Updated ESPN Bball Recruiting Rankings - MM Drops Slightly, GRIII Near 5 Star
ESPN has updated their basketball recruiting top 100 for 2012 - as expected McGary dropped from 5 star to 4 star(#21 player), while GRIII has shot up the rankings all the way to #26(very high 4 star), & Stauskus jumps slightly to #79(up from #83). Overall, I'm pleased to say the least, when was the last time we were able to bring in 2 top 30 players? Coach B has done a great job in all phases of coaching.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:46 AM ^
His stats don't seem that great, but he still seems to have all of the physical tools to be a great player. I mean he plays on a great team that doesn't need him to just dominate in every phase of the game, so i guess I was just curious.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
As he did over the summer. I do think some of it is his team.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:45 AM ^
I think he had a bad showing on a national stage. First, he didn't start due to "lack of effort" in the days prior to the game. Second, he was not the most impressive player in that game, and that is often times all the people on these sites are able to see as far as live game action goes. He will be great for us no matter what star rating he has. Yesterday everyone was as excited as ever for this kid, and now one (maybe more) site knocks him down the rankings and people's opinions change.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:47 AM ^
He's been disappointing in several high profile events this fall. It's actually really strange. He went up against a number of these same guys during the AAU season and was the best player on the court (he had a great showing against Nerlins Noel during the summer, for example).
January 24th, 2012 at 11:35 AM ^
Very true, hopefully he can shake this. We all know he has the potential to play extremely well, so lets not over think this rating stuff.
January 24th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
he's not going to Duke.
January 24th, 2012 at 2:36 PM ^
+1...
But I wouldn't worry about a drop in performance. Coach B hasn't gotten hold of him yet. Prepare to be Pittsnoggled!
January 24th, 2012 at 9:46 AM ^
Double Post
January 24th, 2012 at 9:48 AM ^
@ espn
January 24th, 2012 at 9:50 AM ^
Mitch McGary did not look like a top 5 player in that televised game on ESPN. BUT he does have a high motor and once he is on a team that actually runs plays, he will benefit greatly.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:56 AM ^
The thing I took away from that game was how horrendously coached Brewster was. They ran no plays. Just stuck some great athletes out on the floor and watched it unfold.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:52 AM ^
That is what ESPN has him listed as. Rivals and Scout have him at 6"10" 250 and 245 respectively. Seeing film on him his is no way only 225.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:53 AM ^
espn and their recruiting info should be taken with a grain of salt. They are always way off compared to other recruiting sites in bb and fb.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^
when it comes to bball recruiting, ESPN is the best of the bunch. Dave Telep who is probably the best bball recruiting analyst works for ESPN. I would take ESPN over Rivals/Scouts when it comes to Basketball recruiting.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:18 AM ^
I didn't neg you because your idea seems to be common around here, and I think more people need to learn this:
I second the point on Telep. ESPN is the best at bball recruiting. Not at FB, but when it comes to BBall, they are surely the best.
January 24th, 2012 at 9:58 AM ^
That's quite a drop for MM. I wouldn't call that "slight".
January 24th, 2012 at 9:59 AM ^
in the country is a pretty sizeable drop. color me disappointed
January 24th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
maybe this will motivate him more going into next season.
January 24th, 2012 at 2:35 PM ^
Bragging rights only go so far. It will make him more motivated and perhaps keep him on the team longer than a 1 and done. Good for Michigan, good for Mitch. The next Kevin Love.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^
It's pretty crazy when your high school team is far better than your AAU team. It's almost always the exact opposite. His AAU team runs more stuff around him, but his high school team doesn't play as a team at all. Basically, Brewster's guards and wings just go iso and don't work the ball around. Not to worried about the drop. MM will be very good in a team offense. Good passer, great on the boards, lots of defensive effort, and not afraid to body up in the post.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^
He struggled scoring recently, but Michigan doesn't need him to average fifteen points per game next year. They need him to rebound and generally be an inside presence.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^
January 24th, 2012 at 10:08 AM ^
January 24th, 2012 at 10:12 AM ^
Not that I recommend arguing with MSU fans. That's just a waste of time.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^
Have both said he's gonna drop when they update. I'd guess he ends up around 20 everywhere.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:23 AM ^
I can live with that. Who would have thought that we'd be disappointed to "only" have two top-30 players back when people were saying that Beilein couldn't recruit?
January 24th, 2012 at 10:25 AM ^
Robinson is probably gonna get a 5th star on Rivals.
January 24th, 2012 at 1:50 PM ^
Why would you brag about recruiting, anyway? MSU has better basketball recruiting, and will for the foreseeable future. You've won three in a row; brag about that, because that's something to brag about. I don't understand the mgoblog mindset that recruiting is more important than actual wins and losses.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
Maybe Mitch stays two years to develop fully as a player... I hope the best for him and this program. No reason to worry what some website that wants clicks thinks.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:20 AM ^
I'm just glad we are getting a true center to have on the court
January 24th, 2012 at 10:30 AM ^
LOL. MM is a power forward. If you're thinking center you're thinking Dwight Howard. Big guys who can't really ball handle or shoot from beyond 7 feet. MM can do both of these things.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^
At 6' 10" he may not be a true center but he is an upgrade to our strength and height on the court. I think he can easily play both the 4 and 5 in college.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:59 AM ^
what position did Hakeem olajuwon, arvydas sabonis, yao ming, Patrick Ewing, david robinson, etc etc play?
January 24th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
Mitch McGary isn't a 4 in the Beilein offense.
January 24th, 2012 at 1:05 PM ^
that 6' 10 guys aren't 4's in Beilein's sytem (ive argued extensively against Horford as getting PT at the 4), I think McGary can be either a 4 or 5 for Beilein.
Just comparing him to Smotrycz, I think he is quicker and has a better handle than Evan. I also think he will be a passable (>30%) 3 point shooter. He seems to have experience playing on the perimeter and he should be able to adapt to all of the screening and cutting actions of a JB 4 man.
I anticpate we will see starting lineups of both McGary/Smot and JoMo/McGary next year depending on the opponent.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^
I don't know how much college basketball you watch, but 6'10" 240 is plenty of body to play C in college. Most teams play a 6'8" or 6"9" guy at the five.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:55 AM ^
What are you talking about? Our starting C is 7'2.
January 24th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
Nope. You need to be at least 7'3" to be a center.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^
I'm thrilled that we will get the type of player that we desperately need.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:36 AM ^
And that's all that matters.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
Why does it feel like ESPN would drop Shabazz Muhammad out of their top ten if he signed with Michigan, too?
In other news, Arizona's class looks quite impressive: 4,8,9, and 35. All they need now is a catchy name.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:08 AM ^
And yet ESPN has continually vaulted GR3 up their rankings, all while being a Michigan commit. Give me a break, man.
Furthermore, ESPN basketball recruiting is the best of the bunch. Much better than Rivals.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
Let's see how he looks on the court in A2. Right now, how he looks in HS and AAU games seems irrelevant.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
and based on his ability to identify players and talent, that's good enough for me!
January 24th, 2012 at 10:53 AM ^
I don't care if McGary scores a ton while he's here. I'm just hoping he provides rebounding and energy, which is what he seems to always provide even in his "unimpressive" games. So I'm fine. He was rated in the top 5 on potential, not production, anyways. Still think he can be a great player.
January 24th, 2012 at 10:59 AM ^
#halol at those who are "disappointed" with McGary. He's a hell of a talent who was ranked as high as #2 in the country. I don't care if ESPN drops him to a 2 star because of a crappy high school season. He tore it up in AAU and that's some tough competition.
Can't wait til he gets to campus along with the others.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
Duke and UNC also wanted him. His offer sheet is impressive to say the least.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
I don't know why people continue to say it's ESPN. They drop McGary, because he goes to Michigan...yet they almost make GRIII a 5* player.
The conspiracy stuff doesn't even make sense.
McGary will be fine, he, like 99.9% of the guys out there with NBA Level Talent need some coaching to get to the next stage. IMO, he seems slightly disinterested and ready to get to college.
He'll have Michigan's returning players and his good friend Trey Robinson.
Robinson is reminding me more and more of Hardaway Jr., I don't think THJ leaves after this year, but if he did...Robinson could come in and have the same type of freshman impact.
This team to me is SCARY next year with Burke, Hardaway, GRIII, McGary and Morgan.
The main problem, the same one we have today...we have no backup point guard. Burke will again have to do too much and when we face pressure teams like Arkansas, we'll need to PG's on the floor.
??????-Vogrich-Staukas-Smotz-Horford
The issue with next year isn't a 4* McGary vs. a 5* McGary...it's finding a 2nd ball handler.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^
We will be a much bigger and more athletic team next year but with only one true point guard. Someone has to develop into a better ball handler. Brundigde or Staukas may be the best options we will have unless Hardaway can channel some of his father's game into his.
January 24th, 2012 at 11:58 AM ^
We really need CB to make a jump next year, and since he has a pretty good recruiting pedigree and can benefit from the typical frosh-to-soph move, he's got a good shot.