Rumor: Eli Brooks will be returning next year
No link because it's a message board rumor from one of the paid sites. But back when Tyson Walker (Northeastern transfer PG) committed to MSU, a noted basketball insider on message boards said that Michigan wouldn't mind because they were working on their own Plan A. Today he said that Plan A was complete. Based on other rumblings from him and other insiders, it sounds like the implication is Brooks returning next year.
He was non-committal in the post-game interview. But he was so upset about the game he could barely answer the questions (dumb as they were.)
My guess is that he is more likely to come back than Smith because Eli has only been in college for 4 years compared to Smith’s 5. But that’s just a very minor factor.
More 3-Li would be a dream come true!
Let's also not forget how much our overall team performance is affected by his presence on the floor. I think he is the single most important guy to come back next year given his proven ability to lift the entire team.
If nothing else I'd guess that he'd be a steadying influence on the new guys (Williams, Bufkin). He also doesn't seem like the type who'd mind fading into the background a little bit if either / both blow up early.
This. Give Bufkin and Frankie a year with Eli and it will make a marked difference in their development.
Is everyone assuming that Zeb is leaving?
The amount of Zeb disrespect is crazy lmao
I actually think Zeb is going to be a baller! Possible one of the best in that class.
Zeb shot HORRIBLY this year. HORRIBLY. 20% FG / 15% 3FG / 1:1 assist to TO
I'm sure he's better in practice and still has a lot of potential.
He was ranked 247 94th in the country. Buffkin is rated 247 42nd, and Collins is rated 247 51st.
I don't think Zeb pushes Frankie Collins too hard. I hope he does. Competition and all. He's lanky, seems to have a great attitude, and sure does look like a confident shooter.
He's got a great stroke which we saw in the big ten tournament. Good size as well..
Seriously. It's entirely possible that Bufkin or Collins next year won't really be any better than Zeb was this year. Not everyone comes in like Dickinson. Obviously he has a lot to work on, but Zeb has great length and athleticism. Having said that, I think Collins is the PG next year. I don't follow recruiting much but he's like a Fred Jackson'd Xavier Simpson.
With what I saw from Zeb this year, I’m actually not worried at all if Smith comes back next year. I think Zeb and Eli running the offense next year with the two freshmen playing limited minutes is our best case scenario for success
Well, let's face it. Zeb couldn't shoot to save his life this year. Certainly that could improve, and a lot of minutes came in garbage time where I feel like you really can't evaluate much. But physically he has the tools. I added the Collins bit maybe just as you were replying. He also needs to work on his shooting apparently, but he's a playmaker.
Zeb was nowhere near the recruit that Bufkin is and there was some concern with Zeb even before he got here because he was a bit of a non-entity on his Monteverde team his senior year. I'm not giving up on Zeb but there is reason to be concerned.
I'm ready for Zeb the butterfly. Darius Morris wasn't great as a freshman. Zeb was just behind 3 seniors.
Well, it wasn’t just a numbers game. Zeb shot 5-26 from the floor this season.
Having a senior come back from this team would be such a lift for all of the youth we'll have next year. I'd love to see Eli and/or any of the others come back. I assume we can go over the scholarship limit for returning seniors that have a bonus year exemption?
Correct. Graduating seniors who stay on the same team after this season do not count against the scholarship limit. It other words, Livers, Brown, Smith, and David could also all return without any effect.
he needs to stay for that dental insurance
I mean, it is true that relatively few players stay long enough to become fully vested employees of the university at which they play basketball. Perry Ellis, Robbie Hummel, Josh Langford and some other notables stand out when it comes to achieving this feat, of course.
Acie Earl played 14 years at Iowa and has tenure.
Honestly was hoping for Eli or Smith to stay...so this is great news if true.
Brooks is vastly under rated by fans, imo, because he does all the small things right...also like the flexibility that he can bring to the lineup acting either as point or the 2 guard, depending on which the kids come in.
Crossing my fingers that this is the case.
He is The Professor. He can play either guard position which is so valuable when trying to develop young/new players. He will be a steadying hand. He really is like adding another coach. Juwan knows that can work with the right person in a player/coach role. It would be pretty cool to see him transition directly onto staff after next basketball season.
There is no proof in this speculative post. Pure forum rumors. All based on hope and rainbows.
AND I WILL TAKE IT AS FACT HOT DAMN LFG ELI THE PROFESSOR
I could see Eli staying for several more years: one more as a player and then as a graduate assistant. I'm not sure what his degree is in and what his career plans are right now, but he has the comprehensive understanding of the game which could make him a great coach.
Eli's dad is a coach. so that idea could be on his radar.
I think he will play a few years overseas to make some money first but definitely see him as a future coach.
coaching contract at Michigan would quickly top most international contracts
Seems like being a grad-assistant under Howard would be a fantastic first coaching job.
Yes, come on back Eli!
Eli should of always red shirted his freshman year. Now he gets a chance at the 5th year he deserves
This would be great news! Eli would be the glue guy, the leader, the professor, the guy this team will need at the beginning and middle of the season, while the fellas sort things out. Of course it won't hurt having him as they make another run to the Final Four and beyond. I'm saying it now; next year will be the greatest year for the Men and Women combined in Michigan basketball history.
Eli is a really solid player. There is a reason that Jay Wright at Villanova wanted him badly. Next year’s team needs a solid leader, and Eli should provide that. He’s one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten. There’s a decent chance he starts at point guard next year if the young guys aren’t ready.
I hope it's true. But come on, man, this is just a random message-board rumor posted by nobodies. The bar should be a lot higher.
Message board nobodies scoops Livers’ injury and Giles Jackson’s transfer, so they owe us some good news too, thanks!
OP appropriately labeled it a rumor, not a fact.
Awesome news. Great player and veteran at a critical position and gives Michigan a better chance at a run next year.
Sorry I'm gonna say one negative thing that doesn't take away from him coming back. Those quick layups/alleyoop he missed in the game were odd shots. He likely gets good shots if he takes his time on both.
I'll believe it when I believe it, but this would be huge.
We can definitely use another guard that can play the 1 and the 2. I’d rather have him than Smith but want him and Collins to run the point. I’d like Zeb and Bufkin to take the 2 guard role. Not sure on Barnes, maybe he can play the 2?
Big deal for on court production but huge deal for behind the scenes. He’s universally lauded by coaches and players for his leadership, which will be huge with a very young team. Now forget Fatts Russell and go get Marcus Carr!
If Eli is coming back I don’t think we would be pursuing a transfer.
We don’t know what other attrition there may be from the team. For example, Nunez might see opportunity elsewhere. That would open up a spot. Brooks might have initially leaning on leaving and then changed his mind. This could just be a bogus rumor also.
If Eli is coming back that doesn't count against the scholarship limit! He can play pg and sg. I would still go after a pg in the portal! Frankie Eventually will great player ,but he will only be a freshman! I think zeb will need more development. If we want a final four run another guard is key I think. If Eli comes back thou that is huge!
I’m not so sure. Eli is more combo than pure pg. I thought we could have an open spot since Franz is gone. I hope they are aggressively looking into it. It’s a great opportunity to help the team.
Awesome. I think this is honestly preferable in terms of roster construction. We will have two combo guards in Brooks and Jackson who can play either guard spot, then allow Collins and Bufkin to come along slowly. Smith coming back would've been nice, but would've left that SG spot a little questionable. Not to mention that I actually preferred him as the primary ball handler in the tournament
Please work on your floater this off season ;)
I was initially leaning on Chaundee for my wish list but Brooks versatility at the 1 and 2 actually helps with our roster gap more than Brown does.
He's going to be that annoying veteran guard that Wisconsin always seems to have. I mean that as a compliment.
Call me crazy, maybe borderline insane....start Frankie and bring Eli off the bench.
Yeah that's insane
That is insane for a couple of reasons. First Collins may not beat out Jackson who is already in the program. Second Eli is more of a 2 so are you assuming Eli not only gets beat by Collins but by Jackson or another true freshman at the 2. Finally he's not coming back to come off the bench.