Basketball Visitors; Who Will Be Next to Commit?

Submitted by Raoul on

Sam Webb mentioned on this morning's Recruiting Roundup (podcasts here) that Zak Irvin will be in for a visit today, and Demetrius Jackson will be in tomorrow. Both are in the 2013 class.

Sam said that he thinks "Michigan is the team to beat" for Irvin, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Fishers, Indiana (and a teammate of Gary Harris). In addition to Michigan, his Rivals profile shows offers from Butler, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, and Xavier. Rivals has Irvin ranked 97th in the country, while ESPN has him at 74.

Jackson is a 6-foot-1 point guard from Mishawaka, Indiana, who doesn't yet have a Michigan offer but could pick one up during or after his visit. His Rivals profile shows an offer only from Xavier, but they have him ranked 71st in the 2013 class.

So could Irvin or Jackson be Beilein's next commit? Other candidates include three other point guards prospects—Monte Morris, Derrick Walton, and Sherron Dorsey-Walker (who is now being recruited by Michigan as a point guard). Annarbor.com article from yesterday has Michigan in the lead for Morris (which is perhaps not surprising given his offer list):

Morris said of the offers he’s received so far (Western Michigan, Central Michigan and Iowa State), Michigan is at the top of his list.

Sam said earlier this week that Morris, Walton, and Dorsey-Walker are all expected to make their college choices shortly after the July evaluation period, and he said it seems likely that one of the three will choose Michigan. He also said that Dorsey-Walker seemed like an ideal recruit for Beilein, given that he shoots the ball extremely well, is from the PSL (Detroit Pershing), and has a 3.9 GPA. Dorsey-Walker is in the class of 2012; Morris and Walton are in 2013.

719Yoop

June 29th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^

I'd love to get Monte Morris, he's been dominating camps lately. Zak Irvin seems like the wing player we'll get in this class. 

Raoul

June 29th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^

Until this latest twist with Beilein offering Dorsey-Walker the chance to play point guard, I would have been more than happy getting Irvin and Morris. Actually that would be still be terrific, but it sure would be nice to get another player from the PSL so that the idea that Beilein won't (or can't) recruit Detroit could finally be put to rest.

Of course getting someone from Flint (Morris) has its advantages too.

Naked Bootlegger

June 29th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^

UM was a finalist during Matt Costello's (Bay City?) recruitment.   We lost that one to MSU, but JB made a great run at Costello.   I think JB and his staff are doing a good job of keeping an eye on the home-grown talent, and hopefully developing a good reputation among the local HS coaches (although are AAU coaches more important nowadays?!).

Raoul

June 29th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^

They also were a finalist and went hard after Amir Williams of Detroit Country Day but lost out to OSU.

One positive out-of-state recruiting trend is landing two Ohio players--Trey Burke and Mark Donnal--given that it had been quite a while since the last Wolverine from that state.

Naked Bootlegger

June 29th, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^

...seemed to have legitimately positive things to say about JB and his recruitment by UM, so I disagree with your statement that "it doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things."  Developing relationships and a positive reputation among the bigger recruits and their coaches - even if you don't land every one of them - will pay dividends in the future. 

I do love the fact that JB seems to have a nice vibe going with Indiana HS recruits.  He won't land every one of them, but even having Gary Harris on our radar for awhile doesn't hurt our program's stature.   It creates a buzz...positive energy.  

Heavyd23

June 29th, 2011 at 3:45 PM ^

Whoever they get, they need them to stay longer than two years..tired of one and done and ppl that leave after a couple years.... Those who stay will be champions should apply to basketball too...

chitownblue2

June 29th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^

That problem isn't just with the NBA.

Both the NBA and the NFL have successfully managed to get free farm-systems, and kids that have no interest in higher education need to sleep through astronomy classes for 3 years (NFL) or 1 (NBA) in order to go play a sport, as if one helps the other take place.

chitownblue2

June 29th, 2011 at 6:02 PM ^

I'm not saying that education is pointless for athletes.

I'm saying that forcing a large number of athletes whose concern is the NFL/NBA, not college, into going to college, as their is no alternative for them, then shunting them off to 12 credit hours worth of "Rocks for Jocks" for 4 to 6 semesters is pointless.

Nick

June 29th, 2011 at 9:41 PM ^

Playing in Europe or some other minor pro league in the US.

It's just not as good of an alternative.

 

Im not worried about alternatives for football.  Kids aint ready for the NFL at 18.  Some NBA guys are though.

Rabbit21

June 29th, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^

That was more for PR purposes as people got tired of seeing kids getting drafted straight put of high school and then being massive busts. It's not fair bit I think people ate more willing to tolerate college players who bust because they at least had some awareness of who that player was.

chitownblue2

June 29th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^

I think the preferred finish would be Morris and Irvin.

I realize it's horrible to say at this point, but it's conceivable that Beilein may have to replace Hatch - but that's way down the road.

Nick

June 29th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^

But if does not and can't play anymore, I would like to see Beilein honor his scholarship and if it turns out that Hatch can't play then apply for a medical exemption or whatever to get that scholarship back....... Or have the university offer Austin a full academic scholarship.

M-Wolverine

June 30th, 2011 at 12:10 AM ^

I'm glad it was someone who could say it delicately. Beyond even the hopeful physical recovery, how would you even travel to road games and tournaments? Hopefully he's stronger man, but after going through all that, I'd never go to an airport no more get on a plane again.

Raoul

June 30th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

Zak Irvin is the subject of Sam Webb's Detroit News recruiting column today. It turns out this was Irvin's seventh visit to U-M in the last year. So he's clearly interested in Michigan, but unfortunately the article indicates a commitment is not imminent.

I thought it was interesting that LaVall is taking the lead in Irvin's recruitment:

"He's a cool guy," Irvin said of Jordan. "He's a cool recruiter. I like to be around him. I call him at least once a week, maybe twice sometimes. He always lets me know that I am a student first and an athlete second. Coach Jordan wants me to make smart choices, the same things my parents talk to me about. As far as basketball goes he wants me to get stronger and rebound more. Those are the things we talk about."

"LaVall has told us how Zak would fit in at Michigan," Irvin's father later told Scout.com. "When we meet with the staff, LaVall steps up and speaks. I like him because he is very straightforward. We have gotten to know him pretty well."

That strong connection with Beilein, Jordan and the Michigan program led to rampant speculation that Irving's commitment to the Maize and Blue was imminent. That talk proved a bit premature.

"The rumors that are out there — I didn't pay any attention to those at all," said Irvin. "There are other schools on my list, and I am just going to take my time and make the right decision for me."