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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 21, 2020 5:41:45 GMT -5
EMU is quietly putting together an impressive stretch of basketball over the past six games. The Eagles are 5-1 during that time, with their only loss being a 59-58 defeat at Akron. This follows an 0-7 start to conference play. I'm not sure what the reason is for the improved play. The squad finally coming together? The JUCO players and freshmen benefitting from having almost a full season of D1 ball? The schedule easing up? Probably a combination of all of those.
One thing is for sure, the recent winning streak has not changed the minds of those who want Coach Murphy fired. Murph has been at EMU for nine years and has four losing seasons, with only a CBI and a couple CIT appearances as their post season accomplishments. I've been to three EMU games this year, with the team going 2-1 in those. The crowds have been lively but small, and the inconsistency that has marked Murphy's tenure is on display this season. Alumni and supporters who are closer to the team than I am don't expect Coach to be back. We'll see. On a positive note, most of the Eagles top performers could be back next season, barring an exodus if that new transfer policy goes through.
As a side note, one thing that has come up in conversation on this board is which coach, U of D's Davis or EMU's Murphy, followed the best path in scheduling for 2019-20. Both squads had a lot of new players on the roster. Detroit went the gauntlet route, with tough games throughout the non-conference, while EMU opened up with three straight non-D1 teams. Current NET ratings put EMU at 178 and U of D at 301. The Eagles are 14-11. The Titans are 6-21. I guess we'll wait until the season ends before making a determination on the smartest way to schedule this season.
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Post by rbj on Feb 22, 2020 15:17:21 GMT -5
EMU is quietly putting together an impressive stretch of basketball over the past six games. The Eagles are 5-1 during that time, with their only loss being a 59-58 defeat at Akron. This follows an 0-7 start to conference play. I'm not sure what the reason is for the improved play. The squad finally coming together? The JUCO players and freshmen benefitting from having almost a full season of D1 ball? The schedule easing up? Probably a combination of all of those. One thing is for sure, the recent winning streak has not changed the minds of those who want Coach Murphy fired. Murph has been at EMU for nine years and has four losing seasons, with only a CBI and a couple CIT appearances as their post season accomplishments. I've been to three EMU games this year, with the team going 2-1 in those. The crowds have been lively but small, and the inconsistency that has marked Murphy's tenure is on display this season. Alumni and supporters who are closer to the team than I am don't expect Coach to be back. We'll see. On a positive note, most of the Eagles top performers could be back next season, barring an exodus if that new transfer policy goes through. As a side note, one thing that has come up in conversation on this board is which coach, U of D's Davis or EMU's Murphy, followed the best path in scheduling for 2019-20. Both squads had a lot of new players on the roster. Detroit went the gauntlet route, with tough games throughout the non-conference, while EMU opened up with three straight non-D1 teams. Current NET ratings put EMU at 178 and U of D at 301. The Eagles are 14-11. The Titans are 6-21. I guess we'll wait until the season ends before making a determination on the smartest way to schedule this season. I would probably say the smartest way to schedule would be a combination of both philosphies. I would open the season with home games against level D1 cupcakes, probably from the MEAC or SWAC, but could we pay them enough to come to Calihan for a loss? Then I would try to schedule away games against UofM or MSU...we dont need any return games, nor are we in the position to ask for any. If the in-state Big 10 schools dont want to play us I would accept a game against any Big 10 school, preferably one thats in driving distance. I think coach Davis way of scheduling all heavyweights destroys fan morale and creates apathy...something we dont need any more of.
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Post by Commissioner on Feb 22, 2020 15:40:32 GMT -5
EMU is quietly putting together an impressive stretch of basketball over the past six games. The Eagles are 5-1 during that time, with their only loss being a 59-58 defeat at Akron. This follows an 0-7 start to conference play. I'm not sure what the reason is for the improved play. The squad finally coming together? The JUCO players and freshmen benefitting from having almost a full season of D1 ball? The schedule easing up? Probably a combination of all of those. One thing is for sure, the recent winning streak has not changed the minds of those who want Coach Murphy fired. Murph has been at EMU for nine years and has four losing seasons, with only a CBI and a couple CIT appearances as their post season accomplishments. I've been to three EMU games this year, with the team going 2-1 in those. The crowds have been lively but small, and the inconsistency that has marked Murphy's tenure is on display this season. Alumni and supporters who are closer to the team than I am don't expect Coach to be back. We'll see. On a positive note, most of the Eagles top performers could be back next season, barring an exodus if that new transfer policy goes through. As a side note, one thing that has come up in conversation on this board is which coach, U of D's Davis or EMU's Murphy, followed the best path in scheduling for 2019-20. Both squads had a lot of new players on the roster. Detroit went the gauntlet route, with tough games throughout the non-conference, while EMU opened up with three straight non-D1 teams. Current NET ratings put EMU at 178 and U of D at 301. The Eagles are 14-11. The Titans are 6-21. I guess we'll wait until the season ends before making a determination on the smartest way to schedule this season. I would probably say the smartest way to schedule would be a combination of both philosphies. I would open the season with home games against level D1 cupcakes, probably from the MEAC or SWAC, but could we pay them enough to come to Calihan for a loss? Then I would try to schedule away games against UofM or MSU...we dont need any return games, nor are we in the position to ask for any. If the in-state Big 10 schools dont want to play us I would accept a game against any Big 10 school, preferably one thats in driving distance. I think coach Davis way of scheduling all heavyweights destroys fan morale and creates apathy...something we dont need any more of. I agree. I understand Coach's philosophy, but I don't think we can afford to open next year at 2-11 in non-conference play. It will be interesting to see how EMU does to close out this season, and how they do next year, but at this point I think Murphy's gambit has worked pretty well. EMU is 15-12 after losing today at Ball State, 5-9 in the MAC.
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Post by motorcitysam on Feb 24, 2020 18:35:13 GMT -5
EMU let one get away on Saturday, although that may be a harsh statement on my part. After all, they were playing on the road against a good Ball State team. The rough part was they led by 11 at the half and got outscored by twenty in the second half. Offense doesn't seem to be Coach Murphy's strength. Somewhere along the way during this nine year tenure at EMU, he should have tweaked that offensive philosophy.
Big game tomorrow for the Eagles as they host 16-11, 9-5, Northern Illinois.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2020 16:14:36 GMT -5
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Post by Rogobob77 on Mar 28, 2020 15:04:44 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2020 16:01:31 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2020 16:12:10 GMT -5
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 4, 2020 17:56:35 GMT -5
Coach Murphy loves big centers, and he landed another big guy via the transfer route today. James Love committed to the Eagles today. He is a 6-10,240 center from Kansas State. Health is the key for him. He had four surgeries during his time in Manhattan, three on his foot, and missed all but one game this season. I am not sure when he will be eligible.
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Post by motorcitysam on May 26, 2020 18:23:42 GMT -5
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Post by rbj on May 26, 2020 18:46:04 GMT -5
He averaged 14ppg, we used to get transfers with nice stat lines. Nowadays most of our transfers dont average double digits in rebounds, assist and points combined.
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Post by motorcitysam on May 27, 2020 6:44:21 GMT -5
He averaged 14ppg, we used to get transfers with nice stat lines. Nowadays most of our transfers dont average double digits in rebounds, assist and points combined. Yeah, I was thinking that Lowder would have been a nice pick up. Local kid coming back to Michigan, solid from three, good production as a freshman.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jun 22, 2020 18:16:51 GMT -5
Damari Parris, who was a role player at EMU, is transferring to Prairie View.
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 20, 2020 23:20:35 GMT -5
As I have said before, Coach Murphy loves those big center transfers. Earlier this offseason they landed James Love and today it was announced that Missouri transfer Alex Okongo had signed with the Eagles. Okongo didn't play much this past season, but he is 7-0, 240. Certainly worth the risk. www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4593012
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Post by motorcitysam on Jul 23, 2020 8:45:58 GMT -5
EMU beats a lot of programs to the punch by posting their 2020-21 roster on their official site. However, the three transfers, guard Drew Lowder and centers Alex Okongo and James Love are not listed, probably due to finalizing admission and eligibility status. It's not a bad looking roster. There are six seniors, thanks in large part to the JUCO heavy class of 2019. There are also two juniors. The Eagles went 16-16 last season and return a lot of production. If Lowder is eligible right away, and one of those transfer centers can contribute, it is a potentially good season for Coach Murphy and good old EMU. emueagles.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
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