93Grad

April 12th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^

how does Izzo convince these kids to stick around?  

 

Knowing our luck, we will now lose DJ and/or Wagner while Bridges stays.  Grrrrrr

kevin holt

April 12th, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^

Heh yeah. I mostly meant I have never known whether people use the term "lottery pick" to mean "one who is picked by the 3 lottery winners" or "one who goes to a lottery-eligible team." Seems like it's the latter even though the former makes more sense as a "lottery pick" since nobody is trying to win the lottery to get #14.

LS And Play

April 12th, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^

Izzo must have pictures. Funny thing is that this was predictable as hell, too. Beilein has lost more early entries in the last 6 years than Izzo has in a quarter century at MSU. 

Pepto Bismol

April 12th, 2017 at 2:37 PM ^

I was looking at drafted guys and Harris went undrafted, but yeah.  He was an early entrant.  Count it.

 

Even overall, Beilein has had 8 players drafted since he arrived at Michigan in '07.  In that same time span, Izzo has had 7 drafted.  I've never noticed this.  Wild stuff.

In reply to by Pepto Bismol

Blue Know It

April 12th, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^

Not 100% on how you are qualifying the guys, but didn't Udoh transfer to Baylor and not leave early for NBA from Michigan directly?

Larry Appleton

April 12th, 2017 at 1:53 PM ^

We can't hang onto our borderline 1st/2nd-rounders, while MSU can convince lottery picks to stick around. FML.

Bigku22

April 12th, 2017 at 3:41 PM ^

What an idiot. To be fair, I felt the same way about Peppers. You ALWAYS go when you have the chance. 

When you have a guaranteed 1st round lock (especially lottery) in the NBA, you go. In  professional sports where the lifespan of careers is very short (average NBA career is 4.8 years, and even ceiling wise you can't expect to play more than 12-15 years), by coming back, you are missing out of a full year of earning potential (to basically play for free and risk injury). Even if you get drafted a few spots higher, it won't make up for the full years salary you declined, not too mention the risk. 

MI Expat NY

April 12th, 2017 at 4:05 PM ^

In some ways, I think this is even more true in the NBA than the NFL.  Yes, in football, there's a greater injury risk, but I think that is more than balanced out by a greater chance to improve (both in skill level and draft position).  With how many early entrants there are in the NBA, there just aren't enough top college basketball players for a first round talent to improve, at least compared to spending a season in the NBA.  And if you stick around and your game stagnates (as it often does) your stock drops by the next draft.

The key with leaving early in the NBA is making sure you're in the first round and have that guaranteed contract.  The penalty for overestimating your draft positioning in the NBA is more severe than in the NFL. In the NFL, if you're a mid-round pick, you're still going to likely make the team and be given a chance to develop.  If you're a second rounder in the NBA, there's a decent chance you never get more than a cup of coffee in the league.   

ijohnb

April 12th, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^

they sucked this year and I expect them to suck again next year. 

(And in all honesty, I see this as a ploy.  He will meet with Izzo who will convince him "it is in his best interest to go pro" and everybody will fawn over how Izzo is a class act etc. etc.  I don't think he will be back).

bacon1431

April 12th, 2017 at 2:05 PM ^

If Bridges comes back next season, no reason to expect them to suck. Bridges would contend for BTPOY easily, Ward will have another year of conditioning under his belt, Langford made huge strides toward the end of the year and they're bringing in a good class. 

Elite? Nah. But bad? Definitely not IMO. 

Skiptoomylou22

April 12th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^

There could certainly be an argument made for them being elite. 

starting Winston, Langford, Bridges, Jackson, Ward with Tillman, Mark Smith, Schilling, and McQuaid on the bench is a pretty good team (or any combination of those). If they get Bowen and/or McCoy that is a scary roster.

ldd10

April 12th, 2017 at 2:04 PM ^

Izzo pretty much recommended he go pro.  Said something to the effect of Miles gave his one year of commitment and Izzo appreciated it.

Obviously a big risk for Bridges, but kid really cares about his legacy and wants to win it all.  In the one-and-done era it's refreshing.  He just has a different mindset.

ldd10

April 12th, 2017 at 2:22 PM ^

Sure.  I'm a MSU fan, but Belein is one of my most respected coaches in sports.  Just like Big Ten hoops and respect the UM program.  Figure I'll give my MSU input.  Happy to bow out if it makes sense.

By the way...as much as the green side wants Mo and DJ to go pro, them coming back could make for an amazing Big Ten hoops year.  The UM/MSU battles would be great.

Bubba

April 12th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^

As much as we don't want it to be true, MSU will be damn good next year. If Izzo sticks to playing TumTum then they will be mediocre, but the talent they are returning and the talent they bring in could be trouble. If Bridges stays, it's because three main reasons IMO: 1) This year is loaded and he will go 12-15. Next year could be top 3 with large $ differential. 2) they will have big men next year and he won't have to play the 4 or 5. He's a 3 in the NBA and needs time to develop those skills. With Davis going pro, Shilling out the year with ACL,. That grad transfer out the year last year with ACL, and the transfer of Clark and Bess, they were without 5 expected big guys. Shilling returns and they have a monster class coming in. 3) he seems to genuinely like Izzo and college life. He responds well to Izzo being an asshole and riding him, unlike most talented players. As for the comment on developing big men above, how do you explain Draymond Green ?

alum96

April 12th, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^

The fact he was a top 12ish type pick and guys who are projected 10-20 picks lower are submitting themselves to the draft (without agent) and he waited all this time and never did, bode ill for him to leave.

It's frustrating for sure - it seems the minute our guys get a whiff of a NBA top 25 pick they are ready to pack their bags. 

With Bridges and Ward and a 5* 6'10 center they are bringing in that's going to be a tough lineup.  And that's ignoring a 2nd year point guard and Langford who woke up the last 10 games of the year.

Qmatic

April 12th, 2017 at 2:46 PM ^

Who wants to be screamed at and humiliated every game? I'm sorry but I don't see too much "development" done by Izzo. His 4 year stars of late (Green and Valentine) both displayed a lot of skill from the get go. Where recent 5* players like Harris and Davis did not really improve at all over the course of their Spartan career.