Michigan is recruiting Flint PG Monte Morris again

Submitted by Erik_in_Dayton on

The title pretty much says it all.  The UMHoops link below has more information on Morris and Michigan basketball recruiting generally...It seems like a good idea to take a second PG in the 2013 class given that there don't seem to be any high-level PGs left in the 2012 class (Della Valle appears to be more of a combo guard) and given that all Michigan point guards will apparently become NBA prospects overnight from here on out.  You also have to love Morris's nickname - "Man Man."

 

http://www.umhoops.com/2012/03/27/recruiting-notebook-monte-morris-back-on-the-radar-2014-stars/#more-28911

Blue boy johnson

March 27th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^

I was watching HS junior point guard Monte Morris and Flint Beecher win the Class B State Title on Saturday and was wishing he were a senior, if so, he would be a nice addition to M, especially with the uncertainty of Burke's situation. Morris is not as good a fit with next years class because it already includes a point guard (Derrick Walton), of similar skill and stature.

All in all in would be nice to pull a player out of Flint. Hopefully Morris and Walton could work well together but for no particular reason, I don't think Morris will end up Blue. Hope I am wrong.

Young John Beilein

March 27th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^

Good to have more Flint kids if we can get him.  He's a good player that could definitely add depth and possibly take over the point when Derrick Walton inevitably leaves early for the NBA.  He was squeezed out when we Walton commited and we had a bit of a scholarship crunch.  He's more of a scorer I believe so he, stauskas, walton, and possibly Della Valle could make a very nice set of guards that will allow for a lot of interesting lineup combinations.

Man Man is also an "experimental rock" band that weird people listen to.

JCV16

March 27th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^

We didn't take multiple point guards in 2010 and didn't take one in 2011, and got burned when Morris left early.  Then we took two in 2012 and got burned when brundidge left (due mostly to lack of playing time) and might get burned again if Burke leaves early.  Not sure what the best approach is, but we've had bad luck either way.

 

 

Young John Beilein

March 27th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^

Hopefully JB has kept in contact with him.  I believe there was a bit of a race between him and Walton to basically accept an offer first.  Now we can take both.  And also, it appears that MLive (I know, I know) put him on their all state team and listed him at 6-2 which would be tremendous.  Anyone know if this is true?  He is listed at 5-10 and 6-0 other places, but I have read that his dad is quite large, like 6-6 or bigger.  He is a very good recruit and could be a late bloomer and become one of the best in his class.

these wolverines

March 27th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^

im not mad if he leaves for the nba bc its his dream and he is a beast, but this draft class this year is so deep it hard seeing him be a first rounder and thats not a knock to him at all.

marco dane

March 27th, 2012 at 12:29 PM ^

needed a pg in this year class. I'm still maintaining a walk on pg will be on the roster come next fall. A David Merritt type is needed to help solidify depth going forward. Glad this staff realizes that recruiting continues...even when you don't have the schollies! Hopefully EC Mathew will also enter the mix for the 13 class...melike this kid A LOT!!!!

bacon1431

March 27th, 2012 at 2:46 PM ^

I'd actually prefer Matthew over Morris. Matthew can play both guard positions IMO and that would make it less likely that one of Walton/other G would transfer if they didn't like their PT. Morris and Walton are both straight PG, so only one can be on the floor at one time. Matthew could get Walton's backup PG minutes as well as play the 2. But I'm no scout so my evaluation could be way off.

93Grad

March 27th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^

I could be wrong but Morris sounds like CB part II Electric Boogaloo. I'm fine with another pg by prefer one with more size and pg skills

Woodson2daHouse

March 27th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^

What about Dontel Highsmith? I'm surprised he isn't getting a decent look. I believe he has more potential than Walton and Morris. The kid is athletic, has good size, a sticky defender, and can get to the rack at will. Not to mention Highsmith carried his team this year. He was first team all-state, and dropped 56 points in a game this year. Is there a reason he's not getting as much attention as these other guys?

champswest

March 27th, 2012 at 3:45 PM ^

of doubling up on point guards in the same class, especially if the guys can only play the point.  Ideally, it would be nice to have a point guard in each class (depending on how many ships you have to work with).

bacon1431

March 27th, 2012 at 4:04 PM ^

A PG every year is too much, unless you're John Calipari and whatever PG you recruit is coming in as a one and done. Usually the every-other approach with a combo guard in between works. There is no way that JB could have foreseen Morris and Burke blowing up and becoming early entry candidates. We might have to adjut and try and get 3 true PG spread out through 4 classes, but one every year is too much as it could possibly handcuff you with 4 guys at one position. And unless some of them are capable of playing other positions, only one can see the floor at a time.

Webber's Pimp

March 27th, 2012 at 11:12 PM ^

Morris is better than Dela Valle. I'm not sure everybody on this board understands just how good Morris can be. It's an open debate as far as whether or not he's better than Walton. He's certainly gotten the best of DW in head to head competition.  This is the kind of recruit that usually ends up going to Michigan State and then kick our ass for four years...Morris is also a tough defender and a very good rebounding guard at 6'4. The icing on the cake for me is he'd probably stay here all 4 years...