Raoul

December 27th, 2013 at 6:52 PM ^

Jordan Morgan is a perfect example of why it sometimes pays off to redshirt in basketball. He wouldn't be on the roster this season if he hadn't redshirted, and the team definitely needs him now. Donnal strikes me as a four-year player, so giving him an extra year to develop seems like the smart move.

Joined: 09/29/2009

MGoPoints: 13957

umumum

December 27th, 2013 at 8:12 PM ^

right now, then he wouldn't have been red-shirted.  If he was ready, he'd be playing. Beilein understands that there is little reason to red-shirt high end players.  Donnal is a prospect--far from a certain contributor.

Joined: 01/06/2011

MGoPoints: 7876

UnkleBuck

December 27th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^

With the information that was public, I didn't think that his injury was that bad...guess I was horribly wrong.  Sure hope he recovers to his old self, the young man has a very bright future. 

Joined: 11/02/2013

MGoPoints: 2122

Jimmyisgod

December 27th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^

Mitch's career is in jeopardy, really feel for the kid, for his sake, I hope he can come back and lead us on a nice tourney run this spring.  If not, and he returns for 2014-15', and then goes pro, he'd be a 23 yaer old rookie in the NBA with only 2 seasons of college and back surgery as experience, those guys don't get drafted in the NBA.

Selfishly, I want him to help us this season or next, but in reality, this kid's career is in question now.

Joined: 01/24/2012

MGoPoints: 10342

ClearEyesFullHart

December 27th, 2013 at 5:35 PM ^

We've supported the team through mediocre seasons before. We can support them through whatever this season brings. Basketball is a funny game, and they could still surprise us. Go blue, And go Michigan rehabilitation!

Joined: 09/09/2011

MGoPoints: 2756

SDCran

December 27th, 2013 at 6:00 PM ^

Well they beat Stanford without Mitch or Horford (pretty much). They will still be tough. And remember that JM started most of the B1G season last year, which turned out ok, and all of the season before that, which turned out really ok.

OTOH, the MSU and OSU games suddenly look much harder. Mitch was our biggest advantage vs OSU, and a HUGE potential neutralizer in the MSU games vs Payne.

Joined: 01/27/2010

MGoPoints: 4675

umchicago

December 27th, 2013 at 6:17 PM ^

i just hope he can eventually play in 2014-15 and beyond.  by describing it as a "condition" that he doesn't want to elaborate on, instead of just a disc problem, i have serious concerns that his career may be over.  let's hope the surgery goes well.

Joined: 02/05/2009

MGoPoints: 33628

Sllepy81

December 27th, 2013 at 6:42 PM ^

great determination. He worked heavily prior to last season because he knew McGary could take his job. He may not have the talent but he has the heart to do well. My cousin worked with him one on one all summer prior to the previous season. He will do his part. Horford, he is intelligent but fouls and strength are what he needs to work on, like his potential but its on him to produce.

Joined: 01/02/2013

MGoPoints: 7976

Avant's Hands

December 28th, 2013 at 12:00 AM ^

Well, remember that plenty of people posting here grew up in the 90s so they only have 20 or so years to fall back on. And I think the general consensus is this is the worst year based off expectations. We have seen underperforming from plenty of Michigan football teams but I can't remember an offense struggling to the degree this years team did, especially given what we knew they were capable of.

2008 was bad, but I feel like it was expected once we had the mass exodus. Hell, my big beef with 08 is losing to Notre Dame in the frozen four. That game still pisses me off.
2005 was mediocre but IMO that team wasn't really all that great. The losses were frustrating in fashion but with a sophomore backfield and no downfield threat opposite Avant the offense was what it was. And the defense had a tendency to collapse when it mattered.

Personally I'm not a huge basketball fan. March was fun but I would take a hockey championship over basketball any day and the end of the streak was rough. Add on the frustrations of football season and the seemingly endless run of bad luck and bad news and I can understand the meme. The only thing that could stop our bad luck was running into northwesterns worse luck.

Just my two cents.

Joined: 10/22/2011

MGoPoints: 9271

bronxblue

December 27th, 2013 at 6:47 PM ^

Makes sense.  If he was really having trouble physically this year, he should have surgery and rehab for next year.  I seriously doubt a team will spend a 1st rounder on him unless there is just overwhelming proof he's fine or if they are open to stashing a pick (like San Antonio or Houston).

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171436

True Blue Grit

December 27th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^

Mitch, the team, and the fans.  I wish him a full and fast recovery.  He should almost certainly return next year.  I would doubt an NBA team would risk a first round pick on him.  But, the rest of the year will need a BIG increase in performance from Morgan, Horford, and Bielfeldt.  It is what it is.  

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32362

Wendyk5

December 27th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^

I was recently at the orthopedic guy for my disc issues and there was an older woman sitting across from me with a neck brace and a cane. She said one thing to me: "Make sure you take care of your back." Her words were pretty ominous. Back problems don't just go away so I'm glad he's not ignoring them. I wish him a complete recovery. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 67699

Amutnal

December 27th, 2013 at 11:23 PM ^

Worst year of my life due my dad passing unexpectedly. Michigan sports struggles, albeit painful and anger provoking, were viewed in a different perspective by me this year. However, 2013 is when I realized I met my future wife. So, there was a silver lining.

Joined: 02/05/2011

MGoPoints: 2294