Michigan Basketball coaches talk Michigan Basketball
Lengthy interview of the coaching staff re Michigan basketball and the state of the program. Excerpt:
Q: Is it a philosophical choice to go after unrated recruits and help make them a better players? Beilein: As you're building a program, there's a plan that you gradually go in that direction, but you have to get solid first. In the recruiting wars, if you go after only the top-50 guys and you aren't successful, the No. 51-150 guys are long gone when you turn back. It's better to set your sights and then build a program so you get guys who have a high ceiling and in time will develop. Tim Hardaway Jr. is a great example of a guy who barely makes the top 100 — but now, he's one of the top 10 in the country out of that class. We're never going to say that we don't want to recruit a top-50 guy. If he fits what we're looking for, we'll recruit him. Jordan: We want guys who want to be here, whether they're top 10 or not. What's important is there's a mutual desire between us wanting them here and them wanting to be here.
It will be fun to see Belien and Izzo go head to head for the next mega recruit out of the state of Michigan. I hope there is just such a Chris Weber type recruit in the 2014 Class, since until then, Belien pretty much has the pantry filled.
is a stud. He's already big for a freshman at 6'4" playing G. I think he'll grow to 6'8"-6'9" when all is said and done.
Thanks, you are a wealth of information. If I were a shooting guard, I would much rather play for Belien all things being equal
in player development lately though he has good rep for developing G. I wonder if one of the assistant coach who is vital to Izzo's player development has left a few years ago....
As for big guy, Izzo has never been able to develop a dominant big man though he recruited Zach Randolph but it was more of his prodigious talent than coaching. Paul Davis has been a disappointment but was a solid player. The only player that I can say has developed into a quality big man is Goran Suton. He was raw coming out of Lansing Everett and developed into a quality defensive rebounding big man with a solid jumper.
If the player has an eye on the NBA, Izzo's development of guards is nothing to brag about. Mateen, Marcus Taylor, Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen, Chris Hill, etc.... Charlie Bell really developed after he was in the pros for several years. Shannon Brown, same thing, and he depends on his extreme athleticism to a great degree.
Michigan has put two guards in the NBA in the last two years. What has that other school done for its hoopsters lately?
But Brown, Ager, and J-Rich aren't too bad. Heck, even Charlie Bell is getting some run.
August 7th, 2011 at 12:28 AM ^
but that was 5, 4, 10, and 7 years ago. And the most recent(Ager) is a D-Leaguer.
August 7th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
Brown and Bell developed well after they left MSU. Ager isn't in the league. That's leaves only J-Rich...impressive total after all those years.
August 7th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
recent players like Chris Allen, Durrell Summers and to name a few. There were some highly touted players coming out of HS but never realized their potential. I was simply wondering if it has to do with an assistant coach leaving MSU for a job that could contribute to the player development?
Sure he has some players like Shannon Brown, Jason Richardson but the last few years has been disappointing though not to take away Izzo's greatness as a coach since he has been to the Final 4 several times.
It's pretty extensive, and merits more discussion, especially in early August.
Well, to me most interesting part of the interview was the following because it relates to the current scholarship situation:
Q: Is there a fear of becoming a program where guys leave regularly for the NBA after one or two years?
Beilein: I think the perfect scenario is we make it to the Final Four in April, they graduate in May and they get drafted in June in the first round. But we all know it's not going to happen like it used to when traditionally, people stayed for four years. You have to prepare for more attrition than ever before, unfortunately. Some of it is good, because of the NBA thing, but some of it is not good, because of kids transferring, but you have to prepare for it.
How else can you prepare for attrition, which is almost always unforeseen, unless you take that into account in recruiting and sometimes have more commitments than the current scholarship situation shows will be available?
I also liked Bacari's use of the term "extreme makeover" in reference to the renovation of Crisler. This first phase of the renovation is looking much more extensive than I had originally anticipated.
I know it is a longshot, but I could forsee Trey Burke not spending 4 years in AA. That kid seems dedicated, driven and talented. It's a catch 22 with these talented kids the better they are the shorter their stay. I would like to see the NCAA raise the BBall scholarship by one to help coaches cope with the issue of players leaving early.
August 6th, 2011 at 11:11 PM ^
His father and brother were late bloomers. It just seems to take the Horfords until they turn 20 or 21 to fully grow into their bodies. He might not have been a prestiege recruit, but Jon Horford could yet turn into the dominating inside presence most Michigan fans would like to see in the middle.
If the reduction to 13 was Title IX-related, they probably won't reverse it. I can't really blame them if they don't. You can't realistically use all 13 guys in the rotation as it is.
August 7th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^
I don't underestimate Jon Horford's pro potential, but I do doubt his ability to harness it and turn pro within the next 2 years. Horford is a safe bet to be a 4 year player at M IMO
were already better than Jordan Morgan last year. It's just that he's foul prone and lacks strength to be a significant contributor. If he can lower foul rate and it sounds like his strength is up to par for Big 10 play, it wouldn't surprise me if he sees time on the field at about 15-20 min a game. He's athletic, long and active. At the very worst, he'd be a great interior defender.
August 7th, 2011 at 12:20 AM ^
Our saving grace is his height. Point guards his size dont generally leave early(see Kalin Lucas)