Lucky Socks

April 9th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^

Read a recent article with direct quotes about his interest and fit at Michigan.  It seems like he's more than willing to get with the program and be a smart, efficient leader.  He acknowledges his usage rate was sky-high, and he was the subject of a defense's entire gameplan.  I was spooked by his FG% and shot rate so it was nice to his the circumstance and his desire to fit in rather than do more of the same if he ends up in Ann Arbor.

Mr. Yost

April 9th, 2017 at 4:51 AM ^

He cannot make any until we be--wait, what am I doing? I'm better than this.

 

Anyway, I keep seeing "he was the whole offense." With those numbers...maybe he should've let someone else get a piece. Maybe a 60/40 split. Beilein usually works his magic, but not in 1 year. Hard pass as a grad transfer, I hate to say it but, it's too late, we can't save him.

bluesalt

April 8th, 2017 at 11:11 PM ^

Despite shooting under 39%, he led his team in TS% (of guys playing more than 150 minutes total for the season). It's not difficult to imagine he could be a lot more efficient on a team where the offense was more than "hope James Daniel makes a play."

TheReal_GR3

April 8th, 2017 at 11:04 PM ^

He is a product of that system. I know the coach Kevin Nickelberry, he was Hampton's coach when I covered the team as a student. They push the ball all game and look for shots in the first 10 seconds. It is a frantic, uneven pace. He might be better than 36.8% from the field, as shown be his 3PT (39.4%) and FT (79.8%), but that type of system would not covert well to what Michigan does.

This would be a hard pass for me!

DenardPeppers

April 8th, 2017 at 11:19 PM ^

Sounds like JB likes him a lot cause he reached out to him as soon as he heard he was transferring plus he knows the coach and has a past relationship with him. If JB wants him then I think.he will be a good fit. Xavier Simpson or him next year? PLUS he brings an elegant to Michigan which we hardly see a guy who can get to the line. I am very intrigued he sounds like he knows that he would get better shots and not have to force things and carry a team on his back. So far all 3 grad transfers I would like but he seems like he would help us the most at our weakest position as of now going into next year. The mid from Pitt sounds like Duncan takes way over half his shots behind the line. Maybe he can pump fake and drive. The guy from Wright State turns it over so they all have some flaws. Just from reading about them all this Daniel seems like the one JB is the most interested in but I could be wrong. If you haven't checked out the article at UMHOOPS you should read it gave me a better idea of him.

Qmatic

April 8th, 2017 at 11:09 PM ^

I hope the coaches will only go full on for Bamba if they think they have a legit chance, I don't want any Jaylen Brown 2.0 stuff where we missed on having Max for another year or another late riser. I give us less than 5% chance to land Bamba, so either Alstork the guy from pitt or the kid from Canada would be fine. Don't want Daniel, he is a black hole. Pretty much a poor man's K Felder who would not work in Beilein's system at all.

MGoBender

April 8th, 2017 at 11:27 PM ^

Don't really understand the argument.  Why can't they go "full on" for more than one player?  There are 4 high-level coaches on the staff, plus Sanderson, Samaha, Hunter.  Can they not "full on" recruit more than one player at a time during the off-season?

I guess, once they offer they "risk" a commitment which locks up a scholly... but I don't know if that's what you meant.

DenardPeppers

April 8th, 2017 at 11:25 PM ^

I don't think he is coming because he won't start and I think he wants to start and play major minutes. Now if Wagner goes pro I like our chances. The kid from Canada I will pass on he supposedly is very limited that's why he took a prep year. He had hardly if any offers to play good D1 Bball. The guy from Pitt we don't need as much so Alstork or Daniel we do have a need for a guy who can run pick and rolls and handle the ball cause we have X and Brooks who is a freshmen. Unless one of them makes great strides and proves they can handle full time duties that is our major weak spot. With all that being said I will trust whoever JB gets.

MGoBender

April 8th, 2017 at 11:28 PM ^

Oh, I think there's a good chance we'd go uber-big and bring back the 1-3-1.  Plus, DJ proved all season he can handle smaller guys. And it's easier to handle smaller guys when you have a true shot blocker behind you.

MGoBender

April 8th, 2017 at 11:44 PM ^

Generally, I agree.  But if you have 3 guys the size of Mamba, Wagner and Wilson, it becomes difficult to beat any zone.  Personel is huge with the 1-3-1.  DJ is an ideal top guy in a 1-3-1; you put Mamba in the middle with Wagner and Matthews on the wings... teams can know how to beat it, but it becomes difficult against that size and athleticism.  Look at Syracuse and the 2-3.  Sure, they're down a bit, but when they have the pieces it doesn't matter that everyone knows they play 2-3.

Also, DJ's ability to guard 3's (espeicially with an NBA shot blocker behind him) allows you to still play majority man.

EDIT: In fact, a 2-3 or even 3-2 with that size and athleticism would give teams problems.  Long story short... with those three guys, you can get really creative defensively.

Michigan4Life

April 9th, 2017 at 12:56 AM ^

rather than zone defense. Why spend time doing zone defense when they have been practicing exclusively man to man. Pack the lane man to man is almost like a zone defense in a way.

I would stick with man to man and not having to worry about zone defense. It's hard enough for them to try to master the concept of JB's offense and having to learn multiple defenses on the fly.

Michigan4Life

April 9th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^

but the fact that 1-3-1 has been solved with ease by B1G teams(unless they can't shoot 3s), I wouldn't bother using it. I rather go Donlan's man to man defense and get better at it. I mean Michigan defense took off mid season (in which they were top 25 nationally in defensive efficiency during that span).

DenardPeppers

April 8th, 2017 at 11:35 PM ^

DJ isn't who I am worried about it is Mo trying to guard guys like Dillon Brooks at the 4 or real athletic 4s or if a team has a 3 guard lineup like Oregon I don't think that lineup would work but who knows. Just seems like more teams are playing GSW basketball and making teams that go big pay. That is my only worry. But if Bambi comes here then I guess it will be a good problem to have to much frontcourt talent.

Qmatic

April 8th, 2017 at 11:48 PM ^

That's true, but our "bigs" aren't like Nick Ward bigs, where they are slower footed and are really only effective in a back to the basket, pick and roll style. DJ could play the 3 at the next level, especially with a little improved ball handling and a more consistent outside shot.

Bigku22

April 9th, 2017 at 12:25 AM ^

Bamba would start from day 1 no matter who's here. Wagner and Wilson are fringe NBA 1st rounders, Bamba will be a top 5 pick. He's an absolute freak athletically and has a longer wingspan than anybody currently in the NBA. He would come in and likely be the best interior defensive player in the big ten. Not sure who sits, but if Bamba comes here (he's not) he will be starting.

ColeIsCorky

April 9th, 2017 at 12:55 AM ^

Yep. And Sam's gut is rumbling about Bamba being told that they would be rolling out the Wagner/Wilson/Bamba trifecta if he chooses to come. They are selling playing time to him. With him going on record with saying he's paying attention to who leaves for the NBA, however, I think it would hurt any chances we have with Bamba if both Wilson and Wagner decide to stay. Not kill them for good, but it sure won't help.

GhostofJermain…

April 9th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^

MAAR, Matthews, MO, DJ, and Bamba would be your starters.  MAAR has already made it a point that he is going to work on his handle this offseason.  He will be working with Kam Chatman and U of D in summer circuit, along with Michigan off season training.  The big news there is Rashad Phillips.  This guy is an elite on guard trainer.  He spends a lot of time around Callahan Hall and last year I listened to a few of the guys glow about his help.  More then anything it's just a bunch of the guys getting together and getting shots up, but make no doubt about it MAAR will be much better with the ball in his hands next year.  Lastly, I do not think Bamba is coming, in fact I'm pretty sure he's going to KY and will announce after the USA tourny..  But still:  MAAR, Matthews, Mo, DJ, X, Duncan, and Davis plus a grad transfer can win the Big Ten, we all just need to keep our fingers crossed Mo and DJ are back.  Go Blue.  

Michigan4Life

April 9th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^

He is one of the best trainer around and knows how to utilize their skillset to make them a better ball player. He'll work on ball handling, shooting (spot up and off the dribble. If there's something that MAAR could improve on, it's his assists rate and shooting off the dribble.


Rashad Phillips is one of the best small school player that I have ever seen in my lifetime. It's a shame that he played in a wrong era where today's NBA would've embraced him a lot more.

Michifornia

April 8th, 2017 at 11:37 PM ^

And he can definitely coach.  If he's looking at guys it's because he thinks they can work in his system.  Good enough for Coach, good enough for me.

GO BLUE!!

The Fan in Fargo

April 8th, 2017 at 11:40 PM ^

I don't know about this kid. Looks pretty darn scrawny and short. Also not very quick. Not to mention has a slow wind-up for a shot. So, if the offense remains unchanged, teams will pressure the perimeter and he won't be very effective. It's a little different player than Duncan Robinson. 

The Fan in Fargo

April 9th, 2017 at 12:21 AM ^

Just talking to myself again. Would rather these threads be for players like this. Would be so much more exciting. You have a slasher to break down the tight perimeter defenses, a good shooter, bad boy with the mohawk and that intimidating defensive enforcer all in one. 

http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6639181/58b1081942102e3108f49a31

Year of Revenge II

April 9th, 2017 at 4:31 AM ^

At  first glance, this guy looks like he would fit in real well next year.  Can score, can distribute off scoring moves, and has a head on his shoulders.

Beilein makes some head-scratching decisions during games, but in general, he knows what he wants in building a team, and does a good job of going about doing it.

Now if he could just bring in a modern recruiting guru, someone who could recruit big names, and athletic types (I hate to say from non-suburbs, but that is the record), we could keep this basketball momentum moving big time in the right direction.