Davison Offered, Nearing Decision

Three-star 2017 MN combo guard Brad Davison had a strong spring on the EYBL circuit and subsequently added a handful of major offers to his list. His recent visit tour included a stop in Ann Arbor, where he picked up a Michigan offer, and he told The Wolverine's Chris Balas that they'll be in the mix when he makes a decision:

“First off, spending time with Coach Beilein was pretty special … that was because he’s one of the best at what he does,” he said. “That was a cool experience. We toured the facilities, and I want to go into business so went to business academic advisors, met with the players, toured the campus. The players were great. I hung out with Duncan [Robinson] and Mo [Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman], so that was fun.

“The best part was probably just hanging out with the players. Those are the guys you’re going to be with if you go there.”

Davison expects to make his choice this month. Wisconsin, one of the first programs to recruit him, is considered by many to be the team to beat, and Stanford is also heavily involved. Michigan shouldn't be ruled out, however—after their offer, 247's director of basketball scouting, Jerry Meyer, put in a Crystal Ball pick for the Wolverines.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

More 2017 Updates: Eastern Has Best Visit "By Far"

While an offer hasn't materialized yet, Michigan also made a huge impression on four-star 2017 IL combo guard Nojel Eastern, whose mother told TMI's Josh Henschke their Wednesday visit was the best yet:

"(I) have to admit, we were kinda surprised," Reed said about the visit. "It was by far the best unofficial visit that we've taken so far. Coach Beilein was very prepared; you could tell he had everything well thought out. From the academics to strength and conditioning. And I don't think you can have better use of technology than what they are doing. The campus is gorgeous and the arena is beautiful."

Michigan is looking over Eastern's academic transcripts; if all checks out, an offer is likely to come. MSU, OSU, Purdue, Seton Hall, and Xavier all have offered Eastern; those five comprise M's chief competition.

A couple weeks ago, Michigan hosted Kalamazoo Central PF Isaiah Livers, who's made a quick rise into four-star territory. Livers could be an ideal stretch four in Beilein's system—he's 6'8", 200 lbs., and shot over 40% from three in AAU ball this spring—and he told Balas he's close to an offer:

“They were talking about a scholarship, and [Beilein] said I was right there,” Livers said. “He wants to see after this session in July how I play, then they want me to come back and visit once more.”

Four-star OH F Kyle Young is the top target here—he already holds an offer and visited for last week's team camp—but Livers looks like a very viable Plan B. Another player in that mix is four-star IL F Justin Smith, who impressed at the team camp and told Balas afterward that he's looking to take a return trip to Michigan. Smith is an Illinois legacy who holds offers from the Illini as well as the likes of Indiana and Stanford.

In five-star news, Michigan offered Indiana wing Brian Bowen after his recent visit. Bowen told Balas he "really enjoyed" the visit, but there's a major caveat here: Bowen is waiting to see if Kentucky and Duke come after him before setting official visits. Fellow Indiana five-star wing Kris Wilkes, a recent Michigan offer recipient, didn't mention the Wolverines in a lengthy Scout article—Michigan looks to be trailing Indiana, Maryland, Purdue, UCLA, and Xavier, and he's another player whose recruitment could change entirely with a Kentucky offer.

For a full list of recent visitors, UMHoops has a handy wiki page.

2018 Updates: M Hosts Carmody, Changes Offer Policy?

Four-star 2018 PA SG Robby Carmody visted several Midwest schools this month, including Michigan, and even though M was the only school on the tour that hasn't offered him, he told Chris Balas they're in the thick of his recruitment:

“It was pretty nice. I loved it there,” he said. “I loved the whole coaching staff, feel like I have a great relationship with them and the facilities are amazing.

“Coach [John] Beilein took us around campus, showed us the business building which was unbelievable, and we talked to a academic advisor and talked basketball a little bit. He thinks I would be a good fit there because of my style and thinks I’m like a ball handling two guard.”

Carmody has also visited Purdue, Notre Dame, Penn State and Pitt, among others, but said U-M “is up there with the best of them.” Beilein is a big reason why.

Beilein wants to see Carmody play live before he offers, something that should happen this month. Carmody already plans to return to campus for a football game this fall.

We'll see if this gets confirmed, but the summer team of four-star 2018 TX F Jacobi Gordon tweeted he landed a Michigan offer, even though Gordon hasn't been to campus yet. Either Beilein changed his policy or there's a misinterpretation on Gordon's end; my guess is the latter and the coaches are simply showing strong interest until he gets to Ann Arbor, but I know many here would welcome a change in Beilein's approach to offering top prospects.