Embrace the Future: Interview with Mark Donnal
Mark Donnal often seems to be the forgotten man of the 2013 basketball recruiting class. And I can understand why people might be more excited about his more highly rated fellow signees—especially Derrick Walton Jr. given the likely departure of Trey Burke. Anyway, I thought there might be some interest in this Donnal interview with a local Toledo station. Evidently, one of the TV sportscasters down there has nicknamed him the "Big Fundamental"—which seems fitting for a Beilein recruit.
Also, congrats to him on recently surpassing the 1,000-point milestone for his high school career. He's averaging 20.1 points and 10 rebounds per game this season.
January 18th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
Isn't he putting up these number while being double and even triple teamed all season?
January 18th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
man, high school kids keep getting younger...
January 18th, 2013 at 3:07 PM ^
I heard they graduate at 14 these days.
January 18th, 2013 at 3:16 PM ^
I thought they stayed the same age...
January 18th, 2013 at 3:20 PM ^
hahahaha perfect! Awesome movie.
January 18th, 2013 at 3:19 PM ^
Maybe you're just getting older.
January 18th, 2013 at 5:23 PM ^
that must be it. come to think of it, if i had just intended for my original post to be sarcastic i may have realized that.
January 18th, 2013 at 2:57 PM ^
"I don't appreciate it when people steal nicknames."
January 18th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
He looks like he'll be a great fit in Michigan's offense and the sharpshooting big man that Beilein likes to have. I'm really looking forward to him being a Wolverine.
January 18th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
EDIT: I like the reporter
January 18th, 2013 at 3:48 PM ^
January 18th, 2013 at 3:51 PM ^
Depth is here. I never think a kid as good as Donnal is going to RS, but his case is the exception. Had Donnal came in last year on any of the preceding Beilein years, He would have played and contributed for sure, but with Morgan, Horford, McGary, Bielfeldt, and possibly/probably GRIII returning, I don't see how the kid plays. Part of the RS's for Morgan, Horford, and Bielfeldt were injury related, but they all occurred and make PT next season for Mark Donnal an iffy proposition.
January 18th, 2013 at 4:03 PM ^
I felt while reading your post what I felt last night when Matt Vogrich - former four-star recruit - played all of 30 seconds: an almost confused joy b/c of Michigan's new-found depth.
January 18th, 2013 at 6:06 PM ^
I agree with that only if GRIII stays and Donnal isn't better than Bielfeldt, which I doubt, and if all those guys stay pretty healthy.
But I think he'll be more of a LeVert type of guy, who just ends up being too good to redshirt.
January 18th, 2013 at 7:00 PM ^
January 18th, 2013 at 7:49 PM ^
Bielfeldt might have the range you are talking about regarding the current Bigs on the team. Beilein has mentioned more than once about the need to get Bielfeldt more minutes, and one of the reasons Coach B mentioned was Max's ability to stretch the D more than his other Bigs. Max is the only Big to attempt a 3 this season (0-2). I remember the one against Bradley; Max took a real nice looking shot from the corner and looked comfortable taking it. It rimmed out. I should mention McLimans is (2-9) on 3's for the season, but he isn't going to be back next season.
With:
Morgan 5th year Senior
Horford 4th year Junior
Bielfeldt 3rd year Soph
McGary 21 year old Soph
Minutes for Donnal are going to be hard to come by. I think Donnal is good enough to contribute, but like Caris LeVert and his RS dilemma, the coaches are going have to weigh the alternatives and do what is best.