Possible Grad Transfer Options for B-Ball
With Poole declaring, we will have just Eli Brooks available for the 2 position with DeJulius probably backing up both 1 and 2 (maybe Nunez also at 2). Sam mentioned on his podcast today that Michigan is looking into Rayjon Tucker, a 6'5, 210lb guard from Arkansas-Little Rock. He was the #152 player in the class of 2015. Tucker started out at FGCU before transferring to Arkansas-Little Rock.
Link to Tucker's stats: Link
Another player who declared their intention to grad transfer is Admon Gilder from Texas A&M. He is a 6'4 199lb guard who was #88 player in the class of 2015. Gilder apparently sat out the last year due to a blood clot issue that seems to be cleared up now.
Link to Gilder's stats: Link
Right now our starting 5 would be Simpson-Brooks-Livers-Johns-Teske and the backups would be DeJulius-Nunez-Wilson-Bajema-Castleton. Hopefully Jalen Wilson is ready to play significant minutes, and hopefully Michigan can land a grad transfer and Franz Wagner to help with shooting.
1. Poole has yet to make a final decision; his statement clearly leaves open the possibility of returning.
2. Grad transfers are unlikely to provide much more than depth at this juncture, and they use a scholarship that could be given to a recruit you have a chance to develop for a couple of years. Michigan has feelers on guys like Franz Wagner and Lester Quinones and I'd rather get one of them into the program. Beilein has known what's coming, that's one of the reasons Michigan had more targets than slots available.
3. It's impossible to know who on the roster will develop and what recruits will be ready to go. Brooks could fight for playing time or he could get passed by DDJ. Wilson could be the next star, or he could be a year away from contributing. Guys like Johns really haven't gotten the chance to show what they're capable of yet.
DJ Wilson's emergence was completely missed by the fanbase. Moe Wagner was a guy we had hopes for but after his freshman year there was really no evidence suggesting that he would become the great player he turned into. A lot of people called Simpson a bust after his first year.
We just don't know.
Several of the available grad transfers would be expected to fill a hole in the starting lineup. They're better than depth players. Jaaron Simmons aside, Texas Tech started two grad transfers and one at UNC was all conference.
The types of transfers Beilein is likely to get aren't the sorts that I would expect to boost things much. Beilein is mostly a developmental coach anyway, not a talent-rental guy (Iggy aside). I'd love Tucker if he came, but I am rather pessimistic that he's an option.
There are reports on Twitter than Beilein is flying out Thursday to meet William & Mary grad transfer Justin Pierce. He might be the best prospect out there. Beilein may not land any of the top grad transfers, but he is definitely in the market for them. Pierce is visiting his perceived leader Notre Dame this weekend and Beilein is trying to make up ground.
Yeah, so he shot 32% from 3 this season. He was better the year before, but combine that with weak (<60%) FT shooting and I have reservations. I realize that iso scoring may be a bigger deal for this team next year, but guys whose distance shooting is dodgy are not the ones I'm anxious to bring in.
Forget the grad transfers. I'm sure Franz Wagner just sky rocketed up Beilein's recruiting board. Getting him by next year would alleviate a few issues especially if we lose Poole.
I think Franz Wagner has been a high priority for some time. But he's not considered a guard prospect. Ideally, he'd take Matthews spot in the lineup.
I hope he can speed up his timeline. It's difficult to wait for a summer visit from a prospect who may just stay in Europe when there are good options deciding this month.
We missed dj's emergence because Beilein had him sitting on the bench for 2 years. How the hell could his talent not be seen in practice? Greatest Michigan coach evaaarrrrr!
Wait did you watch DJ Wilson his first year on the floor? Just because he was tall and can hit 3s may be good enough for the NBA to throw some money your way but who would you of sat?
Literally every big that got time that year: Mark Donnal, Ricky Doyle, Chatman, Duncan Robinson, freshman Wagner. Wilson was a better overall player than all those guys that year.
But Beilein played the better offensive players because that was his focus. He didn't pay enough attention to defense to recognize that what he would have given up on offense paled in comparison to what he would have gained on defense by having Wilson on the floor more.
There may have been some attitude and focus things involved as well. If Wilson wasn't putting in the focus and effort in practice, Beilein could have been limiting his playing time for that reason, which I think is smart in the long run even if you give up something in the short term.
Luckily Beilein then hired a defensive guy that would pay attention to that side of the ball such that defensive contributions have become appropriately considered in playing time.
Yeah, DJ was completely lost and hesitant on both sides of the court. He was a taller Ibi, hell Ibi looked better than DJ. Then suddenly DJ was a monster from the very first game his last year. You always knew he had all the physical potential, but it was just potential until his last year.
Wasn't DJ hurt one of those two years as well?
You think Matt Mooney would’ve helped more this year than a project recruit?
Rayjon Tucker has been offered by quite a few big schools since he announced he was a grad transfer. He is from Charlotte and has been offered by UNC and NC ST, among several others.
I know with UNC having several departures, they are making Rayjon a top priority.
I would also have to believe Michigan would be heavily in the mix as well with the Iggy and Poole declaring; especially if they stay in the draft.
This kid can play and wherever he lands he will be an instant impact player.
Tucker's film is insane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4HCvy4V3vs
Would be number 1 priority for me talent wise, seems like we have little shot given his Carolina ties (from NC, mentor played at UNC) and the other blue bloods. Kid's a baller tho
I'd be absolutely floored if Tucker ends up at UM. Just doesn't fit the Beilein recruiting profile at all. Someone who would be on a 3rd school, coming from a southern school like Arkansas Little Rock that likely has far less stringent academics than UM, with no connection to the area or the coaching staff. That's not Beilein's MO at all.
I'm hoping for Quinones. Solidly built already, has a bit of familiarity with some Beilein offensive concepts from IMG, and can shoot the lights out.
According to Sam Webb, Beilein has reached out to Tucker. He's too good to ignore.
Of course, even if there is serious mutual interest, there will be a lot of competition. Also getting accepted by Michigan as a grad transfer is no slam dunk.
1-3 more incoming very possible in football as well. There is room.
I hope at least 1 of them is an experienced DT with the name Zach Abercrumbia
DL, RB, ST depending on some post spring movement.
What about the long snapper?
This new rule is going to hurt the non one and done teams. Michigan doesnt have the luxury to sit around and hope Poole or Iggy come back. Duke and UK can land people with a snap of the finger. They pretty much know their players are gone most years too. Ours always seems to be a crap shoot.
Thanks!
Wilson looks like he will be ready to start day 1 like Iggy.
If Michigan shows any interest in them they will immediately declare for the draft. Then someone will say "Well they hit their ceiling..yada yada. 20 years old.. yada"
Can we get Aubrey Dawkins back?
The question is can he grad transfer back to his original school?
But would it be the current version, or the Dawkins who couldn't play when he was at UM?