basketball recruiting
isaiah todd
nimari burnett
hunter dickinson
mark williams
moses moody
jaden spinger
khristian lander
kennedy chandler
[Patrick Barron]

Hoops Recruiting Is On The Cusp Comment Count

Matt EM October 16th, 2019 at 1:32 PM

We’ve been heading down this path since Juwan Howard made his way back to Ann Arbor to assume head coaching duties for the basketball program in May. The recruiting approach instantly changed, one-and-dones were now in play and suddenly Michigan had a ton of buzz with several elite prospects. The Wolverines have been involved in a number of head-to-head fights with bluebloods in the last 5 months and tomorrow is the day that hopefully validates the new regime on the recruiting trail.

Isaiah Todd Set to Announce Tomorrow at 7:45pm

Consensus five-star forward Isaiah Todd will decide between Michigan and Kansas tomorrow evening. Michigan is the favorite here, receiving 11 consecutive crystal balls since the decision date was set back on October 7th.

Todd isn’t giving away many clues ahead of tomorrow, providing slightly different iterations of “I love both schools” type-substance to both 247 and Rivals over the last week. Good facilities have received consistent mention from Isaiah in connection with Kansas, while Howard’s NBA experience has drawn repeated quotes from Todd when it comes to Michigan. The trump card may very well be Momma Todd:

“The most important thing going into my decision is what my family thinks, what my mom thinks, and it is going to come down to the details. I love both schools.”

Based on my first-hand dialogue and all the additional intel I’ve been able to gather, Momma Todd is indeed impressed with the coaching staff and Michigan as a school.

Jett Howard, a top-50 guard for 2022 and younger son of Juwan, says Michigan has a good chance here. Keep in mind, Jett also suits up for Nightrydas Elite during the Summer, the same AAU club that Todd played for in 2019.

On the other hand, Bill Self conducted a school visit yesterday and that alone gives one a certain level of pause considering accepted protocol at Kansas.

That said, my confidence meter has increased from 50/50 last week to 80/20 in favor of the good guys. My interactions with Momma Todd, reports from multiple prospects at the USA mini-camp in Colorado and crystal balls from the vast majority of national analysts all point toward Isaiah Todd being a Michigan Wolverine tomorrow evening barring a last-minute change of heart.

Nice things, please.

[Hit THE JUMP for your potential domino-effect answers.]

Dickinson a Real Possibility?

I received word from multiple sources early last week that landing Isaiah Todd likely meant no Hunter Dickinson. Those takes seem to be retracting this week, with some believing that Michigan is the tentative leader at the moment. The top-40 center broke down his final four and definitely seems enamored with Juwan Howard’s NBA experience at his position:

“Coach Juwan Howard, he basically played my position so I couldn't learn from a better person in college basketball in terms of what I am and who's done what I've done. Probably he and Patrick Ewing are the only two that I could think of that have done what I'm doing right now and can help me develop, so I really like that. Also just his passion for coaching and passion for Michigan, like the school and everything, you can really tell that he's super happy to be there. He just loves Michigan, he just wants to bring a national championship there. I just really like how I can do basketball and academics there. I really like him as a coach, I feel like I vibe with the team really well."

With Mark Williams a near lock to Duke on November 1st, could it be that Dickinson wants a clear path to playing time in Ann Arbor? Dickinson will take an official visit to Duke starting tomorrow. As mentioned last week, Coach K and company absolutely want both and will put on the full-court press this weekend. If he makes it out of Durham without making a commitment, then Michigan may have a real shot here with a decision coming in the next month per the Prep Circuit piece above.

Perimeter Priorities

The Wolverines are clearly all-in on 2020 guards Moses Moody and Nimari Burnett to fill available perimeter slots.

The staff was in to see Moody last night at Montverde Academy yesterday after his official visit to Ann Arbor in late September.

The NBA experience of Howard was one again cited in an interview Moses did with Rivals at USA mini-camp:

“I really liked the visit and I really liked Coach (Juwan) Howard. He is a players’ coach and really personable and the whole coaching staff is the whole way.

“He said he hasn’t been a head coach so you have to see how that goes but he is not some random guy off the street coming to coach a college team but he has actually coached in the league and has done player development. He brought on Coach (Phil) Martelli, who has endless amount of experience so, having that behind you, it brings that experience factor up.”

Virginia is the newcomer, but home-state Arkansas is the real threat here. Moody is slated to take an OV with the Razorbacks this weekend and Moody’s parents took in the Red-White game a few weeks back……….without Moses himself.

While the top-50 wing hasn’t given a definitive timeline for a commitment, this definitely has the feel of a recruitment that will end during the early signing period in November. Withstanding the Arkansas OV is critical to Michigan’s chances.

Assistant Coach Saddi Washington will be at Prolific Prep today to see Burnett. Out in Colorado, Nimari broke down his final-four with Rivals and nothing earth-shattering beyond the standard positive quotes about each finalist.

Texas Tech will host him for an official visit this weekend before he heads to Eugene on October 26th. Nimari confirmed my thoughts from last week in the Rivals interview linked above - monitoring recruiting additions and on-court success (particularly Michigan and Alabama with new coaches) will be evaluated prior to a December decision.

Speaking with Burnett often, I can tell you that adding Isaiah Todd would certainly makes thinks more interesting for Michigan moving forward.

Five-star guard Jaden Springer is deciding soon per an interview with Rivals.  Springer took an official visit to Tennessee last weekend and it would be a total shock if the Volunteers don’t land him in the very near future.

2021 Visits

Five-star guard Khristian Lander will make his way to campus on October 26th. The Indiana native is rumored to have grown up a Michigan fan during John Beilein’s tenure. That, in tandem with a visit, seem to indicate some serious interest. Lander has been active on the visit trail lately, taking recent OVs to both Louisville and Indiana within the last month so the competition is stiff. Reclassification to 2020 is also on the table per the aforementioned piece above, but a decision on that appears further down the line.

Another elite PG, top-20 overall prospect Kennedy Chandler, has set an official visit to Ann Arbor for mid-February.

While a decision is far down the line, the Michigan staff has made Chandler a big priority in the 2021 class since being offered in August.

Comments

Voltron Blue

October 16th, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^

Hey, Matt -

As someone that used to tangle with you in a different venue, just wanted to give you kudos on EM and your role here.  You're a tremendous addition to this site, and I appreciate both what you bring here and there.  Congrats and thanks!

 

Joined: 01/16/2009

MGoPoints: 4054

93Grad

October 16th, 2019 at 2:07 PM ^

A frontcourt of Todd and Dickinson fits a lot better than Dickenson and Williams.  

 

Also, is a Todd commitment helpful or hurtful to our chances with Burnett.  It wasn't clear from your post.

Joined: 07/26/2011

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outsidethebox

October 16th, 2019 at 3:35 PM ^

And to add to the goodness in these regards, I am quite sure I remember Dickinson being quoted that he would love to play with Nimari. The question then becomes roster space-with the pursuit of Moody, Zeb already committed and the assumption that Jace will end up at Michigan. Dickinson, Todd, Moody, Burnett, Jackson and Howard...hmm...would be an incredible class but...hmm...that much room at the inn??? And the kid from Evansville might reclassify...oh my...we want him too.

Joined: 01/23/2017

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 2:08 PM ^

Hate the idea of one-and-dones playing at Michigan (or any college in general) - college sports should be for people with genuine interest in attending school and getting a real academic education.  Anyone just looking to pass the time before being draftable should be given a different path - opening up scholarship opportunities for other student athletes who might not be quite as athletically gifted but are real students.

Joined: 04/30/2015

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 2:34 PM ^

College is a specific type of institution that sets people up for professional success - via education and classroom/academic experience.  There are other institutions that specialize in setting people up specifically for professional athletic success - such as paid sport training academies.

It is certainly possible (and good) for young people to pursue both academic and athletic development in college, but the academic component should be required and the priority - not an inconvenient afterthought.

This is why universities do not offer degrees in basketball (or other sports).

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 75054

Cosmic Blue

October 16th, 2019 at 2:55 PM ^

your whole stance is pretty bad, but i'd even take issue with your last point. just because a university doesnt offer a degree in a subject, doesnt make it non-academic. schools should be offering degrees in sports. there are plenty of peripheral jobs in sports surrounding the athletes that require very specific knowledge (e.g. coaches, trainers, dietitians, etc.). currently a lot of those positions are filled by ex-athletes which i think is as much a failure of academia as it is anything else. 

Joined: 10/13/2008

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 9:28 PM ^

Universities *do* offer degrees for those peripheral positions:  sports medicine, nutrition, kinesieolgy, sports management, public relations, etc.  And many of those former athletes majored in those fields while also participating in their chosen extracurricular sporting events.  Doesn't sound like a problem.

Also, so many people seem concerned about "taking away millions of dollars" from these athletes by making the stay in college.  However, if they are already good enough to be in that conversation, why should they be going into college sports in the first place?  Shouldn't these same advocates be clamoring for a way to get the kids directly into the pros out of high school (and then when do they start lobbying to let the kids drop out of high school to play sports full time - which is not necessarily an ad absurdum argument).

Joined: 04/30/2015

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gruden

October 16th, 2019 at 8:25 PM ^

Bill Gates left college early to pursue an opportunity.  Would you have told him to stay until he finished before starting a business?

The problem (?) is, college has become purely about job training or qualification.  Once upon a time it was more about studying the liberal arts and gaining a well-rounded understanding of the world.  My studies at M followed that path, there was certainly no job training about it.  But my experience was probably less common and not the reason most kids go to college (athletes or not).  If you find your career opportunity before the 4-5 years are up, then what good is it to stay?

I don't really see this as being a specific issue for athletes.  If a young person sees an opportunity before they finish their degree, it's usually in their best interest to go and follow the dream.  If Steve Jobs were still around he'd probably say that, as he did that too.

Joined: 04/29/2016

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 2:40 PM ^

I don't care where the $$$ goes (pro owners or college ADs).  If all the blue chip high school players go pro immediately - fine.  I would rather have all schools forced to play legitimate student-athletes (student first) and have to compete on that basis.  I doubt we will keep seeing UK, KU, MSU and others run the field when the kids are taking academics into account when choosing their college programs.  I would imagine most fans won't care about the level of athleticism on the court (or field) - they want to see their school beat rivals schools, regardless of being blue chip vs blue chip or walk-on vs walk-on.

Joined: 04/30/2015

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 2:46 PM ^

I agree - dropping out of school and not returning (for what ever reason) should be discouraged.  It sends a message that quitting is acceptable instead of persevering and finishing what one begins, even if it is only a mile-marker and not a final goal.

This does not mean one can't take a sabbatical to pursue other options - whatever that is (including pro sports or starting a business).

Joined: 04/30/2015

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Lloyd's Boy

October 16th, 2019 at 3:07 PM ^

That's a ridiculous take. Assuming an increasing amount of debt for the sole purpose of "finishing what one begins" is a horrible idea. This is obviously not the case for student-athletes on scholarship, but to assert that nobody should drop out of school is ridiculous. There are plenty of meaningful careers that don't require a college degree. The societal push towards everyone needing to get a college degree is misguided. 

Don't get me wrong, education is incredibly important. Discouraging anyone from stopping short of a college degree is silly.

Joined: 02/02/2011

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crg

October 16th, 2019 at 9:39 PM ^

I think you are conflating two different issues.  I agree with you that not all careers require a university education and that many kids are pushed into doing it without fully understanding the undertaking.  This is why the choice to enter a university should be made very carefully and deliberately - with full appreciation of 1) what is required to go through it and 2) a plan to reach the successful completion of their degree program.

The one-and-done situation is simply a subset of the "pushed into college" theme - kids with no plan to actually go through with their schooling and just there to pass the time until they can be drafted.  Honestly, if the kids are good enough to be one-and-done, the pro leagues may as well put them into their own program.

Joined: 04/30/2015

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bacon1431

October 16th, 2019 at 2:40 PM ^

If we wanted college sports to remain amateur and emphasize the student in student athlete more than athlete, then schools should have prevented the big TV deals and money grubbers from getting more and more involved. But with the professional leagues basically requiring people to go to college and the college coaches making more than anyone else at the university, world class facilities etc etc - there was no logical alternative than college athletics being more important than the academics. It is what it is. 

Joined: 07/26/2008

MGoPoints: 25294

Average Joe

October 16th, 2019 at 6:21 PM ^

If we do start getting the one-and-done's frequently, I think i'll start to miss the "old" days with Beilein. I loved watching his players develop through the years. That's what attracts so many people to college football, there are at least three years to watch the youngsters develop. I'm probably talking out of my ass and will be even more engaged, but just a thought.

Joined: 12/26/2017

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RAH

October 16th, 2019 at 9:02 PM ^

Glad you mentioned it. I think many of us have enjoyed seeing players mature both as players and as men. (Don't mean to be sexist but the sports I follow closely enough to see that progression are men's basketball and football.) It really is a significant part of the enjoyment of following the teams. 

Joined: 02/23/2018

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kyeblue

October 17th, 2019 at 1:01 AM ^

All we know Juwan is dead serious about education and would not take kid who is not serious going to classes. Being one-and-done is not incompatible with getting an education. Franz Wagner had every opportunity to play Pro Basketball at home and consistently mentions that educational opportunity is what brought him to AA. 

Joined: 09/18/2009

MGoPoints: 5354

crg

October 17th, 2019 at 5:13 AM ^

This is great that Juwan is serious about the academics in principle, but I hope it bears out in practice (meaning graduation rates, etc.)

I would disagree about the notion of one-and-dones being compatible with receiving a good education.  By definition, the player is only in school for 1 year (with much of that time spent practicing and travelling) - and often the player will drop school immediately after the end of their 1 season in order to prepare for the draft.  So, in their roughly 2 semesters of attending school (where their time is limited due to their athletic schedule and the possibly that they may leave school before their 2nd semester actually ends), how much formal education would they actually receive?  What classes would they be able to take aside from some basic prereqs?  The ideal scenario for all college students (enrolled in a specific program) is to finish with a degree/certication - although the minimum outcome should be to at least receive enough academic coursework to add specific value to their resume (e.g. many existing professionals will go to college to take a few specific courses they need in a specialized subject without being matriculated into a specific program).  However, these instances are not people just taking freshmen level intro courses - which is likely what most one-and-dones end up doing (assuming they actually go to class).

Joined: 04/30/2015

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LKLIII

October 16th, 2019 at 2:21 PM ^

Thanks Matt.

Assuming we land Todd, is there any truth in the rumor that we could end up being just a placeholder & he ends up playing in Europe next year if we don't have a solid season this year?  Or is that out of date info and/or total nonsense?

Joined: 11/06/2013

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goblue8888

October 16th, 2019 at 2:36 PM ^

Reading some tea leaves around the net, I am not saying their coming here but I think um is much more in the springer and Williams recruitments than they are being given credit for. 

Joined: 04/06/2017

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Basketballschoolnow

October 16th, 2019 at 3:02 PM ^

This is going to be fascinating to watch.  Beilein was not known to haul in the top-ranked recruits, perhaps by design, perhaps because of his complex system, perhaps because he does not utilize the post, maybe because he was too clean...yet he developed under the radar guys into draft picks.

Now Howard comes along, younger, with street cred from the Fab 5 and NBA, will presumably play at a faster pace and utilize the post more.  Will he actually land these top recruits?  Will this actually translate to better on court results? (Despite being negged for recruiting the sleepers, Beilein will be a tough act to follow!)

 

Joined: 10/14/2019

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Matt EM

October 16th, 2019 at 3:05 PM ^

I’ll drop a few notes here:

Burnett - Nimari and Family are definitely monitoring recruiting additions that fit with his skillset/role. Isaiah Todd is a great fit next to Nimari and vice versa

Dickinson - early last week word was that landing Todd=no Dickinson. That no longer appears to be the case as of right now

Overseas/Todd - there will always be a possibility of this with NBA caliber prospects. Useless to speculate in advance. As of now college appears to be the route

 

Joined: 11/08/2008

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outsidethebox

October 16th, 2019 at 3:59 PM ^

That is a most curious take...sounds like a coded message to me...as in, not only is Todd coming but so is Dickinson-and Nimari as well. And if one has watched the tapes and knows anything about the game you know that these three would form quite the dynamic trio. Add two snipers to these three and it's "Whoa Nellie!!!".

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