CBSSports.com - Michigan Most NBA Talent Among Tourney Teams

It's weird to think about like this, because I feel like as a team we've been quite underwhelming the past few weeks, despite the obvious talent there.

GRIII, Stauskas, McGary all definitely need 1+ more years at the college level, THJ is arguable, and Burke is probably gone.  Sidenote:  Even without Burke, if McGary/GRIII/Stauskas improve a reasonable amount (or more, heh) between now and next year, I think we're going to be solid next year.

Fair assessment overall I think, very uncharacteristic of teams under John Beilein.  This is the most talent he's managed to have on his team, and sometimes I wonder if our gameplan needs adjusted because of it.  We're no longer the "band of misfits", so characteristic of Beilein's previous teams.  Of course I mean "misfits" in a light-hearted way, people who really made the best with what they had and put together some solid teams.  Now we've got NBA talent at our disposal, the kind of talent that brings home conference and NCAA championships.

I'm pretty sure this was what we all expected when Beilein was hired.

I'd say just about everyone on the team with the exception of Burke (maybe THJ) probably needs at least one more year before even considering the NBA. The talent might be there, but its not like we've been watching Anthony Davis out there.

It's going to be very disapppointing if this team doesn't get to at least the Elite 8 (in my opinion).  2nd best offense in the country with all that talent that could one day play in the NBA.  And we can't play a lick of defense.  

Does any pro team play further from their namesake city than the Pistons do? They play a full 34 miles/35 minutes from downtown

THJ definitely needs another year.  This is the guy, of the 3 guys who'll get drafted, who really needs to stay IMO.  

Burke has nothing left to prove and deserves to get his payday.  

GRIII--I think he stays--although he might actually be better off leaving after this year.  He's almost a sure-fire 1st round pick.  Hyper-athletic freshmen don't get dinged too badly for a lack of production, but if he comes back next year and doesn't produce at an all-conference level at the very least, the lack of production would affect his draft status much more substantially (i.e. Harrison Barnes/Cody Zeller/etc.).  One difference, though--unlike most other freshmen, I'm guessing his family doesn't need the money so hopefully he stays.

THJ, on the other hand, is probably mid-2nd round at best.  If he comes back, he's the unquestioned leader of a fringe Top 10 team with the chance to carry a team to the Final Four and prove his play is NBA-quality.  That's his ticket to 1st round status.  

Maybe my view is affected by my maize-colored glasses, but I don't think anyone but Burke leaves.

This is why this season (B1G season) has been a disappointment. Too much talent to be 5th in the B1G. Too much athletisicm to be this bad at D.

I think Belien is learning a lot about coaching these Frosh who come in so highly touted. They are NOT highly ranked because of Defense and probably never practiced it or are eager to.

When you get the lower ranked kids they eat it up bc they want PT and don't get it handed  handed to them. Just need to look at the hustle on D between Stauskas/GR3 and Levert to see it.

Hopefully with the wings staying and getting the message and Belien learning how to coach them we will be better on both ends next year. Also will be good if/when we have talented enough players that prevent 3-4 frosh from getting 30+minutes. 1-2 frosh getting start minutes is ideal.

speaking of drills, WSJ had an article on B-Ball and coaching. OSU runs a nice rebounding drill that Belien needs to run.

Ohio State runs a drill in practice called "war rebounding," which is about as delicate as it sounds.

Coaches cover the basket with a bubble so the shots can't go in, thus forcing the defense to battle the offense for every loose ball. The torture lasts until the defense claims a certain number of rebounds, or head coach Thad Matta has mercy on the panting, sweating souls of his players. The drill's maximum length: about 45 minutes.

we won't really know his full potential until he grows into his body and matures more, I think Caris LeVert could very well become an NBA player too. He has been a guard most of his life and is now 6'6" with very long arms and a good defender with some pretty good moves. Once he adds more muscle to his frame and had a little better control of his body, I could easily see him being a first rounder. His frame reminds me a lot of Kevin Durant's in college (i.e. very skinny), and although he doesn't have as much of a shooting touch, I think he will be a better defender and could be a great role player at the next level.

This article is obvously "wrong."  Everyone knows that "John Beliein can't recruit NBA-caliber talent."  I read it on the internet; how could it possibly be wrong?

Just one day an athlete of his caliber says into a microphone in front of the press: " I would love to have a degree from the University of Michigan. They have given me an opportunity of a life time, they have given me a world class education. I would like to repay the Univeristy, the students and the fans by staying through my senior year and help build up an already amazing program.

A man can dream.

Potential future NBA talent?  Maybe. 

NBA-ready talent?  No.  Burke is the only guy that you could guarantee will be on an NBA roster next year.

Crazy that they may be the best team in the country and don't even crack the top 10 of future NBA talent. 

Also crazy that the team that might have been number one on that list (Kentucky) didn't even make the tournament.

But I sure do hope talent wins out and Michigan cuts down the nets in a few weeks.