Franz appreciation thread

I have no idea how Wagner's career will ultimately progress, but as of right now, I've never seen a UM bball player who reminds me more of Magic & Bird than Franz Wagner. #GoBlue

Dude is the total package - and has two other full-on pros competing with him for MVP

Contrast with Rocket Watts who can't even start for his own team anymore because he's so in his own head. Why anyone would want to get "developed" at MSU over Michigan is ridiculous

Franz plays fast, with good energy at both ends.  Love what he is doing for Michigan Basketball right now. 

Franz is playing his way into the first round of the draft. Just don’t tell any NBA GMs about him.

Such an amazing stat line for an amazing player....its those 10 rebs that really impact the game

This dude played out of his mind.   Das ist Wahnsinn ! 

5 blocks!  Incredible hustle... 

With about 4:30 left his drive, pump-fake, and bounce to Hunter for a dunk was awesome.

Go Blue. 

Franz has really started to heat up the last few games... The best part is, I don't think Franz and Livers have played great in the same game... They have the ability to be even better.

Franz's defensive prowess is really coming on; I think he was able to make steals last year, which he continues to do, but disrupting shots is something that's new.

Franz can still get better I think.

i didnt see the whole game but he was guarding Nance for a good portion too which was huge

Good things happen when Wagner's mom attends games.

Hopefully frank is picking up where he left off last season! Go blue!

The kid reminds me so much of Larry Bird. Good offense but plays great defense as well. Sorry... just reminiscing about good ol’ days of NBA. ?‍♂️?

I just love Chaundee Brown! What a great player! Just does so much defensively and his offense is just a bonus!

So sad about the way M football turned out this year but so thankful now for Juwan and his crew! Go Blue!

Beilein seemed to find gems like Moritz who wasn't heavily recruited. Juwan gets the recruits and love the aggressive offense.

College hoops is like CFB - score and score some more and play just enough D to win.

Luv this team!

Over the last three games, he’s been our best player.  Tonight, he was fantastic.  His defense is always good, but his offensive decision-making has improved so much.

He was fantastic! I add my appreciation to your appreciation, for much appreciations.....

Ja!  You have been Franzinated!

The game has slowed down so much for Franz. I’m glad he’s saving his best for B1G play and beyond. His assist/ turnover ratio is night and day. Last year it was 1/1.5, he averaged more turnovers than assists, and this year it’s 3/1!

Dan Dakich was fully on the Franz Wagner hype train during the Maryland broadcast.   He played another well-rounded game tonight.    He affected both ends of the floor in positive ways.   This is  All B1G caliber performance.

I'm about to make a ridiculous sounding statement but please bear with me--Franz reminds me of Kawhi Leonard in college. Not the Kawhi who developed a Kobe-lite mid range game several years into his Spurs career and became an NBA superstar but the raw, San Diego State version of Kawhi.

Similar physical build with his combination of length and power. Similar shutdown defensive ability with the length to shut down college 4's. Projects as an NBA wing but played a lot of 4 in college. Good looking stroke but clearly room for growth as a shooter. A very "basic" offensive game in college but still plenty effective because of how easy he can get most shots due to their lengths. Kawhi in college scored within the system and didn't really create much for himself outside of it. Same with Franz. Lots of straight line drives. Plus they both play the game at an "easy" pace.

Obviously not saying Franz will take the massive leap that Kawhi did after college, but every time I watch Franz play I'm reminded of college Kawhi. 

Side note: it's clear Eli Brooks has been working on his explosiveness. That's the second dunk I've seen from him this season where I've been like "wait, he can do that?"

Franz had some Zion Williamson esque blocks this game. Knocking shots back on the perimeter covering a ton of distance while the opposing player goes through his shooting motion. That stand up block he had on their one big guy was also really impressive. 

Franz looks and plays much stronger this season. I think he is also starting to get more comfortable with the fact that he can do things this year physically that he wasnt capable of last season. He is really fun to watch on both ends of the court. Hopefully he keeps ascending until he plays himself into a lottery lock.

Franz and Hunter are going to be a great dynamic duo. I find it interesting that sophomore Franz is nine months younger than freshman Hunter. This will probably be their only year together at M, so I'm going to enjoy it!

Big development jump had tonight, like Mo had.  Franz has arrived, folks.  This is a high level player now. 

The natives on the Red Cedar message board are speculating that Franz is on steroids -- could this get any better!

3rd best player is Mike Smith.  Ironic that the pre-season concerns were center and point guard.