(11-24-2021 06:35 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(11-24-2021 05:17 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  U-G-L-Y win but it's a home win over a good team nonetheless. 72-68 the final.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts. Based on his substitution patterns, I think Coach is trying to assess what he has rather than just seeking wins at this point. We truly have three good players, Farrakhan, McBride and M Scott, all of whom are guards. We had more talent last season quite frankly with Montero, Morgan, McBride, Lowder and Groce.

He dabbled with Binelli playing the 5 position, but without a true power forward that clearly did not work as Thomas is not physical at all. Njie is not as agile or active as Okongo, but Mo is a freshman and Axel is a senior, a coach has to consider the future.

This season we are playing legitimate competition and Coach is using these games to measure his team. Two years ago pre-pandemic we opened the season with Goshen, Sienna Hts and U-M Dearborn. We opened the MAC season with a 9-3 OOC record and then promptly went on an 0-7 MAC streak. I'm liking Heath's diametric approach so far.

Great assessment! Farrakhan is better than all of them from last season, except Groce, but play different positions! When Farrakhan can shoot more consistently, and avoid turnovers look out! He has NBA potential! His potential long-term is much greater then Groce though! I can't believe he's playing in the MAC! Reminds me of a smaller version of Bonzi Wells, more similar to Antonio Daniel's, or Derrick Dial! People might not agree, but his explosion on a jump shot, or to the tin is not MAC typically! Heath can get him there in the 4 years!

(11-24-2021 06:49 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  

(11-24-2021 06:35 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  

(11-24-2021 05:17 PM)FrankAnderson Wrote:  U-G-L-Y win but it's a home win over a good team nonetheless. 72-68 the final.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts. Based on his substitution patterns, I think Coach is trying to assess what he has rather than just seeking wins at this point. We truly have three good players, Farrakhan, McBride and M Scott, all of whom are guards. We had more talent last season quite frankly with Montero, Morgan, McBride, Lowder and Groce.

He dabbled with Binelli playing the 5 position, but without a true power forward that clearly did not work as Thomas is not physical at all. Njie is not as agile or active as Okongo, but Mo is a freshman and Axel is a senior, a coach has to consider the future.

This season we are playing legitimate competition and Coach is using these games to measure his team. Two years ago pre-pandemic we opened the season with Goshen, Sienna Hts and U-M Dearborn. We opened the MAC season with a 9-3 OOC record and then promptly went on an 0-7 MAC streak. I'm liking Heath's diametric approach so far.

Great assessment! Farrakhan is better than all of them from last season, except Groce, but play different positions! When Farrakhan can shoot more consistently, and avoid turnovers look out! He has NBA potential! His potential long-term is much greater then Groce though! I can't believe he's playing in the MAC! Reminds me of a smaller version of Bonzi Wells, more similar to Antonio Daniel's, or Derrick Dial! People might not agree, but his explosion on a jump shot, or to the tin is not MAC typically! Heath can get him there in the 4 years!

Admittedly Farrakhan is indeed special, he is Ray Lee 2.0.

I wish Ray Lee had Noah’s basketball IQ and control with the ball. And I wish Noah had Ray’s athleticism and limitless range. Fuse those two and you have a legend.

(11-24-2021 06:56 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I wish Ray Lee had Noah’s basketball IQ and control with the ball. And I wish Noah had Ray’s athleticism and limitless range. Fuse those two and you have a legend.

Great combination! Don't you think with his basketball IQ, possibly can play at the next level? Phenomenal feel for the game! Range might come in the next few years!

(11-24-2021 06:56 PM)EagleSam Wrote:  I wish Ray Lee had Noah’s basketball IQ and control with the ball. And I wish Noah had Ray’s athleticism and limitless range. Fuse those two and you have a legend.

Sam, you are spot on. Ray simply was the most talented basketball player to come to EMU in the post Braun era, basketball IQ and ball control are coachable traits while athleticism and range are not. That was part of the problem with Ray.

If I were coaching EMU right now I would be tempted to "ride" Farrakhan, he is clearly our best player. Heath, however, sits him often as I suspect he does not want Noah to become a Diva that our program fortunes depends on like Ray was. A good decision in my estimation.

Noah is a very good player and while not as talented as Ray, perhaps with proper coaching, he may emerge as a better career player.

EMU’s interior defense played terrifically inside today, as WIU shot but 29.1 percent (13-44) on two’s. EMU’s best interior defenders in order were N.Scott playing 23 minutes, Golson playing 25 minutes, and Njie playing 16 minutes, all contributed to EMU’s lock-down interior defense.

Such stellar interior defense will be needed in EMU’s next game against DePaul which will be played this upcoming Sunday in Chicago.

It should be noted that when WIU played DePaul, WIU shot 53 percent (22-41) on two’s and made 9 more two against DePaul. Hopefully, DePaul will similarly struggle scoring against EMU’s interior defense.

Playing WIU, EMU shot 51 percent ( 21-41) on two’s.

By EMU shooting far better than WIU on two’s, such allowed EMU to overcome WIU dominating the offensive boards, 11-3, 8 more offensive rebounds than EMU did. WIU’s extra scoring opportunities off of it’s offensive rebounding margin only produced 5 more second chance point’s than EMU scored due to WIU’s poor shooting on two’s, and thus went for naught.

Offensively, EMU’s guards, M.Scott (16-points) Farrakhan (14-points) McBride (12-points), and Spottsville’s 9-points, provided the bulk of EMU’s scoring. EMU’s bigs scored few points. Although Binelli was rusty at first, it was nice getting Binelli back and knowing he should be available for the DePaul game.

Nate Scott scored 7-points on 3-5 shooting, and Binelli scored 6- points on 2-7 shooting on three’s. Njie played but 16 minutes and Okongo only
2-minutes.

EMU played small ball for significant minutes in the game. EMU needs to play that way as EMU’s front court’s scoring is likely to come from only Binelli, N.Scott, and Golson. Wish HC Heath would tell Golson to shoot mostly jump shots so he’ll have a decent shooting percentage. Nice to see him scoring in transition.

Farrakhan is really a shooting guard as he’ll make few assists. Glad he concentrated on just shooting tonight as that cut-down on his turnovers. Needs to shoot more three’s as does McBride. He shot efficiently today by playing fewer minutes which kept him fresh, by taking fewer shots.

Luka has a lot of potential and hope to see him play more. He should be told to shoot mostly three’s.

I’ve been concerned about MScott’s lack of rebounds and trips to the foul line. Glad to see he had six rebounds and 3 assists. His foul shooting and cutting down on turnovers will improve.

First off, I applaud Coach Heath for a playing a challenging schedule. These games are not filled with cupcakes. WIU is a very solid team! I believe this tough out of conference schedule will pay dividends for us the later part of the MAC season!!

Both teams looked tired and flat and in need of a Thanksgiving break. We caught a break on Trenton Massner having an off game but we did play solid defense on a very well coached and talented team. We’re still in need of a low post scorer who can balance our outside game. Mo Njie and Alex Kongo are not quick enough to guard an experienced muscular and athletic big. Alex never will be but Mo is an 18 year old true freshman who should get better as the season moves along. He will never be explosive like James Thompson but he will get better so I think playing this tough schedule will be good for him. Let’s see where he’s at after the first quarter of the MAC season. Kongo should never start and only be used as a role player off the bench.

Farrakhan is the best overall player on the team. He will probably win MAC freshman of the year (he’s a Covid19 freshman) and garner votes on the all-MAC squad. Noah has great lift on his jump shot. He gets into the lane with ease and elevates over the defender with deadly mid range jump shots. When you play with the best PG in the game, you have a great chance to win because the PG can control a lot of the game. There maybe just a couple PGs better or equal to Noah. This means we have a great future!!

I was pleased on Lukas development this early on in the season. Luka could get himself into the lane and had some nice moves to the basket but his layups went in and out. He will get these shots to go and will help us. At some point, maybe this season or next, he will probably take over the PG role so Noah can slide to the SG position.

I thought Binelli looked good even though he missed some open shots. He can shoot you to a victory. He just needs to learn when it’s appropriate for him to let it fly.

Spotts had a very good game shooting 4-5 from the field. He’s our best on ball defender but I get nervous when he has the ball on offense. I believe he’s learning to only shoot when his shot is falling. He did a nice job defending Massner.

Monty is the best scorer we have and can also shoot us to a victory. Need Monty to keep playing aggressively on offense. I believe the TOS are not his norm and I feel good with the ball in his hands. Monty is going to attract the opposing teams best defender. His teammates need to give him more space to operate when he drives the lane. Monty’s TOS are the least of my worries.

Nate is a very solid player!

I loved Golsons athleticism intensity and his effort. He’s a fabulous covid19 freshman who will have a very bright future.

McBride could start for a lot of teams. I enjoyed watching his hustle and how he knocked in the free throws at the end of the game. If he wants to close out the games on the floor, we will need him to keep improving his free throw percentage.

I liked our hustle today but at times both teams looked tired and flat.

Time for Thanksgiving break and then need some intense practice on Friday to get ready to play DePaul. Their player is this kid named, Liberty. A big time scorer and player. I believe EMU is deeper than DePaul and we should take the game to the wire. Hopefully we keep progressing and need to find a way to win this game on Sunday.

Noah is considered by my most posters here based on the eye test as EMU’s best player.

However statistically, M.Scott and McBride are EMU’s best offensive players. As Scott leads EMU in two and three point shooting percentages, making the most two’s and three’s, and scoring among the two. MScott’s overall FG percentage is a whopping 54.7 percent compared to McBride’s 48’6 percent, and Farrakhan’s 38.2 percent.

Defensively, M.Scott is the only one of the three, M.Scott has the best defensive rating, and is the only one to have a positive defensive box score. Scott leads EMU in both having the highest number of steals and committing fewest fouls.

Noah has plenty of room for growth by establishing consistency shooting the ball, and limiting excessive turnovers.

With EMU’s win over WIU, Massey has EMU moving-up ranks EMU seventh best team in the MAC followed by Ball State, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan, and Western Michigan.

Can’t believe that Kent State is ranked 5th above EMU, as KSU is averaging just 69 ppg.

Akron is ranked 6th, even though as Akron is only averaging just 70.7 per game.

Neither team is as good as EMU.

Won’t know how good Miami of Ohio is till they play both Cincy and Clemson in December.

Seems like Buffalo is in a tier by themselves. Neither Ohio and Toledo don’t impress me.

(11-24-2021 12:04 AM)RamyEMU Wrote:  Miggy, I think you are way off again. McBride is the third leading scorer, has done so with fewer minutes and far fewer turnovers than the other guards- and he plays exceptional defense. He should be getting MORE minutes.

And this is a response to your comment on the MSU thread…
McBride is shooting 50% on 2s, so he can and SHOULD be driving to the basket. He shot the 2 point better than either Farrakhan or Monty in the MSU game.

The strength of this team is their TRIO of guards. I know your focus is Farrakhan and Monty, but you are way off if you exclude McBride. That said, I was expecting Luka to be more of a contributor this year than he has been thus far. I also would love to see him get more minutes somehow- if he can hold up defensively. But Hiatd is a crowded position on this team. We will see…

Why should he play more when he takes so few shots in the minutes he does play? I’d be for him play way more minutes if he shot the ball (especially the three ball) way more then he does. McBride taking but one three in each of his last three games is not what EMU needs from him.

Hope McBride recognizes that playing DePaul he needs to shoot mostly three’s, and go to hoop less. Believe he’s going to struggle going to the hoop playing DePaul.

Do believe N.Scott should play more as statistically he’s ENU’s best interior defender by a large margin. Want to see more of Ballard playing as well.

On a separate topic, even though EMU continues to play it’s low post offense, gets no scoring from it, and it hampers EMU guards from getting to the hoop. ENU still managed to shoot 51 percent on two’s playing WIU. Imagine how EMU’s 2-point shooting percentage would
rise if EMU played 5-out or a high post offense.,

(11-25-2021 12:09 AM)Luckeyone Wrote:  First off, I applaud Coach Heath for a playing a challenging schedule. These games are not filled with cupcakes. WIU is a very solid team! I believe this tough out of conference schedule will pay dividends for us the later part of the MAC season!!

Both teams looked tired and flat and in need of a Thanksgiving break. We caught a break on Trenton Massner having an off game but we did play solid defense on a very well coached and talented team. We’re still in need of a low post scorer who can balance our outside game. Mo Njie and Alex Kongo are not quick enough to guard an experienced muscular and athletic big. Alex never will be but Mo is an 18 year old true freshman who should get better as the season moves along. He will never be explosive like James Thompson but he will get better so I think playing this tough schedule will be good for him. Let’s see where he’s at after the first quarter of the MAC season. Kongo should never start and only be used as a role player off the bench.

Farrakhan is the best overall player on the team. He will probably win MAC freshman of the year (he’s a Covid19 freshman) and garner votes on the all-MAC squad. Noah has great lift on his jump shot. He gets into the lane with ease and elevates over the defender with deadly mid range jump shots. When you play with the best PG in the game, you have a great chance to win because the PG can control a lot of the game. There maybe just a couple PGs better or equal to Noah. This means we have a great future!!

I was pleased on Lukas development this early on in the season. Luka could get himself into the lane and had some nice moves to the basket but his layups went in and out. He will get these shots to go and will help us. At some point, maybe this season or next, he will probably take over the PG role so Noah can slide to the SG position.

I thought Binelli looked good even though he missed some open shots. He can shoot you to a victory. He just needs to learn when it’s appropriate for him to let it fly.

Spotts had a very good game shooting 4-5 from the field. He’s our best on ball defender but I get nervous when he has the ball on offense. I believe he’s learning to only shoot when his shot is falling. He did a nice job defending Massner.

Monty is the best scorer we have and can also shoot us to a victory. Need Monty to keep playing aggressively on offense. I believe the TOS are not his norm and I feel good with the ball in his hands. Monty is going to attract the opposing teams best defender. His teammates need to give him more space to operate when he drives the lane. Monty’s TOS are the least of my worries.

Nate is a very solid player!

I loved Golsons athleticism intensity and his effort. He’s a fabulous covid19 freshman who will have a very bright future.

McBride could start for a lot of teams. I enjoyed watching his hustle and how he knocked in the free throws at the end of the game. If he wants to close out the games on the floor, we will need him to keep improving his free throw percentage.

I liked our hustle today but at times both teams looked tired and flat.

Time for Thanksgiving break and then need some intense practice on Friday to get ready to play DePaul. Their player is this kid named, Liberty. A big time scorer and player. I believe EMU is deeper than DePaul and we should take the game to the wire. Hopefully we keep progressing and need to find a way to win this game on Sunday.

Binelli is a great shooter. If he is square to the basket, shooting in rhythm and moving towards the goal, his 3-ball percentage is most likely 50%. He cannot, however, create his own shot opportunities of such type.

I think Thomas could be utilized more with some designed plays having him coming off picks but due to his spotty availability I see why neither Murphy or Heath has done so.