Michigan after Emoni Bates?!?
https://twitter.com/tiptonedits/status/1516887405789335553?s=21&t=5yptnMLvbm8q-eBdsAepVg
Title says it all. Joe Tipton of On3 reports he’s drawing interest from Michigan, whatever that means. Personally, no thanks. Just doesn’t feel like he’d be a fit.
Only way I’d allow it is if there was a guarantee he’d be an All-American and drop 40 at Breslin. Definitely would make Sparty squirm.
I’ll reserve judgement. If Juwan’s interested it could be a good fit. He’s been money on transfers.
Culture seems to be a top priority for Juwan. He’s also attracting a lot of talent so I don’t think he would compromise his cultural standards for talent. I trust Juwan will do what’s best for the team.
If ever there was a kid who most likely wouldn’t be worried about a lack of transfer credits it would be Emoni.
No thank you.
Why wouldn't you?
I trust Juwan but Emoni seems to come off as lazy, selfish, and somewhat toxic to team chemistry on and off the court. He appears to have some growing up to do.
Maybe the right coach and strong team leadership could make it work. My 1st thought is don’t risk it.
We might not have any scholarships anyway.
If Juwan is in, I am in.
this must have been a very very humbling experience the past year, and maybe there is some growth that the young man has made.
April 20th, 2022 at 11:41 PM ^
I would agree, but that Memphis team was much better without him. He/his family may as well have been selling red flags before he got there.
You have to remember he reclassified, and should be a senior in HS. Some warts have been exposed, but he is still a talent.
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but a year of humble pie maybe did him some good, that he might actually have to work to live up to the hype. If Juwan could get that out of him, he is a piece I would want.
If I only had a dime for every piece I would want.
Well I guess you'd be sitting on a big ass pile of dimes.
You never have enough when you need them.
I mean, this is the full list Bates apparently provided. It's a pretty random assortment of teams, so I wouldn't read much into it.
Arkansas, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Kansas, DePaul, Louisville, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Oklahoma State, Butler, and Washington State.
I don't see the juice being worth the squeeze here. Bates might be a plus player but he's not impressed me either defensively or offensively in the part of the college season he played, and a one-year rental where he's freelancing for shots while you're trying to develop other guys doesn't seem worth whatever incremental value he gives you.
I don't disagree, but if his camp is reaching out to Michigan, it's worth the due diligence, especially given that he's a local kid.
After that due diligence (or evaluation, whatever), they may decide he's not worth the pursuit. Who knows, but it's absolutely a good idea to check it out.
He'll end up at EMU
I have heard rumors that EMU is the likely destination along with Rocket Watts. Waiting on final sign off from the AD.
If you take Emoni you get his Dad. No thanks. Don’t need him interfering with the program from the outside.
Man are you seriously worried about anyone getting out of line with Coach Juwan? Stop it.
April 21st, 2022 at 10:04 AM ^
I went to high school with a kid that was being recruited by Bo. The kid’s Dad owned a pretty successful business. He was a guy that stuck his nose into everything and was used to getting his way.
Bo quit recruiting him and the word was because Dad’s attitude didn’t mesh with the program.
Coaches evaluate the cost benefit of those relationships.
I trust Juwan.
Everyone loved to laugh at this kid and his 1 yr at Memphis but there is not 1 fanbase that would turn this type of talent down if he chose to come to their team.
He's not that talented. He's a 6 - 9 pt guard that doesn't like to pass or play defense. What's his best attribute? He's not a shooter.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:15 PM ^
The kid who was the 5th ranked player nationally despite reclassifying is not that talented?
Man, there are some really salty adults out there when it comes to this kid. It’s weird.
He literally just turned 18 this year. Has he followed the best path up until this point? Probably not, but he’s 18. Way too early to write this kid off.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:38 PM ^
It goes with the territory. Over half of the people judging him couldn't hit a layup and they only go by what they heard!!! Oh no a 18 year old needs to grow up!!! No $&@!!!! It's sad but some people are sadder than he and his dad will ever be.
April 20th, 2022 at 11:49 PM ^
You know all the BS behind him? Watch him play this season? He hasn't shown anything thus far at a high level. He's young and could turn it around but he's got to work for it and from the outside it doesn't seem like that's gonna happen.
Where would he fit on the roster? I ask that only semi-rhetorically. Isn't he a 3 or a 4?
April 20th, 2022 at 11:00 PM ^
Don't be so sophmoric
Consensus seems to be this ain’t a real flirtation, just window dressing
April 20th, 2022 at 10:02 PM ^
If we could just rent him for the visit to East Lansing, sounds great. Otherwise, yeah, sure, trust Juwon to know what's best.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:15 PM ^
If he can defend the best wings , sign me up as a yes vote.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:17 PM ^
As far as I know, nobody on this board actually knows anything of significance about this kid. He is 18 years old. Juwan and his staff would be a serious upgrade from where he was last season.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:38 PM ^
Facts! Username checks out.
April 20th, 2022 at 11:01 PM ^
Guy couldnt give a crap about "school" so UM isn't an avenue for him but I appreciate him trolling the Cedar River fanbase who called him the next Lebron for 2 years when he was headed their way. Memphis played way better when he was the hell out of the lineup.
April 21st, 2022 at 12:06 AM ^
Word is Michigan is lip service by Emoni's camp and there's no interest from Michigan for him.
Michigan is 100% focused on trying to land Terrance Shannon from TT and Shannon is on an official visit to Michigan. He would fill the need as a combo G but provides great size. The only question is the admission department.
Shannon would likely be Houstan's replacement at the 3 if he left. He could also play the 2.
We desperately need a 2 and I imagine that's where he's being recruited to spend most of his time.
Schools only get to host so many official visits so I have to imagine that Juwan is feeling pretty good about getting TSJ through admissions, whether straight up or by taking a few summer classes to make up the difference.
April 21st, 2022 at 12:51 AM ^
Juwan might be the perfect coach for him. Loving while also having high expectations.
Not sure if the risk is worth it though.
At no time had title ever said it all.
I’ll take the Bates.
I don't want Bates but I'm going to add this:
There aren't many if any coaches around college basketball who has been through the exact same things Bates has gone through as Juwan. As we know Juwan is very big on servant leadership and helping young basketball players navigate their dreams. The Bates family would be smart to reach out to Juwan and see if their is interest, for Juwan is a perfect fit for Bates.
Idk man, kid has talent and if there’s one guy who can wrangle a talented kid like Emoni, it’s Juwan. If Juwan can get an assurance that Emoni will buy in, work his ass off this summer, play defense, etc. then maybe it can work out but I don’t see it
Is Master Bates' handler just yanking Michigan's chain?
to paraphrase Papa John's -- better coaching = better outcomes. If Juwan thinks he can turn this (still quite young) guy around, I say give it a go. Certainly saw some very rough young talent this year starting to turn positive by the end of the season.
Lots of noise (news?) on Twitter early this morning about Bates following all 3 Howards on social media.