Juwan: Franz and Livers are evaluating their NBA futures
I don't think anything about this is too surprising. Juwan was asked about Franz and Livers specifically in a media teleconference. He said that he hasn't had a chance to had a full discussion with either of them due to the current world state but both are evaluating their futures with regards to going pro vs coming back. Both are talking with their families now but he expects to have discussions with them in the future once the time comes.
Looking at the current set of draft boards it doesn't look like either player is even a 2nd round pick. And with an altered draft process that may not include any team workouts, I don't know how much either could improve their stock. But stranger things have happened so we'll have to wait and see what they decide.
These guys should always be thinking about it. They're one bad landing away from never playing again. I'd be surprised if Franz leaves, but I guess you never know?
I can't imagine Wagner leaving. He's primarily a three ball shooter and he's only shot 31% this year from three. And while it's true that he was trending up, he hasn't shown enough sustained success to merit a draft pick.
Livers has a better argument for leaving as he has a chance at being a late second round guy, but I think he stays as well.
I wouldn't say he's primarily a 3-point shooter. He had a really good season despite the inconsistent outside shooting. However, if he can become the 40% guy that he was billed to be, he could raise his stock a lot.
March 26th, 2020 at 10:01 PM ^
I would be very surprised if Wagner got advice that sent him into the draft. That said, he increasingly showed flashes of potential that will very likely land him there in the end.
I think Isaiah should make the jump but I, selfishly, want to see him come back and lead this team on a serious NC run. I want to see him give Todd the space to put his talents on full display. If I were Juwan I would be tempted to run a Christopher, Livers, Wagner, Johns and Todd lineup out there because I m not sure how any college team would/could defend them. And Michigan would retain a bench that most of the nation would covet as their starting five.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:11 PM ^
I haven't seen Livers in any mock drafts. Why do you think he should go to the NBA if he's unlikely to be drafted?
They both had somewhat underwhelming seasons. Livers due to injury. And now they don’t have post season workout opportunities to improve what’s on film.
Maybe they are concerned they will be coming off the bench next year? /s
Both seem like their time will come. I’m betting they come back next season.
0.0% either comes off the bench next season. If there is a guy who started this year who might be slotted to the bench, it will be Brooks
They will both be back. Livers has 1st round potential. Wagner has a lot to prove.
Would be pretty surprised if either leave.
We are both cumming back.
On whose back?
Sploogealina's.
I think Franz should go and Livers should stay.
Franz isn't going to be able to show anymore next year than he has this year. Next year he won't be able to bank off of his perceived potential like he can with the good ending to the season and lack of NBA workouts. If he's not staying 4 years, one more isn't gonna move the needle higher than it is now when there's more mouths to feed.
Livers was injured for a lot of this season and can definitely show better next year than the ending portrayed. He actually played or plays better with more talent around him to shoulder the load, where teams can't key on him. He could also finish his degree next season, which is always a great idea.
If either does the opposite of this, there's also a case that could be made for those choices also.
Franz got a lot better once his wrist get healthier . He had some awesome driving ability by end of year and his defense was outstanding ! Seen a picture of him standing next to Davis and he is as tall now if now slightly taller . He will make his skill set even better changing his game into his size . By pics , he has to be 6-10 now !
Franz has grown noticeably in the past 3 weeks??? Color me skeptical.
Franz isn't going to be able to show anymore next year than he has this year. Next year he won't be able to bank off of his perceived potential like he can with the good ending to the season and lack of NBA workouts.
He started the season with a broken wrist that messed with his shot. He's a 3 point shooter who struggled with consistency and ended up just north or 30%. If he comes back and can prove this year's shooting was due to injury and a getting accustomed to new competition, he can skyrocket. He played better defense than anyone thought he would. He showed some ability to get to the basket and finish. But if he can't shoot from the outside he'll have a very hard ceiling and he hasn't proven that yet.
Livers, assuming he stays healthy and therefore is more consistent, can also rise. He has always been a good shooter who wasn't a great drive and finish guy. Coming back makes sense because he couldn't show much having missed/played injured in well over 10 games.
March 27th, 2020 at 12:33 AM ^
I keep seeing it said that Franz was an elite defender and has an excellent ability to get to the basket, so he would come back just to higher his 3pt%? That's something that can be explained away by the wrist injury.
If he wants to come back for another year of the college experience, that's a different conversation.
Livers can do either and both would be a good decision.
March 27th, 2020 at 12:33 AM ^
Nunez staying put and Davis coming back says to me that at least one of them are leaving.
I just hope Livers comes back for his work ethic and leadership qualities.
I dunno man. I know it's not 1:1, but remember the leap Staukas took? He went from role player to star in one year. Not unreasonable to think Franz could do something similar
I'd be pretty shocked if either guy left. Livers needs a year of healthy play to improve his stock into a high second round or late first round guy, which I think he can.
Wagner seems like a no-brainer to return.
That said guys have left inexplicably across the NCAA the last few years so if they want to try pro-development in the G-League or something, I can't fault them for that either. With Juwan recruiting at this high a level, while they'd certainly be missed, it just makes room for more top recruits, so hard to be too mad about it.
March 27th, 2020 at 10:07 AM ^
I would have been shocked if either left. But with Nunez and Davis coming back I’m getting pretty worried one will say fuck the draft projections and just get picked wherever they get picked. If they even get picked at all.
I too, am evaluating my options to go pro.
You mean to go poo, not pro.
Me too.
People often say I play like Oscar Robertson.
Of course they mean like Oscar Robinson plays in 2020, but still..........
Though both seem like they should return, I would not be shocked to see one or both enter the draft. I don't have actual insight into either's decision-making process, but Coach Howard's aggressively continuing to recruit top prospects, and Michigan's outreach to seemingly every grad transfer on the market makes me think the staff is expecting more attrition than most fans realize.
Ironically, CJ Baird and Luke Wilson are not evaluating their NBA futures.
I mean under normal circumstances I wouldn't be shocked if they went through the draft process to see where they stand then come back. Not sure how COVID-19 will affect that decision making
Franz could easily go back to Europe. Who knows how much he enjoys the college life. Hopefully his brother being in the states makes it more likely he stays.
The world has changed a lot in just a few weeks. It’s giving people a chance to reprioritize. I would not be shocked if either of them went pro, given what has transpired. People are rethinking their lives right now. Having said that, I think they’d both benefit from one more year in college. Next year they’ll have a chance to compete against top talent in practice and win a championship.
Welp...I guess this is one way to get under the scholarship limits. Oof.
Both should come back.
I really hope Livers comes back. Obviously Wagner returning would be great, too, but Livers could be one of the B1G's best players next season.
Livers should 100% leave. Good size, 40% from 3, and 95% from the FT line should translate well to the NBA. He will be drafted. If he comes back and suffers more injuries then he would be screwed
Franz is not ready at all. He dribbling ability is very below average and his 3pt shot is not anywhere near ready. One more year in college and he will be a 1st round pick IMO
Hey guys, not exactly sure how the site works so ignore if this is a repeated post (posted it in some other thread but it didn't shoot it to the top of the site like you'd assume, so maybe it didn't get posted before?)
Anyway, have there been any rumblings along these lines today? This obviously is written in satire, but they claim their sources are two student managers on the ASU bball team (one is actually a recruiting assistant, the other is an on-court guy).
Gonna be a freshmen at UM next school year so it would be ideal if it's not true:
https://twitter.com/RealBaconWire/status/1243252482488369156?s=20
That is an MSU sports twitter. I wouldnt believe anything they say
Josh Christopher is still 100% crystal balled to Michigan by 11 insiders so odds are he is coming to Michigan
That was my very first accusation too, when I messaged them. Their copy-pasted response was:
"Yea obviously we don't like UM or any other Big Ten school, but thats the whole reason we checked in on his recruitment w our ASU friends and got this scoop. and might as well hate on UM in how we report it."
Otherwise, I def would agree that the Sparty logo would've discounted it, but they are college kids that could easily know college kids elsewhere. Even if I have 2 friends at ASU (the difference is that mine aren't connected with the team obviously).
March 27th, 2020 at 12:17 AM ^
Expect both to stay. Livers is almost certain to stick around. Franz is actually the one who has a better chance. 60-40 he stays. Unless something crazy happens both plan to stick around for next season. Take it FWIW.