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Avila had been

trying to trade Martinez since last winter. The market for an often injured, below average wheels and defender, rental player isn't what we think.

Cespedes was basically

considered a 5 tool player. JD has about half that number. He's regularly injured, nearing 30 and a FA at the end of the year. He was one of my favorite Tigers but the Tigers have been trying to trade him since winter, he just wasn't fetching the offers.

It's a bit of a

mystery but to most everyone in the country who doesn't post here, Michigan is a football school. Mitch talked about it when he committed, he said he was asked why he would go to a football school. Add Beilein's throw back approach and the AAU influence that replaces the high school coach influence, especially with the most talented.

It's frustrating and disappointing but I respect the hell out of Beilein and accept that he isn't going to compromise or try to be someone he isn't.

Really? Because

when I read interviews with kids Michigan is recruiting they mention hearing from Michigan frequently. What Beilein doesn't do is beginning (as mentioned) and I think that's by design. Beilein doesn't like high maintenance types.

This will be

great because people don't have agendas, only journalists do. /

It isn't an either

or proposition as Beilein's work and values demonstrate demonstrate.

Beilein is a

reminder of all the good and right ways, the ways that should endure, the ways that transcend so much of the nonsense.

I realized it

when he signed Jackson. I'm reminded it of every time he goes to the podium and criticizes his players as if he isn't the one who assembled the mess.

Yeah, it's ridiculous

when you look at the salary cap of $99 million. The winning model now is three superstars so unless Hardaway joins that echelon that's a crazy way to allocate finite resources.

I really wish he could

land with a better franchise but happy for him.

I can't see a .500 record either

but excuses/explanations for losses last season are just as much a threat this fall. Games will be poorly officiated, there will be injuries and games where nothing clicks. If a senior laden team couldn't play over those things I'm not at all certain this squad will.

Thanks for a

basketball fix. I'm good with either SF but would prefer Tyson over Locke. I'm embracing this whole positionless basketball thing and Tyson's length. I expect attrition after next season, with Moe not necessarily the most likely. Playing time will tell.

Almost $75 million

of salary tied up in Martinez, Cabrera and Verlander. How did they perform this weekend? These three are the least impacted by a manager, should be the team leaders.

Just like the

FAs he brought in with a blank check...those were easy trades to make. Desperate playoff chasing teams.

The Tigers were falling short

before Ausmus and Avila. Most of this is Dombrowski's work who left them with fat contracts, an emptied farm system and no bullpen. I suppose you can blame Avila for not pressing the issue when he took over the job but beyond that it's hard to hold him accountable for the low returns they are getting from Verlander, Cabrera and Martinez.

Why is it a stretch? It's

exactly what he said. It seems to me it's also irrelevant and out of context.

Good, I feared he would

end up in Oklahoma, a team I like.

Correct. The

game is passing by Izzo's bully ball style.

Then you've

seen too little.

Nice write up.

Wagner's problems on defense are fixable. I think his fear of fouls and lack of experience/comfort tended to freeze him last season. He commented after a game last season that he knew what to do but he wasn't doing it for reasons he couldn't explain. If he can play more instinctively he will improve a great deal.

Well then I'm going

to consider her a friend.

Wagner pretty much

said he would get his degree and loves Ann Arbor. Everything can change but unless he blows up into a lottery pick it's not a safe assumption that he leaves.

Izzo has lost a lot

of players to early entry or transfers. The rest of his highly rated guys typically lose a * upon signing and every year thereafter.

I forgot about

Terry Mills as a possibility. He would be an interesting choice.

It's worth noting that

UM Hoops has a much different read on Nance than the summary here. Both though think he needs some development.

Could be Johns.

Doesn't Nance have a visit with Northwestern lined up? Seems odd that he'd commit in advance but who knows.

Nice, Coach Beilein

deserves some good news.

They seem to have a few

offers out there that would meet this description. If you can't hint at who, how about when?

If I'm Beilein I wouldn't

get near the Harbaugh cabal. The brothers rants against Indiana after they fired Crean showed that family is thicker than reality.

Izzo has had various troubles

with players in East Lansing that have led to transfers, early entrants and the famous sleep over a few years ago when trying to deal with team chemistry.

Basketball defense is not that

complicated, every scheme is about focus, effort and having the personnel to execute. The rub on Beilein before Donlon was that he wasn't investing enough practice time. What changed and what Beilein has talked about is the shot clock and how often players were looking to drive the ball without really running any kind of offense. You mistake Beilein's coaching philosophy with a lack of ability.

Beilein was pretty pissed off

about the defense in late January. He mentioned the time allocated because of the new staff and lack of results that sent him to the film room. Let's not overly credit Donlon. What hurts most is the timing, especially with the losses of Walton, Irvin, Wilson and Dakich who was considered another coach on the bench.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/01/john_beilein_2.html

Donlon basically ran to Collins

for comfort after he was fired. Collins recommended him to Beilein. The circumstances are pretty significant in this case.

That's a classless

way to handle this (if true). Maybe it's best he's gone.

So much for

all of the resources Beilein supposedly has.

Highly ranked high school basketball

players are looking at something completely than football players. Kids don't go to Kentucky for the coaching. They go for the exposure, the soft academic requirements and because they can't go straight to the NBA.

The Harbaugh brother's

rants about Indiana are enough for me to know I don't want Crean in Ann Arbor.

Strength and motor

are both legit questions about DJ.  He had many games last season where he all but disappeared.  They are also two things he can improve if he decides his Cal Swag thing allows.

This is perfect.

New England will breathe a second life and the rest of the league will wonder how they missed it.

He recruited

Indiana well, not sure beyond that. Beilein is a strategist though and if the parting is on good terms he probably sees it as an opportunity to strengthen Michigan.

What's the difference

if more college ready (in one man's view) leave in one or two years or go the DJ route and leave in three? Beilein isn't going to recruit one-and-dones so the trick is backfilling.

The Pistons need Billups

to replace Van Gundy in that role.

If you work in the

"realm of politics" you must be accustomed to how the rich and famous operate.

It surprises me

that I haven't seen Walton on any 2nd round boards.

And you know

this how?

Back to the

basket game is not trending in college or pro ball.

He's visited

Michigan many times according to various articles over the last year. I think this a great pickup and if he continues to show the growth that he did between his freshman and sophomore seasons better than great.

Seems like a good bet.

He moved to Michigan from Ohio last year but grew up a Michigan fan.  I think he'll rise in rankings.

Minnesota lucked out.

last season. Three or four of their opponents made dramatic RPI gains.

Hard to say what the

significance of being right is when it's an observation made completely out of the context of Beilein's reasons, which he admits not to know.  Secondly, I thought the serious chatter in January was that the RPI was going to play a diminished role in tournament seeding.  Finally, there are plenty of Beilein comments over the years about how he breaks down a season and his goals. Maybe he doesn't give a damn about RPI like most respected sources.