Jordan Morgan Appreciation Thread

Submitted by jsquigg on

I know it's been mentioned before, and Horford deserves credit too, but Jordan Morgan went from discouraged and third string to starter.  Many players wouldn't show the same loyalty to a school, especially as a player who may not have the best chance of making the NBA, but Jordan has not only stuck around, he's become a leader.  I've always loved his game, and as efficient as he was before McGary, he's unbelievably more efficient now.  I think he deserves a thread, especially after his effort tonight.

EastCoast Esq.

January 22nd, 2014 at 11:45 PM ^

While he makes a bone-headed play every once in awhile (see the over-and-back tonight), Morgan has been playing exceptionally well. He has always been a plus-defender in the low-post, and now he has become a decent rebounder and decent finisher. For a guy who, as you said, was supposed to be third-string, he is now instrumental to our ability to function post-McGary.

Additionally, he would be even more valuable if B1G refs hadn't decided to stop calling charges. It seems like you have to camp out overnight to get a charge these days. That was Morgan's forte, and it's surprising that he is never in foul trouble despite still trying to take charges.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that he's also become very, very good in the pick and roll. He is now a solid contributor in all aspects of the game.

getsome

January 23rd, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^

yep hes obviously not the most dynamic athlete and certain holes in his game will never disappear but you can tell hes put in some work over the years, teammates and coaches rave about his role on and off court and hes found a decent little niche to fill.  i really like how hes drastically improved several areas of his game not just to see clock but to impact games with limited skill set.  it drove many people crazy for years when the revolving door of solid passers would drop dimes in his pocket only for morgan to go up soft or miss bunnies....but hes light years better this year at positioning and receiving the ball and aggressively attacking rims as quickly as possible.   we all know what he is and what he isnt and it appears so does he.  never athletic enough to be legit shot blocker or stopper or deadly pick and pop shooter or barkley on the boards but hes adapted and does just enough to get by in those areas.  and in doing so morgan (and  horford) have given um unexpected by such needed production.  hopefully he can keep it up and possibly even improve on the boards against msu and iu and osu the rest of the way....consistent 8-10 points and 6-8 boards on 60% shooting while busting it 100% every single possession is really encouraging when combined with the various 6'6" perimeter terrors 

Hail-Storm

January 23rd, 2014 at 10:10 AM ^

It was early in the game where he was open for a long two.  I remember going No No No YES! as it went down as if it was shot by Stauskus or GRIII.  He is definitely the second consistent presence on the floor with Stauskus.  When the other players diisappear or become erratic, he has been a steady force to settle the team down with a great slam, put back, block, or rebound.

It also was nice to see GRIII attack the basket like he did last night.

Shaken

January 23rd, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^

I'm still not convinced the over and back call against JMo was legit.  I watched it a couple of times, he hadn't set a foot down in the front court, still appears to have his left foot touching in the backcourt when he drops the ball off.  But with all the crap calls that were going against us last night it's not surprising.  Glad the guys were able to overcome some questionable calls and get another big W.

Wolverine Devotee

January 22nd, 2014 at 11:47 PM ^

He tied Maurice Taylor of the Fab Five II in career rebounds at 599 as a result of tonight.

People seem to forget due to McGary mania that Michigan won a B1G Championship with Jordan starting a couple years ago.

denardogasm

January 22nd, 2014 at 11:55 PM ^

He was also the starter during our awesome undefeated start to last year before McGary got into shape.  Our forward depth is really good this year and would be one of the best in the country if McGary wasn't injured.  I'm really hoping Donnal can live up to the hype next year or we might have trouble losing .  But I'm loving this season!

 

Edit: I've been thinking all season that Horford is a senior, but just checked and saw that he's a redshirt junior!  Fears for next year gone.

GRBluefan

January 23rd, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^

if Donnal doesn't live up to the hype we may actually end up being pretty good at losing:)  In all seriousness, I thought Horford was a senior as well, and was terrified of the frontcourt next year if Mitch leaves.  Your 'Edit' brightened my morning considerably. 

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2014 at 12:33 AM ^

I don't want this to turn into me bashing Jordan Morgan.  I know there are other leagues, I just don't think it's going to happen.  

There's also a pretty big difference between "making a nice living" which is what I said wasn't true, and getting some run in a random league in the Middle East or something.

gpsimms not to…

January 23rd, 2014 at 12:38 AM ^

Really?  Stu and Zack found leagues.  Hell, Javohn Shepherd (spelling?) is still playing someplace, I think.  If he wants to play, I bet he can.

Oh, just read the point about 'making a nice living.'  You might be right about that.  If he wants to spend a few years seeing the world, and getting by, and having fun, he can definitely do that.  And when he's done he has a graduate engineering degree I think.  Good kid, I'm happy for him.

blue in dc

January 23rd, 2014 at 8:57 AM ^

Had an aerospace engineering degree and decided to play in France. Morgan has worked hard at being a valuable member of the basketball squad, improving his game and getting a hard and quality degree. He's given himself a range of good options that means he'll have to make some choices. While there are reasons that he may jump right into an engineering career, he also has a pretty rare opportunity to get paid reasonable money to do something I assume he really enjoys while getting immersed in a different culture. Experiences and contacts that you can make in that type of situation could be just as valuable down the road as whatever he learns in the first few years at an entry level job.

As a 1991 Michigan ME grad, I can tell you that there are times in my career I could have played up that type of experienceinto new opportunities. I also suspect that Jordan Morgan's experience with MBB will likely open doors with Michigan grads in the engineering field that would not be as easy for the typical engineering grad to open. I further suspect that won't change even if he takes a few years to take advantage of them.

Hail-Storm

January 23rd, 2014 at 1:51 PM ^

Yes he will lose knowledge by not using it, but I have lost plenty of things I learned in college while working in the field.  There are also a lot of things you pick up on the job that you don't learn in college.  If he has an engineering background and common sense, I think he can have a very successful career even after having taken time off to play basketball. This is far from an either or decision.

Cheesecake Wizard

January 23rd, 2014 at 1:12 AM ^

He will also graduate with a masters degree from one of the top engineering programs in the world.  A cushy engineering job might be a better alternative to playing overseas.

Then again, if I could play basketball instead of being an engineering student, I would play basketball, but I was granted strong quantitive abilities, a 5 foot 4 frame, and no hops.

Wolvermarine

January 23rd, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^

Says who?  If he chooses to pursue basketball professionally there will be leagues out there where he can play.  Maybe not the major leagues in Europe but he can make 6 figures playing basketball if that's what he chooses.  He could quite possibly make more with his masters in engineering, so it really depends on what he prefers doing. 

Graham Brown, Josh Asselin, Chris Young, Jevohn Shephard, Brent Petway, Zak Novak and Stu Douglass are still collecting paychecks playing basketball.  I don't see why Morgan can't.  

funandgun

January 22nd, 2014 at 11:53 PM ^

He plays very good defense and is one of my favorite players.  I hate to see Mitch down, but I love the opportunity it created for Morgan and also Horford.  These 2 are playing at a high level. 

UMfan21

January 22nd, 2014 at 11:59 PM ^

Morgan seems like a great kid who just has a rep for fouling.  I think refs unfairly call him for 1-2 per game and I understand his frustration.  He's been a hard worker and a great asset to the team during his career.  I remember rumors last year that he was not seeing eye to eye with Beilein and some questioned if he was going to transfer.  I'm glad he stuck around.

UMfan21

January 23rd, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^

I feel he must have a bad rap for some reason. Maybe due to the way he reacts (usually questioning the call very animated, or for example the sarcastic clapping last night). All conjecture on my part. I have just never seen a player get called for so many bogus fouls before. And the old school of thought was that underclass men would get called for those silly fouls, but refs respected upperclassmen and would give them more leeway. That's clearly not the case. I truly feel the refs have a beef with him.

ThadMattasagoblin

January 23rd, 2014 at 12:24 AM ^

This is why you don't say shit about players that are struggling right now like Caris and tell him that he should go back to Ohio etc. In a year or 2 he could be a big part of this team like Morgan's became.