Annarbor.com: Robinson III "peaking at the right time"

Submitted by Raoul on

Baumgardner has an annarbor.com article on Glenn Robinson III's rise from "fringe high-major prospect" to fringe five-star—Fueled by his underrated status, Michigan basketball signee Glenn Robinson III peaking at the right time.

In addition to detailing his disappointment at not being selected for the McDonald's All-American game, the article once again highlights Beilein's talent-spotting acumen:

Robinson's gone from a nice prospect with a famous name to a blue chip with an impressive game.

He's turned into the player Beilein and company thought he could become nearly two years ago. With his Michigan career set to begin next fall, Robinson says he can't wait to show the coaching staff that showed so much faith in him exactly what he's all about.

"Those guys believed in me before anyone else really did, and that means a lot," Robinson said. "I really knew I wanted to go there (right away), they have a great coaching staff and their job is to see how players might progress in their upcoming years, not necessarily what they are right now.

"I believe some schools look too much into what a player is right now, and not what their potential could be. Michigan did a great job with that, though, and that's what I really liked about them."

The following also seems to dispel the notion that Robinson will be seeing any time at the 4:

As far as next season goes, Robinson says he's currently putting in extra time on his 3-point shooting and his ball handling. He said the Michigan staff would like to use him as both a small forward and shooting guard next season, meaning he could be relied on to attack the rim off the dribble, distribute and score from deep. 

Baumgardner also links to a Post-Tribune article featuring some high praise from Robinson's high school coach, Dave Milausnic:

Milausnic said Robinson’s ability to accept coaching and make adjustments in his game helped him grow as a player.

“Glenn’s one of those coachable kids,’’ he said. “Every coach is going to preach good, fundamental shooting. It just comes down to the kid. Glenn’s always been willing to put in the work to get better in areas that are weak. Some kids don’t like to work on their weaknesses — the great ones do. The great ones will say this doesn’t feel comfortable, but the next day, they’ll go out and work on it — as opposed to just focusing on things that feel good. Ultimately, Glenn worked toward being the player he was always capable of becoming.’’

Milausnic was asked if he thought Robinson would enjoy a fruitful career at Michigan.

“Michigan is very wing-oriented, which is conducive to Glenn’s play,’’ he said. “I can see that style being very advantageous to Glenn.

“We’ll be excited to watch his progress. Whatever happens, we’re in full support of him, but we also know that Glenn’s going to do whatever it takes to be successful. What that entails, I don’t know exactly, but we’re excited about the next phase of his life.’’

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Mtruck

April 3rd, 2012 at 1:05 PM ^

Was a good read.  Appreciate you finding this article.

On another note, in regards to recruiting, how do guys like Calipari do it?  There is no way he can totally know who will be on his team the next season, does he over recruit?  Does he expect 4 players to leave early every season?  But what if they don't?  Recruits seem to be committing so much earlier these days, I'm amazed that with so many kids leaving early to go to the NBA that he is still able to put together such strong recruiting classes.

Joined: 09/21/2010

MGoPoints: 268

MGoBeer

April 3rd, 2012 at 1:16 PM ^

He uses the one-and-done system to perfection. He has built the program to develop NBA talent above else which draws in the top talent who are just waiting to be able to be drafted. Because they are all one-and-done there is pretty much a guaranteed starting spot and a very high chance at a first round pick.

Joined: 03/11/2011

MGoPoints: 2313

Maize and Blue…

April 3rd, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^

How many one and done kids are going to show up if they can't play in the Big Dance? Or is basketball not effected by the APR? 

 I hate the one and done rule as it makes a mockery of the "student athlete".  All the kid has to do is make it through the first semester and they are good to go.  I'd prefer they either let them get drafted right out of HS or make them stay at two years.  If a kid can't/doesn't want to attend school for two years there is always the D league.

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6750

Michigan4Life

April 3rd, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^

before their eligibility expires and plays professionally in football, basketball, etc., the APR will not be affected.  As long as the players don't flunk out and does their work at school, the APR will not be affected.

As long as there's one and done rule, Calpari will continue to recruit them.

Joined: 07/29/2010

MGoPoints: 24941

Maize and Blue…

April 3rd, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^

How many one and done kids are going to show up if they can't play in the Big Dance? Or is basketball not effected by the APR? 

 I hate the one and done rule as it makes a mockery of the "student athlete".  All the kid has to do is make it through the first semester and they are good to go.  I'd prefer they either let them get drafted right out of HS or make them stay at two years.  If a kid can't/doesn't want to attend school for two years there is always the D league.

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6750

Maize and Blue…

April 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^

How many one and done kids are going to show up if they can't play in the Big Dance? Or is basketball not effected by the APR? 

 I hate the one and done rule as it makes a mockery of the "student athlete".  All the kid has to do is make it through the first semester and they are good to go.  I'd prefer they either let them get drafted right out of HS or make them stay at two years.  If a kid can't/doesn't want to attend school for two years there is always the D league.

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6750

funandgun

April 3rd, 2012 at 1:14 PM ^

Kentucky's formula doesn't work every year and Coach Cal will be gone before too long.  We do need to recruit near top end recruits.  The recruiting classes coming in are more than enough to put us in elite status as a program.  Beilein will coach them up and we will make good runs in the Big Ten and tournament in future years. 

BTW, I am very excited about Glenn Robinson III coming to town.  He is going to look great in the maize and blue!!

Joined: 09/27/2010

MGoPoints: 157

RickH

April 3rd, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^

I'm glad Robinson won't be playing the 4 as his height and jumping ability should help him chip in on rebounding.  I'd love if he rebounded somewhat close to Bradley Beal (hopefully in the 4-5 range but if he could get 7 a game like Beal, I'd fucking love that).  Will it happen?  Probably not as we don't seem like we care too much about rebounding (a good part of the reason I dislike JB's style) but one can hope.

Joined: 11/01/2009

MGoPoints: 933

Young John Beilein

April 3rd, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

Not that we don't care about rebounding, but rather we always get back on defense, preventing fast breaks.  Just a different philosophy, and with the roster we had this year, probably a smart move.  I think it might be advantageous to occasionally switch out of that style and send more to the offensive boards, kind of like switching in and out of zone defense. 

Joined: 02/28/2012

MGoPoints: 1533

Trader Jack

April 3rd, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^

The coaches telling Robinson he'd play the 2 might have been a conversation that happened before Smotrycz left. I'd be surprised, now that circumstances have changed, if he doesn't see plenty of time at the 4.

Joined: 04/27/2010

MGoPoints: 10620

Trader Jack

April 3rd, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^

And Zack Novak is a shooting guard. That didn't stop Beilein from playing him 30+ minutes every night at the 4. Robinson III is athletic enough to guard multiple positions, and can move to the wing once Hardaway Jr. departs (probably after next year anyway). John Beilein's offense is predicated on having a 4 man who can spread the floor with his shooting ability. That's one of the big reasons why we've never seen Morgan and Horford on the floor at the same time. In my opinion, McGary will see occasional time at the 4, but will play the majority of his minutes at the 5. Morgan and Horford are strictly 5's in Beilein's offense, and would you really rather play Biefeldt than Robinson III? I wouldn't, especially when they are roughly the same size and Robinson III is much more athletic. I could definitely be wrong but, at least next year, I expect to see Robinson III playing the 4 a lot more than Biefeldt, Horford, Morgan, McLimans, or McGary.

Joined: 04/27/2010

MGoPoints: 10620

Blue boy johnson

April 3rd, 2012 at 3:24 PM ^

Your scenario makes little sense to me. McGary is a 4 all day long. His future is at the 4, he is going to play the majority of the minutes at the 4. Beilein will tailor his offense according to the strengths of the players, whatever makes McGary most effective is what Beilein will cater too.

Another point, we don't even know how good of a three point shooter McGary is. After shooting a zillion 3's a day this summer, he will probably be better than we expect. If not, Beilein will get McGary the ball where his skill set can be maximized.

I think Horford is also capable of making 3's. He wasn't bashful about shooting them as a freshman, now with 2 more years of practice, he could surprise as well. Coach B will have these guys prepared.

Joined: 03/15/2009

MGoPoints: 6646

Trader Jack

April 3rd, 2012 at 3:38 PM ^

You can't just assume that McGary will transform himself from an athletic post player to a mid-range shooter who can make 3s with consistency. He might be a 4 at the NBA level, but there's literally no evidence behind the statement that he's a "4 all day long," especially in John Beilein's offense. In this system he's clearly a 5, and playing McGary there IS getting him the ball where his skill set can be maximized. He's not a jump shooter, he's a post player. Playing him at the 4, where he'll be asked to be away from the basket, would be doing him a disservice. Do I expect him to see some minutes there? Sure. But the majority of his time on the floor should be spent at the 5.

To your other point, Horford is and always will be a 5, expecially after spending all of last offseason adding weight to his frame. He hasn't logged a single second of playing time at the 4, and that's for a reason.

I think John Beilein is one of the best coaches in the country, and I trust that he'll put every player in a position that will best help the team succeed.

Joined: 04/27/2010

MGoPoints: 10620

I Bleed Maize N Blue

April 3rd, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^

I find it hard to reconcile your last statement with your idea that Coach Beilein is going to mandate a 4 who can shoot from long range when we have so many bigs.  It seems to me that he'd adapt to having quality players at both 4 and 5, even if they aren't "shooters."  Otherwise there's a lot of bench minutes for your 5s, even if he subs after one foul.

Joined: 09/27/2008

MGoPoints: 58503

Wolverine0056

April 3rd, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^

Nothing against McGary and Stauskas, but Robinson III is the guy I am most excited to watch play next season out of the incoming recruits. I can't remember reading a bad thing about his game or personality. If he is able to come in and score 10-15 points a game with 5 or so rebounds, that would be tremendous in my opinion. 

Joined: 08/02/2010

MGoPoints: 7773