Report: Graduate transfer Justin Pierce to visit Michigan

The African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Department at UNC offers only an undergraduate degree program. That, apparently, was Tucker’s problem.

Gotta say, I’m a bit nervous for this one. I think Pierce would be a huge pickup.

I am definitely a fan of his game. Would be a very solid addition.

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Any gut feelings on this one?

He is still on his UNC visit so tough to tell if anything will change coming out of there. I agree with the general sense that Michigan is in a strong spot but you would always rather have the last visit or not take that visit.

The question for Pierce is what does he want? Does he want to play in a blue blood program that is essentially replacing everyone with young, but frankly, unproven talent? UNC is a great school with a storied history, really an iconic college basketball program. But…boy they are going to be young. He and Christian Keeling would be the “Old” guys. Is that what he wants. AND, is UNC waiting for another “Precious” recruit for next year?

If Pierce chooses ND he will be choosing a GREAT Catholic University with a decent, but not outstanding basketball history. The truth is ND is in a downward cycle right now. Can he help revive them? In one year? I don’t know about that. Is THAT what he wants? Does he want to choose a program that VERY possibly won’t make the NCAA Tournament…again? Hmmm…

Or he could choose Michigan. He would play with three VERY proven players in Zavier Simpson, an outstanding PG, John Teske, very possibly the best five man in the B1G next year, and the uber talented Isaiah Livers who was a part time starter the past two years and just may have a breakout year. There is a spot open for Justin at Michigan, with a LOT of playing time, on a B1G contender and an almost surefire NCAA Tournament team.

Now, all three schools are exceptional institutions of higher education. You really can’t beat any of them, academically. He’d get an outstanding graduate degree from any of the three. Of course, at Michigan he would play for a coach who just might get him to the NBA. Hmmm…I think I know what I’d do were I in young Mr. Pierce’s shoes! Go BLUE!!! Maize 'N Blue!

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Based on past recruitments and grad-transfer recruitments do you have a gut feeling Dylan? I would guess its more likely ND and UM due to their early interest and the playing-time factor but I don’t know that anyone has had a good read on this one.

UNC insiders on 24/7 are saying it’s between Michigan and UNC.

Based on what Pierce has indicated and how other grad-transfers have announced for the most part, I also expect the announcement to be entirely random in terms of the date. I feel like any day between probably Wednesday-next week, we’ll randomly find out.

It’s also something kind of fun about grad-transfers, they don’t normally set commitment dates like high-school players do.

If I don’t see the announcement on twitter first, I’ll expect he has made his choice when I see this forum exploding with posts later this week :rofl:

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Both programs good, both universities are good. OTOH, Roy Williams seems very over the hill to me, while JB is at his peak. Seems like a no brainer, assuming that Pierce has any sort of sense.

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Roy just won a National Championship in 2016-17. He’s “very over the hill”? :roll_eyes:

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@Dylan, you did see his rant after the UM game, right? And his habit of dropping to his knees/collapsing from time to time. He’s not that much older than JB, but he seems much older. I would say he has some health issues.

So he was mad that his team lost by 20 in November and then coached them up to a 29-7 record, an ACC title and a Sweet 16. That’s reason to say that he’s over the hill?

I know that he’s had issues with vertigo, but just feels like an odd take given his success.

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I personally don’t think there are really any fair knocks on UNC. They year in and year out are consistently a title contender. As far as Pierce goes, the only knock on UNC would probably be the possibility that he gets less playing time than he would at ND or UM, in my opinion. That’s it though. Roy is getting old but he just keeps adding great season after great season.

There’s a definite argument that Pierce would have a more significant role at Michigan. No disagreement from me there, just don’t agree that you can knock Roy as a head coach.

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Roy’s a great coach. No question about it. But he’s not JB! :wink:

I agree that NC had a great finish after a very slow start. But if you watch interviews with JB, than watch interviews with Roy, it’s hard not to conclude that Roy is an old fart, while JB is at his peak. That’s my take, but you’re not required to agree. I imagine that PT will be very important to Justin, as well as the likelihood of a decent run in the tournament.

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I love Beilein as much as the next guy, but Ole Roy has multiple national titles. Saying that JB is far superior is a completely biased fanboy hot take. I understand that is what you are, which is cool and all, but fandom can’t supercede reality.

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