Emoni Bates "kicked the tires" on Michigan, per Quinn
The board is painfully slow this time of year so I thought this was worth the post.
In this week's episode of "The Beat" podcast, Brendan Quinn said that during the middle of this last season, Emoni Bates and his circle "kicked the tires" on Michigan. He said the conversation didn't go particularly well. Intimated that Michigan doesn't want anything to do with the circus.
Thought it was interesting. Do with it what you will.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Michigan was right to do that
April 29th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
Hope he gets a good fresh start wherever he goes. But if Juwan turned a talent like him down, then he is dead serious about the type of culture he wants to build here.
I admittedly don't know as much about Bates as other folks here do, but it sounds like if you take on Bates, you're bringing his dad along as kind of a package deal. Is he a LaVar Ball loudmouth type who thinks he's smarter and better than everyone else in the room?
April 29th, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
Bates' dad is way worse than LaVar IMO. Not close to as public as him, but way more into sabotaging his son's career. LaVar is just obnoxious and loud mouthed.
If you take on Bates, your not only taking on his dad like you stated, but your also taking on a high volume shooter who is shooting 38 percent from the floor and 32 percent from 3, and plays little defense.
Id rather take on his dad.
From the same podcast —apparently Emoni’s parents attended EVERY Memphis practice. Do not think that is going to fly with coach Howard…..or pretty much any coach of a well established P5 program.
The thing I find most interesting is that they had the cash to do that? I assume they weren't commuting from Michigan to attend practice.
I am sure relocation, housing, and living expenses for the family were part of the "NIL" package provided to the Bates family.
I always thought LaVar got a bad rap. While I think he is annoying as hell, it was never to the detriment of his kids or their opportunities. He was an ultimate hype man, supporting his kids. While it didn't work out, I loved the idea of BBB, instead of signing to a shoe company where you are the draw, be the draw to your own company).
You can see it now, they're drafted, having success, and unless you were looking for him, you wouldn't realize he's still out here. He did his job.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:41 PM ^
If Twitter hasn’t lied to me, EMU will be stacked next year with him and Rocket Watts. Say what you will about Bates and the craziness, but he's still going to absolutely annihilate the MAC.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
When I saw your post I immediately starting googling to see if there was any news about this. While it does seem plausible, and awesome, I don't see anything yet. I did come across a picture of Bates and Howard from two days ago on some random site so the tire kicking seems legit.
I checked, too, and didn't see anything about EMU for either player. (Not that it seems unrealistic as a destination for either ...)
My “source” is some people on Twitter I follow who are probably terrible sources. But given that it’s not Michigan related, I have no issue sharing dubious info. If I’m wrong I’ll do nothing since I’m probably wrong lol. This could age poorly in less than a day with how the portal goes.
EMU would make so much sense for Mr. Bates Sr. because his son gets to be the top-dog and he would get all of the attention; and the entire game plan would revolve around him.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:43 PM ^
It is a shame that the egos in his camp prevented him from ever taking Michigan seriously to begin with. Emoni Bates is/was much more likely to reach his (college) ceiling under Howard than anyone else. Howard runs all the pro sets and knows every defensive concept there is. He could have coaxed those skills out of Bates and all would be thriving.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:52 PM ^
You may very well be right. But Juwan decided (probably wisely) that he didn't want the drama, three ring circus, hangers-on, and basketball-dad-from-hell that comes along with Bates. And with what we've heard of the kid's work ethic, he likely thought it was way too risky. Can't blame him.
Given that the quote referenced Bates having interest in the middle of last season, I think that makes a lot of difference. Emoni was on another team, was not in the transfer portal and Juwan wasn't interested in engaging in tampering. It wasn't the right time.
There may never be a right time for Juwan and Bates. Or maybe it's now.
April 29th, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
His dad should start a college.
Have you ever seen the movie "Accepted" They started a college in that movie called South Harmon Institute of Technology also known as (S.H.I.T.)
If you liked Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List, you'll LOVE Accepted. Justin Long is amazing.
This, EuroTrip, Sex Drive, and a couple others marked the last hurrah of this genre.
These were such great awful movies - especially EuroTrip.
"Up the Creek" and "Beerfest" will make you dumber, but I laughed and felt only a little bad later.
Beerfest is a classic!
This seems like a film that Boner Stabone would also be in.
OF ALL GUYS - he's the one who truly doesnt care about transfer credits. haha.. and he doesnt want us. go figure.
That said, who needs that mess. that guy should just go pro and play in the g league and get far away from his influencers.
To be clear, it was Michigan who declined Bates, not vice versa.
yeah, but that invalidates my annoyance!!!!! So... our fault. I can continue complaining :)
I guess Howard wasn’t interested in Ol T-Rex arms.
Needs more mention of Quinn slobbering over Izzo or I don't believe you.
Haha, no doubt he respects Izzo. But Brendan's actually friends with Beilein and the family, so equal opportunity shmooze, I guess.
"kicked the tires" is just a click-worthy version of "emoni's dad called juwan, who answered the phone."
Yeah I think this would be a HARD NO
Um, it doesn't really matter if he did. We don't take undergrad transfers, remember?
I know (think?) you're joking, but do we really think this kid cares that much about how much progress he's making toward graduating?
No, that wouldn't have been as much of a problem. It's getting credits to transfer that's the real issue, and Emoni took like zero credits at Memphis.
Truth.
Swing for the fences! I might be in the minority here but if Bates can get in…take him! I think this past season might have humbled him some, and if you’re swapping someone out at the end of the bench/rotation for a “talented” kid then I would take the risk.
Yeah, no. Just no. Best case scenario is that he’s a productive ball hog that flees at the end of the year. Worst case scenario is that he’s a team cancer, a ball hog and then rips the staff/program out the door at the end of the year. I don’t see the upside here but respect you for voicing a different opinion.
I still think Emoni is coming
I mean, it's possible. But that would be a 180 turn from the staff.
Ant Wright just said in his Spotify Live that Emoni to Michigan might actually be happening
could he talk any slower?