MBB Recruiting: Michigan reaches out to Columbia transfer G Grant Mullins

Submitted by ypsituckyboy on

Per UMHoops via Jeff Borzello, Columbia redshirt junior Grant Mullins will transfer (Ivies don't allow graduate student players apparently). The 6'3" guard from Burlington, Ontario, averaged 13 ppg, 3 assists, and shot 44% from downtown.

Columbia profile here:

http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205563903

LV Sports Bettor

March 31st, 2016 at 9:52 AM ^

Mullins can play plus Ivy League hoops is as good as it's ever been now. The power rating at Kenpom this past season is highest Ivy League rating ever for the conference at Kenpom.



If I were a CBB D-1 coach I'd be adding a guy like Mullins every year now. Very smart way to improve your team as you end getting a confident, smart player. Biggest thing Michigan has missed on under Beilein for various reason is having some senior leadership. Been biggest difference when comparing to the Izzo MSU team who always have senior leaders carrying them.

Space Coyote

March 30th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^

That he's already graduated? Is that what you mean to infer by "Ivies don't allow grad student players", that he has to transfer because he graduated.

Looks like he missed '14-15 due to injury and the last 9 games of the year before with a concussion, which is a bit worrisome. But his numbers are pretty consistent dating back to when he was a FR, so that indicates consistency. Really strong shooter, both from 3 and from the FT line. Likely won't be asked to take it to the hoop too much, but FG numbers aren't terrible (should be able to at least keep the D honest in that regard). Even rebounds a bit for a guard. Looks like he also had some high assist games, indicating he can play some PG.

Sounds like a replacement for Spike without the hip injury concern.

Gentleman Squirrels

March 30th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^

Seems like a smart, high efficiency player that is willing to dish out the ball. I'm a little concerned that he missed all of 2014-2015 and a bit of the 2013-2014 season though. I wonder if he's fully recovered. Are the statistics above from this season?

Lanknows

March 30th, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^

Dakich shouldn't need to play next year unless multiple guards are injured.  You can plan for 1 injury but no college team is well-prepared for 2 injuries at one positon.

TrueBlue2003

March 31st, 2016 at 2:07 AM ^

neither of which would be played by Irvin. He's a forward. Unofrtunately, he's a power forward on this team. So we only have two experienced guys for two guard positions: Rahk and Walton. Then two unknown's in Simpson and Watson. That's not good depth for two positions.  At all.

And if it's an injury to Rahk, you're starting and playing big minutes either two very short PGs, one of which will be a freshman, or Watson who is almost certainly not going to be ready for big minutes next year.  One injury and Dakich is back in play, which means we aren't well prepared for even one injury. Hence, the shopping around for another guard in case someone else leaves.

Just thinking about that, it is evident how crucially important Rahkman will be to the team next year, given the alternatives.  If he got hurt the team would be effected more than losing any other player, unless Simpson is just bad.  Then a Walton loss would be equally detrimental.

Franz Schubert

March 30th, 2016 at 3:35 PM ^

Never needed to play to begin with. Rank and Walton can be the only point guard on the floor with Irvin. Instead of inserting a clearly overmatched walkon which created a 4 on 5 disadvantage, Walton and MAAR should have alternated at point allowing Chatman or Dawkins to play more. Or maybe even play 2 bigs like Wagner and Donnal together.

In reply to by Franz Schubert

TrueBlue2003

March 31st, 2016 at 2:12 AM ^

But putting Dawkins at the two when Walton sat probably wouldn't have been much better, for ball handling and defensive shortcomings.  We weren't able to absorb the loss of two guards, plain and simple. It was pretty much pick your poison for Beilein.

somewittyname

March 30th, 2016 at 2:30 PM ^

I think that has been pretty clear with the inquiries into the Sacred Heart transfer, Josh Jackson talk and now Grant Mullins. What's bizarre to me is Beilein was just talking about how grad transfers are BS and questioning the motivation behind the kids making them. I guess this kid could be someone legitimately looking for a good graduate program.

In reply to by somewittyname

ChalmersE

March 30th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

One difference here is that Mullin doesn't have the option of staying and playing at Columbia. Also I think Beilein, while criticizing the rule that permits this, isn't about to be the only coach in America who fails to take advantage of the rule.

somewittyname

March 30th, 2016 at 2:39 PM ^

That's a fair point. The second point I'm not sold on. Beilein strikes me as exactly the type of coach who would be the only one refusing to offer grad transfer spots, kinda like his more  or less self-imposed rule of earliest offer date.

TheBigPrince

March 30th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^

Big difference here is that Ivy League schools don't allow grad students to play on the sports teams, so if he wants to continue playing college basketball, he is forced to transfer.




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ypsituckyboy

March 30th, 2016 at 2:34 PM ^

Ideal situation would be two more spots open up and we bring in Kyle Young, Jamal Cain, and Jordan Poole in 2017. All fit needs well. Young has a bit lower ceileing but more polished/consistent now, Cain has a very high ceilein albeit less polished, and Poole is good already and hopefully gets even better.

Tater

March 30th, 2016 at 3:28 PM ^

You don't know whether Donnal can take the "Beilien Leap" or not.  Donnal improved greatly from the beginning of the season to the end.  Bigs take awhile to develop sometimes; it's just the way it goes.

Instead of speculating on players who are still in there busting their butts transferring or not being offered a fifth year, why not just relax and let the process happen on its own?  A nice, broad term like "attrition" is classier and doesn't turn MGoBlog into a place where posters insult "their own" players in a public forum.

It all comes out in the wash.  There is always enough room for incoming players.  Making it personal really doesn't accomplish anything positive.

Trader Jack

March 30th, 2016 at 4:08 PM ^

How am I making it personal? I'm not speculating, I'm pointing out a fact: Donnal was reclassified. So, as it stands right now, we have 3 open spots for the 2017 class. That's something that the coaches, fans, and even Donnal himself are all aware of.








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In reply to by Franz Schubert

Trader Jack

March 30th, 2016 at 3:44 PM ^

Agreed. And if this were a common problem, I would be worried. But who cares? There are plenty of successful programs who take grad (or non-grad) transfers from smaller schools. And there's a decent chance nothing comes from our interest in this guy, just like nothing came from checking into the Sacred Heart kid. Until something actually happens, there's no harm done.




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In reply to by Franz Schubert

TrueBlue2003

March 31st, 2016 at 2:21 AM ^

this year. Given the bigs already on the roster and the two coming in.  Even with Doyle gone, it's a log jam at the 4 and 5 spots, and we're STILL starting a 3 at the 4. Wagner is the only hope for such a player next year.

CRISPed in the DIAG

March 30th, 2016 at 2:42 PM ^

I love Spike to a scary, self-examining level. But I think the Coach/Spike convo went something like this:

Coach B: [FIRM HANDSHAKE] "Thanks, son. But I don't think you're hips will let you play at this level."

Spike: "Yeah they will."

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