So I did not want to take too much time from Coach Heath, but I did get some questions in. And he was amazing to have answered them:

1) He is still trying to fill out the roster with 3-4 more guys particularly in the front line.

2) He is very excited in particular about having McBride back. And feels strong about Spottsville as well.

3) He believes Luca will be able to contribute as well. Though having played overseas may be a bit of an unknown how he transitions to this style of play. He is also excited about Randle, but believes he may need some time to develop.

3) He said to “keep an eye on” Golson as he will be a talented Power Forward.

4) He is also excited about having Scott come in as a fifth year senior. He said he was successful everywhere he went so far. Can play the 1,2, or 3.

5) I then asked who would be starting Small Forward if he had to select today. He responded that he definitely does not have that guy yet, he is still looking for a 6-6 wing. But if he does not find that, he is confident with playing a 3-guard offense given the players he currently has on roster or coming in.

6) He said he was just talking with his staff today about whether Ballard was a Power Forward or a Center. At only 6-8/6-9, he still likes to play with his back to the basket while also having some range too. So may alternate based on game needs and if can get him some help around the basket.

7) I totally neglected to ask about Okongo and Clements.(Sorry) EDIT: I also forgot to ask about Rice- I suck as a reporter

8) I congratulated him on having hired such an impressive coaching staff, and so quickly. He was also pleased with the staff he brought in. Simon is a known as they have a history of working well together.. He was impressed with Trice having coached against him at Temple- and felt it was important to bring someone who was from here knew southeast Michigan. Tom Izzo personally recommended Denisco- and Heath felt his special skills in technology is extremely important in today’s game.

Great info and questions, Ramy! Much appreciated.

Can’t wait to see how the rest of the roster shakes out.

(05-17-2021 04:23 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  So I did not want to take too much time from Coach Heath, but I did get some questions in. And he was amazing to have answered them:

1) He is still trying to fill out the roster with 3-4 more guys particularly in the front line.

2) He is very excited in particular about having McBride back. And feels strong about Spottsville as well.

3) He believes Luca will be able to contribute as well. Though having played overseas may be a bit of an unknown how he transitions to this style of play. He is also excited about Randle, but believes he may need some time to develop.

3) He said to “keep an eye on” Golson as he will be a talented Power Forward.

4) He is also excited about having Scott come in as a fifth year senior. He said he was successful everywhere he went so far. Can play the 1,2, or 3.

5) I then asked who would be starting Small Forward if he had to select today. He responded that he definitely does not have that guy yet, he is still looking for a 6-6 wing. But if he does not find that, he is confident with playing a 3-guard offense given the players he currently has on roster or coming in.

6) He said he was just talking with his staff today about whether Ballard was a Power Forward or a Center. At only 6-8/6-9, he still likes to play with his back to the basket while also having some range too. So may alternate based on game needs and if can get him some help around the basket.

7) I totally neglected to ask about Okongo and Clements.(Sorry) EDIT: I also forgot to ask about Rice- I suck as a reporter

8) I congratulated him on having hired such an impressive coaching staff, and so quickly. He was also pleased with the staff he brought in. Simon is a known as they have a history of working well together.. He was impressed with Trice having coached against him at Temple- and felt it was important to bring someone who was from here knew southeast Michigan. Tom Izzo personally recommended Denisco- and Heath felt his special skills in technology is extremely important in today’s game.

This is wonderful Ramy! I can’t believe you had a chance to ask questions — really positive information. Well done.

Honestly I’m kind of surprised about Spottsville — I was half expecting him to transfer. I’m glad he’ll be around. He has experience running offense and doesn’t get rattled.

(05-17-2021 04:23 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  So I did not want to take too much time from Coach Heath, but I did get some questions in. And he was amazing to have answered them:

1) He is still trying to fill out the roster with 3-4 more guys particularly in the front line.

2) He is very excited in particular about having McBride back. And feels strong about Spottsville as well.

3) He believes Luca will be able to contribute as well. Though having played overseas may be a bit of an unknown how he transitions to this style of play. He is also excited about Randle, but believes he may need some time to develop.

3) He said to “keep an eye on” Golson as he will be a talented Power Forward.

4) He is also excited about having Scott come in as a fifth year senior. He said he was successful everywhere he went so far. Can play the 1,2, or 3.

5) I then asked who would be starting Small Forward if he had to select today. He responded that he definitely does not have that guy yet, he is still looking for a 6-6 wing. But if he does not find that, he is confident with playing a 3-guard offense given the players he currently has on roster or coming in.

6) He said he was just talking with his staff today about whether Ballard was a Power Forward or a Center. At only 6-8/6-9, he still likes to play with his back to the basket while also having some range too. So may alternate based on game needs and if can get him some help around the basket.

7) I totally neglected to ask about Okongo and Clements.(Sorry) EDIT: I also forgot to ask about Rice- I suck as a reporter

8) I congratulated him on having hired such an impressive coaching staff, and so quickly. He was also pleased with the staff he brought in. Simon is a known as they have a history of working well together.. He was impressed with Trice having coached against him at Temple- and felt it was important to bring someone who was from here knew southeast Michigan. Tom Izzo personally recommended Denisco- and Heath felt his special skills in technology is extremely important in today’s game.

Maybe a newspaper will let you write a guest column. You certainly asked the questions and got the scoop.

(05-17-2021 05:55 PM)holybovine Wrote:  This is wonderful Ramy! I can’t believe you had a chance to ask questions — really positive information. Well done.

Honestly I’m kind of surprised about Spottsville — I was half expecting him to transfer. I’m glad he’ll be around. He has experience running offense and doesn’t get rattled.

Spottsville has 2 Achilles heals: poor outside shooting (9.1% on 3s last two years) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.26 over last two years). So it seems hard to start him as either a Shooting Guard or a Point Guard. But his overall shooting percentage is efficient at 46.3% and he averages 2.2 assists in only 23.1 minutes (in Murphy’s offense, nonetheless). And of course he is a bruiser defensively and create his own shot when he becomes determined. So I would like to see him come off the bench- but will be very valuable to make things happen offensively/defensively when the game is not going well.

But yes, I agree. I was surprised Heath was as high as he was about Spottsville.

Thanks Ramy great info!

(05-17-2021 09:26 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(05-17-2021 05:55 PM)holybovine Wrote:  This is wonderful Ramy! I can’t believe you had a chance to ask questions — really positive information. Well done.

Honestly I’m kind of surprised about Spottsville — I was half expecting him to transfer. I’m glad he’ll be around. He has experience running offense and doesn’t get rattled.

Spottsville has 2 Achilles heals: poor outside shooting (9.1% on 3s last two years) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.26 over last two years). So it seems hard to start him as either a Shooting Guard or a Point Guard. But his overall shooting percentage is efficient at 46.3% and he averages 2.2 assists in only 23.1 minutes (in Murphy’s offense, nonetheless). And of course he is a bruiser defensively and create his own shot when he becomes determined. So I would like to see him come off the bench- but will be very valuable to make things happen offensively/defensively when the game is not going well.

But yes, I agree. I was surprised Heath was as high as he was about Spottsville.

You hit the nail on the head with defense. Spottsville is a tall, strong point guard that I think has potential to overwhelm MAC PG’s in a m2m defense. There’s always value in having a guy like that, even if we sometimes play 4 on 5 on offense when he’s out there. He has shown that he can punish teams that didn’t do their homework with his drives to the basket, however. I think the right coach can get the most out of him.

Thanks for the post Ramy, it was very insightful.

Bye the way I briefly talked to Pops Lowder last evening. Drew is headed to Georgia Southern, his third school in as many years. While his family lives in Jackson, this kid was a star at AA Pioneer High and to me had a ton of potential to be the same at EMU as well. I am extremely disappointed that he is leaving.

That said, his father who was disturbed about the situations apparently had a conversation with Coach Heath recently and his outlook dramatically changed.

He told me that Stan explained the "need to change the culture" and he understood why he took whatever position he did with existing players. He was effusive in his praise of our new coach, a juxtaposition that indeed left me baffled.

At the end of the day, I am becoming a "Stan Fan". I don't want to get too granular about details, but when an outgoing transfer is extolling your virtues as a coach, that can only be a GREAT thing for your program.

(05-21-2021 07:08 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Thanks for the post Ramy, it was very insightful.

Bye the way I briefly talked to Pops Lowder last evening. Drew is headed to Georgia Southern, his third school in as many years. While his family lives in Jackson, this kid was a star at AA Pioneer High and to me had a ton of potential to be the same at EMU as well. I am extremely disappointed that he is leaving.

That said, his father who was disturbed about the situations apparently had a conversation with Coach Heath recently and his outlook dramatically changed.

He told me that Stan explained the "need to change the culture" and he understood why he took whatever position he did with existing players. He was effusive in his praise of our new coach, a juxtaposition that indeed left me baffled.

At the end of the day, I am becoming a "Stan Fan". I don't want to get too granular about details, but when an outgoing transfer is extolling your virtues as a coach, that can only be a GREAT thing for your program.

So are you really saying that the kid was cut from the program?

Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

(05-21-2021 08:39 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 07:08 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Thanks for the post Ramy, it was very insightful.

Bye the way I briefly talked to Pops Lowder last evening. Drew is headed to Georgia Southern, his third school in as many years. While his family lives in Jackson, this kid was a star at AA Pioneer High and to me had a ton of potential to be the same at EMU as well. I am extremely disappointed that he is leaving.

That said, his father who was disturbed about the situations apparently had a conversation with Coach Heath recently and his outlook dramatically changed.

He told me that Stan explained the "need to change the culture" and he understood why he took whatever position he did with existing players. He was effusive in his praise of our new coach, a juxtaposition that indeed left me baffled.

At the end of the day, I am becoming a "Stan Fan". I don't want to get too granular about details, but when an outgoing transfer is extolling your virtues as a coach, that can only be a GREAT thing for your program.

So are you really saying that the kid was cut from the program?

You can change the culture without changing the entire roster or cutting players, CC has proven that his first two seasons here.

(05-22-2021 08:28 AM)emu79 Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 08:39 PM)TheWoodenNickle Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 07:08 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  Thanks for the post Ramy, it was very insightful.

Bye the way I briefly talked to Pops Lowder last evening. Drew is headed to Georgia Southern, his third school in as many years. While his family lives in Jackson, this kid was a star at AA Pioneer High and to me had a ton of potential to be the same at EMU as well. I am extremely disappointed that he is leaving.

That said, his father who was disturbed about the situations apparently had a conversation with Coach Heath recently and his outlook dramatically changed.

He told me that Stan explained the "need to change the culture" and he understood why he took whatever position he did with existing players. He was effusive in his praise of our new coach, a juxtaposition that indeed left me baffled.

At the end of the day, I am becoming a "Stan Fan". I don't want to get too granular about details, but when an outgoing transfer is extolling your virtues as a coach, that can only be a GREAT thing for your program.

So are you really saying that the kid was cut from the program?

You can change the culture without changing the entire roster or cutting players, CC has proven that his first two seasons here.

I don't disagree.

That said, perhaps Coach Heath laid down guidelines that Lowder, Binelli and others found unacceptable, while McBride and Spottsville did not.

I'm a diehard EMU fan, while I was not a Heath guy, I DESPERATELY want him to succeed. I was extremely comforted by the fact that he apparently took the time to assuage a transfer father's concerns thus causing a 180 degree in his attitude.

Pretty smart as well, Tre Lowder is the Principal at Ann Arbor Pioneer High!

Bye the way Stan was at the EMU football golf outing today. Nice touch. It helps when your coach does not maintain a principle residence in the state of New York.

(05-21-2021 10:08 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

Update:

Drew apparently got pushed off his musical chair by another transfer at GSU. He is visiting other schools this week and has a meeting with Heath this week as well.

I don't want to get too granular, but Pops Lowder is sanguine with Heath's actions here and that makes me extremely happy!

(06-11-2021 06:47 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 10:08 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

Update:

Drew apparently got pushed off his musical chair by another transfer at GSU. He is visiting other schools this week and has a meeting with Heath this week as well.

I don't want to get too granular, but Pops Lowder is sanguine with Heath's actions here and that makes me extremely happy!

So Drew could be back. That would fill our last scholarship.

(06-11-2021 07:14 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 06:47 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 10:08 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

Update:

Drew apparently got pushed off his musical chair by another transfer at GSU. He is visiting other schools this week and has a meeting with Heath this week as well.

I don't want to get too granular, but Pops Lowder is sanguine with Heath's actions here and that makes me extremely happy!

So Drew could be back. That would fill our last scholarship.

Is this the best situation for Lowder given how many guards are in rotation with the recent additions?

(06-11-2021 08:04 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 07:14 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 06:47 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 10:08 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

Update:

Drew apparently got pushed off his musical chair by another transfer at GSU. He is visiting other schools this week and has a meeting with Heath this week as well.

I don't want to get too granular, but Pops Lowder is sanguine with Heath's actions here and that makes me extremely happy!

So Drew could be back. That would fill our last scholarship.

Is this the best situation for Lowder given how many guards are in rotation with the recent additions?

Well right now he does not have a home. The transfer relaxation is indeed a double edged sword. Entering the portal is easy and "makes a statement", unfortunately the portal is an ocean of similar prospects and offers zero guarantee of personal improvement. Drew may be in the position of desperately interviewing to renew his EMU scholarship or playing D2 basketball. That's life.

He has got 3 years left of eligibility, lots of talent and is a local guy however. Based on what I have been told, Drew did not react well to the new academic regimen of the pandemic, thus he is not in a good situation.

Pure speculation, but my guess is Luka will start over Drew in all of those 3 remaining season. That is why I am suggesting returning to EMU may not be the best situation for him. But I will be glad to see a backup PG of his caliber. We’ll see how this shakes out.

(06-12-2021 05:09 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 08:04 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 07:14 PM)emu79 Wrote:  

(06-11-2021 06:47 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 10:08 PM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Hmmm, this whole thing has me baffled. Sorry to see Lowder leave as well- we were all pretty hyped on him before the start of the season. Did not pan out as expected, but still thought he had a lot to offer- especially with a coach focused on offense. I am surprised/disappointed by the whole situation.

At least he found a nice landing spot. Georgia Southern seems to have strong fan support. (Remember when they took over our board when EMU played them in football?)

Update:

Drew apparently got pushed off his musical chair by another transfer at GSU. He is visiting other schools this week and has a meeting with Heath this week as well.

I don't want to get too granular, but Pops Lowder is sanguine with Heath's actions here and that makes me extremely happy!

So Drew could be back. That would fill our last scholarship.

Is this the best situation for Lowder given how many guards are in rotation with the recent additions?

Well right now he does not have a home. The transfer relaxation is indeed a double edged sword. Entering the portal is easy and "makes a statement", unfortunately the portal is an ocean of similar prospects and offers zero guarantee of personal improvement. Drew may be in the position of desperately interviewing to renew his EMU scholarship or playing D2 basketball. That's life.

He has got 3 years left of eligibility, lots of talent and is a local guy however. Based on what I have been told, Drew did not react well to the new academic regimen of the pandemic, thus he is not in a good situation.

Not to be mean spirited but Drew put himself in this situation. I hope it works out for him whether he stays at EMU or goes elsewhere.

I find it interesting that the first 2022 offer made by Heath and crew is to a point guard.