Yes, we get killed with our lack of size in terms of the bigs…but it’s not just size, we get killed because we’re just unathletic. Our bigs are exponentially slower, vertically challenged, and just downright stiff compared to the bigs from some other schools.
One thing that even Beilein's most vociferous critics may eventually want to concede: Beilein is likely doing what they have been demanding in getting some face-to-the-basket bigs. As several people at mgoblog point out, Beilein himself acknowledged that we got killed by Kentucky's bigs, and we have been handled in the B1G more than once underneath. (I'd says it's fun the way we've still often beaten them with Beilein's system, but that's a personal preference, and I am definitely one of those who loves our Goliath v. David approach.) I think he's doing what some of you have been demanding. . . within the parameters of his own system. And if you consider the way someone like Bielfeldt, with his limited athleticism, sometimes managed this year, add a little height, weight, better footwork, hands, a softer touch. . . The other thing is that, as Brian noted, he'll have his centers stacked like planes over LaGuardia, maturing in their junior and senior years. Also, after reading some of the aggregated press about Austin in Brian's article--the guy was definitely rising fast. It's just not apt to condemn the get out of hand.
Just stop it, people were on MgoBlog complaining for much the same logic we do here - doesn’t make sense from a roster composition or talent standpoint. People are frustrated, and understandably so.
Have we dug ourselves into a hole with our recruiting of the 5 spot that we can’t get better athletes?
This keeps coming up. I am in favor of bringing in some size, rebounding, etc. We brought in Teske. Then we got a 6-10 Wagner, though he’s not really a low-block guy. Then Davis. I wish Davis the best and think he will do some good things for us, but to say that the people who want size are now getting what they want is saying that if you ask for size you’re asking for the balance of the roster to be tilted that way, and that you’re not implying athletic size. I feel as though bringing in a freshman Teske behind a junior Doyle (with the possibility of Donnal and Wilson still being on the roster) is plenty. You’ve got two years to play with. You have low-block players in Doyle and Teske, plus the fours. Wait a bit for another project and have scholarships to give.
People are only upset or frustrated in the moment. If Davis has a good summer circuit and climbs the rankings like some feel he has the ability to do and some of the other rumored things take place such as a transfer or the Hatch’s medical and we still pull in some perimeter helps at the guard spot than we will probably see a different attitude.
It’s understandable to have frustration with a head scratcher move like this but it might only be head scratching at the moment. I would believe the staff knows the roster and what is coming better than any of us, as much as we all like to tout our knowledge. As much as some of us are called Beilein supporters no matter what the bottom line is it seems naive to think that a guard oriented perimeter attack based Beilein would leave the roster with so few options at those spots. If it is the case at the end of the summer I would be shocked.
Also, forgive me if I remain unconvinced by Brian at mgo trying to tell us to be more positive about Davis by posting video highlights of Trey Burke.
People listen to Brian’s opinion about basketball? Come on, really?
Also, forgive me if I remain unconvinced by Brian at mgo trying to tell us to be more positive about Davis by posting video highlights of Trey Burke.
Yea that was a weak and unfair comparison by Brian and he should know better. That is like shouting Mike Hart anytime the football team gets a 3 start commit. Burke ended up being a top 100 recruit, he signed later in the period and he was at a position of absolute need. None of those things are true of Davis at the moment.
People listen to Brian's opinion about basketball? Come on, really?
Brian is nothing short of great with respect to football. Basketball is very much a different story
People listen to Brian's opinion about basketball? Come on, really?
Ohio Northern
Couldn’t help but to remember this - I recall the rationalizing from a good portion of folks did when JB essentially told Coleman to look elsewhere. I believe that move is rally going to haunt us down the road.
Couldn't help but to remember this - I recall the rationalizing from a good portion of folks did when JB essentially told Coleman to look elsewhere. I believe that move is rally going to haunt us down the road.
We have no more information on that decision than we did then. If Robinson flames out and Coleman is a stud, then you can gloat.
Actually, that’s not true. We have information that Robinson is doing great. You don’t believe that yet, so we shall see.
lol at “my tax dollars pay his salary”. The correct stupid argument for a basketball coach is “I buy tickets and pay his salary”.
Couldn't help but to remember this - I recall the rationalizing from a good portion of folks did when JB essentially told Coleman to look elsewhere. I believe that move is rally going to haunt us down the road.We have no more information on that decision than we did then. If Robinson flames out and Coleman is a stud, then you can gloat.
Actually, that’s not true. We have information that Robinson is doing great. You don’t believe that yet, so we shall see.
Wasn’t gloating, more of a roster balance thing. Coleman definitely wasn’t Thornton in terms of creating, but certainly would have been an upper tier piece at a position of need.
Also, we had reports of Max ‘makes everything in practice’, Doyle was ‘beasting’, Kam ‘grasps things quicker than anyone’…reports, everyone has em
Wasn't gloating, more of a roster balance thing. Coleman definitely wasn't Thornton in terms of creating, but certainly would have been an upper tier piece at a position of need.Also, we had reports of Max ‘makes everything in practice’, Doyle was ‘beasting’, Kam ‘grasps things quicker than anyone’…reports, everyone has em
On roster balance, fair enough…though certainly if you end up being right because of Davis, we didn’t know that at the time you said it about Coleman.
As for practice reports, like I said, we’ll see. I’m not saying you’re right or wrong. I am saying that just because they’re overzealous sometimes doesn’t make them automatically wrong the next time. But no need to re-hash.
Also, Peter Vignier just blocked your shot into the front row 
(I just think it’s cool that Peter Vignier is posting on here. Peter, what’s your take on fellow big-man Davis?)
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From what I know, the tea leaves suggest when all is said and done, Davis will be classed as a '17 recruit which makes all of this conversation more or less moot.
I know many will disagree, but frankly, if Davis in fact doesn’t end up at UM until '17, IMO, it qualifies this as a very good maneuver by the coaching staff. That would mean, the kid we see now, will have 2 more years of HS ball/AAU ball and then a prep year at a school that will likely place him against very good competition.
Like everyone else, I was confounded when I heard Davis was offered and he committed…but I just felt like there was more to this story, which is why I didn’t bother reacting until I could get a better sense of things. Well, if in fact Davis doesn’t come until '17, from my perspective, I am no longer confounded and I think the move is a very good one.
People listen to Brian's opinion about basketball? Come on, really?Ohio Northern
You got me again!
And yes, me playing 4 years, 1 of those years for a coach in the hall of fame at lowly Ohio Northern makes me far more qualified to assess all aspects of the game of basketball over Brian at Mgoblog.
Uh, er, using this rationale, none of us should be questioning JB.
Huh? I’m not qualified to be president of the united states but I still question every president… No one is above reproach.
I’m also not comparing my knowledge of the game to JB. That’s just silly. I’m responding to MattR who tries to be cute with his swipes at me because I gave Eric Davis a bad evaluation once. He’s still not over it.
He’ll get there.
People listen to Brian's opinion about basketball? Come on, really?Ohio Northern
You got me again!
And yes, me playing 4 years, 1 of those years for a coach in the hall of fame at lowly Ohio Northern makes me far more qualified to assess all aspects of the game of basketball over Brian at Mgoblog.
lol at "my tax dollars pay his salary". The correct stupid argument for a basketball coach is "I buy tickets and pay his salary".
Hi Pete, I see you didn’t have a meaningful contribution. In terms of basketball, but nevertheless I appreciate your take on things.