McGary named to USA's Junior National Select Team
Apparently everyone that was worrying about his recent drop in the rankings can relax for a day or two...
http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/hoopsummit/12_hsum_us_roster.html
According to Scout.com's class rankings, McGary (No. 21) is the second lowest ranked player that made the squad, ahead of only North Carolina's future point guard Marcus Paige (No. 29). But for a kid who was being touted by virtually everyone as a top five player in the class literally months ago, it would have been a legit surprise to see McGary's name left off this list.
McGary and his peers will take on a rival World Select Team on April 7 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, in a game that should feature about 50 dunks. Since it's clear that all ten guys will likely see the floor for extended stretches, this will be a great chance for UM fans to get a look at the future of Michigan basketball.
MIKE JONES!
Who??
JONES
Who??
Mike Jones.....bitches.
P.S. Because you didn't capitilize it, I had to respond calmly.
I love how the first 4 comments are on the assistant coach, rather than McGary. Congrats to him...hopefully the beginning of multiple invites to national teams.
On another note, If my name was Mike Jones, I would definitely go by Michael, or at least Mikey. The whole Mike Jones thing is so overused.
MIKE JONES
This is just more of a testament to the idea that McGary's drop in rankings has more to do with the crappy coaching and selfish play at Brewster than anything he did himself. I would imagine his ranking would climb after he is able to play on a team where there is more of a semblance of team play or a team that actually utilizes him (like his AAU team with GRIII did). Regardless, michigan has a gem here and looking at past Nike Hoops summit rosters...this is quite the honor.
I don't see any drop in rankings as having an impact on what Mitch will do here at Michigan. He isn't going to be asked to set up on the low block and have the offense run through him. He's going to have to run the floor, defend, rebound, and finish with authority when he gets his opportunity.
I think if he can be Jordan Morgan 2.0 (maybe with a little more backboard smashing) the coaches would be absolutely thrilled. Adding 5 more fouls and allowing those two guys to play all out on both ends when they are in the game would be an enormous addition to the team.
No offense, but if all McGary becomes is Jordan Morgan 2.0, then his career will be a disappointment. Morgan is a fine player, but not a star. Morgan has extremely limited range and has trouble finishing around the basket. I think the goal for McGary should be Kevin Love 2.0 (that is probably a little too high and Love only played 1 year at UCLA).
(or if you want to keep it in the family, then Chris Webber 2.0, but I think that is way too lofty since Webber was a one in a generation type talent)
Was under the impression Morgan has a high field goal percentagae because of close shots. He has shown fire at times and can crash boards albeit not as often we would like. All in all I like Morgan and believe he's much better around the basket than you think.
McGary can shoot a lot better than Morgan.
I really don't think the offense is going to change if/when he enters the game from what it is now (motion, at least 4 perimeter shooters on the floor, spacing, forcing teams to defend the 3-point line to open up driving lanes and pick&roll). If we reach a point where McGary is shooting a bunch of mid-range jumpers then I'm guessing Beilein will want to tweak how things are running.
It will be interesting to see if he has the green light to shoot from three. His highlights show him hitting a few threes, but I don't know if he can do it consistently.
Since McLimans and Horford have the green light, you can be pretty sure McGary will have it too. McGary is going to be effective all over the court on the offensive end. Offensive rebounds, 3's, flashing into the paint, posting up, facing up, passing. This guy has the total skill set and a coach who knows how to take advantage of it.
I see what you're saying, but the offense wouldn't even be changing...When Morgan sets the pick and rolls, I'm pretty sure he has an OPTION of whether to roll to the rim or pop out for a jumper
If McGary can knock down the jumper, Beilein has shown at WVU he doesn't care about Big man shooting jumpshots and that puts more pressures on a Defense tha has no clue what to defend on the pick and roll
I agree. The offense is not going to change as much as it is going to grow. Beilein hasn't had anybody even close to being as big, skilled and talented as McGary. McGary is going to be scary good from the opposition's perspective.
Not saying McGary can't hit that shot, just that it doesn't make sense to be taking it a whole lot considering the guys on our roster. With Burke, THJ, Smotrycz, Vogrich, GRIII, Stauskas, etc. on the floor, our big men just don't need to take any jump shots. We'll already have a 6'9" guy at the 4 who shoots over 40% from three. Like Morgan, McGary will just have to make the defense pay if they get lazy or over commit on the perimeter. If he can do more every so often that would be great, but he really doesn't have to in order to keep the offense humming along.
I'm guessing McGary will only need to provide thunderdunks, layups, and if that isn't open a nice kick out pass for a wide open 3.
I'm looking forward to the ball handling that McGary brings to the table. I love Morgan, but you have to hit him on some very specific spots on the floor for him to convert. McGary, on the other hand, can comfortably take a dribble or two and score.
IMO you are grossly underestimating McGary's talent and skill
If he's an all-world performer that would be great. I'm just saying that he doesn't have to be in order to make a huge positive impact on next year's team. Whether he's ranked #5 or #105, whether he's polished offensively or not, a guy with that size and athletic ability is going to help us out a lot if he's willing to work at the defensive end and on the glass.
Like I said, if we essentially add a Jordan Morgan clone on the bench, this team is significantly better. If we add a better player than that, then we're just talking scary goodness that I can't even fathom at this point.
McGary is a player. He is going to be fun to watch. Next year will be totally different for M. They will be able to bang on the boards with any team in the country. Adding Horford, McGary, and Bielfeldt to go along with Morgan and Smot is pretty amaizing. Bring it on Uncle Nixy
when they can run all those tall guys out there all game long. I've gotten so used to them being undersized that I almost won't recognize the team.
playing small lineups is a benefit for Michigan because it forces the other team to play small as well because they don't have the 4 or 5(if Smotrycz plays there) who are comfortable enough to get out and defend. That gives Michigan an advantage.
GRIII is 6 ft. 7 in and Nik Stauskas is 6 ft. 6. Not bad from your SG and SF either. This team is about to get big. (Add in McGary at 6 ft. 10 or so).
With the rotation involving Burke, Stauskas, Brundidge, Vogrich, THJ, GRIII, Horford (assuming recovered), Bielfeldt, McGary, Smotrycz, and Morgan.
My only concern is how we will defend on the perimeter. Stu has done an incredible job at that spot, but I don't know if anyone else on the roster will be capable of taking his place and shutting down a guy like Brandon Paul. I wonder if we'll see Beilein switch back to a lot more zone looks with the team adding so much length at every spot on the floor.
Do we know anything about GRIIIs defensive abilities? Also, above I meant that GRIII was the SF and that Stauskas was the SG - not that it was that relevant.
I know you asked about Robinson, but I read a quote from one of Stauskas's coaches recently in which he said something like "now we have to teach him to play defense so that he'll see the court next year." I didn't take that as a good sign about his current defensive ability, though I think the vast majority of freshman aren't very good at D, so I don't mean to say that he's uniquely not ready for prime time.
Stauskas twice blocked an attempted 3 right back in the shooters face. He's athletic plays long and can do anything on the court. The team he played on was loaded and he was MVP, trust me when I say we've got a gem in Nick.
What a team we're gonna have next year, don't be surprised to see Stauskas as the back-up PG next season on many occasions, the guy is silky smooth.
Perimeter defense is going to be one of the biggest question marks going into next year. I like Hardaway a lot, but his defense is...not stellar. I don't think Michigan is likely to have someone to step into the stopper role next year when it comes to guards.
I wouldn't expect either to be the defender Stu is immediately...but 6'6" and 6'7" along with the long arms and athleticism (GRIII) and strength (Stauskas) has me thinking they can be at least adequate defenders immediately
I think they will play much more zone next season, especially with Smot in the game. Offensively Smot can play the 3 and M can go big and skilled. Defensively Smot can't guard a 3 one on one. Hardaway needs to make some strides with his handle, at this point I have more confidence with Smot handling ball pressure than Hardaway. Good news is they are both sophs and probably going to make sizable improvements in the off season
It will be interesting to see how Beilein tweaks the lineup. Considering we've played Novak (perimeter skills, good outside shot) at the 4 so much, I'm guessing Smotrycz stays there most of the time. I think the lineup will look like:
McGary/Morgan, Smot, GRIII/Stauskas, THJ, and Burke, with lots of flexibility to mix and match. It seems like keeping at least 4 outside shooters on the floor is a priority (and a great weapon to have), but who knows what we'll end up seeing or how much variety will be involved.
McGary is Novak except Fred Jacksonized
I imagine a 6'10" version of Zack Novak will get some quality PT.
I would guess a line-up of Burke, THJr, GRIII, McGary, and Morgan would be the best. Metrics can sub for either the 4 or the 5, Horford can sub in at the 5, Vogrich can sub in at the 3, Stauskas at the 2 and Brundidge at the 1 or 2. I don't know if Christian or McLimans play a lot without some injuries.
Damn we're gonna be good.