Evan Boudreaux would be a stretch four, effort, rebounding guy. He’s undersized but pretty skilled and tough as nails.
Good point, really curious to see how the 15 recruiting develops over this summer. Think we might have a few more ships then we currently have to offer. It’s just been so quiet makes you that much more curious what is going on.
Then 16 offers go out this summer, hopefully success will be benefitted in the next couple of classes.
Evan Boudreaux would be a stretch four, effort, rebounding guy. He's undersized but pretty skilled and tough as nails.
Really lacks athleticism though, we desperately need better athletes in the frontcourt.
We should forgo a stretch in 2015 and get a developing big. Finish the class with big combo guards. At least thats what I hope for…
Give me an athletic, defensive oriented big in addition to a wing and we’re set in my eyes. We will have a junior Walton and senior Spike, we can forego a PG. I think Caris stays so we should be OK at combo, but im assuming both GR3 and Nik will be gone, leaving Irvin as the only pure wing. Chatman is the wild card, do we use him as a point forward or stretch 4 - that is what dictates our recruiting to a large extent in my opinion.
Give me an athletic, defensive oriented big in addition to a wing and we're set in my eyes. We will have a junior Walton and senior Spike, we can forego a PG. I think Caris stays so we should be OK at combo, but im assuming both GR3 and Nik will be gone, leaving Irvin as the only pure wing. Chatman is the wild card, do we use him as a point forward or stretch 4 - that is what dictates our recruiting to a large extent in my opinion.
I agree with this completely.
Well, almost completely. I’d rather get an A-list big that doesn’t is offense oriented than a B-list big that is defense oriented. Bring in the most talent you can.
If we are going after Evan then it would seem that JB doesn’t view Chatman as a 4 longterm with Donnal/Wilson getting minutes there too. I still think Irvin/Chatman man that position next year. Chatman is the 2nd wing, MattD. Definitely need a combo in 2015 and if Nik/Caris leaves, a combo or wing with the third scholarship.
I personally love Jalen Coleman’s game, wouldn’t turn him down regardless of positional needs, I think he is that good. Reminds me of Ben Gordon to a certain extent, creates space with the dribble to get off the jumpshot
This kind of makes you appreciate JB’s eye to find diamonds in the rough on the regular. He has to be one of the more cerebral and mindful coaches in America.
Say we need a combo/wing, combo/wing, big
What is everyone’s ideal but realistic 3 man class?
Kennard/Coleman/Ellenson
If Davis or Coleman hit a growth spurt than they would be the duo over Kennard
Eric Davis wants to be a PG so that is a little harder to pull of than Coleman imo
Curious question for the people most involved in this thread. Would Ellenson in the class of 2015 fit the style of big man you are looking for?
Any bigman good enough for Wisconsin is good enough for Michigan I’d think
From an offensive standpoint Ellenson looks like an elite player, great ball handling and shooting for a big, not overly quick/fast, and certainly isn’t going to wow with his vertical, but he is fluid with his movement when he changes direction/speed. Overall, on offense he is still just an oversized guard from the footage provided in today’s post, nothing going on in terms of back to the basket game. Defensively, he doesn’t appear to be very good, doesn’t block or change many shots and doesn’t appear to have the jumping ability to do so, and doesn’t appear to be a dominant rebounder.
Overall, looks to be better offensively in comparison to Donnal or Doyle. Certainly handles the ball better than both and has better court vision as well. Can’t really say one way or another regarding shooting, as all 3 appear to be very good shooters. Ellenson appears to be every bit of 6’10 though, and I would say he has more potential than either Donnal or Doyle at this point. Other than Zimmerman, I think Ellenson would be my second choice of those bigs we appear to have serious interest in. Ellenson may be good enough on offense to compensate for any defensive shortcomings, also appears to have a frame which could easily add 20lbs
Great analysis, Matt. Alex Illikainen and Josh Sharma are two other names that seem in the mold of Ellenson that I see listed on other B1G team forums.
Jalen Brunson, Eric Davis, Jalen Coleman, Cassius Winston or Derryck Thornton, who should be our ideal target for PG?
I’m starting to think we take Davis if he wants, instead of Coleman, and he can split time at the 1/2 and learn for two years behind Spike/Derrick his first year and maybe slide in at the 2 his second year before full-time transition to the 1. Seems more safe than waiting for a PG to play under a SR Walton (I’m confident he will be here). Brunson isn’t a combo so it’d be harder to find minutes. Coleman seems more like a undersized SG even though I love his game and he doesn’t have the size to slide in as a big combo/wing.
No doubt in my mind that Thornton would be my #1 choice for PG. Has the perfect combination of ball handling/shooting/playmaking/quickness.
That being said, I don’t know how realistic Thornton is. If we exclude Thornton, I would take whoever commits first out of Coleman/Davis. Similar types of players in my opinion, can’t go wrong with either. I would pass on Brunson for 2 reasons - a) underwhelming athlete that may have problems defensively. b) not really a pressing need for a true PG with a junior Walton and senior Spike. . Davis or Coleman could bridge the gap if necessary.
Bottom line for me - you take Thornton regardless of positional needs because he is that good, and take the first who accepts out of Coleman or Davis.
So you would be willing to risk Walton declaring in year 3 and having a freshman Winston/Thornton Jr?
You also think Coleman has the ability to transition to the 1?
Ideally, I’d take one of Coleman/Davis in 15 AND take Thornton in 16. I know, that’s just plain greedy, but again, the word ideally.
Coleman is not necessarily a playmaker for others at the PG spot, but I certainly think he could bring the ball up the floor and break a press. Once in the half court set, I think the PG spot is more name vs reality in our offense. Hell, We had Stu running PG and doing a decent job, so I think Coleman could suffice.
It’s like they know
Davis and Coleman are combos that are expanding their games. They both can flat out play, period. There will always be room at UM for those kind of talented players. I think Matt has a legitimate point about PG in our offense. There are a lot of ways to initiate the attack in the half court. That being said, Thornton is obviously the overwhelming choice as the potentially best PG prospect. His talent and skill are incredible! More than likely he will opt for one of the traditional powers, but we have to keep trying. Winston is interesting to me if he continues to develop. He played awfully well as a Freshman against good competition. I will be pleasantly shocked if Walton develops into an early entrant candidate. IMO he is and always will be a four year player, but that doesn’t mean he holds onto the position by default if a more talented kid comes in. Anybody remember Michael Talley?
Heard a comparison of Chatman to Kyle Anderson of UCLA and thought that was pretty interesting.
I also don’t know if I agree with Matt’s depiction of the role of our PG. As we can see with Walton and LeVert, someone who can not only penetrate BUT also make the correct read is essential. I’m not so sure Coleman can do that consistently.