Bleacher Report lists us as the best destination for Miles Bridges. Here is to hoping he agrees but not getting any hopes up.
The pessimist in me says the perfect storm hit...Meaning we had a subpar year while Sparty made another Final 4 run, and therefore all momentum of us becoming an equally attractive landing spot in the state came to an abrupt end.The optimist, meanwhile, says “Hey, at least we’re still making top 5 lists for these kids…all it takes is one commit to get back on track.”
Finally, the realist in me says its time to start focusing hard on the 4 star guys at the beginning of Beilein’s recruiting cycle, while still performing our due-diligence with the 5 star players that show legitimate interest.
The one thing to keep in mind is that Beilein has 4 years left on his contract. Players that commit to Michigan from this point forward are probably interested if Beilein will be around for the ride. Wouldn’t matter much for the 1 and done but Beilein hasn’t exactly made those players a priority in the least.
We would have been a great destination for Luke Kennard and Devin Booker. There is no question that Jaylen Brown would get so much more from John Beilein and Michigan then he’ll get from Cuonzo Martin at Cal. Tyus Battle…Syracuse? Really? Listen, we don’t know what goes on in the minds of these kids but I can assure you they don’t care what we want or what we think is best for them. If Miles Bridges has the grades and attitude to fit in at Michigan, then, with Caris leaving after this year, he could definitely be the piece we need. But only if he wants to. If he doesn’t come then I hope Kevin Huerter sees what a great fit he’d be at Michigan AND what JB and co. could do for HIM. If none of this happens, that’s life. I’m just not going to sweat it anymore. I’ve been a Michigan fan since Bill Buntin and Cazzie Russell. I’ve been to the mountaintop and I’ve been down in the deepest valley, and one thing I’m pretty sure about is John Beilein will get it figured out!
The one thing to keep in mind is that Beilein has 4 years left on his contract. Players that commit to Michigan from this point forward are probably interested if Beilein will be around for the ride
Agreed.
Wouldn't matter much for the 1 and done but Beilein hasn't exactly made those players a priority in the least.
Seems to be a mischaracterization. He’s prioritized those players (Booker, Kennard, Thornton, Leaf, Battle, Langford) - he just doesn’t sell himself out for them, or for anyone.
Miles Bridges Peach Jam Highlights
Reminds me of a mix of Albert White/Stanley Johnson. Needs to continue developing his handles.
Miles Bridges Peach Jam Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhbrHFVUu8M&app=desktop
Reminds me of a mix of Albert White/Stanley Johnson. Needs to continue developing his handles.Miles Bridges Peach Jam Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhbrHFVUu8M&app=desktop
Unfortunately this is a case where I think a player would actually be a better fit in the system at MSU vs. UM. That said, I still really want him, sounds like the staff are devoting more attention to him now though. Hopefully they can make up ground.
Seems to be a mischaracterization. He’s prioritized those players (Booker, Kennard, Thornton, Leaf, Battle, Langford) - he just doesn’t sell himself out for them, or for anyone.
How exactly did Booker, Thornton, Langford and others expect JB to “sell out” for them? I don’t understand. Fine, JB is the most ethical guy there is, but it’s wrong to cast aspersions on every elite recruit that we miss on. Especially a guy like Langford who committed elsewhere only when it appeared that his spot had been taken. Langford would have been an awesome fit at Michigan and it sucks that things went down the way they did.
Unfortunately this is a case where I think a player would actually be a better fit in the system at MSU vs. UM. That said, I still really want him, sounds like the staff are devoting more attention to him now though. Hopefully they can make up ground.
I’m sure Michigan could make excellent use of Bridges and develop his basketball skills just as well as Izzo could. I think we give State too much credit in suggesting that they’re a better fit for guys who are strong as an ox coming out of high school. Experience has shown that JB gets guys into the league faster than Izzo does. Jaylen Brown’s interest in Michigan speaks to the appeal that Michigan’s system could have for strong, athletic SFs in terms of developing and showcasing their skills – it’s just that we don’t typically prioritize recruiting these types of players. Having missed on Battle and Langford, it’s encouraging that they are starting to get serious about Bridges.
With respect to Langford, JB could have continued to recruit him and pushed someone else out if it became necessary, which some (or most) college coaches would do. It’s not necessarily always what the recruit expects (in terms of benefits or the like), but what the coach is willing to do.
Bridges talks finalists http://www.insidethehall.com/2015/07/16/five-star-forward-miles-bridges-breaks-down-finalists/
Seems to be a mischaracterization. He’s prioritized those players (Booker, Kennard, Thornton, Leaf, Battle, Langford) - he just doesn’t sell himself out for them, or for anyone.
How exactly did Booker, Thornton, Langford and others expect JB to “sell out” for them? I don’t understand. Fine, JB is the most ethical guy there is, but it’s wrong to cast aspersions on every elite recruit that we miss on. Especially a guy like Langford who committed elsewhere only when it appeared that his spot had been taken. Langford would have been an awesome fit at Michigan and it sucks that things went down the way they did.
Unfortunately this is a case where I think a player would actually be a better fit in the system at MSU vs. UM. That said, I still really want him, sounds like the staff are devoting more attention to him now though. Hopefully they can make up ground.I’m sure Michigan could make excellent use of Bridges and develop his basketball skills just as well as Izzo could. I think we give State too much credit in suggesting that they’re a better fit for guys who are strong as an ox coming out of high school. Experience has shown that JB gets guys into the league faster than Izzo does. Jaylen Brown’s interest in Michigan speaks to the appeal that Michigan’s system could have for strong, athletic SFs in terms of developing and showcasing their skills – it’s just that we don’t typically prioritize recruiting these types of players. Having missed on Battle and Langford, it’s encouraging that they are starting to get serious about Bridges.
I don’t think Voltron was really casting aspersions but there have been some that have decided to go down that road. Maybe Booker would have been a 1 and done at Michigan but I don’t believe many thought it was going to play out that way. I think in a lot of cases perception plays a huge role. Schools like Arizona, Kentucky, Duke have embraced the 1 and done player. Unfortunately here with certain people there is a stigma attached to 1 and done players and it isn’t fair to them. Maybe it’s hard for the 1 and done to seriously make that jump to Michigan when a lot things point to Michigan not being that type of school.
How exactly did Booker, Thornton, Langford and others expect JB to "sell out" for them? I don't understand. Fine, JB is the most ethical guy there is, but it's wrong to cast aspersions on every elite recruit that we miss on. Especially a guy like Langford who committed elsewhere only when it appeared that his spot had been taken. Langford would have been an awesome fit at Michigan and it sucks that things went down the way they did.
As @AlbrechtShotFake notes, I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on the players themselves. What I meant was, Beilein is not a “roll out the limo and red carpet” “tell you you’re the man” “promise a starting spot” “promise some portion of the ball” type coach or recruiter. He wants kids that are busting down the door to get to Michigan. My take, from miles away, is that the truly elite are used to being sucked up to (it takes a truly special person not to be given their circumstances and how everyone around them treats them) and respond better to that style. I didn’t mean that personally with any of those recruits (though I do think promising Battle the PG spot was influential in Syracuse’s recruitment of him), so apologies for coming across that way.
So, apparently Balas is now tweeting that Amir Coffey is a new 2016 wing target. I took a quick look at some film, and I am really impressed.
Ranked #50 by Rivals even after sitting out the season with ACL surgery. No brainer if he knee is sound.So, apparently Balas is now tweeting that Amir Coffey is a new 2016 wing target. I took a quick look at some film, and I am really impressed.
Rankings are fine, but just looking at his film I’m super impressed. I don’t claim to be a great talent evaluator, but he has a good all around game I think. Fast, good at getting to the hoop, some good defensive instincts.
Coffey has been a guy on the radar for a while… We’ll try to follow up and see if U-M is turning up the heat (would make sense).
Bridges has been my number 1 target since I saw him play last spring in Dallas. He’s going to be a good one, possibly great.
Bridges has been my number 1 target since I saw him play last spring in Dallas. He's going to be a good one, possibly great.
Unfortunately I see the chances of us getting him being slim to none, with it closer to none than slim.
2016 wing guard RT @RyanJamesMN: "Right now I like Marquette, Minnesota, Miami, Michigan and Florida," Amir Coffey said
— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) July 16, 2015
2016 wing guard RT @RyanJamesMN: "Right now I like Marquette, Minnesota, Miami, Michigan and Florida," Amir Coffey said
— Dylan Burkhardt (@umhoops) July 16, 2015
Decent list considering there was talk that UNC was a dream school of his.