Is Iggy one and done?

Submitted by TK on November 29th, 2018 at 11:21 AM

Before the season started, I would have thought no possible way. However with the way that he is playing, it looks like it might be a distinct possibility. I assume that Matthews will be gone after this season, so perhaps next year Livers and Jalen Wilson will replace them in the starting lineup? Either way, it’s a good problem to have considering how well he is playing. Another factor is that he is older for a freshman, he will turn 20 this year.

FrozeMangoes

November 29th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^

I dont think so.  The draft is stacked this year and I think he lacks one elite skill to get him into the lottery.  He uses his body really well and has a good all around game. But that doesnt usually translate to the NBA, especially on the wing where he would have to play. 

Perkis-Size Me

November 29th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^

If he keeps playing this way, he should declare at season’s end and never look back. I know it’s early, but he’s not just playing well. He’s dominating, and it’s  against great competition. It’s not like he’s just playing a bunch of scrubs. He’s put up 38 points against the last two national champions, and another 20 points against a regular tournament team in Providence.

 

garde

November 29th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^

He might go, but he should stay for another year. His game will improve under Beilein and Yaklich. If he were at a school with inferior coaching staffs or a program that just runs and guns, I'd say leave.

OwenGoBlue

November 29th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^

If Iggy keeps playing like he has been, yes. 

With how he's scoring, defending, rebounding and shooting he's showing a combo-forward game teams will find real intriguing. 

FrankMurphy

November 29th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^

Assuming he keeps this up for the rest of the season, put yourself in his shoes: another year of being a broke college student subject to arbitrary NCAA rules that prevent you from realizing your market value, or worldwide fame and millions of dollars in guaranteed money as a potential NBA lottery pick? Tough choice.

UP to LA

November 29th, 2018 at 12:09 PM ^

He's not *that* short/slow -- he's got enough size and athleticism to carve out a role as an NBA wing, provided he brings enough else to the table. And things like 'not super tall' aren't reasons to return -- he's not gonna get any taller by sticking around for another two years.

The thing that might keep him here is his ability to create off the dribble. He's a strong and creative scorer, but to stick in the league, he's going to have to be able to do more off the bounce, and I could see him staying at Michigan to develop that.

Alumnus93

November 29th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^

I have said for a year now, that there is something about this incoming class, thats gonna win a NCAA title for Beilein....   

Rhino77

November 29th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^

I just went back and read his “hello” post. I forgot how good he was. Should have been a 5 Star but a few outlets didn’t rank him because he was in Canada. 

The hype is real. He will be a top pick. 

Moleskyn

November 29th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^

Too early to definitively say one way or the other. But if he maintains (or builds on) the level of play he has demonstrated over the past few games, I would have a hard time saying he stays.

chatster

November 29th, 2018 at 12:23 PM ^

Just looking forward to watching Iggy Brazdeikis play out the rest of this season for Michigan before I wonder if he'll be returning to play for Michigan next season.  

As great as Iggy has been so far this season, I hope that this doesn't evolve into another, early-season, overreaction Tate Forcier for Heisman thread that might inadvertently jinx him.

andy19il

November 29th, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^

1.  Let's enjoy this year and this team.

2.  I think the bigger issue is if Yaklich will be back next year or if he gets a head coaching gig in the off season.

True Blue Grit

November 29th, 2018 at 1:05 PM ^

I sure hope not.  But if he keeps up performances like last night, he will likely be gone after this season unfortunately.  One interesting thing to see going forward is how other teams start to prep for him, and whether he can still produce really well.  If he was a secret before the season, he can't be any longer.  He will likely start seeing more double teams for one thing.  

Grabelnyc

November 29th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^

Its interesting because being ready is different that whether it's time.  I didn't think Nik was ready but his projections were so high, it was time for him.  Gun to my head I would say Iggy will not be ready or projected high enough by the end of the year to justify leaving.  Not to say I am not impressed as hell, I am. It's just a big ask to guard off guards in the NBA.  I can't see him on Hardaway in 12 months.  

maceo_blastin'

November 29th, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^

The team was underrated going into the season and, not surprisingly, the players' draft stock has been similarly underrated. 

Matthews was projected as a mid-2nd rounder--too low considering what he has shown he can do.

So, is it assumed Brazdeikis will go higher than Matthews at this point? I think they are both 1st rounders.

KTisClutch

November 29th, 2018 at 3:01 PM ^

He's not going to be a lottery pick. Just doesn't have the projectable athleticism for it, or and A+ skill like Stauskas had. He's a bit unconventional as Brian said, and he's a walking bucket as Dylan from UMHoops would say. I don't think he was really on NBA radars coming into the season, so he's not on any type of mock drafts right now. At this point in the season DJ Wilson was a nobody to NBA scouts, Mo was a 2nd round flier, etc.

 

If he keeps up his play, I have a feeling he will find his way into the first round discussion. He's just too good. And if he's in that discussion, he should probably leave.

outsidethebox

November 29th, 2018 at 11:16 PM ^

Would be nice to get to watch him for a couple years...absolutely love watching his HIGH BB IQ in action. 

Ignas is one and done...the kid's a pro player...may as well get on with it.