Wherefore are thou, Ibi Watson?
The two guys that benefitted the the most were Burke and Wagner - returned.
Levert also benefitted despite not even playing that season.
Matthews went from not gonna be drafted to improving his chances.
GR3 probably should have went.
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That is what he does best.
He still can do that. You can hire an agent and still come back.
Nik went from not on the NBA radar to lotto pick.
This is clearly the biggest danger. Which is why I asked earlier whether Beilein would necessarily wait for Poole. I could see a scenario where, despite gentlemanly instincts, he might need to act for the good of his program.
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Way too early to know.
Weāll see who stays in the draft, and who we bring in. And who plays a big role next year.
I think it is better if outright decisions are made. It is way too dangerous to be in waiting mode on player and recruit. There are legit talents out there and Michigan has to act.
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How about the legit talent that is Jordan Poole? Do you think JP would be wanted at other schools? Besides the inconsistent play, was he not spectacular at times? If there is any way for JB to work it, hedging or not, I would think he would welcome JP back.
Absolutely. Those who know my history here are aware that Iām an enormous fan and lamenting his likely departure. But if it stretched into March, as is somewhat possible. . .
No kidding! One can only wonder how he wouldāve fit in this year. Probably wouldāve been a valuable senior shooter in 2019-20!
Attrition is constant, and Michigan basketball is trending upwards. Fun fact, KemPomās final top 10 in both 2018 & 2019 share seven of the same teams: Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Virginia, Gonzaga, Duke, North Carolina. Thatās pretty good company. I trust weāll be fine.
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Not a comment on the decision to declare or go with Iggy. Wish him the absolute best in his workouts and if he stays in as it sounds like will happen.
Instead, my issue is the constant note on his age. I truly donāt understand the continuation to keep calling that out and saying that makes it a āno brainerā.
I think most/all agree heād never be a lotto pick, but I would think Iggy had a 20-30 first round range as his ceiling. His age by staying another year in college would not stop him from climbing into the first round. There are NUMEROUS late 21/22 year olds who are selected in that area of the draft.
The no brainer to go would be if you think Iggy has no first round ceiling by staying another year in college. If thatās your opinion, no argument whatsoever by saying with his age he should go. Start your NBA career and get paid since youāre down a year or two from most NBA lifespans.
Otherwise, I donāt think itās a no brainer due to being a 20 year old Frosh. I only think itās a no brainer if any improvement as a Sophomore in college would not get him into the first round.
(I am assuming Iggy is a second round pick this year unless he really wows in combine/workouts)
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So, the point Navarre is making is valid, and something this program has always had (though Iām not sure if heās getting it across properly). IMO, Michigan really isnāt as healthy as other top programs because we do not recruit enough / well enough to match our attritition consistently. Pretty much everyone who is even a fringe NBA prospect wants to leave immediately (which is not the case elsewhere, even at programs like Kentucky and Duke). And we are not adequately prepared to replace all the guys that leave. For example, with Poole leaving our only current options at the two guard next year are maybe Brooks, Nunez and Bajema. Clearly JB does not think those guys are good options yet to play big minutes as we are scrambling to find a replacement at the last second. A properly oiled program has guys ready as guys leave. We consistently donāt. And thatās gonna result in us having down years (like next year) unlike other top programs.
IMO, the core issue seems to be that the Michigan experience/JB are not enjoyable enough to convince fringe players to want to return sometimes. But you see Ashton Hagans and Jones return at blue bloods and canāt help but sigh (along with our chief rival being the #1 preseason team because no one ever wants to even slightly consider leaving).
Reegs, I understand what you are saying, however, Beilien has outperformed the blue bloods for 7 years now. I still believe Michigan has the most NCAA wins over 7 years as any program (tied with NCar). We have performed at a high level even with the attrition. Have we lost a kid early who was a 2nd rounder in the past 4 years? I canāt remember 1 but I could be off. Let this play out a bit. I think we will be just fine. We had a strong recruiting class last year and this year we have 2 strong players. Time for some of them to step up.
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Iggy exceeded my expectations at Michigan by a ling shot. Wishing him and his family the best as he takes the next step in chasing his dreams.
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How could the core issue be something that we could never determine? We havenāt had anyone leave ātoo earlyā since who? Most everyone who has left did so at the best time.
If itās anything it must be the type of people recruited. Izzo must not recruit people who say āthe NBA is my goalā very often. As for Tre Jones and Hagans, Duke and UK have tons of guys leave too. Theyāre bound to have a guy stay every once in a while.
I donāt really see how this is a Michigan problem other than Michigan does a really good job of identifying talent (and showcasing it in a way that is appealing to NBA scouts). Is Michigan the only school that loses freshman (for the first time) and sophomores to the NBA? Even if they are potential 2nd round picks?
It is just part of the system. Everyone points to Michigan State with Miles Bridges coming back ā and yes there are rare exceptions ā but there was also Deyonta Davis a year before that.
A lot of this is just a product of the way college basketball is in 2019. Thereās a reason that the transfer and late recruiting market gets so crazy.
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This. One of the best posts Iāve read since the whole ājump off the deep end because three guys declared for the draftā happened. Thank for a very reasoned and reasonable comment.
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