Raoul

August 1st, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^

This is fantastic! After what Sam Webb said this morning, I thought we might lose Walton. But now two straight top-100 recruits have told Izzo to shove it. Beilein's strategy of getting in on these kids early is really paying off.

EDIT: I have to wonder if once Beilein learned that Walton might visit MSU that he told him he'd pull his U-M offer if Walton went ahead with the visit. Given that Izzo played games with Walton on his last visit, withholding an offer that Walton thought was coming because Walton didn't express sufficient enthusiasm on the visit, maybe Walton didn't want to take a chance on going to East Lansing and leaving empty-handed again—and without a Michigan offer to boot. Pure speculation, but it does seem to me that if Izzo really wanted Walton at MSU, he handled this very poorly.

MichiganMan2424

August 1st, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^

There's no way in hell Beilen did that. You really think Beilen would tell an uncommited recruit that he'll pull his offer for visiting a school? This is completely different than a commit visiting other places, which is still fine IMO and nowhere near grounds to pull a schollie, the kid is allowed to visit wherever he wants. The kid had been recruited hard by Michigan for a while,and even if you look at his twitter, he seemed to be really pumped when Irvin commited. This was all Walton on his own commiting.

In reply to by MichiganMan2424

Raoul

August 1st, 2011 at 9:17 PM ^

So, it's a pure coincidence that Walton was scheduled to visit MSU tomorrow and then suddenly instead commits to Michigan?

All I was doing was speculating, and I said so. You say: "This was all Walton on his committing." Do you have a link to a source that backs that up or do you know him personally? If not, all you're doing is speculating as well.

Usually in cases like this, what really happened never becomes public or is only revealed years later. I'll be interested to hear whether Sam Webb has any insights on this tomorrow morning.

One final thing: You say that commits visiting other schools is fine. Brady Hoke, for one, disagrees.

Raoul

August 1st, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^

That's certainly a possibility—and I like your use of the word catalyst. As I said below, there's a good chance that something happened to persuade Walton to alter his plans.

There's an interesting twist here, one that may support your theory. I just did a Twitter search of "Dorsey-Walker" and found this recent tweet from HeardThisBlog:

Sherron Dorsey-Walker will be holding off on making a decision until he makes his five official visits. Those five are unknown.

Warning! More Wild Speculating: Perhaps Dorsey-Walker was about to commit to Michigan and either Walton took his spot or Dorsey-Walker has decided to reevaluate based on the commitments of both Irvin and Walton.

MichiganMan2424

August 1st, 2011 at 9:44 PM ^

Can you give me a link that says Walton was supposed to visit tomorrow? I've heard sometime this week, but not tomorrow.

And the difference between my speculation and yours is you just seemingly pulled the idea of Beilen threatening to pull his schoolie out of your ass. Mine is based on the fact that Walton has liked Michigan for a while, the fact that the class is closing up and if he wanted to commit he'd have to do it soon, the fact that Walton has insanely siked about Irvin commiting yesterday, etc.

Also, I never said that it was pure coincidence that Walton commited right when MSU came calling.

Earlier this year, an OL from Ohio named Kyle Dodson got an offer from OSU, and then set a date for his announcement. Most people assumed that meant he was going to OSU, but he surprised most and went to Wisky instead. He essentailly told OSU to fuck off for offering him so late and then thinking they had a legit shot. Maybe Walton is doing the same.

Or maybe he realized MSU coming for him meant his recruiting was about to blow up, and he knew he wanted to be a Wolverine, so he commited now to prevent a ton of extra calls from coaches.

Or maybe it is coincidence. All of this is speculation. Who knows if it's true. But your speculation that Beilen threatened to pull his schollie has no backbone to it whatsoever. Has Beilen ever been known to do that before? Has any coach? I'm assuming Walton commited on his own because that's the normal things for recruits to do, commit on by their own doing. Maybe there's some pressure from a coach, but nothing like pulling a schollie. And until I hear differently, I'm assuming just that, the norm.

And I realize Hoke feels differently. That's why I said IMO, in my opinion. I disagree with him and think he's wrong. That's irrelevant right noe though.

 

Raoul

August 1st, 2011 at 10:38 PM ^

It was a wild bit of speculating, yes, but it's based in part on Sam Webb's statement this morning that Beilein was going to have to respond in some way to MSU's late charge. My real point was that it's possible that Beilein said something to Walton to get him to not visit MSU. That Walton was planning to visit MSU tomorrow is straight from the front page post at umhoops.com:

Walton is also a signature recruit for John Beilein and his staff in the state of Michigan. The timing of Walton’s commitment is no coincidence as he was scheduled to visit East Lansing tomorrow afternoon and was extremely likely to add a Michigan State offer – in a similar fashion to Denzel Valentine and Matt Costello last summer.

Mr Miggle

August 2nd, 2011 at 7:22 AM ^

Walton didn't really need Beilein to point this out, but Irvin's commitment meant there was only going to be room for him or SDW, not both.

I think that what Sam meant was that Beilein was going to have to win a recruiting battle with MSU. I doubt he was suggesting any "Hail Mary" recruiting tactics.

Mdjohnny5

August 1st, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^

This is a HUGE pickup.  Top 100 on Rivals, ESPN and scout.  Also, for fun, Izzo was making a hard push for him to visit this week (and likely get offered). 

 

 

Mr Mackey

August 1st, 2011 at 6:42 PM ^

Beautiful. Welcome, Derrick. I don't know much about basketball recruits, so I'll wait for the Hello: post, but I know Sam Webb was saying that Izzo was turning up the heat on Walton, and he's a high ranked guy. Good choice, Derrick!

hart20

August 1st, 2011 at 6:42 PM ^

I went to school with Demetrius Jackson and I wanted him to go Blue really badly. Ah oh well, congrats to Derrik Walton and hopefully he kicks some ass when he makes it to AA. 

CorkyCole

August 1st, 2011 at 6:50 PM ^

Quick question.. I haven't been following basketball recruiting as heavily as far as numbers go, but does this affect McGary's recruitment at all (I realize not by position, but by number of scholarships available)? I'm thinking we were looking for one 2013 PG as well as McGary, but I guess I'm looking for clarification.

Either way.. Beilein's definitely got his mojo kickin'. 

madtadder

August 1st, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^

Obviously it's already been said, but all it would take is Blake McLimans not getting a 5th year (assured), Tim Hardaway Jr. leaving prior to his senior year (quite possible) and Austin Hatch joining the team either in 2014 or on a permanent medical scholarship (somewhat possible) to get us to a total of 12 scholarships for 2013. The last one would suck but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Hatch sadly never plays again, and his long term health is more important that anything, just like Ben Cronin.

UMfan21

August 1st, 2011 at 9:54 PM ^

McGary is AAU teammate and friend of 2012 UofM recruit Glen Robinson III. Also, he's from the same school as Zach Novak, and Novak was a sort of mentor to McGary when he was a senior there
<br>
<br>McGary has stressed academics among other things that would all fit the Michigan experience. when Irvin committed yesterday, he immediately tweeted McGary saying he should come to UofM too
<br>
<br>So, our chances may be small, but we have a chance, mores than we would otherwise have.

Senator

August 1st, 2011 at 7:38 PM ^

McGary's likely a one and done in the 2012 class.

And not many people see THJ sticking around past his Junior year. Though his dad did four at UTEP and it's not like THJ needs the money, so maybe we cross our fingers and hope for an awkward 2013!

RioThaN

August 1st, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^

I read that there are 3 things to consider

1) Austin Hatch's situation (he also, might be moved to the 201...3(?) class)

2) THJ early draft entry, next year or the year after that

3) McLimans and his 5th year

 

MichiganMan2424

August 1st, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^

1) Obviously most important is Hatch's full recovery. But from what I've heard, he might have to move to the 2014 class if he does recover enough to play.

2)THJ I don't know a ton about when he will leave, so I'm not going to say anything there, but he is a person to watch.

3) I've read a little on McLimans, and I've heard he might not get his schollie renewed for his 5th year, but we'll see.

Gobluegr

August 1st, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^

Technically we have two more players than available scholarships for 2013, but there are plenty of scenarios to open up spots for these two, and maybe even one more.
THJ could leave for the NBA after his junior year
Mitch could be one and done, so if he did commit he would only use a scholarship from 2012 (one available) and not affect 2013
Blake McLimans could not be asked back for a fifth year
Some other player could either get pissed about playing time and transfer or have a breakout year and jump to the NBA (Ex: Darius Morris)
This is my least favorite scenario but sadly a possibility, if Austin Hatch would not be able to use the basketball scholarship.

True Blue Grit

August 1st, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^

with recruiting.  Beilein and staff are working harder and smarter right now in identifying talent early and developing a relationship with them.  Izzo can now hear clearly the Beilein steps right behind him.