Dug McDaniel Has Committed to Michigan
Looks like Michigan wasn’t going to wait for any other ones when they had a bird-sized floor general in hand. Word traveled quickly from Crisler about 11 tonight that Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, VA) point guard Dug McDaniel committed to Michigan basketball’s 2022 class.
Listed at just 5-9/145 on 247 (Matt from Endless Motor says 5-8 or 5-9 and 155), Dug is not a big kid, but he’s a top-100 prospect to all the sites because he can create and shoot with the best of them. Michigan recently had the best of them, 5* Jaden Bradley, on campus, as well as combo guard Seth Trimble, but Bradley seemed to be trending away and Trimble was a losable battle with UNC.
This was Matt’s description of McDaniel in this week’s guards overview:
Entertaining prospect that is a good playmaker for others and a capable shooter. Undersized for B10 and may not be able to hold up physically in such a rugged conference. Likely to be 3-4 year guy in college, but may not ever be an impact player at the high-major level. Too many questions surrounding his floor and ceiling to confidently project him in any meaningful way, at least as it relates to the B10 conference.
While Dug seems like a Plan B, this is probably extremely welcome news to everyone set to be playing with him, since Dug makes you make plays:
Michigan’s coaches also could believe McDaniel gives them the best shot at a piece they can keep around for four years, since the NBA is probably asking the same size questions you are. Matt D will get a full commit post up by next week.
There is no content after the jump.
Great news imo.
Been excited for Dug for a while; I know ppl like Trimble due to size and roster fit (PG/CG), but Dug is a guy that is very impressive because of his size and still being so highly ranked.
I think Michigan will still recruit Seth as well...Bradley, well who knows but sounded like the 'allure' of the SEC might be swaying him a little (he was always a bit of a longshot anyways)
For those interested, here's a thorough breakdown of Dug McDaniel's game.
https://www.pointguardeyes.com/dug-mcdaniel-2021
I hope he's a 3-4 year version of Tyler Ulis who won SEC Player of the Year in 2016.
Good stuff!
I’ll be curious to read this hello post from Matt to see how he thinks Dug will fit in on this team.
Dug not being able to hold up to the big 10 physically and not being a impact player mainly because of his size is what I'm afraid of also. I personally wanted Trimble because of his skils and size , but welcome aboard dug. I wish you the best!
Will he need to hold up? You have Frankie Collins and Zeb Jackson. You can easily take a highly rated PG in the next class.
Unless you think Trimble is a Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs, instant impact kind of guy... I'm not so sure we have to worry about anything. I too, like Trimble, but I like McDaniel too...it'll be interesting to watch the two.
Go get a top 5 PG next year and you've got the high ceiling player you're looking for...this isn't like QB where if you take a chance on a guy and land a blue chip/elite player in the next class...you're still relying on a freshman football player.
In basketball, its perfectly normal.
Yeah, I agree with your response. I think people need to ask themselves how many seasons (if any) do we expect Dug to be the primary starting PG who plays 30mpg? He's got Frankie ahead of him, future recruits behind him, and the transfer portal has provided us our last two starting PGs. If Dug is starting and playing a ton of minutes in two years it is because he's plenty good enough. If he isn't, most likely it is because Frankie or someone else is too good.
First off let me say that dug might end up being a great player for Michigan. , When I say would he hold up on the big 10?. I mean would he get exposed In the paint ?. Also you guys are looking at what we have( frankie zeb) and what we will have in the future. So it seems your not to worried If he gets major minutes or is a impact player . I'm looking at this particular pg position in this particular class. Thinking what pg would I want to be our starter and that is Trimble . I think the coaches took who ever committed first. ( who the hell am I to question them)?!
I’d love for a taller PG… ugh
Sweet, I love undersized guys out to proven everyone wrong. We're going to love this guy if he sticks around 3+ years.
I trust JH on this one. Dug has wanted to be a part of this class and if Howard wants him then I am on board. Culture is so important and having a player in the fold that really wants to be at Michigan is a great thing for this class.
Dug seems like a great kid with a high floor. Congrats and welcome!
Absolutely. Defense is a bigger concern than offense I think, but he seems like the type of glue guy that you win with. Players that truly make those around them better, are scarce and valuable.
FWIW, Ant Wright views him as an A+ defender. Not sure if his evaluations carry much weight or not.
Welcome, Dug!
I dig Dug.
Let’s hope he blows up.
He is already #9 pg and #52 overall on 247. Doubt he is going to be able to move upwards much more. Kind of funny how mellow response to commitment from top 75 player from high level AAU program is now under juwan.
* insert some funny over your head emoticon *
Yeah, I'm pumped.
Now the team needs a player named Chip, and no one will be capable of challenging them.
I dunno, have you seen Luigi’s hangtime?
i ain't no expert, but he looks like a trey burke type to me. i would love 2-3 years or more out of this guy as a wolverine.
Dug is much more athletic than Trey Burke. Burke is an average athlete with good separation skills to get shots off.
All indications are that Dug has the heart of a lion. While I leaned more toward Trimble, though he can still come, my towering 5'2" frame is calmly thrilled with this choice. There are advantages to being short in this game and Dug's elite quickness will put those advantages on full display.
Duggin' it! Welcome, Wolverine.
Having watched this kid a ton in the DMV for the last 5 years, I'm thrilled with this commitment. Makes all of his teammates better, and plays with a fiery intensity. Lot of Trey Burke in him. Great get. Go Blue, Dug.
That small Trice on MSU was a thorn to us let's hope Dug is the same.
bird-sized floor general??? Not sure what kind of birds you hang out with. Sounds terrifying.
The Team Takeover pipeline continues
I'm excited for Dug. His size is definitely an area of concern, but the kid is electric. Tenacious on-ball defender, crafty passer, extremely quick in transition. With the way Juwan is wanting the offense to play, he could fit in really well. Watch this play and tell me that's not exciting
While I don't see this class being as good as the 2021 class, I think we're likely going to get a whole class of guys in the 40-100 range. My current class prediction is Dug, Jett, Glenn, Rodgers, Clingan
Smart pipeline to have. Also for people wondering about McDaniel hops…pretty sure I saw him dunk in game (so despite size similarities…not a foster loyer situation on that front). Will have to adjust to size of big ten but with Frankie, Zeb, etc on the squad, he won’t be asked to be a day one starter.
Yeah I had to go look up Loyer as a recruit to see what the differences are.
Loyer was listed 6' even, which we know is a lie. Dug is listed 5' 9".
Their composite rankings were actually pretty similar, Loyer 0.9634 #96 and Dug 0.9562 #83. The big difference is in 247's opinion, they have Dug graded 94, a 4 star, and #52, while Loyer was graded 89, 3 star, and #158.
Dug's offer list is much better with 8 major offers to Loyer's 2.
So seems 247 and the offer list were right about Loyer, so that's encouraging for Dug.
I agree that 5 is a reasonable number for this class. That assumes no 5th year from Johns or Nunez, and 3 additional departures (from among Dickinson, Houstan, Diabate, and Devante Jones to the NBA or transfers from others on the roster).
That class would probably rank in the bottom half of the top 10. I agree with you on the names that seem most likely as of now.
This is a great HS to build a relationship with. Paul VI always have a few blue-chippers.
Welcome Dug! Definitely changing my middle name from Doug to Dug.
Size is a concern but UM has had some success recently with shorter PGs and he's played against a lot of other elite PGs in HS so that gives me some hope that he can handle the physical aspects a bit better than, say, a kid coming out of a smaller/less competitive HS who hasn't maybe been exposed to top-notch competition.
Undersized point guard at Michigan? All I want to see in the full HELLO post is how he ranks on the "MGoBlog lip curl index".
I'm all in and hoping he's from the same cloth as Earl Boykins (5'5") & Rashad Phillips (5'9").
Hmm. Not all that pumped tbh, I'm not sure dude has what it takes to compete in the big ten- certainly not for a few years. Welcome and hope for the best regardless!
Even if he doesn't become a lottery pick, he could still very well become a Spike Albrecht kinda guy who comes off the bench and gives you craftiness and playmaking. I'd take that in a heartbeat
I'll say, that to me, this was surprising..... for when MattEM said the staff was mixed on him, I assumed that it was Juwan who wanted to go bigger...after all, he had 6-8 Jalen Rose at the point... and thus, would be eventually nixed, and taking a taller player. But if Juwan wanted him, than that is good enough for me.
I thought Matt was pretty clear, he said "the head man" wants him, saying Juwan was in his corner.
Not sure it's surprising per se, UM was one of the first to offer him, it was almost a year ago, and people have expected him to sign with Michigan for quite some time. I get your point though (I preferred Trimble myself but who am I). Keep in mind Matt also says that these days you pretty much take who you can take bc of the attrition/the portal, G-league, OADs, overseas options, coronavirus uncertainties, etc.
Kid is quick, has a great handle, makes nice passes, can shoot, and can finish.
He is going to be fine on offense. He might have to get creative to consistently finish against big guys, but the other stuff will all translate to the B10 just fine.
Big concern I think is just defense. Can he survive out there guarding someone 5-6 inches taller?
I think we have shown in the past few years that you can have one really small quick guy out on the floor and still have good defense. But we will have to see.
At worst I see him being a capable back-up PG who can give us 10-15 minutes of help. His ceiling seems to be a Xavier Simpson who can shoot.
DUG!
No way Simpson and Smith were 6 feet tall, and not sure about Eli either. They all seemed to work out pretty well, not to mention Trey Burke. Obviously not as burly as Simpson, but If he can shoot he will be fine. If opponents want to slow their offense to a crawl by isolating their guards to post up, that is ok. Lack of switch-ability would be the biggest issue on D.
For what it's worth, Eli is legit 6'2" or 6'3" from meeting him in person
You think Eli Brooks is 5'11? Lol
God Shammgod
(and if you don't know now ya know)
This is a pretty significant get and he has multiple skill dimensions to address PG for multiple years to come.
I certainly Dig Dug.
Comments