Datcher

[hoopsdreamer]

What’ up with EJ Datcher? How do you go from playing 61 games your first 2 years to barely playing last year to never playing your senior year. He may have gotten in 1 game this year in a blowout (there haven’t been many of those). He doesn’t even travel on road games this year. We have recruited some good bigs that are much better than him but you would think he could provide a minute every now and then for a breather or foul trouble.

He’s my favorite player on the team, not for his skills but because he looks like he’s the only one having fun and has so much energy on the bench....and you can’t get frustrated with a player who isn’t playing. I, like many, seem to stay frustrated with the ones that do hit the floor!

 

[PineGroveBully]

Sorry they won’t let you travel EJ.


I kid, I kid**

 

[CrookedLetta4Eva]

He’s overweight and very lackadaisical. Watch him in shoot around. He just goes through the motions

 

[hailstate19]

Because you don’t get any production from him at all. I can’t even remember that last time he’s even scored a point for MSU. He’s on the bench for a reason.

 

[hoopsdreamer]

But he has the least turnovers on the entire team

 

[mstateglfr]

There 100% had to have been a discussion after his sophomore season where he was told playing time shouldnt be expected moving forward and Datcher decided he wanted to stay on the team in a bench role.
Sure he played in a lot of games his first 2 seasons, but it was for only a handful of minutes each time.

I think its cool that he chose to stay with the team/school/program- he obviously has an attachment to it and is supporting what he loves and worked hard to get to.

 

[PartTimeGenius]

I wonder whether he's just lazy or had some type of lingering injury coming into the season. He's definitely carrying more weight than he previously has and seems cemented to the bench.

 

[SouthOfI10]

I took one of my grandsons to basketball camp last summer and EJ was one of the counselors. The kids loved him and he seemed to really enjoy working with them. I wouldnt be suprised if working with youth sports is where he future is.

 

[dawgstudent]

He knew his playing time was going to diminish but he loves Mississippi State and chose to stay. More power to him.

 

[Seinfeld]

It is cool to hear, but it does beg the question as to whether he is still on scholarship. I can think of a particular position in which a grad transfer might’ve won us a few extra games this season

 

[kired]

Has he played at all? I mean, even in walkon time? Does make you think he may have had surgery or something... or maybe he's redshirting so he could go the grad transfer route and play one more season.

 

[DAWG61]

I was going to start a thread on Datcher last week. I'm pretty sure he's redshirting or it at least appears that way. He hasn't played a single minute this year.

 

[hullabaloodog]

It is cool to hear, but it does beg the question as to whether he is still on scholarship. I can think of a particular position in which a grad transfer might’ve won us a few extra games this season

My understanding is that he is not on scholarship. His scholarship was used to bring in Tolu Smith.

 

[Seinfeld]

Ok, in that case, my hat’s off to him for sticking around

 

[hoopsdreamer]

I just like his energy on the bench. Sure doesn’t appear to be upset for riding the bench. Great attitude. Looks like a dude that would be fun to hang out with.

 

[BigWorm.sixpack]

My understanding is that he is not on scholarship. His scholarship was used to bring in Tolu Smith.

Don't know his situation at all, but a rule was passed about eight-ten years ago by the NCAA stating that you cannot reduce the scholarship amount you initially signed for unless it is spelled out from the beginning in the financial aid agreement. Also, coaches cannot "run off" players to make room for other players. This whole "processing" of players doesn't happen as long as the player is fulfilling his obligation of going to class and not breaking team rules. The player has every right to stay on the team until he graduates or expels their eligibility provided he is on scholarship. Many players do decide to leave when the coach tells them that they are not going to see playing time, which translates to them being "processed".

 

[DAWG61]

Not buying this ^^^^. Basketball scholarship's are one year "contracts" not 4 years.

 

[hullabaloodog]

Don't know his situation at all, but a rule was passed about eight-ten years ago by the NCAA stating that you cannot reduce the scholarship amount you initially signed for unless it is spelled out from the beginning in the financial aid agreement. Also, coaches cannot "run off" players to make room for other players. This whole "processing" of players doesn't happen as long as the player is fulfilling his obligation of going to class and not breaking team rules. The player has every right to stay on the team until he graduates or expels their eligibility provided he is on scholarship. Many players do decide to leave when the coach tells them that they are not going to see playing time, which translates to them being "processed".

I don't think there's any bad blood here between Datcher and the coaches. Feels like this was a mutual agreement. As others in this thread have speculated, it seems logical that he is redshirting this season and going to move on as a grad transfer.

 

[BigWorm.sixpack]

Not buying this ^^^^. Basketball scholarship's are one year "contracts" not 4 years.

WRONG! Not anymore Hoss. Like I said, this rule has changed. It used to be that these scholarships were year to year on the amount that they were to be awarded. But that changed in 2015. Not a great article but a little insight none the less.

https://informedathlete.com/the-facts-about-guaranteed-multi-year-ncaa-di-scholarships/

 

[preacher_dawg]

WRONG! Not anymore Hoss. Like I said, this rule has changed. It used to be that these scholarships were year to year on the amount that they were to be awarded. But that changed in 2015. Not a great article but a little insight none the less.

https://informedathlete.com/the-facts-about-guaranteed-multi-year-ncaa-di-scholarships/

Too bad this rule wasn't around when Phil Turner was playing.

 

[DAWG61]

Teams trim the fat every year everywhere. Good luck proving it.