Basketball Recruiting Roundup
January 25th, 2017 at 9:27 PM ^
I keep pressing Esc and nothing happens
January 26th, 2017 at 4:18 AM ^
Press really hard.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:29 PM ^
Is not coming.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:06 PM ^
What a shitty first comment
January 25th, 2017 at 10:11 PM ^
Shitty because he's being realistic? Every comment doesn't need positive smoke blowing. Mo Bamba is not coming here. You think the #2 player in the country is turning down Duke and Kentucky to come play for a team coming off an NIT bid? Common.
January 26th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
No. Shitty because the "I have to be the first person to be negative in this thread" attitude gets old. And I don't think my opinion if he is gokinh here has any bearing on whether his post is shitty.
OP put together an awesome post and the first comment is a poster being a whiny pussy. As I said, shitty first post
January 25th, 2017 at 10:33 PM ^
The Fab 5 is not walking through that door and I really wish they would.
Mo is going to Duke unless he gets Kentucky'd
January 25th, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^
Thank you for this. Very interesting and informative. The moms should probably move this to the diaries section.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^
Saw DeJulius the other day. He is really good. Better than Walton at this stage. His recruitment could blow up.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:35 PM ^
Obviously no offers yet, but prospects of interest no doubt. Won't get into much detail, but here's a list of some potential offerees
Jordan Mitchell - 6'7 wing from Columbus that is an elite athlete, and a top 40 player in the country. Has an above average handle, average shot. I speak to Jordan frequently, and despite conventional wisdom, Mitchell is no lock to Ohio State. He has legit interest in Michigan and visited for the Sep. 24 football game. Hopefully Michigan can keep up the pursuit and stay in this one until the end.
Romeo Weems - 6'6 wing/forward that is a top 25 player in the country. This is the exact type of player Michigan needs to land. Really versatile player with a high motor that plays hard every play. Can handle the ball, tremendous rebounder, very good passer, great length with a 6'11 wingspan, average shooter, average/slightly above average athlete. Has been on campus numerous times. I speak with Romeo frequently, and while Michigan is in his top group (if such a thing exists for 2019 kids), don't be surprised if he eventually commits to............Ohio State.
Mark 'Rocket' Watts - 6'2 combo guard that is likely a borderline top 100 type. Can really shoot the ball well off the catch from three. Average/Above average ballhandler and limited athlete. I think Watts has limited upside at this point. Has visited a few times already.
Taylor Currie - 6'9 forward that recently made the move from Ohio and now playing with Clarkston HS. Have only seen him briefly and can't really speak intelligently on his game at this point. Staff certainly showing interest.
January 26th, 2017 at 1:40 AM ^
Hopefully our 2019 class will be starting with a new coach.
January 26th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
I am going to be SO dissapointed if we don't get Rocket Watts and Romeo Weems. If we could get Mo Bamba, we'd be a lock for the NOTY team championship.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:35 PM ^
Thanks for making this. Hopefully our recruiting will get better in the next couple of cycles
January 25th, 2017 at 9:40 PM ^
I feel really good about the 3 guards Coach Beilein is bringing in.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:40 PM ^
Great stuff. Thanks, Matt!
January 25th, 2017 at 9:49 PM ^
And just that quick, Easley tells me he just committed to VCU.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:55 PM ^
Thanks Matt. Word on the street a little while back was that you were in some kind of accident. Hope that's not true but if it is glad to see you're doing better.
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January 25th, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
A drunk driver hit me in a dead on collision after driving into oncoming traffic. I'm doing much better and should be back to full health in a few weeks. Glad to be back watching/scouting hoops
January 25th, 2017 at 10:48 PM ^
Did someone seriously neg me for giving thanks? I thought the other negs were a bit harsh, but this is a bit odd. Tough crowd here huh?
January 25th, 2017 at 11:30 PM ^
Wtf! Could it be the guy that hit you? Perhaps a drunk driving apologist? No idea how someone negs that.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:55 PM ^
Like all our guys upside hopefully a couple will play with a little grit. Dont like reading almost all of them are projected to struggle on defense.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:58 PM ^
is historically trading athleticism for skill. I don't agree with it, but it is what it is. You can compensate a lack of athleticism with motor, but I don't think any of our 17 commits have what I would label as high motor.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:57 PM ^
"not a great athlete by any means". "Doesn't move that great" "Not thought of as an athlete" Those are terms i wish i would quit hearing about our basketball commits and targets.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:03 PM ^
Charles Matthews is an elite athlete, and Livers is an above average athlete as well. Are we going to be an above average team athletically next year, no. But with Charles Matthews, DJ Wilson and Isaiah Livers we go from terrible to bad/below average athletically.
January 25th, 2017 at 9:58 PM ^
Thanks for this
Why is every kid seemingly 80-100? Beilein's not interested in any of the 1-50 kids?
January 25th, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^
But under Beilein Michigan doesn't prioritize recruiting during the season. We're in the hunt for Jordan Mitchell and Romeo Weems for 2019, both of whom are top 40 types. As AAU season commences I'm fairly certain top 50 targets will emerge. Landing one is the bigger question.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:01 PM ^
beilein still recruiting guys who lack athleticism...
January 25th, 2017 at 10:04 PM ^
Get used to it. Beilein only recruits system guys like he's still at LeMoyne College
January 25th, 2017 at 10:43 PM ^
Another sterling post from you regarding Beilein.
January 25th, 2017 at 11:17 PM ^
It's pathetic really. Teams like Western Kentucky, ASU, VCU and Miss St. should not be out recruiting Michigan.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:07 PM ^
Hey matt, who do u think leads for Ryan, hunter and carmody? I look at Ryan and carmody and don't see us landing either one which is why I think it'd make sense to take elliott
January 25th, 2017 at 10:13 PM ^
Haven't spoken to Cormac, so I have no Intel there. I'd say Notre Dame leads for Carmody, with UM in the top group after that. We're not in Hunter's top group as of right now, which is unfortunate, because I think he'd be a nice pickup.
I'm the biggest Greg Elliott proponent you will find. Think he'd be a steal for us late in the 17 cycle. He just picked up a Marquette offer about a week ago and I guarantee other high major schools will follow suit over the next few months. Elliott has tons of upside.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:19 PM ^
Bb recruit levels are too low for optimism. Tough to see rankings this low moving forward
January 25th, 2017 at 10:25 PM ^
Prospects talk about education and life after football. The Michigan connections etc. And that being a big lure and ultimate reason a lot of kids come for football. I don't ever seem to hear the same pitch on the basketball side. Maybe it just doesn't get as much press?
I think we all are dying for some stud recruits to come to Ann Arbor again. Feels like it's been too long. Always hopeful. Lately disappointed.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:31 PM ^
In football, prospects attend school for a minimum of 3 years so the degree/education is emphasized more because at that point you can obtain your degree or be 1 year away from it and not sacrifice your professional aspirations.
Basketball prospects can see their payday after 1 athletic year, and only attend class for one semester, so financial incentives outweigh academics by far. Academics aren't a huge draw in basketball, and I doubt it ever will be unless a kid is the intellectual type to begin with
January 25th, 2017 at 10:45 PM ^
Eric Hunter - 6'3 lefty out of Indy. Above average athlete, above average shooter, average shooter, above average passer. Visited Michigan in the fall and has legit interest but he's not as high on the board as others. Hunter is ranked in the 80-120 range currently
January 25th, 2017 at 11:08 PM ^
Love this intel and the thanks for taking the time to write it. It does feel super "Beilein" when you read through them all. What did the Stauskus, LaVert, Burke, Hardaway and other 80-120 guys we've recruited in the past have that propelled them to the NBA that our current guys don't? - I know if you had the actual answer you'd be a recruiting genius, just looking for your opinion on why we're down right now with similarly ranked guys. Luck?
January 26th, 2017 at 7:40 AM ^
For the most part, the attribute that separated guys like Stauskas, LeVert, and Burke from our current guards/wings like Walton, Irvin, MAAR was the ability to break down defenders off the dribble and mandate help defense. We simply do not have that on the roster at this point. It is a huge need moving forward, and it would be really nice if Livers displays that ability against legit competition.
I don't put much stock into rankings, as there is simply no way the major services have seen 500-750 players, let alone more than few seconds. I attended 3/4 EYBL events (by far most talented circuit), the Adidas Championships in July, and all the other big evens in July (various shoe circuit clubs battle against each other), and I only witnessed scouts from ESPN, Rivals, Scout, 247 present a hand full of times in total.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:33 AM ^
Whatever happened to Jamal Cain? His named was being mentioned on the radio at least once a week for a while. I see he is in Marquette's class.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:40 AM ^
Never quite felt the proverbial 'love' from Beilein and co. and decided to go with Marquette. Think it will really sting down the road, as I think Jamal would've been the perfect fit at Michigan, and has NBA type athleticism with a nice stroke from distance. Is now a universal 4 star, top 60-80 type player.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^
That's disappointing to hear...smh
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January 26th, 2017 at 8:56 AM ^
In your opinion who will Michigan battle for in state, and where do you guess the top prospects in state will go?
Weems, Rocket, Tillman, Johns, & Williams
Also who do you expect to be the next elite player in the state. In previous years players like Jackson, Booker, J young etc have all come from the mitten and I'm wondering who's next?
January 26th, 2017 at 9:06 AM ^
Weems - at this point I'd say Ohio State, but its still way too early to make a confident prediction in that regard
Rocket - don't really know, as I don't really view him as hands down high major prospect as of right now. His development will determine what offers he obtains moving forward
Tillman - Utah leads, with Cal probably in second. His official to Cal this weekend will determine a lot.
Johns - he wants to go to Kansas, but he's not a Kansas level player in my opinion. His mom wants him at Michigan, while his dad wants him at MSU. If he gets a Kansas offer he will commit. In terms of fit, Michigan is a much better for him than MSU in my view.
Williams - he's trending toward football at this point, and may pursue that route with the current trajectory, as he only has mid major offers in basketball.
Elite Player - don't know if there is a sure fire elite/one and done type player in Michigan at this point. Terry Armstrong is a great athlete, but don't know if he has the skillset to be a one and done. For 2020, I train a kid named Steve Pearson that is a freak athlete, but his skillset needs to develop, and its still extremely early.
January 26th, 2017 at 9:38 AM ^
Last question: In your opinion who are top 5 teams in State of Michigan currently?
January 26th, 2017 at 9:46 AM ^
#1 Grand Rapids Christian - Xavier Tillman, James Beck, Duane Washington
#2 Clarkston - Foster Loyer, Dylan Alderson, Taylor Currie
#3 East English Village - David DeJulius, Greg Elliott
#4 UofD Jesuit - Ike Eke, Greg, Julian Dozier, Elijah Collins, Scot Nelson, Jalen Thomas
#5 Flint Beecher - Malik Ellison, Jordan Roland, Levane Blake
After the top 3, the distinctions are very small in my opinion
January 26th, 2017 at 10:30 AM ^
Do they not make this list?
January 26th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
and the one time I viewed them live this year was a really close game vs Wayland Union. I'd certainly have them in my top 10 overall, and there is an argument to be made for top 5, but I don't think GH is as good as the 5 teams listed above, in particular the top 3.
January 26th, 2017 at 10:53 AM ^
Well, Lamar Norman lit up the school where I teach. What's his ceiling? Where's he going to end up?
January 26th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
Norman is essentially a small forward stuck in a point guard's body. Absolutely great athlete, but not a great ballhandler and doesn't shoot particularly well. Tough to make it in college at 5'11 when you can't really handle the ball and aren't an above average shooter. His only division 1 offers are Oakland U, U of D, and Central Michigan. I highly doubt he gets a high major offer.
January 26th, 2017 at 8:59 AM ^
Matt - how do the '17 and '18 guys rank?