taistreetsmyhero

February 12th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^

As long as 235 means he is strong enough to box out college manchildren instead of dominating high school childrenchildren...then good for him. I just hope he doesn't turn out like another Wilson who is too scrawny to contribute as a freshman. We need serious help asap



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Brian Griese

February 12th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^

I watched when he played at Hillsdale in January.  Hillsdale had not lost in 45 regular season games and Austin was playing with the flu.

The thing that stinks when trying to watch him is, while the teams he is playing aren't as bad as some probably think, most don't have anyone over 6' 5" to guard him.  Hillsdale was the same story.  If he went anywhere near the block, it was an instant triple team, with a fourth guy not too far away.

The most impressive play to me was when he got the ball on offense outside the 3 point line, faked a pass, spun by a defender, dribbled down the side of the lane, avoided contact and dunked with one hand.  

Hillsdale tried everything they could to keep Austin a non-factor on D.  I thought Onsted should've played a zone, but they stuck to man the whole night.  Hillsdale simply had whatever player he guarded stand by the 3 point line and tried to play 4 on 4.  That said, he blocked two shots in the final minute to preserve the win, both of which came with Hillsdale down by 2 trying to tie the game.  The first one was easily the most impressive; on the opposite side of the court, Hillsdale ran a pick and roll which led to what should've been an easy lay-up, only for Austin to come from the weak side to swat it at the last second before the ball touched the backboard.

On an impressive note, Hillsdale tried to press at the end of the game, and Austin actually came down to help handle the ball and move it up court; he did make one dumb error trying to throw a long pass, however.

Also, Austin only missed one free throw the whole night and was visibly upset when he did.  He had good rotation on his shot and didn't look like a typical big guy that has no touch.  That leaves me to believe he can shoot consistent, mid-range jumpers at the next level.  I have on good authority his jump shot is solid but there isn't a reason for him to shoot jumpers at this point.

Lastly, his hands are solid.  I think a brief career in football helped with that aspect.  The weight loss is real and he looked solid.  I have on good authority as well that a redshirt is coming so he can pack on good weight and get more explosive, so I have no doubts physically he can hold up.  Like may have speculated he was going to prep-school if Tyus Battle had stuck with his commitment....but I won't beat a dead horse.  

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Brian Griese

February 12th, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^

But I think Beilein was interested in having a 4 + 1 class.  Obviously, Austin would've been the +1 and would've had to wait a year.  I'm not certain Watson was a take solely because Battle ditched us.  The only thing I can vouch for with certainty was Austin was told he would have to prep IF Michigan got a high, high, end talent.  As such, Michigan is content with a straight 4 class.  

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Yo_Blue

February 12th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^

Nice article - much more than a fluff piece.  Davis has seen the light, has dropped weight, and added some athletic ability.  I'm excited to see him play.  Thanks for the post.

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Erik_in_Dayton

February 12th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^

...I've always been confused by this addition.  His strength seems to be as a true post scorer, but is Michigan going to use him that way?  They don't use anyone that way very often.  And I think you have to wonder about his athleticism and whether his level of competition really shows him to be Big Ten ready.

John Beilein's socks are better talent evaluators than I am, so I'll defer to him.  But I am confused.

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umchicago

February 12th, 2016 at 2:16 PM ^

if our C has a good post game, it will be utilized.  we haven't seen it yet.  mcgary didn't play much.  he could have been the first.  and he did great in the middle of syracuse's zone in the final 4.

imagine 4 guys on the perimeter with a good post player.  if the D doubles down, that leaves a wide open 3 pointer.

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Stringer Bell

February 12th, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^

Doyle was supposed to have a good post-up game too, but he's been utilized almost solely in the pick n roll.  That's the system Beilein runs.  It's heavily perimeter oriented, and that won't change even if we had the second coming of Ralph Sampson on the roster.  So it's just bizarre.  Teske I get, he's got value as a shot blocker.  But Davis just seems like a weird fit.

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bluestaffah

February 12th, 2016 at 5:27 PM ^

so do JMo. I have a funny feeling about Austin. I haven't seen him play so maybe it is just hope, but I have been thinking that he may just be the kind of player we have been looking for. Comes in with a little bit of attitude and is not afraid to bang. If he can keep a cool head in the paint, that could pay huge dividends. Stay out of could trouble, muck it up on the boards and get under the opposing teams skin. Come on AD, prove me right.

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Raoul

February 12th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^

I thought this part was interesting, particularly the third paragraph:

Once Davis committed last spring, something peculiar happened. He began reading disparaging things about himself written by U-M fans upset that Beilein offered a scholarship to a kid from Onsted.

Forget that an overwhelmingly large percentage of those critical comments came from people who had never seen him play, or that most of them likely couldn’t find Onsted, located in the Irish Hills not far from Michigan International Speedway.

Still, the comments stung, and Davis wondered how U-M fans could question the judgment of a coach who took the Wolverines to the national championship game a few years ago.

“You don’t really get a lot of that here,” he said of the criticism. “You’ll get it from other schools, but that was really surprising to me when that happened. My parents have helped me a lot, shielded me from that stuff. I know they have.”

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chomz14

February 12th, 2016 at 1:45 PM ^

"Forget that an overwhelmingly large percentage of those critical comments came from people who had never seen him play, or that most of them likely couldn’t find Onsted" Or they come from a bunch of geeks that wore brown socks in gym class.

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Erik_in_Dayton

February 12th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^

People obviously shouldn't be disrespectful of the young man or of Coach Beilein.  But should we fans never remark on the fact that recruiting has been disappointing and never point out potential weaknesses in a recruit's game?  I'm honestly not sure where I think the line should be drawn.

I'll add that I would be very happy for Mr. Davis to prove that my doubts about him are ill-founded.  And I wouldn't trade Coach Beilein for anyone.

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Raoul

February 12th, 2016 at 2:14 PM ^

I posted that quote more as a reminder that recruits do read what fans post on message boards or as comments to articles. Whether that affects what people post is up to them.

And, by the way, it was a pure coincidence that my post immediately followed yours. It wasn't a response to you. I've always respected and valued your comments on the basketball team.

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alum96

February 12th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^

I'm with you.

Also I dont think msg boards are all negative - maybe it motivated him.  A lot of kids are worshiped for their athletic ability and come into college expecting it to be easy.  So some dont work hard on their own time.  Others are self motivated.

If I read a lot of shit about me I'd be even more motivated to prove people wrong and I'm pretty self motivated to begin with. 

It's not all evil outcomes.

I am sure Mark Donnal read a lot of bad things about him - did it kill his career?  MSU fans destroyed Matt Costello for the better part of 3 years - he is having a breakout season.

Kids are not made of china like the helicopter parent generation will have you believe.  I am not saying to go off on a 16 year old all day but if you are not able to handle criticism you wont be able to handle playing big time sports at a program with such a large fan base.

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mexwolv

February 12th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

than Donnal and Doyle.  Need to add some weight and get stronger.  Hopefully he can provide some inside presence once he gets into the rotation.  What do you guys think?  Redshirt?  How does he stack up against Teske?

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nerv

February 12th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^

To me Davis looks like a shoe in to redshirt. Not sure what he could bring to the table as a true freshman that would upend what will be two upper classmen at that point in Donnal & Doyle. On the flip side Teske has a niche I hope he can fill for next years team. He is a legit 7 footer with natural shot blocking instincts. I would love to see him come in and be capable of protecting the rim off the bench for us.

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Go Blue in MN

February 12th, 2016 at 1:56 PM ^

Davis should be able to rebound better than our current big men, and his hands can't be as bad as Doyle's.  Even though his shots are all in the post and the competition is questionable, a 78% FG% is impressive.

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Davymac97.

February 12th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^

I'm a freshman boy's basketball coach at a small school in Michigan (Class C) and I watched him play as Onstead took on our varsity team in a tournament earlier in the year.

He was impressive but also he was playing against a school that has a little over 400 kids total so the competition was not that great.

Thoughts..

Concerns-

That is my overall concern with him.  Onstead does not play great competiton and most nights he is the tallest guy on the court by at least 6 inches.  He threw down dunk after dunk but, for someone his size against smaller guys, it wasn't much of a challenge.

Postives-

First possesion of the game, he came down and hit a three at the top of the arc.  It wasn't fluky either, he had a very nice shot.  I doubt he'll be shooting threes at Michigan but he should be able to develop a reliable baseline/top of the key shot. He also was very good free throw shooter.  He was very composed at the line and made the majority of what he shot (sorry, can't remember the exact number).  The article is also correct in saying he runs the floor very well for a big man.  I remember him sprinting down the court to be the recipient of a few ally-oop slams.  His footwork also seems to be a postive as he regularly posted up and caught the the entry pass, faked one way and spun the other for a hook, or turned and faced the basket and drove strong.

 

So overall, concerns about the talent level he plays with but I also see a lot of potential. With Beilein/Bacari/Lavall coaching/developing him, I think he could evolve into a very good Big Ten post player.  He'll be a 4 year guy who could be a force as he matures.

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alum96

February 12th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^

Thanks good read.  I remember reading the same stuff about Doyle.  How he was always the biggest guy on the court by 4-5 inches.  Big men are just difficult to read and if you are not a quick twitch "to the NBA in 12 months" type you basically wait to see what they can do as a college JR and SR. 

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True Blue Grit

February 12th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^

this article.  Davis sounds like someone who has a very strong work ethic and desire to improve.  And it sounds like he is getting better and better.  The fact he has reshaped his body is impressive to me.  Most high school players struggle with that or don't bother much with it.  Maybe his post-up abilities WILL be utilzed here because he'll be the first guy with the skill set to do it.  Let's give Beilein some credit for making good decisions.   Doyle hs not the person because he doesn't have the hands or footwork to consistently finish.  He gets the ball knocked away more than he completes the shot. 

Some players develop a bit later than others and it looks like Davis is one of those.  So, let's give him a chance. 

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