Austin Grandstaff verbally committed to OSU

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on
I can't link from my mobile device, but check the UMHoops Twitter account. Kid looks pretty Stauskas-like and recently said he was definitely going to take an official to Michigan. It may be worth mentioning that he's verbally committed (to Okla. State) and decomitted before...Hopefully the staff can land Coleman and/or McQuaid...It will be nice when a recruit is moved by Michigan's recent success to choose the Wolverines. Matta hasn't been turning his four and five star wings into NBA players, but so it goes.

Raoul

May 4th, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^

Jalen Brunson named his final eight yesterday:

And Seth Towns is visiting Michigan soon:

turd ferguson

May 4th, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^

Dammit.  OSU is absolutely raking in talent these days.  On 247's composite ranking, they got the #16, #30, #58, and #182 prospects in the 2014 class, already have the #36, #38, and #89 prospects in the 2015 class, and hit big with this year's transfers.  Hopefully Matta screws it all up.

turd ferguson

May 4th, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^

Okay, guy, I'm one of the most optimistic people here, but the fact that basketball has been awesome lately doesn't mean that the only reasonable response to bad news is, "Who cares? We're awesome."  

I think Grandstaff would have been great here and it sucks that he's going to OSU.  I don't remember saying that we're doomed.  We'll be fine.

bronxblue

May 4th, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^

OSU has always been able to recruit; they've struggled at time turning that talent into performance on the court.  But again, there seems to be a subset of this fanbase that just wants bad stuff to happen to UM, or at least want to look for the dark lining to everything.

Yes, OSU has been doing well recently in recruiting.  But let's see how those kids play this year before we annoint OSU a juggernaut.  

turd ferguson

May 4th, 2014 at 3:49 PM ^

Same response to you as to the guy above.  And piss off with the "just wants bad stuff to happen to UM" thing.

Plus, the "Matta sucks" talk is way overblown.  He doesn't.  The guy's first season at OSU was 2004-05.  If I counted right, he's won five Big Ten regular season titles (outright or shared) and three conference tournament titles.  He's also been to the Final Four twice.

There's no way that I'd trade Beilein for Matta, but Matta's not nearly the dope that people around here claim sometimes.

bronxblue

May 4th, 2014 at 8:37 PM ^

I certainly didn't say Matta sucks; I totally recognize how great he's been as a coach for OSU.  But I'm also not going to get too bent out of shape because he's recruiting well; the guy has always done so and yet UM has found a way to compete.  It should be noted that until this year, his recruiting classes were lagging a bit, and I've read enough on 11W and other places to get a sense that some fans were/are concerned if the team is regressing with his defense-heavy, deadball style at pops up when he doesn't have top-flight NBA talent.

And I'm not saying all fans want bad things to happen to UM, but you'd be purposefully myopic if you didn't see a strain of the fandom that likes to bitch and moan about UM and the perceived "failings" of the athletic programs.  Hell, Drew Sharp is a national-ish writer whose career is based on that. 

Listen, I think we're on the same team here when it comes to being realistic about UM sports; I do think this will hurt UM if they don't find a suitable replacement, and I don't buy for a second the theory that Beilein can turn 2* kids into superstars a la Dantonio at MSU.  UM needs to keep bringing in high-quality kids who work for their system and have NBA potential.  But I'm not going to get bent out of shape every time a kid who would be a good fit doesn't sign with UM because, hell, most schools miss on lots of kids.

 

remdog

May 4th, 2014 at 3:33 PM ^

While it's never good news to hear a Michigan target has chosen the dark side, Grandstaff wasn't at the top of our list.  Brunson and Coleman are.  And I don't think Grandstaff is another Stauskas.

As for recruits being moved by Michigan's recent success, I think they are just not as dramatically as one might expect.  Chatman, our top 2014 recruit, is a stud and a 5 star according to one recruiting site.  And our other 2014 recruits are nothing to sneeze at.  Wilson has moved up to #65 or so on one service.

If Michigan doesn't land either Brunson or Coleman, you would have to start wondering about the judgement of these high school kids.  Michigan has been a top 5 program in the past couple years, has arguably the top coach in he country, runs a clean program and is turning 3 stars and 4 stars into top NBA Picks.  Go figure.

Mr. Wizard

May 4th, 2014 at 3:44 PM ^

Jesus, how are these kids not clawing at each other to get an offer from UofM? Grandstaff (nice wizard name) is a perfect fit for Beilein. Well, hopefully Beilein snags Jalen Brunson, Coleman, or McQuaid. Brunson is a star in the making but there's just something about Coleman that intrigues me. Maybe it's his size (6'4) and court vision....Either way, one of these three would be great.

Elmer

May 4th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^

Young and dumb.  They go for the fancy recruiting pitches and buy into all the BS some coaches lay out.  Beilein won't win those types of battles.  Like MAAR's dad said, JB was very direct and honest.  If a kid can't see how his staff develops players, then too bad for them.

Wolverine Devotee

May 4th, 2014 at 3:59 PM ^

Beilein proves recruiting ranking dweebs wrong yearly. Not one shit is given.

carlos spicywiener

May 4th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^

Expected to see the usual disparaging and questioning of these kids' judgement / intelligence, shady recruiting tactics, and other general sour grapes in this thread; got it in spades.

Beilein's recruiting is a bit less "blow smoke up your ass" and more "work hard and prosper, kid". Some buy into it, some don't.

Keep in mind we've already seen quite a jump in recruiting results. Zak and Stu were MAC prospects.

Michigan4Life

May 4th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^

Michigan is targeting Kyle Ahrens and Matthew McQuaid. Both are shooters so as long as they get one of the two, losing Grandstaff isn't a big deal though it hurts that he committed to OSU.

Webber's Pimp

May 4th, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^

This kills me. Grandstaff was tailor made for us. Beilein is not recruiting well. It's ome think to develop 3 star kids. It's quite another to bring in 4 and 5 star recruits on a consistent basis (ala Matta and Izzo). Trust me it hurts me to post this but this one hurts like a kick in the BALLS.

moosmanthasnappa

May 4th, 2014 at 5:28 PM ^

This program was in absolute shambles, Beilein came in and has made us very competitive. Two Big Ten titles, two deep tournament runs, and he is developing first round nba talent. I'm going to enjoy these good days, because I suffered through the Ellerbe and Amaker days just like many of you, when I often wondered if this program would ever be competitive at a high level once again. Not to mention, how sweet it is to give our in-state rivals competitive competition. I don't think this program will ever reach the ability to recruit year in and year out like Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, but I do have the confidence in Beilein to build teams who can compete with those programs year to year.

Don

May 4th, 2014 at 6:20 PM ^

So I guess it's just an illusion that Manny Harris, Darius Morris, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary were good enough to go the the NBA. And that Caris Levert is virtually a lock to go early after next year. And that 4-stars Walton, Irvin, Donnal, and Wilson, and 5-star Chatman are all going to be playing in the upcoming season.

Snow Sucks

May 4th, 2014 at 10:21 PM ^

Beilein has typically NOT gotten elite recruits, but we do not worry because he and his staff are some of the best talent developers in NCAA basketball. Trey Burke is the perfect example. The oh so great Matta didn't even want Trey, but look what he did at Michigan. He won a Big Ten title his freshman year, led his team to the natty in year two, won just about every player of the year award, and was drafted in the first round.