(03-14-2022 02:28 PM)Claw Wrote:  You don't have to be a basketball expert to look at Duren and realize Bates needs to physically mature a year to really be effective.

If indeed Bates got hurt it was because he needs his body to mature before trying to play against 22 year-olds.

& the average age in the G league is 26…
anyone suggesting this kid make that move is only focused on short term payouts & not long term viability.

(03-14-2022 08:35 AM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-13-2022 10:35 PM)former guest Wrote:  Well, just to perpetuate the narrative, Parrish is sitting in on the CBS Sports channel March Madness 3-hour extravaganza. As they were discussing the West region, he mentioned that Memphis has been the #2 ranked team in winning percentage (or something to that effect...) "since Emoni Bates hasn't been playing for them." How's that for crapping on the kid? Was it really necessary???

The team’s on court chemistry has been much improved without Emoni.
Its fair to draw the comparison. Penny tried to run the offense through him, & it split the team. For Memphis fans, its water under the bridge but for the national media who are now just focusing again on Memphis, its a story.

It's a lazy angle.
It leaves a lot out.
Primarily that the team finally got healthy.

(03-14-2022 02:52 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 02:28 PM)Claw Wrote:  You don't have to be a basketball expert to look at Duren and realize Bates needs to physically mature a year to really be effective.

If indeed Bates got hurt it was because he needs his body to mature before trying to play against 22 year-olds.

& the average age in the G league is 26…
anyone suggesting this kid make that move is only focused on short term payouts & not long term viability.

I agree. I heard Dauster last week saying Emoni should go G, and I thought the same thing.
Of course, Dauster also said we were an 11- or 12-seed if we didn't win the AAC, so, yeah.
And I don't know why he would transfer colleges and have to learn all over again, if the goal is 1 more year.
Best thing would be to work, work, work at Memphis.
And Penny will know much better how to use him next year.

(03-14-2022 05:45 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 02:52 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 02:28 PM)Claw Wrote:  You don't have to be a basketball expert to look at Duren and realize Bates needs to physically mature a year to really be effective.

If indeed Bates got hurt it was because he needs his body to mature before trying to play against 22 year-olds.

& the average age in the G league is 26…
anyone suggesting this kid make that move is only focused on short term payouts & not long term viability.

I agree. I heard Dauster last week saying Emoni should go G, and I thought the same thing.
Of course, Dauster also said we were an 11- or 12-seed if we didn't win the AAC, so, yeah.
And I don't know why he would transfer colleges and have to learn all over again, if the goal is 1 more year.
Best thing would be to work, work, work at Memphis.
And Penny will know much better how to use him next year.

And Penny genuinely likes him...

shoutoutJa

(03-14-2022 05:43 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 08:35 AM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-13-2022 10:35 PM)former guest Wrote:  Well, just to perpetuate the narrative, Parrish is sitting in on the CBS Sports channel March Madness 3-hour extravaganza. As they were discussing the West region, he mentioned that Memphis has been the #2 ranked team in winning percentage (or something to that effect...) "since Emoni Bates hasn't been playing for them." How's that for crapping on the kid? Was it really necessary???

The team’s on court chemistry has been much improved without Emoni.
Its fair to draw the comparison. Penny tried to run the offense through him, & it split the team. For Memphis fans, its water under the bridge but for the national media who are now just focusing again on Memphis, its a story.

It's a lazy angle.
It leaves a lot out.
Primarily that the team finally got healthy.

The team was healthy when they lost to Iowa State, Ole Miss, Georgia & Murray State… there was no chemistry. Bates became extremely easy to defend & was atrocious on the defensive end. The team played a damn good game against Alabama, with Bates’ minutes cut in half, but then lost momentum with the cancelled UT game & then subsequent run of injuries. The kid has talent but he was way overhyped & had no business leaving HS at 17.

(03-14-2022 07:08 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 05:43 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 08:35 AM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-13-2022 10:35 PM)former guest Wrote:  Well, just to perpetuate the narrative, Parrish is sitting in on the CBS Sports channel March Madness 3-hour extravaganza. As they were discussing the West region, he mentioned that Memphis has been the #2 ranked team in winning percentage (or something to that effect...) "since Emoni Bates hasn't been playing for them." How's that for crapping on the kid? Was it really necessary???

The team’s on court chemistry has been much improved without Emoni.
Its fair to draw the comparison. Penny tried to run the offense through him, & it split the team. For Memphis fans, its water under the bridge but for the national media who are now just focusing again on Memphis, its a story.

It's a lazy angle.
It leaves a lot out.
Primarily that the team finally got healthy.

The team was healthy when they lost to Iowa State, Ole Miss, Georgia & Murray State… there was no chemistry. Bates became extremely easy to defend & was atrocious on the defensive end. The team played a damn good game against Alabama, with Bates’ minutes cut in half, but then lost momentum with the cancelled UT game & then subsequent run of injuries. The kid has talent but he was way overhyped & had no business leaving HS at 17.

Yes, we had a bad run and Emoni was a part of that. Of course the Ia State and the Murray St wins don't look so bad now. But whatever. Penny has accepted the blame for the start.

But the entire team turned a corner WITH Emoni playing. To say he was the issue, is unfair and over-simplification.

(03-14-2022 02:52 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 02:28 PM)Claw Wrote:  You don't have to be a basketball expert to look at Duren and realize Bates needs to physically mature a year to really be effective.

If indeed Bates got hurt it was because he needs his body to mature before trying to play against 22 year-olds.

& the average age in the G league is 26…
anyone suggesting this kid make that move is only focused on short term payouts & not long term viability.

He would get killed. He needs college.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(03-14-2022 09:06 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 07:08 PM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 05:43 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  

(03-14-2022 08:35 AM)Marc Mensa Wrote:  

(03-13-2022 10:35 PM)former guest Wrote:  Well, just to perpetuate the narrative, Parrish is sitting in on the CBS Sports channel March Madness 3-hour extravaganza. As they were discussing the West region, he mentioned that Memphis has been the #2 ranked team in winning percentage (or something to that effect...) "since Emoni Bates hasn't been playing for them." How's that for crapping on the kid? Was it really necessary???

The team’s on court chemistry has been much improved without Emoni.
Its fair to draw the comparison. Penny tried to run the offense through him, & it split the team. For Memphis fans, its water under the bridge but for the national media who are now just focusing again on Memphis, its a story.

It's a lazy angle.
It leaves a lot out.
Primarily that the team finally got healthy.

The team was healthy when they lost to Iowa State, Ole Miss, Georgia & Murray State… there was no chemistry. Bates became extremely easy to defend & was atrocious on the defensive end. The team played a damn good game against Alabama, with Bates’ minutes cut in half, but then lost momentum with the cancelled UT game & then subsequent run of injuries. The kid has talent but he was way overhyped & had no business leaving HS at 17.

Yes, we had a bad run and Emoni was a part of that. Of course the Ia State and the Murray St wins don't look so bad now. But whatever. Penny has accepted the blame for the start.

But the entire team turned a corner WITH Emoni playing. To say he was the issue, is unfair and over-simplification.

The Iowa State loss looked better early in the year than later… They were on a roll early but leveled out in conference play. Quite frankly, we were terrible defensively… a theme that plagued us until we finally limited Emoni’s minutes against Alabama. We turned the corner when we accepted his limitations & put the team back on the shoulders of the veterans. Had Penny taken that approach from the start of the season, we’d be a 3-4 seed iinstead of a 9.

It's a narrative, for sure.

(03-12-2022 01:03 PM)Stammers Wrote:  Bates not playing has had nothing to do with this, the same way that Lomax doesn't. It is ALL because Williams is playing. IF Bates was playing he would be playing within the framework of the offense and he would be a real weapon.

The two biggest beneficiaries are LQ and Nolley. Look at their numbers with and without Williams and it is night and day. Anyone who associates any of this with Bates not playing is an uninformed, ignorant POS.

I agree with this, but I'm going to add here. It's not that Bates was some bad chemistry guy, or a negative to the team performance wise (as you alluded to) It's the fact that Williams came back PLUS it was one less piece Penny had to juggle in terms of rotation. There was a glut at that position, and Penny was presented the impossible task to try and find time for two veteran players in Lester and Nolley plus a star freshman. Once Bates was out of the picture, it was simple. Play Nolley and Lester as much as possible. Now they (Lester/Nolley) have benefited form this in terms of then knowing their roles, settling into their roles which adds to the overall performance to the team. Yes, adding Williams helped, but it also helped that Penny could settle on fewer players and shorten the rotation without factoring in another player (Bates)

(03-15-2022 09:53 AM)memphis mania Wrote:  

(03-12-2022 01:03 PM)Stammers Wrote:  Bates not playing has had nothing to do with this, the same way that Lomax doesn't. It is ALL because Williams is playing. IF Bates was playing he would be playing within the framework of the offense and he would be a real weapon.

The two biggest beneficiaries are LQ and Nolley. Look at their numbers with and without Williams and it is night and day. Anyone who associates any of this with Bates not playing is an uninformed, ignorant POS.

I agree with this, but I'm going to add here. It's not that Bates was some bad chemistry guy, or a negative to the team performance wise (as you alluded to) It's the fact that Williams came back PLUS it was one less piece Penny had to juggle in terms of rotation. There was a glut at that position, and Penny was presented the impossible task to try and find time for two veteran players in Lester and Nolley plus a star freshman. Once Bates was out of the picture, it was simple. Play Nolley and Lester as much as possible. Now they (Lester/Nolley) have benefited form this in terms of then knowing their roles, settling into their roles which adds to the overall performance to the team. Yes, adding Williams helped, but it also helped that Penny could settle on fewer players and shorten the rotation without factoring in another player (Bates)

Well said.
And contrary to what the monday morning qb's currently say, pretty much everyone out there would have tried to give Emoni as much run as Penny did.
He came with big expectations - he's just not quite ready.

He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Regardless, that kid next year will be the best player on our team no matter who comes back (except Duren of course)

(03-15-2022 07:49 PM)Mimi Wrote:  He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Regardless, that kid next year will be the best player on our team no matter who comes back (except Duren of course)

He's been practicing. But game speed is a different gear.

(03-15-2022 07:49 PM)Mimi Wrote:  He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Penny has settled on 25 minutes plus for the 5 starters, with significant bench minutes only from Harris and to a lesser degree Minot or Timberlake depending on matchups. another option who could give 12-15 minutes would be beneficial.

i like bates, hope he stays and becomes a star on next years team

(03-16-2022 08:18 AM)Oman Wrote:  

(03-15-2022 07:49 PM)Mimi Wrote:  He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Penny has settled on 25 minutes plus for the 5 starters, with significant bench minutes only from Harris and to a lesser degree Minot or Timberlake depending on matchups. another option who could give 12-15 minutes would be beneficial.

i like bates, hope he stays and becomes a star on next years team

I hope Timberlakes minutes go up , he's been a well needed boost for the team . Also I hope he stays for next year , we'd have some of the best guards in the country. His midrange shot around the foul line and rebounding in traffic have been excellent....... On Josh , if he can hit a jumper consistently he'd be a nightmare to guard .

(03-16-2022 08:55 AM)DENO TIGER Wrote:  

(03-16-2022 08:18 AM)Oman Wrote:  

(03-15-2022 07:49 PM)Mimi Wrote:  He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Penny has settled on 25 minutes plus for the 5 starters, with significant bench minutes only from Harris and to a lesser degree Minot or Timberlake depending on matchups. another option who could give 12-15 minutes would be beneficial.

i like bates, hope he stays and becomes a star on next years team

I hope Timberlakes minutes go up , he's been a well needed boost for the team . Also I hope he stays for next year , we'd have some of the best guards in the country. His midrange shot around the foul line and rebounding in traffic have been excellent....... On Josh , if he can hit a jumper consistently he'd be a nightmare to guard .

Without putting the cart before the horse, Josh may be useful vs. Gonzaga as a guy who can stylistically match up with Holmgren. I know they played on the circuit together and Josh and Chet have similar frames and Josh has length that could help when Chet is on the perimeter.

Got a feeling Earl and Josh will be working bigly on their shooting during the offseason, and will make a step-change.
Earl to get his form back, and Josh to add some range.
Hope that happens at the L-W.

(03-16-2022 08:55 AM)DENO TIGER Wrote:  

(03-16-2022 08:18 AM)Oman Wrote:  

(03-15-2022 07:49 PM)Mimi Wrote:  He was still better than most remember and his warts could and will be addressed

I’d love him to be available Thursday although no question he will be out of rhythm. If the three shooters continue to struggle to score would he dare try and spice it up with a kid who can clearly do that, or would his rustiness and defense issues be too much a risk

Penny has settled on 25 minutes plus for the 5 starters, with significant bench minutes only from Harris and to a lesser degree Minot or Timberlake depending on matchups. another option who could give 12-15 minutes would be beneficial.

i like bates, hope he stays and becomes a star on next years team

I hope Timberlakes minutes go up , he's been a well needed boost for the team . Also I hope he stays for next year , we'd have some of the best guards in the country. His midrange shot around the foul line and rebounding in traffic have been excellent....... On Josh , if he can hit a jumper consistently he'd be a nightmare to guard .

I've hyped up Earl since the first time I saw him play. All he needed was minutes to build his confidence.

Bates has handled all of this situation like a class act.. regardless if he stays or leaves.

We could have potentially had such a solid nucleus for next year.


Penny gonna have a lot of work to do and not just filling a roster but a staff