Out Of Several Left Fields: Duncan Robinson
Via Chris Balas, here's a new, crazy name for Michigan's SG spot in the 2016 class: Duncan Robinson, who spent last year at D-III Williams College. It sounds like this is escalating quickly, to the point where a visit that starts Monday is likely to see him commit:
"Coach Beilein said once I get on campus, they have a scholarship open that I should have one. That's exciting, kind of a dream come true. Hopefully that all works out. Coach Maker is excited for me - he said he would have recruited me at West Virginia or if he had gone with Coach Beilein to Michigan. He definitely believes in me, and I believe in him as a coach."
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So, like, brace yourself. There will be some caterwauling on your message board of choice because what about Jalen Coleman. And I feel that too, a bit.
Only a bit, though. The 6'7" Robinson hit 45% of a lot of threes and is looking to transfer after his coach moved on, with the usual suspects sniffing around. Along with Michigan, Creighton and Davidson are involved. That is a who's who of Shoot It Shoot The J programs. Meanwhile Williams's coach is a former Beilein assistant who runs all of the same stuff Michigan does. Last year was an apprenticeship.
UMHoops already has video of him last year:
And… yeah, doesn't most of that translate to D-I? I mean that on the block fadeaway is a Stauskas move and the various moving three pointers are un-checkable at any level. If this was a high school reel we'd all be like "yes please."
So why is he in D-III? Apparently because he really really wanted to go to this one college, scholarship be damned. NERR was like "you guys who are lolwut aren't entirely wrong" last year:
“While the masses are wondering how a sharp-shooting six-foot-seven forward could have slipped through the scholarship cracks, the reality is that he jumped through, spurning scholarship offers for the top ranked liberal arts school and one of the most storied Division III basketball programs in the country.”
At this point Michigan has earned a bit of leeway when they take someone you cock your eyebrow at. Beilein can just say "scoreboard." While taking this guy would be a bit weird, shooting is shooting is shooting is shooting. At 6'7" he also has flexibility to play the 3 and maybe even the 4 if he gets stronk like bull under Sanderson.
I mean, at this point you just look at a skinny 6'7" guy and wonder when the NBA comes calling, no matter where he's from.
If Michigan does offer and Robinson commits, that would not necessarily put an end to Michigan's 2015 class. That currently stands at no people; Michigan is bracing for a LeVert departure and reclassified Max Bielfeldt to senior status. They're also likely to put Austin Hatch on a medical. So they would almost certainly have room to add a second player in the class. A third is even possible.
Possible, but doubtful. Given the state of the roster and how strong Michigan is with a number of 2016 kids it seems like it would be a bit difficult for them to get another kid in without compromising what they hope is a monster class the year after. A Jalen Coleman in the hand is worth two Tyus Battles in the bush, though. Wouldn't rule it out. Do think that Michigan's expanding 2015 SG recruiting pool would get restricted to one, maybe two guys.
Meanwhile, Robinson would sit out the upcoming season and then have three to play.
way more than just a shooter, I like his dribble drive and finishing ability.
With a year of S&C, he will certainly get stronger and be able to handle the B1G.
You can't teach shooting like that, he's a natural, I hope he comes on board.
everyone believes him to be. Plucking a 17ppg DIII player out of nowhere a few weeks before classes start is unusual to say the least. Shows how he never stops looking to add pieces. This is really interesting and will be fun to watch.
If this works, it sounds like it's more Beilein recognizing a good thing that his former assistant brought him than "plucking a 17ppg DIII player out of nowhere." My hunch is that Robinson figures he's switching coaches regardless and he would rather stay in Beilein's system (with the man himself!) than take his chances with the very young, unproven new coach at Williams. (The new coach was a Maker assistant for a year, but has never been a head coach.)
http://ephsports.williams.edu/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/201407197xkmzl
Any relation to Glenn?
Worst case he is a good depth and practice player for the team. I think he will have a hard time finding his shots at the D1 level, that doesn't mean he isn't worth a scholarship to help the team and see what develops.
Not many 6' 7" guys have an impossible time finding shots unless they are the only good player on the team.
Will he have a wide open 3-pointer every time down the floor? Probably not, especially if he continues to shoot over 40% from 3. But he will get shots.
Kid says he is now 6' 8". I'm going to believe that a 6' 8" guy who was the Div 3 rookie of the year will figure out a way to get his shot off. You're not going to be able to guard him with many people that are taller than him, so he'll be able to just shoot over a lot of people. Will some people be able to shut him down? Sure, but that wouldn't be shocking. Even Stauskas got shut down a few times last year, and I don't think we're expecting this kid to be 1989 Glen Rice or something.
I'm not promising super-stardom for him or anything, but just for example, look at Michigan. Who exactly on our roster from last year would we put on him to deny his shot? If he's really 6' 8" he's already taller than most of the guys who got major minutes for us last year.at anything but the 5. Would GRIII or Levert be able to consistently deny his shot? Maybe Levert with his wingspan? But Levert would probably be needed on someone smaller and quicker. I know we weren't exactly a good defensive team, and I'm sure he'll run into good defenders who will have his number, but my bet is at that height he'll get plenty of looks at the rim, especially with Beilein drawing things up.
Would love to have him on the team, but just wondering why we would need to use a scholarship for this? Didn't he turn down scholarships last year to play at Williams? Maybe we could get him to transfer and not use one... wishful thinking, I know. But that would certainly be optimal.
On a side note, Williams is a very good school so he's definitely a smart kid.
Are we scouring the country for an Olajuwan Sampson for the class of '17? I mean, the only way his name is any better is if it were Robinson Dunkin.
nfc*
Michigan athletes named Robinson? Especially D. Robinson? Yeah, I'll take them.
Keep them coming!
UMHoops: Michigan interest a "dream come true" for Duncan Robinson
Robinson received interest from across the country, but two schools are standing out above the rest: a top liberal arts college and a top public university.
“A whole bunch of schools that reached out,” Robinson said. “No other Big Ten schools, but a couple of ACC schools, Big 12, and then a lot of lower-conference and mid-majors. I’ve kind of narrowed it down to two. I’m going to take a visit to Davidson (this weekend) and I’m going to take a visit to Michigan (Monday).”
Beilein and Robinson have been in constant contact for the last month, touching base on the phone nearly every other day.
“I’ve just been talking to coach Beilein a lot, just about every other day for probably about a month now,” Robinson said. “So it’s been great to hear from him and kind of build a relationship with him. He’s been great throughout the whole process, also reaching out to my mom because it’s a big decision in my life and she wants to be on board with it. He’s been great (with both of us).”
. . .
“Right now I’m about 6-foot-8, and 195 pounds maybe pushing 200,” he said. “I’ve gotta get bigger that’s for sure, but I think I’m still growing to be honest with you.”
a year of Michigan S&C would do him good. Looks like a candidate for 3/4 position.
Well, that's all I need to know. Welcome to the team Duncan. We don't know who you are, but based on Coach B's history, you are about to make a big name for yourself and will light us up with excitement every time you get on the court. Looking forward to cheering you on!
But can he dance on the sideline properly when he's not in the game? That's important too!
If Jalen Coleman wants to committ someone is going to get a firm handshake to make room
The team currently (before Robinson) has two open scholarships for next season. And that is not counting the possibly of an NBA departure (Levert?), or a medical redshirt (Hatch-though I hope he gets his chance).
Even with taking Robinson, UM could take Coleman just fine. If anything, the concern should be that Robinson would take an open spot that UM could use in what could be a monster 2016 class, but then again, they could have a couple of extra's we don't know about as of yet.
As an Eph/Wolverine, I can only support this move! Go Blue! Beat Amherst!
I don't care if he has a club foot that makes Verbal Kint look like LeBron James in comparision. If JB wants him; I want him.
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