NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 6 finalists for Memphis transfer Emoni Bates

4. DePaul Blue Demons

One big positive is that among the high-major options, DePaul represents the least amount of pressure for Bates to join. It’s a program that has been perennially at the bottom of the Big East and hasn’t gone to the NCAA Tournament in nearly 20 years. Any kind of success for the team that includes Bates leading them in scoring at around 17-20 ppg would give them national press and positive coverage for Bates.

Of course, Bates may be the leading scorer for a team that remains at the bottom of the Big East next season. They already lost leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty but also forward David Jones, who recently transferred to St. John’s. That leaves little talent on the roster that Bates would be joining so even if he produced, he’d be doing so on a bad team and not get any credit for it.

3. Michigan Wolverines

Considering that he’s a former Michigan State commit, playing for their rivals two years later would be the ultimate storyline. Of course, that in itself has its pros and cons and creates a different kind of pressure and situation that could go awry. There’s also the wing position to consider, as if both Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate come back, minutes will be limited for him.

But if one or both star in the NBA Draft. Bates would be the starter on the wing and get to play with an All-American big man Hunter Dickinson and a good head coach in Juwan Howard. The ability to play back close to home in the state and an NCAA Tournament contender. But I’m not a big fan of the Michigan-Michigan State dynamic that could be an issue next season for the player.