I'm kind of petered out posting today, but I think we REALLY need to go through what the 2021/2 roster might look like (and not have it spread across multiple threads).

There are two obvious considerations:

1). We will lose a number of experienced players. No doubt.

2). We can bring back a bunch of 2020/1 SENIORS who are eligible for another year which do NOT count against our 13 scholarship limit.

Maybe someone can go through the roster that EMU has posted and try to guess who will be back and how many open scholarships we have. (Bottom of this post).

Any of these 2020/21 SENIOR players can come back and not count against our scholarship limit for 2021/2.

By my count, we only have 1 or 2 scholarship players who count against our 13 limit.

GUARD/FORWARD 6'5" 180 LBS
5
NOAH MORGAN
SENIOR MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. MOUNT VERNON NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE
FULL BIO
Hide/Show Additional Information For Noah Morgan
MBB_Darion Spottsville_2020HS
GUARD 6'3" 195 LBS
10
DARION SPOTTSVILLE
SENIOR PHOENIX, ARIZ. SHADOW MOUNTAIN SOUTH MOUNTAIN C.C.
FULL BIO
Hide/Show Additional Information For Darion Spottsville
MBB_Axel Okongo_2020HS
FORWARD 7'0" 245 LBS
15
AXEL OKONGO
SENIOR SAACY-SUR-MARNE, FRANCE THETFORD PREP ACADEMY (QUEBEC) MISSOURI
FULL BIO
Hide/Show Additional Information For Axel Okongo
MBB_Thomas Binelli_2020HS
FORWARD 6'10" 235 LBS
23
THOMAS BINELLI
SENIOR BOLOGNA, ITALY BERGEN CATHOLIC MONROE COLLEGE
FULL BIO
Hide/Show Additional Information For Thomas Binelli
MBB_Ty Groce_2020HS
FORWARD 6'8" 215 LBS
1
TY GROCE
REDSHIRT SENIOR YPSILANTI, MICH. LINCOLN
FULL BIO
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MBB_James Love_2020HS
FORWARD 6'11" 225 LBS
21
JAMES LOVE III
REDSHIRT SENIOR FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. AMERICAN HERITAGE KANSAS STATE
FULL BIO

https://emueagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2021-22

Oops, I posted this on the wrong thread. This is how I see the current depth chart...

PG 6-0 Lowder / ?
SG 6-3 Spottsville / ?
SF 6-5 Morgan / ?
PF 6-8 Ballard / 6-10 Binelli
C 7-0 Okongo / 6-11 Love

(04-12-2021 02:28 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Oops, I posted this on the wrong thread. This is how I see the current depth chart...

PG 6-0 Lowder / ?
SG 6-3 Spottsville / ?
SF 6-5 Morgan / ?
PF 6-8 Ballard / 6-10 Binelli
C 7-0 Okongo / 6-11 Love

And if I'm not wrong, only Lowder and Ballard counts against the 13 NCAA limit. Everyone else was a 2020/1 senior and get an extra year which doesn't count against scholarship limits.

Might add that Groce would be in the same situation if he wants to come back.

BTW, the scuttlebutt in recruiting circles is many of those 1,300 in the portal will make their way back to their former schools.

Have never been fan of jc players other to fill a hole. they are not something you can build a team around. They learned to bad habits playing jc ball. To much one on one offense (as we have seen) and swipe at the ball defense (again what we have seen).

(04-12-2021 03:04 PM)emussuperfan Wrote:  Have never been fan of jc players other to fill a hole. they are not something you can build a team around. They learned to bad habits playing jc ball. To much one on one offense (as we have seen) and swipe at the ball defense (again what we have seen).

True.

If I were to guess maybe 15 players:

1) 5 returnees, Guess players like Lowder, Binelli, Morgan, etc. I wouldn't write off Groce until we are really sure.

2). 5 transfer portals, esp grad transfers with 2 years,

3). 5 high school/prep school players, depending what is left to be recruited.

This year a coaching staff who knows JUCO players might steal one or two. Should be a lot of 'hidden gems' out there being overlooked.

(04-12-2021 02:34 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 02:28 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Oops, I posted this on the wrong thread. This is how I see the current depth chart...

PG 6-0 Lowder / ?
SG 6-3 Spottsville / ?
SF 6-5 Morgan / ?
PF 6-8 Ballard / 6-10 Binelli
C 7-0 Okongo / 6-11 Love

And if I'm not wrong, only Lowder and Ballard counts against the 13 NCAA limit. Everyone else was a 2020/1 senior and get an extra year which doesn't count against scholarship limits.

Might add that Groce would be in the same situation if he wants to come back.

BTW, the scuttlebutt in recruiting circles is many of those 1,300 in the portal will make their way back to their former schools.

Ballard could always revert to walk-on status as well.

(04-12-2021 03:59 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 02:34 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 02:28 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Oops, I posted this on the wrong thread. This is how I see the current depth chart...

PG 6-0 Lowder / ?
SG 6-3 Spottsville / ?
SF 6-5 Morgan / ?
PF 6-8 Ballard / 6-10 Binelli
C 7-0 Okongo / 6-11 Love

And if I'm not wrong, only Lowder and Ballard counts against the 13 NCAA limit. Everyone else was a 2020/1 senior and get an extra year which doesn't count against scholarship limits.

Might add that Groce would be in the same situation if he wants to come back.

BTW, the scuttlebutt in recruiting circles is many of those 1,300 in the portal will make their way back to their former schools.

Ballard could always revert to walk-on status as well.

True. This roster is as close to a blank slate as one will find with all of those super seniors, the overflowing transfer portal, etc.

Heath can do whatever he wants with the roster...

According to this quote, normally 13 scholarship players. No limit on walk-ons.

Because of the super senior scholarship year, we could go way over 13. I assume Heath could go as high as upper teens, if he wanted (but PT would be a huge problem).

" In college, the NCAA does not enforce roster size at the Division I level, though there is a limit of 13 scholarship players per school at once, with no limit on the number of walk-ons."

(04-12-2021 04:58 PM)emu steve Wrote:  According to this quote, normally 13 scholarship players. No limit on walk-ons.

Because of the super senior scholarship year, we could go way over 13. I assume Heath could go as high as upper teens, if he wanted (but PT would be a huge problem).

" In college, the NCAA does not enforce roster size at the Division I level, though there is a limit of 13 scholarship players per school at once, with no limit on the number of walk-ons."

I think there may be a limit to how much EMU wants to pay. For example, the institution has to pay the cost of attendance for the Super Seniors. Would we pay for 13 scholarships, and then 4 more 5th/6th year returnees? I don't know what our budget would be for such things.

(04-12-2021 05:15 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 04:58 PM)emu steve Wrote:  According to this quote, normally 13 scholarship players. No limit on walk-ons.

Because of the super senior scholarship year, we could go way over 13. I assume Heath could go as high as upper teens, if he wanted (but PT would be a huge problem).

" In college, the NCAA does not enforce roster size at the Division I level, though there is a limit of 13 scholarship players per school at once, with no limit on the number of walk-ons."

I think there may be a limit to how much EMU wants to pay. For example, the institution has to pay the cost of attendance for the Super Seniors. Would we pay for 13 scholarships, and then 4 more 5th/6th year returnees? I don't know what our budget would be for such things.

Those costs are largely internal, we are not talking about "real" money. Yes a credit hour at EMU costs $450 but that money flows from the athletic department to academics, affecting zero change to the University financial position in reality.

(04-12-2021 06:32 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 05:15 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 04:58 PM)emu steve Wrote:  According to this quote, normally 13 scholarship players. No limit on walk-ons.

Because of the super senior scholarship year, we could go way over 13. I assume Heath could go as high as upper teens, if he wanted (but PT would be a huge problem).

" In college, the NCAA does not enforce roster size at the Division I level, though there is a limit of 13 scholarship players per school at once, with no limit on the number of walk-ons."

I think there may be a limit to how much EMU wants to pay. For example, the institution has to pay the cost of attendance for the Super Seniors. Would we pay for 13 scholarships, and then 4 more 5th/6th year returnees? I don't know what our budget would be for such things.

Those costs are largely internal, we are not talking about "real" money. Yes a credit hour at EMU costs $450 but that money flows from the athletic department to academics, affecting zero change to the University financial position in reality.

Gotcha. Well, then I hope we have a roster of 18 next year.

Jerry, that is a very good point on tuition. But there are also expenses of room and board as part of the full ride, as well as travel costs, etc, that would still impact budget significantly. So maybe the truth is somewhere between your and Bovine points.

(04-12-2021 06:32 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 05:15 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-12-2021 04:58 PM)emu steve Wrote:  According to this quote, normally 13 scholarship players. No limit on walk-ons.

Because of the super senior scholarship year, we could go way over 13. I assume Heath could go as high as upper teens, if he wanted (but PT would be a huge problem).

" In college, the NCAA does not enforce roster size at the Division I level, though there is a limit of 13 scholarship players per school at once, with no limit on the number of walk-ons."

I think there may be a limit to how much EMU wants to pay. For example, the institution has to pay the cost of attendance for the Super Seniors. Would we pay for 13 scholarships, and then 4 more 5th/6th year returnees? I don't know what our budget would be for such things.

Those costs are largely internal, we are not talking about "real" money. Yes a credit hour at EMU costs $450 but that money flows from the athletic department to academics, affecting zero change to the University financial position in reality.

True. But each unit has a budget with dollar amounts. Student tuition is a line item in their fund. With the drop in University revenue (enrollment is down, no payday games, no rentals to outside groups) then any increased cost will need to be offset within that unit. So, if athletics is going to spend more on scholarships, then they will need to cut something.

BTW, I believe EMU "owes it" to each current player to offer then an opportunity to come back if that is his wish. They signed on to be part of EMU MBB and if they think continuing to play here with a different coach is in their best interest, so be it.

As others have suggested, our offense and defense will look very different next year. Someone who did not like the 2020/21 offense and defense (feel like a square peg in a round hole) then 2021/22 is a different ball game completely.

I could see us going up to say 14 or 15 scholarship, to not bust the budget.

I have never been good with faces, but I feel like I saw Ty Groce in a couple of the videos released (one when Coach Heath is talking to players, and another in which some players are walking past President Smith). Are you guys seeing this too? Is he effectively still on the team?

(04-13-2021 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I have never been good with faces, but I feel like I saw Ty Groce in a couple of the videos released (one when Coach Heath is talking to players, and another in which some players are walking past President Smith). Are you guys seeing this too? Is he effectively still on the team?

I thought I saw him sitting in the front row when Heath addressed the team.

(04-13-2021 09:53 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I have never been good with faces, but I feel like I saw Ty Groce in a couple of the videos released (one when Coach Heath is talking to players, and another in which some players are walking past President Smith). Are you guys seeing this too? Is he effectively still on the team?

I thought I saw him sitting in the front row when Heath addressed the team.

I don't know anything, but I think we are well advised to cool our powder and let things play out. I believe the semester still has a couple weeks left. Our players have time to make their decisions.

The only ones I would count out are those who are definitely left for another school (e.g., JUCO) or the 'pros.'

We are in times where nothing is set in concrete.

(04-13-2021 10:13 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 09:53 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I have never been good with faces, but I feel like I saw Ty Groce in a couple of the videos released (one when Coach Heath is talking to players, and another in which some players are walking past President Smith). Are you guys seeing this too? Is he effectively still on the team?

I thought I saw him sitting in the front row when Heath addressed the team.

I don't know anything, but I think we are well advised to cool our powder and let things play out. I believe the semester still has a couple weeks left. Our players have time to make their decisions.

The only ones I would count out are those who are definitely left for another school (e.g., JUCO) or the 'pros.'

We are in times where nothing is set in concrete.

Of course. It’s just nice to know he was there.

I don’t really expect him to come back, for various reasons. But he is here now supporting the program when he doesn’t have to be, and I think that is pretty cool.

(04-13-2021 10:34 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 10:13 PM)emu steve Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 09:53 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(04-13-2021 09:52 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  I have never been good with faces, but I feel like I saw Ty Groce in a couple of the videos released (one when Coach Heath is talking to players, and another in which some players are walking past President Smith). Are you guys seeing this too? Is he effectively still on the team?

I thought I saw him sitting in the front row when Heath addressed the team.

I don't know anything, but I think we are well advised to cool our powder and let things play out. I believe the semester still has a couple weeks left. Our players have time to make their decisions.

The only ones I would count out are those who are definitely left for another school (e.g., JUCO) or the 'pros.'

We are in times where nothing is set in concrete.

Of course. It’s just nice to know he was there.

I don’t really expect him to come back, for various reasons. But he is here now supporting the program when he doesn’t have to be, and I think that is pretty cool.

What we need to remember is that some of these players have been around many years. Some may not want to work on a PhD while completing their athletic eligibility.

As we know, esp. from FB, some just decide it is time to get on with life. Some don't want to be in college for say six years.

Good read for those who can access it. Tony says we have 4 players in the transfer portal including Groce and McBride.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...203153002/

I count 5 (?). 4 remaining with one committed elsewhere.

2 SG
Chris Barnes
RS SR
6-4
205 Yes Eastern Michigan
2 SF
Miles Gibson
RS JR
6-6
198 Yes Eastern Michigan
2 SF
Ty Groce
RS SR
6-8
212 Yes Eastern Michigan
2 PG
Chris James
SO
6-2
170 Eastern Michigan College of Southern Idaho
2 PG
Bryce McBride
JR
6-2
178 Eastern Michigan