MBB: Player Development

Submitted by Kilgore Trout on

For something different...

I have been impressed with the way that Beilein has developed Darius Morris and Matt Vogrich.  Before the season started, I posted that I thought those two would end up being busts and didn't deserve their recruiting rankings.  Raoul called me out on that and he seems to have been right. 

The change in Morris is pretty obvious.  He's gone from a guy who was essentially phased out of the rotation last year to the unquestioned go to guy on the team.  I didn't see that coming at all.

Vogrich is a little more subtle, but to me is an even more impressive accomplishment for Beilein.  Last year, Vogrich looked completely outmatched physically.  His stat line is not overwhelming, but he has become a solid contributor in 10-15 minutes a game and is no longer a massive defensive liability. 

After Amaker's tenure, I got used to seeing what a player did in his freshman year and just accepting that it was what we had for four years.  The improvement of Morris and Vogrich from year one to year two, coupled with the fact that Novak and Douglass are solid Big Ten players given their recruiting profile has me excited about the future.  Anyway, when someone asks why Beilein isn't on the hot seat, I think "player development" has to be one of the first answers. 

dahblue

January 10th, 2011 at 3:36 PM ^

JB is certainly head and shoulders above the "mock turtle" when it comes to player development.  He's got a surprisingly competitive team on the floor this season, with Morris and Morgan leading the "wow are they improved" brigade.  Going forward, JB needs to put heavy focus on bringing in a true center.  I know he's tried and missed (and had some bad luck in the process), but the incoming class of guards and swings won't cut it long term.  I know he's trying, but I keep my fingers crossed that JB comes through with a big man recruit.

PurpleStuff

January 10th, 2011 at 3:50 PM ^

It just seems like the "true center" guys are few and far between, or they have no skill like that guy Foster at Utah.  Izzo seems to win with just a bunch of swoll 6'8"-6'10" guys who bang inside.  Hopefully adding weight to the three young guys will help but I'd settle for a group of tough, hard-nosed guys who don't get pushed around and let the outside guys shine before I worry about landing an elite big man (not that getting one wouldn't be super swell).

dahblue

January 10th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^

They are hard to find, but he had a good one in Benzig (who wasn't eligible).  He had a giant one in Cronin (who got hurt).  Morgan is miles beyond expectations (I can tell you that the coaching staff didn't expect much at all from him, especially after the injuries) but we need more.  

We are going to be crowded in the backcourt...now having Hardaway and Morris, soon to be joined by Brundidge and Burke.  We missed, unfortunately, on our big man targets (Williams, Plumlee).  Morgan is going to need some help and it isn't going to come from McLimans or Horford (at least not anytime soon).  It's reassuring, however, to know that JB is well aware of his need for more size and is working to address the issue.  You're right that we don't need a "true" center and a "swoll" banger would indeed be great. 

BigBlue02

January 10th, 2011 at 5:00 PM ^

I actually think we have the big bodies, they are just not big enough......yet. if mclimans or horford can put on some much needed beef, they will do just fine backing up Morgan. And both being freshmen helps tremendously in that they haven't been in a strength and conditioning program very long. Let's not kid ourselves, the strength of this team is the guards, so as long as we get serviceable big men who like to do dirty work, this team should be just fine. Morgan is doing great at that, but we definitely need someone else. I personally think horford is best fit for that position.

dahblue

January 10th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^

I could be wrong, but I don't see McLimas ever being "wide" enough to battle with the bigs in conference.   Horford...my fingers are crossed as he has potential.  Someone above mentioned Smotrycz as a "big" as well...also...not a guy who is going to battle down low (super talented and will be important for years though).  

JB knows he needs the size (he admitted a while back that the physical nature of the Big Ten took him by some surprise) and has been working at it.

BraveWolverine730

January 10th, 2011 at 4:32 PM ^

With Morgan(RS Fr), McLimas(Rs Fr), Horford(Fr), Smotrycz(Fr), and Christian(Fr) all playing either the 4 or 5, and only losing Douglas and Novak in the next 2 years, it just isn't good scholarship management to go after another big right now.  

diehardsport

January 10th, 2011 at 5:29 PM ^

I have been really surprised with Morgans development thus far, and I don't think anyone expected him to be playing as well as he has. However, Morgan needs to develop playing with his back to the basket, becoming more comfortbale with the ball at the top of the key, and learning how to stay on the court and away from foul trouble.

Raoul

January 10th, 2011 at 7:22 PM ^

Detroit News reports that Jordan Dumars may apply for a "medical redshirt" because of the torn meniscus on his right knee that was surgically repaired before the season. Story has quotes from Joe Dumars:

"He has come back, but not at 100 percent — about 70 percent," Joe said Monday. "We talked about it and we don't want to waste 70 percent (health) on a few games, so we might to try to medical redshirt this year."

Steve in PA

January 10th, 2011 at 10:20 PM ^

Last year's guy for me to say, "He's gonna be special next year" was Morris.  He was a big kid that played point AND defense.  He wasn't ready yet as a freshman for JB's system.

The player I'm saying that with this year is Hardaway Jr.  He's long, quick, and can shoot.  Another year of weight room and experience and I thkn he's gonna be a very special player.

As much as I loved Manny, he was a bad fit and that hurt the team last year.  It's been addition by subtraction for this team.

champswest

January 10th, 2011 at 10:20 PM ^

Josh Bartelstein's blog comment about Coltan Christian?  He says that the shot doctor (Coach Beilein) has been working a lot with him on his shooting and he is really starting to come along.  Josh thinks that CC is really going to be good once he combines all of that athleticism with improved shooting.  If that happens, that will be the ultimate in player developement.

Also, I expect Smotrycz to make a huge jump in developement by next year.  It may come this year.