Update on Sykes from Rothstein
There's an article today from Rothstein at Annarbor.com regarding Isaiah Sykes's official visit this weekend.
Rothstein's article includes a number of quotes from Sykes, including the revelation that "he might take an official visit to Arkansas 'in a couple of weeks.'"
Also this regarding Zeigler's commitment to CMU:
is also may also be taking an official unofficial visit this weekend. And it's been reported that Beilein will be at an in-home visit with 2010 power forward Cody Larson on Sunday.
Note that Michigan has only two scholarships left for the 2010 and 2011 classes.
EDIT: Updated with better info from UMHoops.com.
Sykes said Zeigler’s decision helped him with Michigan. “It gives me a better chance of me going there, playing there,” Sykes said.Sam Webb mentioned earlier this week that 2011 prospect Eric Katenda
I think Sykes would be a good addition to the team. We just need as many people who can score off the dribble as possible, Smotrycz, Hardaway Jr, and Sykes all can do this.
If we can land Sykes and this Larson character, that will be a pretty impressive recruiting class. If we don't, that hurts.
I would prefer to land this Larson character and add a 2011 big. Sykes may not be an elite prospect.
Sykes is definitely not an elite prospect. Certainly not on the same level as Zeigler. We'd be better off saving the scholarship for next year.
Dude, have you seen how he psychs defenders out with his dribble drive penetration?
yeah... high school defenders. He doesn't wow me like Zeigler, McAllum, and Appling do. Now those are some elite prospects. Sykes is just in the "good" category.
Apparently, he doesn't wow the Scout, Rivals, or ESPN people either... or any high-major college coaches.
Perhaps in error, I read Marc's comment as sarcastic.
But, in any case, if you read the comments over the UMHoops.com, Sykes has garnered some interest from USC and LSU--and of course he said he may take an official to Arkansas. Those aren't high enough for you?
For the record, I'm not sold on Sykes either--just pointing this out.
Arkansas and USC? Really? We should be trying to steal kids from Purdue and Sparty, not from programs with 0 basketball history.
Don't let the 40 minutes of hell era that produced a national title and a few other deep tourney runs get in the way of that lack of Arkansas basketball tradition point that you were trying to make.
Subtle joke that is now even less funny- Sykes/psychs. I do, however, think he would be a fine addition to the team.
As long as we get Amir Williams, I don't care how the rest shakes out.
It does seem as if Beilein has to leave himself a scholarship for 2011 for Williams or one of the other prospects in that class.
I'd be very surprised if he signs two more for 2010. Some fans seem to be panicking about the 2010-11 season, but I'm confident Beilein will keep his wits about him.
In the 2011 class, IMO we should be shooting for a class of Eric Katenda, and one of the top tier Centers on the radar.
I thought that we had 3 left given the departure of Manny...
That would allow us to pick up a swing for 2010 and two bigs in 2011.
Brundidge has already committed for 2011, which takes away one of those three.
We could get a 4th if LLP doesn't get a 5th.
Does Beilein go to Michigan's Upper Penninsula looking for players? There may be a "diamond-in-the-rough" type kid up there. Players from the UP are smart, heady, hard workers that are coachable. Beilein loves that.
I can't tell if you're joking or not. There's players like that everywhere. I'm sure if Beilein heard about a player in the UP worth looking at he would take a look. I doubt it matters to him where players come from as long as they can play, but as I said, those players are everywhere. If you're not joking I take it you're from the UP?
I'd have to say that you're crazy. The level of competition up there is pretty weak.
but smart AND heady.
Seems to me if Sykes has his academics in order Belien is going to offer and Sykes is going to accept.
As much as we need a big man, we don't have anyone on the roster who can get to the rim on his own (except maybe Morris). Have to offer Sykes if he has the academics and then go for a big man in 2011.
We need more off the dribble type scorers and athleticism on this team. He would be a welcome addition.
In other hoops news, Beilein said on the radio today that McLimans has bulked up to 234 - up from 205 when he arrived last June.
If this is true and not just hyperbole, (or too many trips to Krazy Jim's) then that is fantastic. If we can bring in Larson, then we should have some size down low defensively.
Agree on the news about McLimas, but I'm skeptical about Larson from a numbers/class balance standpoint. McLimas, Morgan, Smotrycz, Horford, Larson--seems like too many first-year big men to me. (Horford may redshirt, but still...)
Call me crazy, but I like our chances with Plumlee. Beilein has a great relationship with the family after recruiting his older brothers.