If there’s any chance Michigan could get a commit from Franz and then also have any chance at all to return Iggy, I personally wouldn’t offer Pierce.
Not sure. Pierce is going to visit NCar next week so a decision will be coming quickly for him.
I am sure the coaches are working the timelines and the different scenarios better than we can. That said, I wonder if we were fortunate enough to land Franz and Pierce, if we would push someone out if Iggy wanted to return. I assume not but not sure.
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Awesome thanks!
I appreciate the response. Love reading your info.
Wow! There is a lot of information there! Thanks! Franz played tied for sixth most games on the pro team and 11th most minutes of the 19(?) guys on the roster. He’s got a 26 year old and a 27 year old ahead of him on the roster who are two of the leaders, along with Sikma, on the team. Those players both went undrafted in 2014.
I’m sure Alba sees Franz as the future. But does he see himself one or both of the guys ahead of him next year or the year after if he stays?
If he wants to play in the NBA like his brother, why not come to the states, get the American college experience, play at his brother’s alma mater, get acclimated to the states, and in a year or two, put in for the draft if he’s ready.
Somewhere I read, he could stay in Germany and attend college over there and get the “college experience.” It’s not the same. I’m sure the education is great at a German University or college, but the experience, well, I just don’t think it’s the same.
I enjoyed Germany when I lived there almost fifty years ago while in the US Army attached to the German Air Force at Lager Lechfeld Airbase. It was a great experience, I loved it really, but I can’t believe the “college experience” is the same as here in the states. If you plan on playing in the NBA come on over and get ready culturally as well as on the basketball floor in a GREAT college basketball program. Just my thoughts and what I’d sell the kid on.
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My dad was stationed in Stuttgart, not so far from Lager Lechfeld; he met my mom in Passau. I’d kinda like to get another German on board. Plus, their mom is beautiful.
All of this does indeed sound pretty promising. Would there be some measure available short of pushing anyone out the door if Pierce and Franz are on board and Iggy is returning? Could anybody redshirt?
A redshirted player still counts toward the scholarship limit.
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Well, yes, someone could redshirt, but redshirts are still on scholarship and count as one of the thirteen.
Edit: Oops, didn’t see DougDilly’s comment. Must have posted it while I was typing!
You’re right Stuttgart isn’t that far from Lager Lechfeld. We drove through Stuttgart once. I think it was on a trip up to Frankfort. We used to go to Augsburg all the time. Beautiful city. And down to Garmisch. I wasn’t a fan of Munich, though.
Munich embraced Hitler quite enthusiastically; it’s one of the few places in Germany where I have struggled with people a little. But that’s a conversation to have over a beer one day. Didn’t know that redshirts counted against the limit.
If Iggy returns I’d feel pretty good about being a top ten team. Adding a guy like Pierce would be nice because I can see him filling in wherever you need him. Seems to have a very good feel for the game and even with a big drop off in 3 point shooting still had a 53 pct efg. I would love a lineup of x, pierce, iggy, livers and teske and would think the offensive numbers make a nice jump. I know losing matthews hurts defensively but this lineup would have some very good size defensively and replacing Poole on defense would only help. In a way I can see it being a bit of a wash. If its Wagner instead that probably sets up well too but I do think theres something to be said about a 20 something year old vs a kid who will barely have turned 18. Wagner helps us more in the future but Pierce I think can give us a better chance next year.
I don’t know exactly what is going on but the order of events seems to pivot on next week. It will be an interesting week. How we pursue recruits after next week might answer the Franz question.
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Quick Summary
Pierce is visiting now, through weekend. Visits North Carolina next weekend. Decision May 10 or earlier.
Lester Quinones visits April 29-30. Michigan has last visit. Will receive offer on visit. Has set a decision date of May 10.
Na’Shon Hyland workout with coaches early next week (sounds like the assistants will watch this). Been talks of a visit. Nothing set up. Feels like this could be set up depending on how this workout goes.
Franz Wagner: Beilein heads to Germany Tuesday/Wednesday of next week to visit Franz. Franz Wagner season ends May 12, according to the link above by Mattski.
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Pierce has said he wants to have his decision by the time he graduates W&M, which is on May 10th. Things all happening at right around the same time.
I don’t think we would push anyone out
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I would hope not.
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May 12th is Alba’s last regular season game. There are still playoffs games after that. If Alba goes to the finals, his season won’t end until late June.
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Brooks—6’1"
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Might just get me some easy credit while I’m over there.
It continues to be puzzling that Beilein’s recruiting at the 2 has been sub-par, to the extent that we’re still looking at the possibility that a guy like Brooks may be our best option at that position next year. For as important a position as it is in a Beilein offense, our depth there has been pretty poor recently, with the possible exception of last year.
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