Question about extra year of eligibility
There’s been some discussion about whether or not Brown, Brooks, or Smith will return next year. My question is, do they still have to be enrolled in school and taking classes? Smith I think would be the best fit to return next year, but he is already in his fifth year. Does that matter or does he still have to take more classes in order to qualify? I’m not sure Brown is an NBA prospect like some of you, but I think he can make some money playing pro ball somewhere. Eli might be a good candidate to return, but I would much prefer Smith due to his ball handling and playmaking.
As for looking at next year, if we got back Smith, it would allow us to play Zeb at 2 guard where I think he might be better suited, at least for now. Next year could be another championship level team, but I don’t know how far we could go with Zeb and a true freshman at PG. Might see something like this: (Assuming Franz goes and Dicksinson stays, which I feel is the most likely scenario)
PG: Smith/Collins
SG: Jackson/Bufkin
SF: Houstan/Barnes/Howard
PF: Diabate/Williams
C: Dickinson/Johns/Tschetter
January 20th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
Unfortunately due to limited scholarships and a large incoming class they would not all be able to come back. Now if Wagner and Dickenson head to the NBA or someone decided to transfer then that would make room for them to come back. With that said I think the if we can get Mike smith and Chaundee brown Jr to come back that would be a HUGE addition to next years team. We would be stacked at every position
January 20th, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
This is completely wrong. None of the players using their extra year of eligibility would count towards the scholarship limits. The same applies in football. There wouldn't be much point in granting everyone an extra year if there were no extra places to put them.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:01 PM ^
Wow I did not know this. That’s gonna make next season very interesting
January 20th, 2021 at 1:04 PM ^
We'll just run a varsity reserve team if our numbers are bloated.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:15 PM ^
Wisconsin's seniors have said they're all coming back. Their team is already older than the Chicago Bulls. It will be interesting to see what happens.
January 20th, 2021 at 2:56 PM ^
Have they? I did a cursory search and couldn't find anything to that effect.
January 20th, 2021 at 5:45 PM ^
AARP line up.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:33 AM ^
It's right there in the title. One Google search would have kept you from posting that response.
January 20th, 2021 at 3:29 PM ^
Unless we win the title, I think Franz comes back....gotta think with the fan experience his family had with Mo, to graduate and not be able to experience that, would suck balls... here is to hoping that Mo covers for him, to be paid back later, a big insurance policy, so he can play one more year, and experience March Madness.
January 20th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
Zeb better suited at the 2? Are we watching the same player? I cringe whenever he jacks up a 3.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:00 AM ^
Watching left handed people shoot makes me uncomfortable.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:14 AM ^
You may be young, but Chris Mullin had the sweetest left handed stroke
January 20th, 2021 at 10:26 AM ^
That he did. He still does—there is video of him still draining 3’s. I used to use the GSW in Sega Genesis NBA and score a ton of points with Run TMC—Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin.
January 20th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
What is a Sega Genesis? *ducks*
January 20th, 2021 at 11:56 AM ^
I'm still repping the Atari 2600.
January 20th, 2021 at 11:34 AM ^
Same here, and I'm left-handed. Left-handed QBs are even worse. But what bothers me most is when right-handed players aren't able to make a layup with their left hand. That's a basic, fundamental basketball skill that should be taught in grade school.
January 20th, 2021 at 4:18 PM ^
"Watching left handed people shoot makes me uncomfortable."
As a sharpshooting lefty, "DAFUQ?!?!" (I'm actually ambidextrous but my left hand/arm is stronger.)
I've talked to people across all levels of basketball and many talk about how lefties tend to have pretty jumpshots. Ex: See Chris Mullin.
Is this like the NFL notion of coaches not liking lefty QBs?
Reminder: We're in the 21st century. Join us! ;)
January 20th, 2021 at 10:12 AM ^
Every time someone says that, I wonder if they are just regurgitating something they heard also. He has a horrible shot. It's almost like he can't wait to be done with the process.
January 20th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
I don't even know where they could be regurgitating the idea of playing Zeb as a 2. His recruiting profile lays out the fact that he is much better as a 1 and that he really struggled switching to the 2 when he transferred to Montverde.
January 20th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
Zeb's shooting stats are pretty bad... he isn't ready by any means. 0-9 from three. 3-19 from two. That is 10% overall rate. He needs to wait til next year to play at this point, sorry to say... I was saying he needed more run and to get into the games earlier in the blowouts... but it should be relegated only during blowout time.
January 20th, 2021 at 12:40 PM ^
Zeb will step up in an important game at some point this year. He clearly has a sweet stroke, he's just pressing a bit when he comes in with the starters. Once he's comfortable on the court with the 1's, he will do just fine. He's quite the luxury to have as the 4th or 5th guy off the bench.
Sometimes a little patience is needed.
January 20th, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
I am sure they have to be enrolled. I am also (pretty) sure they can delay graduation and take a very light course load or find a grad program. I don’t think that part will be a hurdle. But even though theNCAA won’t have the usual limit on scholarships, the Athletics Department will still be responsible for paying the tuition.
January 20th, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
If your question is whether someone still must be a student at Michigan in order to play on an official University athletics team, the answer is obviously yes (With a few very time-limited exceptions. For instance, someone who graduated in December but is playing in a bowl game a couple weeks later.)
That rule is the entire basis for the NCAA, and as far as I know, no one is arguing for its suspension.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:00 AM ^
Wow, the team is going to be young next year. Hoping we have a regular off and pre-season this year, we are really going to need it to get the new guys used to playing with each other and learn the system. Or else we'll probably look like the UK (low end) and Duke teams do this year.
An interesting thought is if you could choose to only have one of Smith/Brooks back next year, who would you choose?
January 20th, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
Considering that we are picking up Collins, I would pick Brooks over Smith due to his stellar defense. Don't get me wrong, Smith is dang good, but Collins can replace him with better defense and a couple inches.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:12 AM ^
And, it is, after all, a game of inches, Dick.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:17 AM ^
You would be comfortable handing the keys over to a 5'11" freshman who shoots like Zavier / Xavier Simpson as opposed to probably the most important player on the team this year? I would take Smith over Brooks everyday of the week.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
I agree with this. Our plan can not be to have Collins be the starting PG. It’s very rare to have a freshman come in and be an effective PG right away.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:38 PM ^
not me. give me smith who i know can run the point. brooks is better D, but running the point is much more important.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
Brooks. Defense is better. Can handle the ball, but Smith is superior, and rebounds effectively. Smith is dynamic but that tendency for flash has caused a few too many turnovers for me.
I'd like either, however.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
I think it's super important to have a PG who can run the offense. Smith can do it and Michigan offense is a lot better when he's on court. Plus, it'll give a buffer for Collins and Zeb to gain more experience at PG.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
Ok, well Zeb was listed as a shooting guard when he came in, I know his shot is broken a little right now but I still wonder if he would be better off the ball given his height, maybe more of a slasher type guard as opposed to a spot up three shooter.
So yeah, guard will be the major question on next years team. Lots of talent, but all very young unless we get back one or more of this years seniors or get another impact transfer.
January 20th, 2021 at 4:23 PM ^
"Ok, well Zeb was listed as a shooting guard when he came in"
Where is he listed as a SG?
Zeb was recruited as a PG by Beilein. He's listed as a PG on 247Sports.
His game is that of a PG (but I can see him being somewhat of a combo guard).
"So yeah, guard will be the major question on next years team."
I'm not sure why you think this IF another year of eligibility is granted (as many expect) *and* both Mike Smith + Eli Brooks return.
And next season we'll have an older Zeb Jackson plus Frankie Collins.
If that scenario plays out, we'll be one of the teams in the country that has absurd levels of depth.
January 20th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
I think Brooks could take advantage of the extra year.
Why not? He could make a run at the G league or play overseas but he could also do that a year later without losing out on much while pushing forward with his education at Michigan.
January 20th, 2021 at 12:35 PM ^
He could take advantage of an extra year by being a grad transfer at another school, too. I'm just saying it's an option, not that it's likely. Maybe he wants to get a graduate degree and there's another great fit out there for him. Once the NCAA opened its doors to potential "chaos", I strongly root for such chaos to triumph, even it it potentially negatively impacts UM.
January 20th, 2021 at 5:50 PM ^
I’ve watched Frankie Collins play a few times. I’m guessing he’ll get more PT at PG than Zeb next year. Having Chaundee and Kobe Bufkin at SG would give us a solid backcourt rotation. Houstan at SF and Hunter/Johns/Diabate up front would be a nice rotation with Williams as the 9th guy.