Mitch McGary To Return Comment Count

Ace

This is the kind of week when bad news cannot possibly live for long on the front page, so naturally Jacob Trouba's departure news is immediately followed by this, from MLive's Kyle Meinke:

"I haven’t even thought about (leaving),” [Mitch McGary] told MLive.com after practice Tuesday at the Crisler Center. “I don’t have a decision to make -- I’m coming back.”

Is he 100 percent sure?

“Yeah,” he said with a laugh. “I’m coming back.”

McGary wasn't thought to be a huge flight risk until his recent tournament success, and thankfully he's put those fears to rest. Feel free to break out your go-to dance move to celebrate.

Comments

willirwin1778

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:21 PM ^

With another year or two to work on strength, speed and technique in Michigan's brand new Bill Davidson Player Development Center, the sky is the limit for McGary.

I remember the strength transition Chris Webber made after his Freshman season at Michigan?  It was significant.  Here is hoping McGary is a beast that continues to grow in Ann Arbor, so that when he goes pro, he is fully prepared from day one.       

 

jmblue

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:57 PM ^

I actually don't remember Webber being that much different of a player as a sophomore.  He was pretty much always a beast.  

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/chris-webber-1.html

 I do remember Robert Traylor making big strides from his freshman to junior seasons.  I could see McGary following this trajectory:

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/robert-traylor-1.html

Bosch

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:27 PM ^

....are roommates and supposedly pretty tight, I'm just going to assume that Robinson is feeling similarly.

No, one thing doesn't mean the other but I prefer that scenerio as opposed to the alternate.

In fact, I think I'm going to assume that everyone, including Burke, is planning to return for next season.

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:35 PM ^

So while looking ahead, what's a good playing weight for him next year?  He lost a significant amount through the season, but after a full year of weight training, where do we expect/want him to be next year?

Young John Beilein

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:50 PM ^

Probably 250-260 pounds.  I think you want to see him improve his springiness and endurance and get back to the backboard-breaking tornado he was before he went to prep school.  I think he can do that at his current weight which i think is plenty sufficient to be effective in boxing out and establishing/ holding paint position.  Next question

Geary_maize

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^

He's kind of excited right now, but he's already a junior age wise and his stock is rising.

Given how hard it is for big guys to go through their careers without ankle or knee injuries, I wouldn't be surprised if he changes his mind after the dust settles. Selfishly I want him back, but you gotta do what you gotta do, and i wouldn't blame him.

willirwin1778

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:25 PM ^

I think today's insurance premiums for projected draft picks are pretty fantastic and negate many of the concerns associated with career threatening injuries sustained in college.

So many one and dones flail in the NBA and end up in Belarus or something.  So, if you get a draft projection, get the insurance, and continue to develop in college, all should be good in the long run.

 

  

Rather be on BA

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:06 PM ^

I didn't realize people were particularly worried about him leaving, but his enthusiasm about staying is nice to hear.  Hopefully GRIII and Tim stay too.  All caveats about enjoying the present success aside, if those two were to stay as well we could have just as lethal (dare I so more lethal?)a  team as we do this year.

The Rake

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:14 PM ^

But I think he loves college and would really benefit from one more year then leave. Since he and gr3 are so close (roomies, etc.) I hope their decisions to stay become a pkg deal. I do fear gr3 leaving with ford predicting lottery earlier today. He could really use another year too. I'm guessing THJ is gone as well as Burke.

GoWings2008

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^

Burke is leaving, that's pretty much a given.  I think UM can weather the storm losing one more starter, either THJ or GRIII, but not both of them, IMO.  I think GRIII stays one more year with some input from good ol' Dad, but we'll have to wait and see.  Such a definitive statement by McGary I think will help.

michfan96

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^

If THJ goes the team will really lack leadership next year. I still think he can use an extra year to polish his sub par handle, and inconsistent shooting. I hope he realizes that he is not NBA ready. 

Marley Nowell

April 2nd, 2013 at 10:18 PM ^

I thought the same thing about his handle but he has actually shown a lot of improvement in the tourney, particularly against the VCU press.  While I agree he (and pretty much any college player) could use more polishing there isn't anything in his game that he couldn't learn in the NBA.

PhillipFulmersPants

April 2nd, 2013 at 10:34 PM ^

Will be a leader next year if Tim stays or goes. Enthusiasm and passion, plays tough, vocal, does the little stuff, hustle plays, all about team, big personality, has the respect of his teammates I would think coming out of this run. I.e.,. his play in NCAAs has already positioned him for the role. Would love for Tim to stay but don't think there will be a huge leadership hole if he doesn't. I may be wrong but I'm not too worried.

michfan96

April 2nd, 2013 at 11:20 PM ^

Do you guys think it is at all possible that if Michigan loses in the title (assuming we beat cuse), Burke comes back for a junior year with revenge. Because If so there is no bad result to the title game. This may be a bit unrealistic. 

enlightenedbum

April 3rd, 2013 at 1:09 AM ^

There's more incentive for him to go.  Basically his draft stock can't be higher and being a lottery pick really is a big deal for financial reasons.  Even if he plays as well, given the general regard of next year's class he might not be one because he's short.  And you always risk injury.  Much rather already have the million dollar contract if I'm taking that risk.

tasnyder01

April 3rd, 2013 at 4:44 AM ^

Kentucky's players didn't come back this year, and I don't think the fab-5 could have left due to draft eligability rules back then (I believe you had to be a rising-junior at the time).

It would be great to have them all back, and based off Burke's comments it isn't unrealistic; I merely want to show the other side of this equation.

ijohnb

April 3rd, 2013 at 8:07 AM ^

contrast this with Staee contriving a Payne/Harris to to-go-not-to-go saga out of nowhere to convince themselves of their worth and the difference is striking.  Nice Mitch.  Go Blue.

jethro34

April 3rd, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^

Hopefully over the summer the team works something out to be able to get Mitch and another big on the floor together more often.  Beilein has done it more during the tourney than he did during the regular season, and I would like to think it will continue.

I want to see this for a few reasons.

First, I want to see Morgan get back to playing with full confidence and bringing to the table what he can.  When he's on he's terribly underrated and with all he's done to help this program he deserves to go out strong.

Second, it certainly would be nice to play against teams that rebound well and not get destroyed by them on the boards.  That 2nd Indiana game simply destroyed me.  Yes, free throws.  But out-rebounded 47-26 just won't work.  I also realize that foul trouble had a lot to do with limiting McGary's minutes especially, but the team needed a minute each from McLimans and Beilfeldt just to get to 40 total from bigs.  To see Mitch, Morgan, Horford, and even some Donnal in there together consistently should be a huge help on the boards.

Finally, Donnal.  I just mentioned him, but I think a year with Mitch could be huge for Donnal.  Sure, he already has a skill set and work with the other bigs would do plenty for him, but Mitch brings that drive that every player could stand to have rub off on him.