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NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that should target Memphis transfer Emoni Bates

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 20, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Emoni Bates (1) shoots for three during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Emoni Bates (1) shoots for three during the first half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Gabe Brown Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball Tom Izzo Michigan State Spartans Gabe Brown Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan Wolverines

As a state of Michigan native, it would make sense for both programs to potentially be in the mix for Round 2. But the Wolverines weren’t a finalist before so should they go after Bates? They’re certainly targeting his position in the portal, as they don’t have a clear wing in case Caleb Houstan goes off to the pros.

They’re reportedly going after Texas Tech transfer Terrence Shannon Jr. but if that doesn’t work out, going after Bates would give them just as good an offensive option, with a star big in Hunter Dickinson that he can feed off. And after things didn’t work out with the Spartans, going to rival Michigan would create an even bigger storyline than going to Memphis last year. Of course, what matters is the on-the-court results and head coach Juwan Howard has been one of the best in the past couple of years and he could the guy to help with the wing’s development.

Michigan State Spartans

Yes, Bates de-committed from Michigan State last year, and there’s a chance that both sides will want to move on. But while Spartan fans could act like they missed a bullet, the team was above average overall and only made the Round of 32, a far cry from the annual Final Four contender status they’re used to.

And with the team’s leading scorer and starting wing Gabe Brown off to the NBA Draft, Michigan State had a clear hole at the small forward spot. Bates ironically could be that missing piece on offense for a team that brings back zero returning double-digit scorers from this past season. And the main two differences here are that Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches in NCAA Basketball and can make the fit work, while the team pretty much knows where they fit into the offense.

The question will be whether the bridge has burned fully or not.

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