Poole gone, too
Can't blame a kid for going for money but big mistake on his part
People said the same thing about DJ Wilson, it seems pretty clear he and Beilein never really clicked this year. Just frustrating that next year our offense is going to be so limited again
DJ Wilson's jump made a lot more sense. He's a perfect fit for the NBA given his length, defense, and athleticism, plus he was a 3rd-year player. Poole, for all of his talent, is still a pretty "average" player in NBA terms and doesn't project as well at his current state. I don't blame him for going, but Poole barely shows up on a lot of NBA draft radars; the big question with Wilson was he a late 1st/early 2nd guy.
why do people keep bringing DJ up? Compare their B1G and NCAA tournament play the year they declared. People can always talk about how guys havent hit their ceiling and can boost their draft stock by coming back.
BUT there is a difference saying that about a projected fringe first rounder and a projected late second rounder.
Did they? Who did? DJ made sense to me...super long, can move well, NBA was waiting to mold him...
Poole leaving is just not a good idea for him
Uh, no they didn't, DJ had a fantastic year and was a first round pick.
Poole had a terrible year and will be lucky to be a second round pick.
People lamented DJ leaving because he was so good, but nobody with half a brain thought he was making a mistake.
DJ hurts because he showed his glimpses of greatness mainly at the end of his time at Michigan. He played great in the tournament. I think Michigan could have won it all against Villanova with DJ to spot Wagner at the 5 and help at the 4.
I expected Poole to have a year like Stauskas had where he could just take over games. He had a few shining games, but didn't really shine when he needed to.
I think Poole and DJ are completely different situations. Poole reminds me of Sims leaving early.
DJ Wilson got a first round grade after a really good tournament.
Poole hasn’t gotten that. And he probably won’t.
I honestly think Iggy will come back but Poole’s dad will push him out.
I don't blame any of them for testing the waters. I'm just hopeful they get their grades, do their workouts, and make the decision that's best for them. I thought DJ leaving when he did wasn't a great decision, but it's seemed to have worked out just fine for him. Best of luck to JP, Iggy & Mathews!
DJ's decision definitely raised some eyebrows how it would work out, however what he had in his favor was a 1st round grade. He went higher at 17 but IIRC he was rated in the 25-30 range. Neither Poole or Iggy are getting that high unless they drop 30 a game at the NBA combine. The difference between 1st and 2nd round in the NBA is massive.
Yeah. The big question with Wilson was if he came back he'd be a lottery guy. Plus, he made a lot more sense in the modern positionless NBA as a guy who could shoot and defend at the bare minimum; Poole and Iggy both have much bigger question marks as to how they'd fit in the NBA right now.
Poole can choose to return and the quote from Michigan release suggests that he hasn't made up his mind yet.
Isn't it the same for Iggy?
EDIT: NM, forgot about the new rule about signing with an agent.
At the very least, Charles Matthews is 100% gone for sure
It's not in this article but Iggy said, "My intent is to be drafted this year as high as I can be and start my journey." He's not coming back no matter how low his grade is.
Too Poole.... for school, I guess.
Except they aren’t. The new rules allow them to sign agents but still come back if they choose to do so.
1. Iggy's statement suggests he is going to go into the actual draft and see where he's drafted. If he is drafted (which he will be) he will be forced to leave.
2. Poole is trickier. Better chance of him returning based on draft grades and what not. But there's also a small possibility he transfers (which would be a terrible decision).
I would say there's a 0 percent chance Iggy or Matthews return. And a 50% chance Poole returns. What scares me about Poole is that he is wildly talented. Production left something to be desired this year, but he has the tangible skills to make it in the NBA (may need more intangibles though)
Yeah, Poole looked poised to be a legit superstar earlier this season. I am not sure what happened there.
There is a 0% chance Poole transfers. He's not going to go sit out a year somewhere. It's NBA or back to Michigan.
I just listened to Anthony Wright's podcast and there is a strong possibility they will look at transferring. The family isn't very happy right now. When he says "explore all options", he is definitely including transfer in there.
Yea it sounds like his dad isn't over some twitter trolls and wants to "stick it to the trolls" and have Poole leave. Similar reason to why Gentry left to go to the NFL . Very unfortunate
If they can’t deal with twitter trolls at Michigan how are they going to deal with it in the pros?!?
Whatever. Good riddance
If these kids and their parents are making these HUGE decisions based on Twitter trolls....well then i feel worse for them in regards to their thought process
Who gives a flying shit what these twitter tough guys say, if you let that get to you then you aint ready for the real world. The thought of this happening because they want to "stick it to the trolls" is the stupidest shit I have heard and I hope its not true but you are probably accurate
IMO he wants to be carson edwards in terms of being allowed to jack up 50+ shots at a 20% clip....well that aint happening here. So he thinks he will get that in Europe or at another school
"Poole, Matthews and Brazdeikis are all in the NBA Draft and will hire an agent
With new rules, they intend to sign with agents, who will work with the U-M coaches in evaluation & pre-draft process"
https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1115700597481725952
Poole Statement
"The last two years here at Michigan have been amazing and filled with so many memories," said Poole. "I've not only become a better player but a better individual. Being able to play in the NBA has always been my dream since I was young. I am confident that with my faith in God and hard work that I, and my family, are prepared to look at all options and make the right decision for the next step of my playing career."
"Look at all options".....he def gone
"Look at all options" sounds a lot like "if my draft grade doesn't look good well then I'll look to transfer"
Next year looking rough. Eli brooks starting at the 2? Makes me cringe.
HAHAHAHA
-Joaquin Phoenix
I would be surprised if Poole does not come back once he gets his feedback.
And news out of East Lansing - Cassius Winston has announced that he will be returning for next season as well as applying for a fifth, sixth, and seventh year through the newly implemented Tom Izzo "Please don't go to the NBA" waiver claim.
I, of course, wish nothing but the best for these guys, but I think they're kidding themselves.
This. Never fault a guy for wanting to get there. I just don't see any of them panning out and thus losing a year or two more at the college level.
Agree, cant blame them but dont man... I remember when Dairus Morris decided to go, I was like "what are you thinking, you could be such a good PG with more time"
Morris had a couple seasons on NBA rosters. If it didn’t happen when his full-time job was only basketball while getting paid a handsome amount of money, it was never going to happen. Another season in college wasn’t going to change that.
Wish him luck. Both him and Iggy have an uphill climb to make a team and could use another year in college in my opinion, but can't blame a guy for wanting to move on to the next stage of his career.
Can’t see him getting drafted. But best of luck to him. Would love to see him and Iggy one more year.
Hopefully there aren't better defenders than Matt McQuaid in the NBA.
This is the year that CJ Baird finally takes over!!
At least we can count on him to make a three.
Fucking A. Next years offense is looking like it will be very rough to watch.
Poole may still stay. But he has elite offensive talent (possibly lottery level) and might impress the NBA with a closer look. If he leaves, his detractors here might finally realize that.
Staying would only benefit him if he gets more of a role offensively. His game has been greatly limited here.
Sea change next year. It's going to be interesting to take in the whole season; I'm looking for another beilein classic with weak sauce over the holidays and then an early March fusion bomb of excellene.
It's nice to imagine an idyllic world where students at my alma mater just happen to be great athletes and represent us on the courts and fields.
But when you're talking about the top few hundred best basketball players in the world - that's a lucrative career that presumably you've been building toward all your life. How can Iggy or Poole do anything but try and maximize their chances of having that career?
This time of year, I try and pretend that this truth doesn't exist. I always fail. And each year, I'm a little less invested in college sports than the last.
I can still muster a somewhat genuine wish that Poole gets his career in the NBA. So there's that, at least. I have no idea whether he will succeed. Haven't watched an NBA game in so long that I don't remember how long it has been.
Here’s the thing about Iggy and Poole, they will both work out extremely well for NBA teams. They will both looks like stars in an empty gym. When either has an equal athlete defending them is when they’ve struggled this season.
Matthews is done either way. I hope he can make it in the NBA. Poole & Iggy? No way is either ready.
Iggy is drinking the fan fare Koolaid.
Poole is bumming because of the criticism he got for his play this year.
Neither is ready for the NBA.