3 point shooting not a strength? Beilein will help this guy find his long range stroke. It will be interesting to see what Simmons can do in a specific role instead of "be the entire offense"
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Ohio PG Jaaron Simmons Transferring To Michigan
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Odd time for this to break but it has indeed broken:
Ohio MBK: Jaaron Simmons will transfer to Michigan. "One of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make." https://t.co/khmJVKdFzA pic.twitter.com/ApU4LDEmT6
— Jason Arkley (@JasonAmessenger) April 25, 2017
Simmons has an indifferent Kenpom profile and a remarkable Hoop Math profile. His sub-100 ORTG features 72/46/35 percent shooting on 28% usage, a ton of assists—21st in the country—and a post-like 22 TO rate. He was a bit more efficient as a sophomore, with 78/48/42 splits on 27% usage. His assist rate was sixth nationally, and he got to the line a lot more often.
At first blush that's not great but things get a lot more intriguing when you check out his Hoop Math peripherals. To wit, I have never seen a guy get less help from his teammates. Last year approximately 3% of Simmons's buckets from inside the arc were assisted, and just 35% of his threes. That is insane. To put that in perspective: Ohio had 772 made shots last year that were not putbacks. Simmons created 361 of those shots either by making an unassisted bucket or assisting a teammate. 47%. One guy.
this video does not end well for Ohio's coach
If Simmons can successfully downshift from "literally half his team's offense" to interchangeable Beilein component there's an efficient offensive player somewhere in there. Even money the first time Beilein's offense gets him a wide open three he breaks down in tears. A couple of twitter takes:
Wolverines get a tough, ball-in-hand PG that can really get downhill. Better shooter than given credit for. Bobcats get a hole in the lineup
— Jason Arkley (@JasonAmessenger) April 25, 2017
@guestavoo Simmons - great use of head/fake shots, arsenal of floaters, shoots of the bounce, the worst 3pt shooter and the best PnR handler
— guestavo (@guestavoo) April 14, 2017
If three point shooting is the drawback for a guy who shot 35% when two thirds of his makes were jacks, eh, I'll take it. UMHoops put together scouting video for Simmons so you can judge for yourself:
If you're like me, about 60% of those shots from the first section gave you hives. Stepback long twos and whatnot. Simmons very much looks like a guy burdened with more responsibility than any one basketball player should be forced to shoulder. Given the context his 43% 2-point jumper shooting is truly impressive; the question is whether he'll be able to restrict those shots to late-clock situations now that he's going to be a third banana instead of bananas 1-3 and sometimes 4.
April 25th, 2017 at 1:08 AM
#2
3 point shooting not a strength?
April 25th, 2017 at 9:45 AM
#3
The only reason he had to
The only reason he had to carry the team was because Ohio's best player, Antonio Campbell, had a season ending leg injury right as conference play started. Simmons looked good this past season but did have some help from MSU transfer Kenny Kaminski.
April 25th, 2017 at 1:23 AM
#4
Grad Transfer?
Sorry if I just missed it, but is he a grad transfer so he can play right away, or is he going to have to sit a year?
April 25th, 2017 at 1:48 AM
#5
Yes grad transfer. CAn anyone
Yes grad transfer. CAn anyone remember the last big news to break in the middle of the night like this ? Maybe a west coast kid comitting ?
April 25th, 2017 at 1:51 AM
#6
The fact that Shane Morris
The fact that Shane Morris suffered a probable minor concussion in the 2014 Minnesota game. /s
April 25th, 2017 at 2:04 AM
#7
Fun times !
Fun times !
April 25th, 2017 at 1:48 AM
#8
Yes, grad transfer. The link
Yes, grad transfer. The link mentions him graduating from OU in a couple weeks.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:23 AM
#9
Does This Mean...
...we no longer have a scholarship available for Mo Bamba?
April 25th, 2017 at 8:42 AM
#10
Implication
That's the implication, I believe.
There is always the chance that DJ or Moe actually turn pro, which would then create more room.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:50 AM
#11
Per UMHoops...
...it doesn't look like it. Unless DJ or Mo stay in the draft. Which would suck.
EDIT: Note to self--refresh before commenting.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:30 AM
#12
I wonder if the idiots who
I wonder if the idiots who were crying about losing the Pitt transfer are having second thoughts as this guy is a much better fit for what we need. It is almost like Beilein knows what he is doing....
April 25th, 2017 at 1:24 AM
#13
u wot m8
u wot m8
April 25th, 2017 at 6:30 AM
#14
He's an intriguing player...
I think our coaches loved his ability to operate out of the PnR/PnP, run an offense, and distribute. In Beilein's offense, Simmons can pick and choose his spots to score while primarily trying to get his teammates invovled (where he excels).
One of our biggest concerns for next season was at the 1. Assuming Wagner and Wilson return for their junior seasons, we were a true PG away from being an elite team and contending for the Big Ten / Final Four. I think the coaches found a solution. The addition of Simmons allows Simpson and Brooks to develop at their own pace away from scrutiny.
Btw, I recommend clicking on Gustavo's twitter. He retweeted a number of Simmons' tweets. It's clear he's a bit of a Michigan fan.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:48 AM
#15
I
do think it is a bit of a vote of no confidence in Xavier Simpson, though. In Simpson I thought we were getting a kid that could at least start in the Walton-2014 way next year. With both MAAR and Simpson on the roster and Brooks coming in, I am a little but surprised at this.
April 25th, 2017 at 12:00 PM
#16
I don't think it is a case
of no confidence. I think it is a case of we would be fine with Simpson, but we can be really good with Simmons.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:44 PM
#17
If DJ and Mo come back our
If DJ and Mo come back our team looks like a championship contender except for a giant hole at the PG. A grad transfer PG is exactly what we need and way more important than Mo Bamba. Simpson can be really good, but I highly doubt he will be his Sophmore year, without a giant surge he looks to be an anchor on the teams prospects. And it's not because he's bad its just that everyone else is so good and he's still too young. If we had Walton back next year we'd be a final four team, getting a good pg grad transfer (or a 5 star one and done pg, yeah right) is as close as we can get to that.
April 25th, 2017 at 7:49 AM
#18
Regarding Bamba
I don't think he'd come here if both Wilson and Wagner stay, so this transfer isn't likely to affect the available scholarships for Bamba.
As much of a kick in the teeth as it is for Simpson, it's worse for Eli Brooks. He'll be relegated to a redshirt, and will have to compete with both Simpson and a PG recruit in 2018. He could get stuck on the bench his entire time in blue.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:10 AM
#19
I think this is actually good for Brooks
He was always going to be second banana at point guard with Dejulius coming in 2018. I think he's a better 2 guard prospect anyway, and this means he'll be learning the offense from that perspective right away instead of taking an apprenticeship year at a position he'd never probably play anyway.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:46 AM
#20
I'm not sure I understand
I'm not sure I understand this perspective. Brooks is pretty good prospect in his own right. I doubt he's worried about a guy a year behind him. It IS good for him though. He gets to watch a guy who takes pride in being a tradtional PG for a year, and then he'll get his shot to beat out X or whoever else. He'll have essentially a two year headstart on DeJulius, because we all know Beilein's PGs do better when given a year to season, and chances are DeJulius isn't going to waltz in with a strong enough knowledge of the offense from day one.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:50 AM
#21
I'd agree with you
If not for some of Beilein's comments on DeJulius--essentially, he said DeJulius would have been playing over X last year, and would have taken some minutes from Walton. (This was before Walton's renaissance, but still). I think DeJulius is going to be GOOD.
And I'm not trying to take anything away from Brooks--I just think he's a way better fit at the 2, and he'll have more of a chance to develop there and learn the offense from that perspective, which gives him a better chance to compete for serious PT next year than if he were a backup PG with a really good prospect coming in.
April 25th, 2017 at 12:06 PM
#22
Interesting
I hadn't seen that Beilein had said that. It seemed to say something that Michigan was bringing in a third PG in three years when they picked up DeJulius, and maybe it's just that Beilein thinks he is a guy that you have to take no matter who else is on your roster.
April 25th, 2017 at 5:27 PM
#23
I agree.
I'm a big fan of David DeJulius.
The Walton we saw in the second half of the season is the dominant Walton I saw in AAU games. It took him 3.5 years to reach that level in college and sustain it but the results were spectacular - he carried us to a Big Ten Tournament Championship and he came within a 2 point shot of leading us to the Elite 8.
I see greatness from DeJulius. I agree with Erik. DeJulius is a take no matter who is on your roster.
But I think Beilein might also regret the recruiting decision he made in 2013. He liked both Monte Morris and Derrick Walton Jr. and told them he would take the first one to commit. Walton called a few minutes earlier than Morris. (And Morris turned out to be a damn good player for ISU.) But can you imagine how awesome it would've been if we had 2 PGs as our 1 and 2. Walton could've easily been a combo guard. Beilein could've run an offense similar to the one Arizona had in 1997 with multiple PGs. Eventually, Beilein took MAAR (who has developed into a decent player).
This time around, the PGs are separated by class (Brooks in 2017 and DeJulius in 2018). And both are flexible and can swtich smoothly from the 1 to the 2 and back. I'm thrilled for our future.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:53 AM
#24
This is a huge point that I
This is a huge point that I haven't seen mentioned enough. Not only does this addition allow X to play up to his development, and not purely out of neccessity, but we don't have to shoehorn a freshman into a spot that may not be his ideal positon. If Brooks is ultimately a PG, great. But now he'll have a year where he can learn the offense at a reasonable pace and find his appropriate position at the college level.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:59 AM
#25
Well Simpson really didn't
Well Simpson really didn't show he was deserving to be the clear incumbant at the 1. I really feel better having an experienced player brought in.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:50 AM
#26
I mean,
he was playing behind the best point guard in the conference. He did not exactly see the floor a lot. I do agree that bringing in a grad transfer is not a good sign for him, but I don't think it can be said that it was based on Simpson's play or lack thereof last year. He simply didn't play much, and it was pretty clear why that was.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:46 PM
#27
If everyone comes back our
If everyone comes back our team looks great next year except point guard. I like Simpson but I think he's more than a year away, better we bring in a grad transfer PG than let him be an anchor on the team.
April 25th, 2017 at 6:57 AM
#28
Welcome
J.A.A.Ron!
April 25th, 2017 at 9:16 AM
#29
SONNNN OF A BIIII-T-C-H! YOU
SONNNN OF A BIIII-T-C-H! YOU DONE MESSED UP, A-A-RON!
April 25th, 2017 at 7:23 AM
#30
Does Ohio U have a rewards
Does Ohio U have a rewards program?
We should sign up, since we shop there for players so much.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:29 AM
#31
Worked for JB
the first time when he lured Caris LeVert away from Ohio and turned him into a 1st round pick.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:42 AM
#32
At least we've traded them a
At least we've traded them a few football players.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:21 AM
#33
Personally I love the move
Personally I love the move due to the position. X was non existent early in the year and was "ok" late but not at a level you had full confidence he was going to make a big leap. He may , he may not. If he didn't you are screwed as he was not playing at a level of a guy who deserves 30 minutes a night.
PG is where you want either extreme talent ala Burke or experience with good talent which this guy fits the bill.
As was noted by many, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to lower usage but if either of the 2 big guys leave, he won't be a 3rd banana necessarily. He might go right to #1. Matthews is an unknown and MAAR is not a #1 or #2 option.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:26 AM
#34
I think (hope?) that Brian
I think (hope?) that Brian meant he'd be a third banana to Wilson and Wagner, assuming they're back in school
April 25th, 2017 at 9:13 AM
#35
X
Your perspective on X is a little off. Take a look at the freshman year of virtually every point guard in school history (except Jalen, who was a freak, and Burke) and you'll see most of them were less productive or non-existent. X was pretty good for a true freshman. The biggest jump at PG is typically in that second season.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:41 AM
#36
Guys who make a big leap the
Guys who make a big leap the second year generally played a lot more as freshmen than Simpson did. For comparison, Burke played 36 minutes a night as a freshman. Simpson didn't crack 9. I imagine X will be better, but expecting a major leap from a guy with so little game experience would be out of the ordinary.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:59 AM
#37
Huh
I wasn't expecting to land anyone until late May. He seems like a nice addition. Fortifying the point guard position seems wise. Also, he's from Dayton, so he knows how to build an airplane out of bike parts (like any Daytonian).
April 25th, 2017 at 8:38 AM
#38
I'll gladly take the huge
I'll gladly take the huge void in my Bobcats' lineup because I think he can make a strong contribution for Beilein at a definite position of need. Michigan has given us a few football grad transfers so I guess we owed them one!
April 25th, 2017 at 8:55 AM
#39
This is a great pickup
This is a great pickup.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:56 AM
#40
Welcome Jaaron Simmons!!
Glad you are now a Wolverine!!
April 25th, 2017 at 9:06 AM
#41
Looks like a solid pickup. He looks like a solid
Looks like a solid pickup. He looks like a solid second unit scorer, which will help a team that will be without Walton. Not the biggest guy and there are going to be bad habits to break, but Beilein turns guys like this into contributors all the time.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:17 AM
#42
I like that he can finish with either hand
and isn't shy about operating in heavy traffic. Between the addition of Simmons and Simpson's play down the stretch, feeling pretty good about 2017-2018 IF we have at least 1 of Moe and DJ back, feel great if both are back.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:21 AM
#43
To all the people above
Concerned about development and players being pushed to the side... Sadly, it's 2017 when freshman and new players have to come in and do damage immediately. The "long plan" just doesn't work anymore.
The bottom line is that if a player is good enough, he'll find his way on the court in one way or another. If Simpson improves his game all through his soph season, he'll get plenty of time.
April 25th, 2017 at 9:23 AM
#44
Just what the team needed
I still think X should/will be the starter, but if/when he gets in foul trouble and just in the regular flow of a game, having an experienced PG who can regularly play 15-25 minutes a game will be key if UM wants to win a B1G championship. I like Eli Brooks, but considering the below average quality of high school competition he went against, he's going to need some time (probably a whole season) to acclimate.
Plus, Simmons comes from the same AAU team as Burke, Levert and Watson. So keeping that pipeline flowing is a good thing.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/04/ohio_grad_transfer_jaa...
April 25th, 2017 at 9:46 AM
#45
game plan
Ohio did everything through their center Tony Campbell, who was the best player in the conference for two years. They did a bunch of pick and roll and pick and pop to get him the ball. it wasn't that Simmons didn't get any help from his teammates, it was that the center was basically their pg/decision maker so Simmons had to play a bunch off of kick outs
Simmons efficiency dipped when Campbell got hurt but he will be really effective in Michigan's system. he should be their day 1 starter imo
April 25th, 2017 at 1:55 PM
#46
If we want to run everything
If we want to run everything through WIlson/Wagner, I'd be ok with that.
April 26th, 2017 at 11:22 AM
#47
Can't argue that. Hopefully they develop and make
Can't argue that. Hopefully they develop and make the jump to allow us to do that.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:18 AM
#48
This is a horrible pickup.
We don't want to take away a player from Ohio University.
We want Ohio to rise in prominence so that it competes with Ohio State on more equal footing - in all sports.
That way Ohio State has to start competing for in-state recruits, in all sports, much like Michigan must do with Michigan State.
That way the recruiting playing field is leveled a bit and Michigan wins more football games.
That way the sea of intolerable Alabama fans that I am surrounded by living down here in the South must bow to the all-mightiness that is my football team.
That way I become happier.
/s fin
April 25th, 2017 at 10:38 AM
#49
So we'll have him for 1 year, or
So we'll have him for 1 year, or two?
