I like Simpsons game, he looks pretty good. Hopefully he can learn from a year under D Walt and take the reigns after that.
Winston had two years “to run to Michigan”, JB has aggressively decided to not be left at the altar any more. He’ll take kids who want to be here. Remember the last time a smallish PG from Ohio that OSU didn’t want showed up in AA? Deja Vu 2?
Simpson is a great get, IMO. He can play. People always say that we need players with “dog” in them. well, we just got one. Rankings aside, I like Simpson almost as much as Winston. Rumor also the UK is getting into the Winston chase.
Rumor also the UK is getting into the Winston chase.
I think I have PTSD. Despite really hoping that Winston does choose UK (or, basically, not MSU), I will probably worry that Izzo will try to get back in with Simpson in that scenario.
I know what you mean.Rumor also the UK is getting into the Winston chase.I think I have PTSD. Despite really hoping that Winston does choose UK (or, basically, not MSU), I will probably worry that Izzo will try to get back in with Simpson in that scenario.
I wish Beilein would have taken this approach earlier. Well maybe he did, since it appears Simpson must have known for a while M was going to offer.
Seems like an interesting story here I wish I were privy to.
Anyway I’m happy for Simpson and M, and I’m done arguing with myself
I haven't verified this yet but I have been told that Simpson Committed to Michigan on Sunday. The person who told me this is connected to Illinois Basketball program. He told me he thinks. So it's not concrete.Worth sharing though. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Great take mp, you deserve some credit for how early you brought up this possibility. How’s the early Intel on Eric Davis shaking out?
Winston had two years "to run to Michigan", JB has aggressively decided to not be left at the altar any more. He'll take kids who want to be here. Remember the last time a smallish PG from Ohio that OSU didn't want showed up in AA? Deja Vu 2?
I hope you are right, but there is a lot less margin for error when you are taking the plan A kids versus the plan B and C types. I’m not saying you can’t win that way but it makes it harder. The same is true in football recruiting. You can win with what Dantonio gets but it’s a lot easier to win with what Meyer gets.
I haven't verified this yet but I have been told that Simpson Committed to Michigan on Sunday. The person who told me this is connected to Illinois Basketball program. He told me he thinks. So it's not concrete.Worth sharing though. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Great take mp, you deserve some credit for how early you brought up this possibility. How’s the early Intel on Eric Davis shaking out?
Haha, I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic or not.
I wish Davis well.
Thought this was very interesting as well. Personally, I agree with the angle the staff took. Been burned one too many times to sit and wait on a guy that is 50/50. I think you wait it out if there is a significant talent disparity between Option A and Option B, but if the discrepancy is the difference between good and above average…as is the case here, I think you take the first to commit. I think Winston is a notch above Simpson from a pure talent standpoint, but the discrepancy isn’t so large to the point where you can justify waiting around when you can get a decent talent that will likely be an above average role player for 4 years.
Per Sam Webb: Michigan still had a slight lead for Cassius Winston but took Xavier Simpson because he was willing to commit first.
— _Doug 〽️ (@MichiganMan_2) September 10, 2015
Sam had maintained for a while that he felt UM had the slight edge for Winston. But repeatedly said it was also not a slam dunk. Xavier Simpson took one visit and liked what he saw enough to want to commit. Winston had taken double digit visits to UM and MSU and wasn’t sure between the two going through his own process. That’s a decision the staff had to make and I also agree I think it was the proper one.
I haven't verified this yet but I have been told that Simpson Committed to Michigan on Sunday. The person who told me this is connected to Illinois Basketball program. He told me he thinks. So it's not concrete.Worth sharing though. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Great take mp, you deserve some credit for how early you brought up this possibility. How’s the early Intel on Eric Davis shaking out?
Haha, I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic or not.
I wish Davis well.
No sarcasm at all. Just wondered how the local word was on his potentially being in the playing group as a Frosh.
Still wish they had made a concerted late push for Goodin, as he seemed gettable and had great size and athleticism. The kind of overlooked Top 75 guy that JB could have molded into a two year lottery pick. Don’t mind missing on Winston – never liked his slow, plodding style that may not translate to D1. Only wanted him once it seemed like Bridges was on the table. Overall Simpson seems like a very solid pickup – Lucas looked maybe a bit more exciting but less proven against good competition. Aiken too pint-sized for my taste, and, although skilled, nobody ever said he was the second coming of Tyler Ulis. But I will still consider Goodin among the program’s bigger misses until proven otherwise.
Still wish they had made a concerted late push for Goodin, as he seemed gettable and had great size and athleticism. The kind of overlooked Top 75 guy that JB could have molded into a two year lottery pick. Don't mind missing on Winston -- never liked his slow, plodding style that may not translate to D1. Only wanted him once it seemed like Bridges was on the table. Overall Simpson seems like a very solid pickup -- Lucas looked maybe a bit more exciting but less proven against good competition. Aiken too pint-sized for my taste, and, although skilled, nobody ever said he was the second coming of Tyler Ulis. But I will still consider Goodin among the program's bigger misses until proven otherwise.
Were we ever that close with Goodin? I agree I like his upside more, but I’m not sure how realistic our chances were.
In terms or recruiting overall, I think it is becoming more and more apparent that the 2012 and 2013 classes were an aberation. I don’t see us pulling in that much high talent again given the way recruiting has been under JB before and after that 2 year stretch. I think the water has found its level which means classes of 1 top 100 guy and a couple guys in the 100-200 range, per class. With JB’s ability to coach up talent that will put us in the tournament every year with a good shot of making the sweet 16, but anything beyond that seems unlikely.
In terms or recruiting overall, I think it is becoming more and more apparent that the 2012 and 2013 classes were an aberation.
While I agree the general point, I don’t think we can say with any certainty until recruits are on campus. Because on paper (i.e. rankings) we’ve done just as well since, it’s just that players haven’t outperformed their rankings to the same degree as those guys. But current recruits still could.
Still wish they had made a concerted late push for Goodin, as he seemed gettable and had great size and athleticism. The kind of overlooked Top 75 guy that JB could have molded into a two year lottery pick. Don't mind missing on Winston -- never liked his slow, plodding style that may not translate to D1. Only wanted him once it seemed like Bridges was on the table. Overall Simpson seems like a very solid pickup -- Lucas looked maybe a bit more exciting but less proven against good competition. Aiken too pint-sized for my taste, and, although skilled, nobody ever said he was the second coming of Tyler Ulis. But I will still consider Goodin among the program's bigger misses until proven otherwise.
The staff cooled on Goodin. Had we pushed for him, we probably could have had him.
I think they viewed Goodin as too much of a combo guard, and not enough of a pure point guard. Whether that’s accurate or not, I guess, is to be determined.
I’m not sure I agree the 2012 and 2013 classes were a recruiting “aberration,” and the “best we can hope for” is the Sweet Sixteen every now and then. Guys like Tim Hardaway and Trey Burke were in the classes of 2010 and 2011, respectively, and both ended up as first round NBA draft picks. In 2014, we landed a five-star in Chatman, he just hasn’t played like it yet. And while he wasn’t ranked highly as a recruit, Aubrey Dawkins has a chance to be a real impact player, IMO.
At this point, we need to have a strong year on the court and hope that translates into better recruiting. Sure, 2013 and 2014 did not, which is disappointing. On the other hand, what was it about the 2009-2011 seasons that enabled us to land the heralded classes of 2012 and 2013?
Similarly, look at Tom Izzo - he went several years without getting his top targets (Jabari Parker, Tyus Jones, Cliff Alexander, to name three), and now suddenly he’s doing a great job of recruiting again - Langford, presumably Winston, and potentially Bridges.
Unless you are Duke or UK, recruiting is fickle. A good friend of mine is a big Arizona fan - the past couple years, they’ve been hauling in great prospects. The 2016 class, on the other hand, is not looking very good for them. What gives? Their kids are making the NBA, Sean Miller seems to be a good recruiter, and they’re winning on the court.
It’s entirely possible the 2012 class will be the best JB ever signs; on the other hand, it’s also the best Michigan recruiting class since the Fab Five.
I agree recruiting is fickle but in no way shape or form is Chatman a 5 star player. Never was. Never will be.
Not sure why my quote button isn’t working but this is two fold. First to 93grad. I do believe we are stacked for the near future. I don’t think Irvin is leaving but even if he does we still have Walton, rahkman and Dawkins. I have s ton of faith in all three. You must not have seen the potential Dawkins and rahkman have like I did. I have a lot of faith in both. Rahkman will be a great two way player who will be here all four years. He’s def a top penetrator, who showed great d along with a decent shot which could develop into a very reliable three ball. His potential is great to me.
Also dAwkins to me is a great talent. I think he will reach the league. Also Walton is a good pg when healthy I think we all agree on. Also we don’t know what Robinson or chatman will do just yet. Chatman I think will go back to the three more with all the big men we have brought in and Robinson might be a revelation.So at the very least I’m confident in a Walton maar Dawkins trio.
Add in Simpson and I’m very happy. I knew nothing of this kid but after watching his videos I’m very pleased. Although Winston is more skilled, I like what Simpson brings to the table more. Not your usual coach b recruit but I like that because his d and toughness/strength is something we’re lacking. Seems to be a very heady/ tough player, who just looks like a winner to me. I’m very excited. I actually think this class is a sleeper just like the 2014 class.
This is very long winded but I actually think we’re set up nice for the next three years. Coach b got a lot of kids in this class that he doesn’t usually go after. We got a seven foot shot blocker, a 6 10 bruiser who operates well on the low block, a defensive minded/ physical strong pg and then Watson who is actually more like the type of player coach b goes after.
seems he went after kids that were a bit different then usual. Maybe he was sick of getting beat up down low and playing weak d. I for one like what he’s got here. Picture a Simpson maar backcourt in a few years. Just hounding opposing guards all over the court.both who’s strength is getting to the rim. I really like the direction and think all of our misses in recruiting will be forgotten. I’d obviously like Langford or battle instead of Watson too but hey ibi looks like a solid late bloomer too. Intriguing class I think personally.
As expected, Winston commits to MSU