On a serious note, I’m glad we don’t have kids with awful attitudes. Look at Illinois, they have kids pulling knives on people and getting kicked off the team. I do agree we need a lot more athleticism and toughness on the roster as long as it doesn’t come with the extra garbage and attitude.
We recruited and offered all of MSU’s state of Michigan players except for Forbes, who went to Cleveland State, and Harris, who went to WVU. Losing out on Valentine and Costello meant that we HAD to go out of state. We ended up with Mitch, GRIII and Nik. MSU did not offer either Harris or Forbes out of high school.
1 Like
I am going to preface this by saying I work in higher education. I know recruiting is very important to college sports programs. But if Jackson can go take his basketball services to some prep school in California I am not feeling this he can’t take a 30 minute drive/ride to the UM Campus to meet and greet and check what an instate school has to offer. One that has not treated any other recruit any differently. I may not like how JB is recruiting the city of Detroit. But one of the major problems with recruiting today is it has created a whole class of prima donna athletes who can often act like ingrats.
Man we have a lot of Don Quijote’s on the board today. It is no secret that hoops recruiting can be unseemly and that it requires treating teenagers like they are God’s gift. Either you adapt to that or you die on the recruiting trail. I would rather our coach adapt than continuing to chase windmills thinking he is going to single-handedly reform the system
2 Likes
Josh Jackson’s girlfriend is committed to the UofM women’s basketball program for the 2016 class. The fact that he is an instate kid, playing a position of need, with relationships to people headed UofM, and yet he is not even considering Michigan… that says a lot.
2 Likes
Michigan recruited and offered Deyonta Davis? News to me.
1 Like
DD was a lock to Mstate since he was born. He’s a super quiet kid that hated the recruiting process and would literally tell any coaches that called "Thanks but no thanks, I know where i’m going. Plus by the time he blew up he was already committed.
I know, but it disproves the claim (made above) that “we recruited and offered all of MSU’s state of Michigan players except for Forbes … and Harris.”
Look at the lineup I provided: X, Walton, Rahk at the 1-2-3. That’s 6’, 6’, 6’4". Then probably Irvin at 4, and he’s 6’6". That’s a small lineup. And could arguably be our most effective next season
To say somebody is a prima donna without knowing him isn’t necessarily fair. Beilein has a check list of things(hoops) he wants to kid to go through before getting an offer. Why go visit if you’re not sure you will pass through every test when you know teams like MSU, Kansas, Arizona etc… are willing to offer you a scholarship?
It’s admirable to put your school up on a pedestal and want guys to run to your school but when that stance can hurt you because there are schools just as good if not better then the coach has to accept responsibility for things not going well.
Fans want the school to do well when players commit to the school and can’t contribute or not very good I am not sure those same fans care if those players came running to the school. I like Moritz Wagner I think he has potential but they didn’t get anything out of him this year I don’t care if he ran to this program I just want him to be productive.
1 Like
Aren’t the “hoops” just providing transcripts and visiting (and listening to an academic presentation while on the visit)?
Describing that as “jumping through hoops” is a bit disingenuous, no?
I don’t see that lineup used at all next year. No reason to have our 3 best ball handlers out there at the same time. Maybe a very few minutes but definitely not a regular one. I see Dawkins or chatman playing a bit more with Duncan coming off the bench. I think one more summer for chatman will do him wonders. Irvin gets beat up playing the 4 so I’m thinking its first on the list of things to do in finding someone to play the 4 so Irvin can play the 3. Whether it’s dj, chatman, Dawkins, or Wagner, someone needs to step it up.
Look I’m a Detroiter and always want our guys to get an opportunity to go to UM and for UM to have a chance at the best talent in the state. What would he be afraid of that he might not pass (transcripts)? I could see if UM was treating him differently then any other recruit and if they are spill the beans get it out in the open stop the secrets.
I don’t disagree that someone needs to step up. Having a viable four that is the physical size of most opposing fours would be great. But it’s not s guarantee its happening. I think Walton, Rahk and Irvin are out three best players. There’s a chance X can be a contributor right away. Throw Donnal in there and it very well could be our most talented five man lineup. I typically like my best players on the floor in crunch time. Walton, Irvin and Donnal are good enough shooters to keep the floor spaced. That is not going to be a lineup that gets 20 minutes a night together because players obviously need rest. But if it’s out there for important minutes, Im not gonna be shocked because those are out best players
1 Like
At the arena for X’s game at 7. Anything you want me to particularly watch out for?
How he gets to the hoop and his ability to take over the game. Also, man to man defense.
1 Like
Are they playing Canton McKinley tonight? I expect that will be a good test.
[Ed. Strike that… got the team wrong. My bad.]
Highlights and score occasionally would be awesome. Thanks man
1 Like
Lorain Catholic is who they are playing (winner most likely plays McKinley). Idk anything about them. Look athletic, but they are shooting terribly in warm ups
Lorain definitely taller and longer. Will be interesting how that plays out