Running 2022-23 NCAA Basketball Thread

Emoni Bates comes home to Eastern Michigan

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...sferring-memphis-eastern-michigan/7770884001/

 

That's a huge get for EMU. They also got guys from Georgetown, Providence, Duquesne and ECU this offseason. Stan Heath working the portal.

 

There was a time not too long ago when he was considered the next big thing. Either the recruitniks really missed on him or he became toxic. Something was odd because it took him a long time to find a new home, and when he did, it was very far from the big time.

 

He won a state title as a junior, committed to Michigan State, then everything went haywire
His father tried to start his own academy and it fell apart
Jaden Akins, another MSU recruit, was on his team but transferred quickly to Sunrise Academy and the team fell apart
It would be nice if Bates gets it together at Eastern

 

Bates by about a billion miles is the biggest basketball signing ever by EMU. George Gervin back in the Sixties I think was ranked in the top 50 nationwide or something.

Kind of telling that apparently neither MSU or U-M were even interested when he hit the transfer portal.

 

All those EMU transfers except one are from the Detroit area, as is most of the team. Meanwhile Detroit (can't call it Detroit Mercy), which used to make a living with hometown players, has only two from Michigan. Which helps explain why the Titans have become irrelevant under Mike Davis.

UDM is getting a new president. Hopefully he'll make a stronger commitment to athletics. Their women's teams are God-awful but at least the new coach is recruiting locally.

 

The fact that he is at EMU over any mid-major, led alone a Power 5 school, says all you need to know about the situation

 

Memphis had huge chemistry problems in non-conference and it was widely reported it was freshmen vs. veterans. The circumstantial evidence is stacked mighty high here.

 

You have to think Heath talked to his old boss, Izzo, before going after Bates

 

Sometimes going home can be a very big attraction.

 

But when that's Ypsilanti, the benefits can be mitigated.
Now that he'll have some actual coaching, perhaps he'll shine.

 

Mt. Pleasant without the glitz.