Caris Probably Coming
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nice pits, 40
The low rumble that OHIO(!!!) decommit Caris Levert was favoring Michigan increased its intensity recently. Levert visited, was offered, and now Michigan seems far ahead of the pack. Football commit and Pickerington Central teammate Taco Charlton offered this less than cryptic tweet up in response to a question about whether he was recruiting Levert to M:
@MGoRecruiting haha@kid_caris22 he asked if I was recruiting to UM let's just say he'll be ready to commit before the visit.hahah
Also there is this:
Michigan is goina love Pickerington Central athletes!!!haha that's all I gota say.
Do high school kids turn autocorrect off? They must. Otherwise their tweets would read "Michigan is tomato love Thanksgiving Central athletes."
Sam Webb says that Ohio sources at Spiece were saying the usual things about blowing people away, and then brought out the old "gut feeling." Dollars to donuts Levert is in the fold in the next couple weeks.
How are we feeling about this? A longer re-recruiting here would have helped clarify things. If Levert grabbed a Purdue offer to go with Michigan, Dayton, and (presumably) Illinois that would be an excellent signal that Levert is a high-major guy who slipped under the radar. Illinois's recruiting class is now Nobody, but Purdue is doing pretty well for themselves. But we don't have that data.
Without it we'll have to fall back on Beilein's talent evaluation, which okay yeah has not been nearly as great when we're talking about late additions. What separates Levert from the Colton Christians is his production. Guy drove his team to a state title. Also, John Groce did pretty well for himself picking up under-the-radar Ohio dudes. I'm also just like…
JJHuddle Players of the Year
2012: Caris Levert, Pickerington Central (Ohio)
2011: Trey Burke, Northland (Michigan)
2010: Jared Sullinger, Northland (Ohio State)
2009: Jared Sullinger, Northland (Ohio State)
2008: William Buford, Toledo Libbey (Ohio State) & B.J. Mullens, Canal Winchester (Ohio State/Charlotte Bobcats)
2007: Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky (Ohio State)
…I will take a guy on that list all day.
From a roster standpoint it makes sense. Levert is a 2/3 who Michigan probably doesn't need right away but could step in for major minutes as early as next year if Tim Hardaway Jr or Glenn Robinson III bolts for the NBA. Beilein's finding out that backup plans are nice to have.
Grad Year Name
Assuming Levert commits, Michigan can still issue another 2012 scholarship. Usual spiel about 2013 commits creating a bit of a crunch and statement that a grad-year guy would be ideal. Michigan's deployment of both their long-term scholarship options makes that spot a lot less attractive, though, and at this point it would be a longshot. Wright State grad-year transfer Julius Mays did throw Michigan on the end of a high-end five team list a few days ago:
Mays told CBSSports.com that his initial list consists of Purdue, Michigan State, Kentucky, Cincinnati and possibly Michigan.
Those are some heavy hitters, and Michigan is fifth of five. If interest picks up between the two parties, it looks like Mays can really play. He was high-usage starter for Raiders last year who hit 42% from three, got to the line quite a bit, and had a good assist rate. A 43% shooting percentage from inside the arc is the only drawback. Even with the recent additions, it's not hard to envision Mays sucking up some of the minutes earmarked for Albrecht, Stauskas, and Vogrich to get to 20-25 per game. That could be attractive, but probably not as attractive as being a go-to-guy at Purdue.
2014 Caring Meter: Incremented
I may be adding IL SF Keita Bates-Diop to the list of people from the year 3000 I am interested in hearing about. Bates-Diop just made the new Rivals 2014(!) top 50 and is stopping in at the place all people who want an early Michigan offer they may hop on immediately do:
A silky smooth forward who can play some in the high post, Bates-Diop's future is on the wing and he wields one of the smoothest, most accurate jump shots in the sophomore class. More than just a shooter, the 6-foot-7 forward has length, ball skills and is a graceful athlete who is light on his feet and plays with a high level of intelligence.
Bates-Diop went for 26 in an afternoon game and did so without needing a bunch of shots.
"My shot felt good out there today," Bates-Diop told Rivals.com. 'I feel like I've had a good spring. I'm just trying to play hard and show what I can do."
Major college basketball programs have already taken notice of what Bates-Diop is doing and the Normal (Ill.) University product has already drawn offers from Purdue, DePaul and Northwestern while he's getting interest from Michigan - where he will take an unofficial visit in June for its elite camp - Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisville, Oklahoma State and others.
You may remember last June's elite camp from such events as "entire 2013 class commits." You know Beilein is going to slap on some cologne and bring flowers for a 6'7" shooter with ball skills and athleticism.
I don't think Levert can be compared to other last-minute additions by Beilein. Michigan isn't desperate for a guy at his position, and Beilein must realize that Michigan has more recruiting mojo than they did when adding Christian seemed like a good idea. Beilein doesn't have to reach like that anymore unless it's a Trey Burke is leaving/we're all going to die in a fiery plane crash! situation...FWIW, the impression that I get from UMHoops is that Levert is a late bloomer.
As for Mays, his production against top-flight competition last year was up and down. He would be a nice addition as a back-up, but I'm not going to be too terrified of him if he starts for Purdue next year.
I know you didn't mean harm by it but your plane crash analogy hits too close to home
Good call. Didn't think of that. Would be happy to have that deleted.
you can do that by clicking edit and just deleting it.
I can't do that once someone has replied, can I?
it looks like you're right. i never noticed that.
and Ish is figuring out this 'board' thing.
if four years is my deadline, i still have a few days...
keen eye for talent flying under the radar, UM should be in (or nearing) the position of being able to attract the popular 4 & 5 star level athletes and not have to rely on finding the diamond in the rough. Also, I get a little nervous using up all the slots too far in advance.
I'm expecting Trey Burke and THJ to declare for the NBA draft after this season. GRIII and maybe Mitch McGary is another candidate to declare as well. This is why JB has been recruiting '12 class even when the late signing day has passed.
I am shocked to see Caris make it over Elijah Macon, Terry Rozier, and Kenny Kaminsky. All 3 of those players are 4 star players on top 100 lists. If Levert is chosen over them, he must be something that recruiting rankings don't show. Hopefully he comes to Michigan next week!
We need to recruit some big time post players .. I understand Beleins love for wing players but we need a couple dominant big men ...
Frontcourt depth is already full with Morgan, Horford, and Biefeldt.
Wing player are really important for JB's offense if they want to thrive especially at the 3 spot.
the 3 spot?
at the 3 spot. Both could be gone after next season. Zak Irvin will fill that spot. Who knows how Hatch will recover and my guess is it's likely that he will be reclassifed to a different class. JB is looking to recruit another wing to go along with Irvin.
Then you're right. If he meant in general, then he has a point. Morgan's a junior next season, and with McGary an early entry possibility (even if he stays more than one year), you could be losing them both by 2014, as a minimum. I'm not sure you want a front court of just Biefeldt and Horford. And even if that's adequate, (though certainly not great) you're going to need some depth behind them...with talent. So it would be nice to see some big-time big men on the radar. Though we don't need them for this upcoming season. But then we really don't need another wing player with GR3 and Stauskas coming in behind Hardaway, but he could be an equally useful addition.
Edit: looking at the chart below, it's not impossible that in that year we could ONLY have Bielfeldt in the frontcourt, and Stauskas, Donnal, Irvin and even Hatch on the wing.
I thought Donnal is a big.
At 6'8" he certainly can be considered a "big", but from what I've gathered he's much more a shooter, defender and wing player than a low post guy. Now those can work in Beilein's system, but still having only one back to the basket, rebounding big type on the roster would be a little concerning (if it ever actually came to that). Much more Smot than McGary (though it sounds like a much better defender than Smot was).
is a big and has refined post game. His skills is excellent. He can pop out and shoot 3s but his primary game is at low post. Smotrycz may be a better shooter but Donnal is more skilled and can post up.
Weaknesses:
He doesn’t possess much of a low post game as he prefers to face up. When he does catch it down low it’s either a dunk or layup. He do well to add a jump hook, turn around jumper or up-and-under move. He’s not much of a shot blocker.
http://www.umhoops.com/2011/06/15/mark-donnal-to-michigan/
And more recently-
Well, he can shoot. That’s first and foremost. He’s a good screener and pop shooter. Not a lot of guys are. A lot of guys can step up and shoot, but he can set a ball screen, pop, set a side ball screen and pop, and he’s getting better on the block......He is also improving as a rebounder, a part of his game Dakich says is too inconsistent right now
http://www.umhoops.com/2012/05/01/mark-donnal-emerging-under-dan-dakich/
Sounds like a really good player, but it doesn't sound like his skill set right now is a traditional low post move, rebounding big. But you may see something different.
These may be a little outdated. Donnal is an extremely skilled big man, and while he is a very proficient outside shooter for someone around 6'9, I wouldn't say he has no post skills. There is one particular video of a high school game this year where Donnal just goes off for 30-some points and flaunts an array of post moves, including a sweet turnaround, fade-away jumper that looked silky smooth. Keep in mind also that this kid still has his senior year in high school to refine his whole game. By the time he gets to Michigan, he obviously projects at the 4 like Smotrycz but I think his game will be a little more diverse than Evan's. You'll see him pick-and-pop for three, catch-and-shoot from downtown, work inside back to the basket a little, face up from the wing, and perhaps even a little dribble-drive action. I also think he should be a little quicker, longer, and better rebounder than Smotrcz, but we'll see. For as good as this 2012 class coming in is going to be (including LeVert, presumably), the 2013 class could be unreal.
But the later post is from May 1, so it's not outdated. Unless he really showed something this week.
I think he's a Big, he certainly isn't a wing or a guard, almost by default he is a Big. Offensively he can play outside and shoot well but he isn't going to take anyone off the dribble. Defensively is where Donnal is definitely a Big. He will be able to bang down low and check more traditional 4's in the post, but like Smot or Jordan Morgan, he would have little chance against a skilled wing on the perimeter.
As an aside, one thing I like about McGary is his mobility, if in shape and free of foot problems he can actually move his feet well enough to contest a skilled player on the perimeter. Which is one reason he is a 5* and Donnal and Smot are not.
He's 6'9" and plays like a big who can pick and pop. He's typically not just floating around the perimeter in video I have seen, he's either looking for someone to pick or posting. He looks like he positions himself well for rebounding but occasionally forgets to keep his hands high or he won't squeeze the rebound. But he doesn't mind playing physically. Definitely capable of playing the 5 for John Beilein.
Beilein's body naturally emits a perfume like fragrance.
...UMHoops maintains this handy-dandy scholarship chart. It's a very useful tool to understand how many and what kind of player Beilein is pursuing at any given time. It's easy to imagine the number of slots that open based on early draft entries. In 2013-14, Dylan appears to posit that McLimans won't get a 5th year, but that assumes no early entries and Austin Hatch not reverting to 2014-15.
To find out if Horford gets his RS this year or not?
What brand of cologne does Belien wear?
60% of the time, it works every time.
I played college ball with Caris' dad, who unexpectedely passed away 2 years ago at the age of 43-He was a baller also. What we will get with Caris is a long athletic kid that is quick off the dribble and can drain the 3 with a quick release. I would like to see him have a higher release but he is tuff. At the 2 guard he will be a tuff matchup and can cause problems on the defensive end with his length. I think in year 3 and 4 this kid will be big time. Has to get stronger but will work hard and top quality kid. We're not going to get a more well rounded individual then this young man that has always represented himself and his family in high regard and will do so at Michigan. Go Blue -
RIP-Darryl(Rock)-You will be so proud of your son.
Catman
Are you breaking the news of Caris's comittment?
Just following the lead topic
I can't be the only one to have noticed that if you simply add a space to the title, it becomes the title, not of a Michigan blog, but of an Ohio recruiting blog?
CAR IS PROBABLY COMING
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