Mitch McGary is improving!
Title pretty much says it all. Figured we could use some good news. He's done some "workouts" (not sure what that means exactly - but it sounds good). Coach Beilein plans to increase his repetitions going forward.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
Muy Muy bueno
November 12th, 2013 at 12:31 PM ^
finally some good news!
November 12th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
But do not expect any solid answers on what kind of "back condition" he was dealing with even after he's fully healed. There are big dollar signs at stake here obviously, so they will likely keep info as limited as they can.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
It seems like the secrecy could cause more reluctance than the truth here. He says it doesn't hurt, and he could've played in the exhibition games...Do we think maybe he damaged an internal organ? This kid in my high school ruptured his spleen while dunking. Liver or kidney damage could cause back pain too. Why keep it a secret though? Do they think opponents are going to target the spot, because I've got news for you...Unless they play him at guard, he's going to take contact down there.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:04 PM ^
for NBA interviews is the proper course. I don't think it's about "not taking contact" if anything I think it had more to do with not bringing him back until they felt he could play for the rest of the season so it doesn't "flare up" again in March. Thereby hurting his stock more and hurting the team. In any case, we do know that the decision was made between the coaches, Mitch's doctors, and his family, so they are all on the same page with this if Beilein is starting to talk more about it now.
November 12th, 2013 at 5:11 PM ^
I'm not sure which speculation is more ridiculous, this internal organ theory or last week when the guy that's wife that is a nurse speculating that McGary may have a 1,000,000 to 1 spine disease. Fuck webmd.com, this place has all the answers. wow.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^
No NBA team will consider him for the draft without knowing every detail of his back condition. Nowhere to hide at this point.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:20 PM ^
But that is something that can be handled as the draft approaches with each team individually. No need to make a fuss over it at this point in the season.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:17 PM ^
No NBA team will consider him for the draft without knowing every detail of his back condition. Nowhere to hide at this point.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:20 PM ^
Or does Jared Sullinger have a twin brother playing for the Celtics?
November 12th, 2013 at 5:57 PM ^
He said no team will draft him without thoroughly researching his injury history.
The Celtics obviously knew about Sullingers back issues, but drafted him anyways.
Just like the Spurs drafted Dejaun Blair 4 years ago while knowing he was missing a knee ligament.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^
November 12th, 2013 at 1:18 PM ^
But do not expect any solid answers on what kind of "back condition" he was dealing with even after he's fully healed.I'm fine with that, because I don't know why it's really our business anyway.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:38 PM ^
Dylan said something, and I missed the original statement. When/how did it come out that McGary might miss the entire non-conference? The only thing I'd heard was McGary's comment that "I wont be in a suit for the Duke game."
November 12th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^
Beilein said they "have a timetable" and if it goes through the non-conference, that is OK. Some people inferred from there that the coaches told McGary that he would be back at least by B1G play. However, I believe that part is speculation only at this point.
November 12th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^
If we can get McGary to physically improve at the same rate per week that Michigan's offensive line has regressed since September, he will score 2,769 points against Duke and the basketball team will be even more dominant this year than the 1992 Dream Team.
Best plan ever.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:07 PM ^
November 12th, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^
I know it's a back and it's chronic...but I wouldn't play him until the Duke game. Maybe a few minutes in the tournament to see how the back responds vs. a VCU/FSU level team.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:27 PM ^
Time to celebrate! I hope he's back in time for Duke.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^
His back must finally be executing.
November 12th, 2013 at 1:56 PM ^
But I've spoken to a few co-workers and clients (I work in athlete marketing) who are former Michigan basketball/football players and they told me that as of yesterday he still isn't playing 5-on-5s or doing contact drills. I'll prepare for the onslaught of "cool story bro" negbangs, but for the few non-cynical people left on the board, I figured it was worth sharing.
November 12th, 2013 at 2:07 PM ^
That's what Beilein basically said. The "workouts" have been one-on-one with coaches and have only occasionally been "full-speed". McGary being out for the brunt of the nonconference schedule is still likely/definitely going to happen. But this is significant because at least Beilein is talking about it and saying that he's working his way back.
November 12th, 2013 at 2:06 PM ^
“He picks up things very quickly,” Beilein said. “His quickness in small spaces right now is really excellent, the way he’s picked the ball away from a couple of people. That ability to be one of our best guys with steals."
Hopefully, he gets as much time as he needs - we will definitely need what is being described above down the stretch, but I wouldn't want to rush it. I know Beilein has said in interviews that, if it came to it, he would scratch McGary for the entire non-conference schedule, but it seems thinks are progressing even better than when he said this sometime last week. Excellent news.
November 12th, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
but I believe that comment was in reference to Walton? Not trying to Debbie Down you, but I watch all presser videos on UMHoops so these things kind of stick out to me.
November 12th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^
Would be nice to have him back for a likely VCU game on 11/22 but I would guess it will be a week later for 11/29 Coppin State so that he gets in a few minutes before the 12/2 Duke game.
November 12th, 2013 at 5:48 PM ^
Sam Webb mentioned on the radio today that he kept an eye on Mitch on the bench last game, and Mitch seemed to have no trouble leaping out of his seat after big plays, bending to grab something off the ground, or any other kind of movement. It sounds like a lot of this is just precaution.