Eastern Michigan - 12/7/2022 - 7:00 PM - ESPN+

[Redbird222]

I don't recall winning a game with such unlikely lineup pairings on the floor since the overtime shocker at Ole Miss in 2017 (Gassman/Hein/Williams/Tinsley/Evans).

I literally said the same thing exiting the arena

 

[Redbird222]

Coach is sporting the t-shirts they are giving away at the Horton game .... very nice

 

[Redbird222]

 

[Redbird222]

 

[Birdfriend72]

Good for him. Happy for Colton. Great game at a great time. Keep it up kid- get a few kids healthy and you play like this in the Valley Tournament and we won’t be an easy out! Who knows- we might shock the Valley!

 

[MadBird]

I was not impressed whatsoever with Bates. Tried to put on a pre-game show (several of their players did...why blow all that energy in warm ups??? It's a WASTE)...clearly thinks highly of his own game...took mostly ridiculous shots...imo cost his team the game. He also looks to be about 180lbs. Yes he's long and lanky but opposing teams should take his a$$ to the post and railroad him. I do realize I'm criticizing an 18 yr old, which is mighty big of me. It's clear you're highly thought of, kid. Capitalize on your opportunity and come to games with a good attitude. You didn't tonight.

Check out his wikipedia entry. Sadly, a coddled entitled young man for a long time, in part thanks to Dad it appears. One year, attended a "high school" started up by dad, a basketball "academy". Several brushes with the law. He's marking time until he's old enough to get drafted, and sadly, someone will draft him based on his "promise". For cripes sake, he can't even lift EMU to a winning record. Hard to imagine him at practice taking some criticism.

 

[Baltimore Bird]

I am pretty sure Bates also had zero points at half against Bradley a week or two ago. He came to life with 15 in the 2nd half. Not impressed.

We really missed Liam on D. He is very active and alters so many shots. That was a fun game to watch. Go Birds!

 

[DWRedbird]

I was not impressed whatsoever with Bates. Tried to put on a pre-game show (several of their players did...why blow all that energy in warm ups??? It's a WASTE)...clearly thinks highly of his own game...took mostly ridiculous shots...imo cost his team the game. He also looks to be about 180lbs. Yes he's long and lanky but opposing teams should take his a$$ to the post and railroad him. I do realize I'm criticizing an 18 yr old, which is mighty big of me. It's clear you're highly thought of, kid. Capitalize on your opportunity and come to games with a good attitude. You didn't tonight.

I would agree. I really expected more out of Bates as well, but I wasn't that impressed. But, I think the credit for that goes to Kasubke and the defense, but I agree the kid's body language and overall feel wasn't great. First time all year he was held to single digits.

My other thoughts

- We look about 100 times better with us moving towards the basket offensively rather than floating around the 3pt line.

- Colton did an amazing job at the point and getting 13pts at the FT is what I love to see. I think he could make a living there.

- Really glad Knight looks more comfortable, and it is paying off

- Love the win and how we gutted it out at the end, and it is good to see the team seem to get closer to what Pedon wants to run.

 

[dpdoughbird06]

Good for him. Happy for Colton. Great game at a great time. Keep it up kid- get a few kids healthy and you play like this in the Valley Tournament and we won’t be an easy out! Who knows- we might shock the Valley!

Scout the officials as soon as they’re posted. If you sense it’s a group with happy whistles, ride Colton for another 37 minutes: he hit 13-14 FTs last night and all he wanted to talk about in postgame radio interview was how he missed the one.

For a shooter he’s developed a thick athletic build and is surprisingly strong driving the lane and drawing contact.

 

[BTbird]

What idiot said this?

We know your true intentions on that post.... Jinx the kid. It worked!

 

[dpdoughbird06]

He said CEFCU Arena at least a half dozen times within a 30 second span during postgame WJBC interview. Still taking some getting used to.

 

[jwa123]

I just don't get why we worry about last year's team... we turned the page.

Nobody is worried about last years team. Brick made a statement of fact.

It would seem coaching makes a differenc.

 

[DaveBird10]

Heck of a gritty and gutsy effort by the entire team last night. Really happy to see Jayden Johnson get more playing time last night and contribute. Also happy to see Sandage perform the way he did last night, which tells you about this team and the kind of players they have on it. Sandage played 5 minutes on Sunday and then didn't pout, wasn't upset yet he put his head down worked hard and played 37 minutes last night with 28 points and 13 free throws made which is 2nd most in arena history.

 

[gobirds85]

I was most happy to see the team having fun after the game. Afterall, it's a game. They seemed to be actually enjoying themselves. I didn't feel that with our team the last few years.

 

[stats]

In a close game like this, at the end the talent takes over. Watch out for Bates.

I think that is true in the regular season NBA games. Below that level, I like to think whoever plays together the best wins the close ones.....and a little luck never hurts in any sport. I am guessing Eastern Michigan is not an easy team to coach, but they definitely had some talent that we contained pretty well.

 

[stats]

Absolutely on both counts. Simply put and well put. The crowd was engaged tonight.

I found it interesting that Pedon insinuated the players were making cuts in the offense from the first second in the of the offense. He said the sharp cuts weren't starting until 8 seconds left in the shot clock the last game.

 

[Phantom]

A good, team win. We've played in several close games and are now learning how to win some of them. Not having McCheese, Mal and then Seneca fouling out and having to find someone to step up (Sandy!) and everyone figure out how to close it was great. Get stops, and hit your FTs...huge.

Agreed with the above post about the guys looking like they're having fun now. They're playing hard. Confidence is building. Body language is noticeably different than a couple weeks ago. This is what improvement looks like. Keep it going Saturday.

 

[BirdGrad2011]

I found it interesting that Pedon insinuated the players were making cuts in the offense from the first second in the of the offense. He said the sharp cuts weren't starting until 8 seconds left in the shot clock the last game.

I think it’s part of the team just getting more comfortable in the offense and with each other. It’s the same offense as game 1, but you’d never know it now. I don’t think todays team while healthy (with Liam and Malachi) loses to Western or loses all 3 Thanksgiving week by double digits.

Something is clicking and while there will still be ups and downs this is fun.

 

[PurpleRedbird]

The epitome of Bates attitude to me was when Luke knocked the ball away from him towards the end of the game. Luke dove on the floor immediately and Bates couldn't even be bothered to bend over.

 

[crazzymark]

ESPN+ blacked out the Belmont game here, wonder how often that's going to happen, I watched the replay they had the next day.

Go to the game