He had no high major opportunities left. No one was offering him. Might as well go home.
Combes, I always appreciate your contributions here, but this post is way off base.
I know you see things through an Illini lense, but I would still count Louisville and Seton Hall as high majors. Our conference foe Michigan offered as well.
Bates was considered a big time basketball prospect only a year ago. In addition to being contrary to reporting, it’s pretty silly to think the kid didn’t have options other than Eastern Michigan. Sometimes players make decisions that they are most comfortable with, even if it flies in the face of traditional power conference logic.
I thought it was cool when Baldwin Jr went to UWM and I think it’s neat that Bates wants to spend his last year in college at Ypsi.