The insane thing about this 20-1 MBBall team - 1 senior
January 30th, 2019 at 10:57 AM ^
Matthews is not our 4th-best player. He could get minutes on a bad NBA-team this year, and if they were a smart but bad NBA team, they’d be very excited to discover they had the next Andre Roberson. We’re very lucky he was not invited to the combine last spring.
January 30th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
Red shirt senior. Could be back for his 5th year.
January 30th, 2019 at 11:20 AM ^
Red shirt junior for Matthews. Red shirt seniors not named Ed Davis don't get to keep playing in college.
January 30th, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
We have too many instances of guys blowing up late to assume that only one guy will be leaving. No one had DJ Wilson (who coincidentally has worked his way into the Bucks' rotation) as a first round pick this time two years ago. Villanova was absolutely banking on Donte DiVincenzo coming back this year, even heading into the tournament. Be prepared at the very least for Iggy and Poole to declare and go through the pre-draft combine.
January 30th, 2019 at 11:21 AM ^
All of you saying/thinking Poole and/or Iggy are good enough to go pro right now, I just don't get your thinking. They're not high-ceiling types that were 5-star blue chippers who can play above the rim, and they both make way too many poor decisions with the ball. Poole's pass attempt through the middle of the lane and his bumble at the top of the key were indicative that he clearly needs more seasoning. And if any of you ever see Iggy pass the ball when he's driving to the hoop (even when there are 3 defenders challenging him) please let the rest of us know. And both are average defenders in college and not elite.
These two are not headed to the NBA, if they want to be a first round pick. Honestly, Charles should stay for another year if he can because if I'm a NBA GM, I wouldn't use a pick on him. He is an elite defender but at the pro level, he subtracts a lot of value on the offensive end. Can't shoot, pass, dribble, or make value-added decisions.
Now, none of this has anything to do with how I feel about this team and their prospects going forward in college basketball. If the normal Beilein offense curve happens with this team, the only teams that can beat us are in the top 10 and we will be at least to the Elite 8.
January 30th, 2019 at 4:27 PM ^
I think this is right, but I think those expecting the worst (from a M standpoint) that these guys will go after this year have some truth as well- specifically that the NBA no longer cares about polish, or results in the collge game.If they see your length, altheticism and shooting ability on the floor for a sustained period (like Wilson a few years ago) then you can go from a guy who RSed to a 1st rounder (!). GRIII was similar. Those athletic freaks who can open up the floor with 3pt range and defend and create their own shot off chaos/rebounds/transition are the 5-out, no position players the game craves now.
I'm not sure any of the 3 guys in this thread qualify:
CM: Elite NBA level athlete and defender but can't create his own, doesn't finish as well as you'd expect given his athleticism at the college level and isn't exactly a sniper from 3. Also, no handle (which is why he can't create). Now, I wouldn't blame the guy for going to the league as a RS JR b/c frankly a 5th year isn't going to turn him into a guy who can score on his own in the league. He is what he is at this point - a 9th-11th guy off an NBA bench who can come in to D up situationally. Might as well get paid.
Poole: Tough b/c I think his athleticism is close to what the NBA is looking for but not quite like CM, GRIII and Wilson especially since he's only 6-3, 200 soaking wet in heels. (UM lists him 6-5 but I think that's with the hair lol). Can create his own, has the quicks to defend and can shoot from range. TBH, he's the one with the most potential in the league IMO. If he shoots the lights out, creates with no dumb TOs and a few assists and M has a deep run into March on his back, he'll go and indeed he should. Otherwise I'd say come back next year and be option 1/1A with Iggy.
Iggy: Elite NBA strength and finishing ability, but I'm not sure he has the quickness and length to defent the wing in the NBA. Can't create his own shot as he relies on motion and screens to get an edge on his defender; will barrel to the rim with no regard for a dish/kick out but nonetheless finishes well. Has some shooting range. Similar to Poole, if he goes off and shows more scoring/3pt ability and ability to defend smaller quicker wings that lead to M going deep in the tourney, I could see him going but IMO, the chance at being 1/1A next year is tough to pass up.
Don't forget, almost the whole team returns, including X of course. To have a guy like X at PG next year who you trust to make the best decisions and help you get the ball and not watse posessions is a BIG plus, IMO. If X were a SR and DDJ/Brooks were the only options at the point next year (and BTW Teske is back too so 5s arent an option for Iggy to have to defend/RB against) then I'd feel MUCH worse about Iggy and Poole leaving.
January 30th, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
Love the team.
Enjoying Charles, Iggy and poole, cause they are likely gone.
Go Blue.
January 30th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
Neither Poole or Iggy are showing up on most draft boards as of now. When they are they're 2nd rounders so with multiple years of eligibility both would be projected to come back.Things could change if one or both gets hot but right now I don't think either go.
January 30th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
If either or both get hot enough to lead us to a NCAA championship and making them 1st round picks along the way - I will be happy for them, happy for me, happy for all y'all. There will be plenty of joy and happiness to go around!
January 30th, 2019 at 11:50 AM ^
No one thinks Teske will think about it?
On one hand it out doesn't make sense for him to go. He has a lot to gain with another year of Beilein coaching and will certainly have aspects of his game he can improve to enhance his appeal.
On the other hand, if he plays this well through the tourney and gets a lot of good exposure from a deep tourney run, one could make the case that he has nowhere to go but down in terms of his draftability next year if he/the team doesn't/don't perform at the same level.
What other comparable players would be on this year's draft vs. next year that could impact his status?
Strike, iron, hot...yadda yadda.
January 30th, 2019 at 12:07 PM ^
He'd go undrafted. He has obvious athletic limitations and he hasn't proven to be a reliable outside shooter.
January 30th, 2019 at 12:13 PM ^
So true!
January 30th, 2019 at 12:32 PM ^
In this era of one-and-dones, most of the top teams don't have all that many seniors (still feels good to refer to Michigan as a top team). And I think we'll lose more than one guy.
January 30th, 2019 at 12:47 PM ^
Just enjoy this season man. Next year is next year.
January 30th, 2019 at 1:07 PM ^
Can we NOT talk about any of this right now and just FOCUS on Iowa and the rest of this season!...we are in the middle of a very tough stretch and so far so good but Iowa is ALWAYS a tough place to win at..then Wisc at home ( Payback) then MSU twice...This Iowa road game will go a long way in determining our regular season championship fortunes...I know they are all Must wins at this point but this game is a must must win for us..If we can win out and say split with MSU we have a least a share of another banner!
Also..What a JOY at the early and halfway point of the season not having to sweat each game and wonder if we are in or out of the tournament...I can watch each game and not pace back n forth and for that I am GRATEFUL...Its made this season so much more enjoyable...BEAT IOWA!
January 30th, 2019 at 1:49 PM ^
I’ll make sure I’m ready to play against Iowa. But if I don’t get any PT, I’m exploring my options in the transfer protal
January 30th, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
We can talk about other things, too. No one here is spending 8 hours a day "focusing" on the Iowa game, dude, and it would have zero effect on the outcome even if they were.
January 30th, 2019 at 1:32 PM ^
I like that no matter what happens we will at least have a Senior PG and a Senior Center next season with Simpson and Teske. Senior leadership at those two position will help us a ton in big games
January 30th, 2019 at 1:35 PM ^
I thought Matthews has a year of eligibility left?
January 30th, 2019 at 1:48 PM ^
...technically, even that person could come back. I mean, I know he won't, but...
January 30th, 2019 at 1:59 PM ^
You’re probably neglecting the idea that some guys may declare early.
Matthews is gone after this season, and if Iggy or Poole get hot down the stretch, either one of them (or both) could declare. Both of them certainly have potential for playing in the league. And who knows? If Teske keeps dominating he may test the waters too.
I’m sure at least some of those guys will come back, but I’m not banking on all of them coming back.
January 30th, 2019 at 2:27 PM ^
Teske is fine, but he is not "dominating" in any real sense of the word. He is certainly not what NBA scouts think of when they talk about "dominating" big men.
January 30th, 2019 at 2:39 PM ^
Dominating may have been too strong a word, but he is probably the best center in the Big Ten right now, especially the best defensive one. He has taken an enormous leap from this year to last in all phases of his game. And he's showing the ability to hit the three on an at least semi-regular basis. NBA teams want to see this from their big men in this era of the game.
I'd say he's the least likely of the four I mentioned to declare, but if he keeps playing at a high level down the stretch, he may at least consider it.
January 30th, 2019 at 2:04 PM ^
Don't think we are arguably the best team in the nation. Solid top 5. But agree that next year could be just as fun if not more than this year. March is around the corner!
GO BLUE!!
January 30th, 2019 at 2:31 PM ^
We actually have zero seniors
January 30th, 2019 at 3:02 PM ^
I’m not so sure Poole is ready yet. While he’s my favorite player on this team, he’s a little streaky, just a bit inconsistent. But when he’s “on”, he not only scores but also plays great defense.
January 30th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
Yep. It's honestly very realistic to expect us to better than next year. All a year older, and just replacing Charles Matthews with Livers in the starting line-up. Wow.
January 30th, 2019 at 4:56 PM ^
Hopefully we can keep most of the band together next year. I don't see Teske or Simpson leaving as I don't think they have NBA skill sets. Poole and Iggy could conceivable go, but neither is consistent enough yet and I think both would be better served staying an extra year.
January 30th, 2019 at 6:44 PM ^
It seems their value is represented by how well this team is gelling and how well they play team defense. They are working hard & understand their roles, it is this dynamic that also allows them to improve individually
January 30th, 2019 at 9:15 PM ^
I doubt we even lose one player.
Charles Matthews is having a worse season than last year. If his draft stock was too low last year, I expect it will be the same story this year. He likely stays.
Jordan Poole started out hot, but has cooled down. Even when he was hot, he was only considered a late second round pick. He likely stays.
Ignas Brazdeikis is, in my opinion, our biggest flight risk, but even he is looking at second round grade right now. He'll need to play his way into the first round with some big games down the stretch. 60/40 he stays.
Zavier Simpson is too small and can't shoot well enough to get drafted. He'll probably be here all four years.
Teske has received no NBA hype that I'm aware of. He'll need to have a Mitch McGary type break-out down the stretch if he wants to get drafted this year. He likely stays.
Livers, Brooks, Johns and are all underclassmen. They'll probably all be back unless one transfers away for more minutes, but given that they're all getting decent time as is, I can't see that happening. They all stay.