247's Sam Webb and Josh Henschke have both just put in crystal balls for 2020 5* SG Josh Christopher

Submitted by njvictor on February 11th, 2020 at 1:57 PM

https://247sports.com/Season/2020-Basketball/TargetPredictions/

Title says it all. Sam Webb just went out to see Christopher play for his senior night this weekend so I'll link his article about that:

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-basketball-recruiting-Josh-Christopher-Arizona-State-Missouri-UCLA-143631775/

michgoblue

February 11th, 2020 at 2:36 PM ^

If we actually land Hunter Dickinson, Terrance Williams, Josh Christopher and Isaiah Todd, our incoming talent would be insane.  Not to mention returning Livers, Wagner and Johns (plus others, obviously).  Have to imagine we would be a heavy favorite in the Big Ten going into next season, no?

FreddieMercuryHayes

February 11th, 2020 at 3:05 PM ^

Yes, that recruiting class coming in with solid returning production in upperclassmen would probably mean UM is the favorites for the B1G.  But there are obviously two big holes that the class does not solve.  One is PG.  Has Brooks or DeJulius really shown the ability to initiate the offense?  Now this could probably be covered up a bit by starting Brooks for his D and spot up shooting and running a lot of offense through Christopher or Wagner or another gaurd/wing.  I think Sam Webb basically has said that even though Christopher is not a PG, his skill set means you can initiate offense through him.  But what does UM do about Center?  Gotta hope Castleton can bulk up.  Cause while Davis may still be a good back up, don't want him starting and never count on a freshman B1G that isn't an athletic freak immediate lottery pick.  Dickenson will still probably need at least a year to be weaponized.  But yeah, there will be a freak ton of talent on the wings if UM get's that class.

Mr Miggle

February 11th, 2020 at 3:21 PM ^

Dickinson will come in as a better offensive center than 90% of those athletic freaks. He's got a technically sound game and is an excellent passer. He won't be as good on defense but he's got the size to work with. They probably will need to adjust the defensive scheme.

I agree with Webb about PG. Brooks and Christopher should be an excellent pairing on both ends of the court. PG could be a problem if Christopher goes elsewhere.

FreddieMercuryHayes

February 11th, 2020 at 3:37 PM ^

I hope Dickenson is ready to go day 1.  It just seems that big men, like OL, always have a big learning curve.  Not to mention that conditioning may be a big issue.  I'm afraid he'll do the typical get in a lot of foul trouble while adjusting to the physicality and speed of the college game.  Really going to need Castleton to breakthrough next year if UM is to have conference title aspirations and perhaps higher goals.

njvictor

February 11th, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^

I think we'll be fine at PG. DeJulius has played decently well as of late and shown the ability to score and distribute plus having Brooks, Zeb Jackson and Christopher. If Davis grad transfers and Castleton transfers then obviously we'll be very thin at center with just Dickinson, but I think we should have the ability to go small ball with guys like Johns, Todd, bulked up Wagner and even Livers next year to where I'm too worried about it

MGlobules

February 11th, 2020 at 2:38 PM ^

The one approach that would have foreshortened the long period in the desert that's coming would have been throwing the school on the mercy of the courts and--more important--court of opinion, firing pretty much everybody, openly asking forgiveness of the 100s of women hurt by the school who are still, oddly, mostly neglected in these conversations. (I have a teenaged daughter; maybe that's why this has struck me so profoundly.)

In fact they've gone the opposite route. Beekman and Engler are not fit for leadership, not bright or well-spoken individuals, let alone men of principle. Everyone who left did so after lots of complaining and CYA'ing. . . not of their own volition.

The collective stupidity of the institution will be drummed into fans' heads game in and game out for years to come. And perhaps that's the way it should be. Because if we don't have some sense of collective shame, some accountability, where the hell are we? That was the biggest serial rape case in US history concurrent with one event after another in the hoop and football programs.

markinmsp

February 11th, 2020 at 2:49 PM ^

The one approach that would have foreshortened the long period in the desert that's coming would have been throwing the school on the mercy of the courts and--more important--court of opinion, firing pretty much everybody, openly asking forgiveness of the 100s of women hurt by the school who are still, oddly, mostly neglected in these conversations. (I have a teenaged daughter; maybe that's why this has struck me so profoundly.)

 

 WTF??    I think you confused your posts! This should be in one of Sttae topics

Perkis-Size Me

February 11th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^

What an unbelievable haul it would be if Howard brought in Dickenson, Williams, Jackson, Christopher, and also convinced Todd to not play international next year. 

You're talking about what could be an absolutely loaded team next year. 

morepete

February 11th, 2020 at 2:58 PM ^

I remember a lot of posters on this board who claimed we had no way of knowing if Juwan would be a better recruiter than Beilein (not the same thing as better coach, I might add). We did have that evidence. He is as or more responsible for bringing Jimmy King and Jalen Rose to Michigan than anyone on the Michigan staff, and having Jalen on board brought Chris Webber over.

Juwan's a born recruiter, and it's so much fun to see him proving it so quickly.

True Blue Grit

February 11th, 2020 at 3:09 PM ^

One thing that really jumps out in his highlights is his size.  Not only is he tall, but he's really solid.  I can see him overpowering a lot of guards at the next level.  But this is great news.  

MaizeRage5

February 11th, 2020 at 3:42 PM ^

Wow, Coach Howard is absolutely making his presence known on the recruiting trail. I'm glad he aims high and sets his sights on the top talent in the country. Michigan deserves the best and its basketball program doesn't have to take a backseat to any other program in the country. Cant wait for the first time they roll the Fab Five 3.0 out there next season, Crisler will be LIT! Keep it up coach, GO BLUE!