WolvinLA2

April 9th, 2013 at 6:58 PM ^

Exactly - Oladipo finished second by a pretty slim margin for the Wooden and was on many 1st team All American teams so it was lot more than hype. If you think he didn't deserve the recognition, then that's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but that's a different point altogether.

BlueinLansing

April 9th, 2013 at 5:52 PM ^

athletes take summer courses while they stick around the facilities.  With some practice time now allowed during the off-season expect more kids to take advantage of such courses.

 

Taking more in the summer also allows them less of a workload during the season.

WolvinLA2

April 9th, 2013 at 5:52 PM ^

You think it will be easy for them to take another title?  They don't lose much (probably) but they don't gain much either and will likely be soft down low.  

OSU doesn't lose much, and although Indiana loses a lot, their recruiting class is outstanding again.  

How we fare against MSU will completely depend on who we lose.  If we lose only Burke and Hardaway, then we're just as tough as this year and will give the Spartans two tough tests.  

Ty Butterfield

April 9th, 2013 at 11:58 PM ^

Well MSU always seems to figure out how to have a really solid Big Ten season. They rarely have a dominant player but Izzo somehow gets them to play above their talent level. If Michigan has four players leave early I could easily see MSU winning the conference.

WolverineInCbus

April 9th, 2013 at 6:01 PM ^

This isn't related necessarily. But I thought that McGary had said last week that he was coming back? Now everyone is talking like the decision is back up in the air? Is he actually reconsidering or are people just assuming that he is reconsidering?

Ty Butterfield

April 9th, 2013 at 6:44 PM ^

Good. Now I just wonder who else is leaving besides Burke? If Burke, Hardaway , McGary, and GRIII leave next year could be dicey. However, I am not going to be that guy who starts the "any news" thread.

pbmd

April 9th, 2013 at 6:54 PM ^

oladipo is just developing into a great player and he wants/has  to move to the next level. 

the level of play in the ncaa is pretty poor and much of it is related to the talent drain to pro basketball. if these great players were interested in a college education and stayed on campus for 4 years, the college game would be much better.
 
does hardaway have to leave to avoid being judged as someone not good enough to leave early? 
 

 

WolvinLA2

April 9th, 2013 at 7:04 PM ^

I highly doubt the people making these decisions for NBA teams really see a difference between a 3-year and a 4-year player.  Sure, if there are two players who are equals, teams will lean toward the younger player.  But if Hardaway can improve on his weaknesses over the next year then that will make up for him being one year older.  

Most NBA teams don't keep their draft picks for more than 3 or 4 years, especially the guys who are less than lottery picks.  If there is a four year player out there who maybe has a lower ceiling but is really polished and can get into the rotation right away, that's a benefit.  

bronxblue

April 9th, 2013 at 8:01 PM ^

Very good defensive player, which will serve him well in the pros.  His offense probably won't ever be better than average, but he's got some potential to be a nice defensive stopper for a good team.

Der Alte

April 10th, 2013 at 8:28 AM ^

The NBA "drafts" (i.e., selects) individual players from a pool of eligible applicants. Most NBA gurus describe this year's "draft" as "weak" --- that is, not a lot of high-quality applicants. This view apparently encourages a number of college players who might otherwise stay an extra year or so to apply now. Oladipo might be one such player. He would probably be selected in the draft regardless of when he declared his eligibility, but he thinks he has a chance to go higher this year, given the perception of a weak applicant pool. Good luck to him, and like many here I won't miss him when M next meets the Hoosiers.

The problem is that the "weak draft" perception coupled with the strong run through the NCAA tournament might get some M players (e.g., GRIII, McGary) thinking about declaring their eligibility as well. This is where the accumulated NBA wisdom of "Dad" Hardaway and "Dad" Robinson as well as "brother" Horford might help. Such former and current NBA stars might help convince these kids that another year or two in school could boost their NBA value more than it is currently, with just their one year in college and their appearance in the NCAA championship game.  

Padog

April 10th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^

Just saw on ESPN,
Cody Zeller is leaving.
I don't have enough points to start a new thread. I don't even know if its thread worthy.