saying the season is pointless when conference play hasn't even started yet is ridiculous.

Dear EagleSam,
First of all, this is the most points Eastern has scored in weeks. I think Bob Wickersham has a point. This team appears not ready for prime time. Eastern keeps doing the same thing they have been doing for weeks, and can you honestly say there has been improvement? That's what I have been watching for and hoping for, but with each passing game they appear to be worse instead of better. I'll admit to everyone on this board if I am wrong, but I can't see this team achieving anything this season.

...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

What were your expectations before the season started?

(01-05-2013 05:31 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  What were your expectations before the season started?

A MAC title contender. A team that could beat Oakland at home. A team that didn't consistently get blown out by mediocrities on the road.

The Oakland game and the Illinois Chicago game are the only two I can agree with you on. Those were incredibly disappointing games.

Are you insinuating that UMass is mediocre? They're a pretty darn good team. I can't imagine you expected to win that game, even before the season.

As for the MAC title contender comment, that still remains to be seen, since we haven't played a MAC game yet.

But maybe your expectations were too high. Maybe all of ours were, especially without Lee, who's probably our most talented player.

(01-05-2013 05:08 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

The definition of insanity is scheduling Syracuse, Michigan and Kentucky. (when is the last time we've beaten teams ranked in the top 10 or reigning national champion?).

Hopefulness is expecting to beat a bunch of ordinary MAC opponents.

This year's schedule is like the statistician joke (about feeling average):

The statistician has his head in the freezer and feet in the oven and says, on average, I feel fine.

This year's OOC schedule has had a bunch of small dogs and big dogs.

EMU is neither. So many games weren't competitive and many were blowouts...

(01-05-2013 05:55 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  The Oakland game and the Illinois Chicago game are the only two I can agree with you on. Those were incredibly disappointing games.

Are you insinuating that UMass is mediocre? They're a pretty darn good team. I can't imagine you expected to win that game, even before the season.

As for the MAC title contender comment, that still remains to be seen, since we haven't played a MAC game yet.

But maybe your expectations were too high. Maybe all of ours were, especially without Lee, who's probably our most talented player.

The Oakland and UIC games are the only true barometer games we've played, and we lost them both. I expected to lose to UMass on the road, but I also expected a competitive game.

I don't see how you can seriously entertain the idea that we are a MAC contender. Would you say the same thing about Toledo? They were preseason darlings, too, and they haven't played a conference game either. Do you think they're ready to take on Akron, Kent State, Ohio, et al.? We certainly aren't.

If the loss of a true freshman ruins your season, then your program is built upon sand.

Because Ohio and Akron have been so dominant? They all have their own questionable losses. Do I think we'll win the MAC? No. Do I think it's completely out of the realm of possibility? No, the MAC isn't that good.

You probably thought the exact same thing last year (that we "certainly aren't" ready to face kent, Ohio, etc.), yet we ended up beating Ohio by double figures and losing to kent on a late randal holt 3. Not saying we will do the same this year...just that I'm not ready to throw in the towel on the season like many of you.

And where did I say the loss of Lee "ruined our season"? I just implied that his injury hurt the team, which it has. Even so, your statement is incredibly flawed, seeing how many teams have true freshmen as key players, sometimes carrying the team. I guess they are all built on sand too.

Dear EagleSam,
Okay, let's wait until Eastern plays a couple of MAC games. If, they lose them, and I don't care if it's by a point, I think you will come around to the fact that this is a bad basketball team. If, Eastern wins them, then I will agree that they may be as good as last years team.
My expectations for this years team were sky high. I thought Coach Murphy was bringing in some good players that would certainly be better than last year. I thought that because of the turmoil at Central those were two sure wins. I thought the same with Western, but now I wouldn't hold my breath on them. Injuries can hurt a team, but this is one player, you mean we have no one to fill those shoes?
One last point. After Eastern lost the first two football games of the season, I knew we were in for some tough sledding, after the fifth loss I knew the season was over. Now I know this is just my feeling, but we have lost games we should not have, and we are going down that slippery slope again.

(01-05-2013 05:56 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:08 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

The definition of insanity is scheduling Syracuse, Michigan and Kentucky. (when is the last time we've beaten teams ranked in the top 10 or reigning national champion?).

Hopefulness is expecting to beat a bunch of ordinary MAC opponents.

This year's schedule is like the statistician joke (about feeling average):

The statistician has his head in the freezer and feet in the oven and says, on average, I feel fine.

This year's OOC schedule has had a bunch of small dogs and big dogs.

EMU is neither. So many games weren't competitive and many were blowouts...

Not ONE person expected EMU to beat Syracuse, Michigan, Kentucky, or even UMass (the bar is really low for EMU fans). However, everyone SHOULD expect the team to be reasonably competitive and not a complete joke. When Rochester College, Madonna, and Siena Heights are more competitive with us then we are with our fellow D1 competitors, then there is a problem.

It is not insane to schedule tough opponents when we also schedule a handful of cupcakes too (the Iceman Classic anyone?). Let's not forget, this is a team that lost to that juggernaut Jacksonville State, of whom no one even knows what conference they belong to.

If Steve had his way, he would have a non-conference slate consisting of; Madonna, Rochester, Cornerstone, Cleary College, Schoolcraft College, Ladywood High School, and Michigan School for the Blind...nothing like aiming high.

(01-05-2013 02:30 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  Some bench guy for UMass can't miss from 3 right now. Down 9 all of a sudden.

That's Freddie Riley. He had a very good freshmen year and then a shooting and death in his home town area among other things got him down. He has been play much better his senior year. He can be a streaky shooter. Many love him and some do not. He went from terrible no defense to being a good defensive player, but a tad slow for really fast teams. We have his thread alive with over 56k views.
Link to Freddie thread

Cheer up, DK, our coach had two bad seasons before he figured things out. New head coaches need some time to develope into the role. Take care and good luck this season.

(01-05-2013 05:56 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:08 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

Oh please! You and I go through every year. Who do you want us to play we already had 3 non D1 teams a lot of good that did us! False expectations are worse than real failures!

The definition of insanity is scheduling Syracuse, Michigan and Kentucky. (when is the last time we've beaten teams ranked in the top 10 or reigning national champion?).

Hopefulness is expecting to beat a bunch of ordinary MAC opponents.

This year's schedule is like the statistician joke (about feeling average):

The statistician has his head in the freezer and feet in the oven and says, on average, I feel fine.

This year's OOC schedule has had a bunch of small dogs and big dogs.

EMU is neither. So many games weren't competitive and many were blowouts...

(01-05-2013 08:18 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:56 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:08 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

The definition of insanity is scheduling Syracuse, Michigan and Kentucky. (when is the last time we've beaten teams ranked in the top 10 or reigning national champion?).

Hopefulness is expecting to beat a bunch of ordinary MAC opponents.

This year's schedule is like the statistician joke (about feeling average):

The statistician has his head in the freezer and feet in the oven and says, on average, I feel fine.

This year's OOC schedule has had a bunch of small dogs and big dogs.

EMU is neither. So many games weren't competitive and many were blowouts...

Not ONE person expected EMU to beat Syracuse, Michigan, Kentucky, or even UMass (the bar is really low for EMU fans). However, everyone SHOULD expect the team to be reasonably competitive and not a complete joke. When Rochester College, Madonna, and Siena Heights are more competitive with us then we are with our fellow D1 competitors, then there is a problem.

It is not insane to schedule tough opponents when we also schedule a handful of cupcakes too (the Iceman Classic anyone?). Let's not forget, this is a team that lost to that juggernaut Jacksonville State, of whom no one even knows what conference they belong to.

If Steve had his way, he would have a non-conference slate consisting of; Madonna, Rochester, Cornerstone, Cleary College, Schoolcraft College, Ladywood High School, and Michigan School for the Blind...nothing like aiming high.

You MIScharacterized my comments and completely MISSED my point.

Playing a schedule of games which are either TOO TOUGH or TOO EASY is a bad schedule. Playing Siena Heights and Madonna doesn't compensate for playing too many top ten teams.

Playing Syracuse, Kentucky, Michigan, Siena Heights, Madonna, etc. isn't a well balanced schedule.

(01-05-2013 06:17 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:55 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  The Oakland game and the Illinois Chicago game are the only two I can agree with you on. Those were incredibly disappointing games.

Are you insinuating that UMass is mediocre? They're a pretty darn good team. I can't imagine you expected to win that game, even before the season.

As for the MAC title contender comment, that still remains to be seen, since we haven't played a MAC game yet.

But maybe your expectations were too high. Maybe all of ours were, especially without Lee, who's probably our most talented player.

The Oakland and UIC games are the only true barometer games we've played, and we lost them both. I expected to lose to UMass on the road, but I also expected a competitive game.

Purdue game had no meaning? First B1G win since 1990s.

Of those THREE games, one was a stunning win (Purdue), one was a stunning loss (UIC) and one was a nail biter (Oakland).

(01-05-2013 11:42 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 08:18 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:56 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 05:08 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  

(01-05-2013 04:37 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  ...again, we haven't played a conference game yet. We were far worse in the non conference last year (losing to the likes of Colgate) and still managed to do well in the MAC.

I'd like to know what your expectations were for this season...

Come on Sam! What's the definition of insanity? Why would anyone think that EMU is going to suddenly shoot better from the field and the FT line, handle the ball better, rebound better, pass better and play smarter basketball? What exactly does this team do well? I know you've never seen EMU when they were a good team, but it wasn't THAT long ago! The best we can hope for is some ugly wins against some bad teams. I wish I was wrong but I know I'm not.

The definition of insanity is scheduling Syracuse, Michigan and Kentucky. (when is the last time we've beaten teams ranked in the top 10 or reigning national champion?).

Hopefulness is expecting to beat a bunch of ordinary MAC opponents.

This year's schedule is like the statistician joke (about feeling average):

The statistician has his head in the freezer and feet in the oven and says, on average, I feel fine.

This year's OOC schedule has had a bunch of small dogs and big dogs.

EMU is neither. So many games weren't competitive and many were blowouts...

Not ONE person expected EMU to beat Syracuse, Michigan, Kentucky, or even UMass (the bar is really low for EMU fans). However, everyone SHOULD expect the team to be reasonably competitive and not a complete joke. When Rochester College, Madonna, and Siena Heights are more competitive with us then we are with our fellow D1 competitors, then there is a problem.

It is not insane to schedule tough opponents when we also schedule a handful of cupcakes too (the Iceman Classic anyone?). Let's not forget, this is a team that lost to that juggernaut Jacksonville State, of whom no one even knows what conference they belong to.

If Steve had his way, he would have a non-conference slate consisting of; Madonna, Rochester, Cornerstone, Cleary College, Schoolcraft College, Ladywood High School, and Michigan School for the Blind...nothing like aiming high.

You MIScharacterized my comments and completely MISSED my point.

Playing a schedule of games which are either TOO TOUGH or TOO EASY is a bad schedule. Playing Siena Heights and Madonna doesn't compensate for playing too many top ten teams.

Playing Syracuse, Kentucky, Michigan, Siena Heights, Madonna, etc. isn't a well balanced schedule.

This I agree with 100%.