NCAA Basketball: Update on free agent transfer Emoni Bates and his options
Who remains in play among the final 6 for Emoni Bates?
When the programs that were in contention for Bates were announced, there was some question as to which of them legitimately were in play or even recruiting him. Over a month later, there’s a little more clarity as to where they stand.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks always seem to be on every big-name transfer’s list but not all are seriously being targeted by the program. That always seemed to be the case with them and Bates, as there was no traction between the sides after the list came out. And once they landed Wichita State wing transfer Ricky Council for the last spot on the roster, that took them out of contention.
DePaul
Another team that never seemed to be in the picture, the Blue Demons could still offer Bates a starring role and lots of minutes. But he would’ve signed with them by now if that was the case. Instead, they landed a pair of starting transfer guards in Umoja Gibson and Caleb Murphy and seem perfectly fine to move on. DePaul should be out as well.
Eastern Michigan
The Eagles are the mid-major “local” option for Bates and from what I’ve heard, have remained in contact and could be a shocking pick, depending on what happens with the high-major teams. Bates can go there whenever he wants and be the star of the MAC program but is he willing to go to a small school and be out of the national spotlight?
Louisville
At one point in the offseason, the Cardinals looked like the pick for Bates. New head coach Kenny Payne adds a couple of pieces early on but has been quiet ever since and the roster literally only has one true guard (El Ellis) at the moment. They can add Bates and have him start at the two-spot and give him a big role in the offense.
Things have gotten even direr for Louisville this weekend with Kevin “Boopie” Miller electing to come back to Central Michigan and leaving the transfer portal. He was reportedly linked to Louisville had he left but now the ACC program is still without a true shooting guard on a roster. They absolutely can still add Bates in the next couple of weeks and if they don’t could be in some real trouble next season.
Michigan
When both Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate remained in the NBA Draft, it looked as if the Wolverines made perfect sense for Bates. Yet it’s been a month since and nothing has happened. In fact, Michigan used its last two scholarships on Duke transfer wing Joey Baker and 6’10 prospect Youssef Khayat, who recently committed this weekend. That likely takes them fully out of the Bates sweepstakes now.
Seton Hall
The Pirates were a potential under-the-radar option for Bates, with new head coach Shaheen Halloway possibly looking to make a big splash in his first year. However, the roster for Seton Hall is all set up after landing KC Ndefo, joining newcomers, Femi Odukale, Dre Davis, and Al-Amir Dawes. They could still add Bates to bolster the offense but there would be some chemistry concerns with all these new pieces. As it stands, the roster is in good shape and I doubt the Pirates really need to make the push for him.