Mark Donnal not returning for 5th year
Seems like the writing had been on the wall here but Beilein has made it official listing Donnal among the 5 players graduating and leaving along with Walton, Irvin, Lonergan, & Dakich.
Heres to hoping Teske can figure out how to work his body by next season and/or Davis being a revelation.
https://gbmwolverine.com/2017/02/21/michigan-basketball-2017-season-wil…
In a similar article, was freep so won't link, Beilein said he expects this incoming freshman class to contribute more early on than the current one. He specifically mentions Eli Brooks as a kid who will play right away. Were going to definitely need guard help with Walton being gone and Xavier still finding his game at the college level.
February 22nd, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
then all games should be broadcast after 10 p.m. and rated TVMA for Violence and Adult situations
February 22nd, 2017 at 9:56 AM ^
I still would rather have 5th year Donnal than any year Teske. I don't see really much upside for Teske, and Davis is a mystery. I expect Davis to bring more to the offensive side based on his HS tape. We cannot by any means afford to lose Wagner.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:07 AM ^
What is that based on? Teske's played very little, but shown some ability to redirect shots. He was awful last game but that's going to happen. Are you basing that on HS film?
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^
I watched a ton of Teske film in HS, and his lateral movement for a kid that is a legit 6'11-7 is simply outstanding. He consistently stayed in front of guards/wings after making the switch on PnR, and really excelled doing so. He's also a very good shotblocker and alters shots frequently with his length and timing. What Teske lacked was the motor and physicality to rebound consistently.
On the offensve side, Teske is not a back to the basket player in any way, and is long way from being functional in that regard. He's best used in pick and pop action out to 18 feet at this point in his development. He's also a really good outlet passer.
Overall, Teske needs to work with Sanderson on his verticality, as he's a bit challenged in that regard right now. His frame is already pretty solid for a freshman, so strength shouldn't be an issue. I'd expect him to be an above average/good defender in a few years that can hopefully contribute around 8-10 points per game.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^
7 footers with a nice frame at a young age that have no back to the basket game are very worrisome. It should be the FIRST thing you go to.
February 22nd, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:28 AM ^
his lateral movement was outstanding. Was it that every one of his steps equals two for the average HS player and that even if he was beat by a step he could still block the shot? Because he looks pretty slow out there in the college game.
He does seem to use his height well and times blocks pretty good. This is something that's frustrating about Wagner - he doesn't block shots despite being 6'11.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
Teske will probably never develop like Frank Kaminsky, but do remember watching Kaminsky as a freshman? Awkward. I predicted his ceiling to be a 6th or 7th man off the bench, maybe a starter and solid contributor as a senior.
I see enough defensive instincts to think that Teske can develop into a plus defender by the time he's an upperclassman. Most bigs are projects in their early years. Development can occur rapidly as their bodies mature. I haven't written him off based on sporadic freshman tape.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
It seems to be positive news that we feel we can afford not to bring back Donnal.
And, it is far too soon for anyone to write off Teske.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:21 AM ^
Bielfeldt played really good basketball for Indiana last year. Being able to "afford it" (if that can be said about us) does not necessarily make it a wise move.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
I understand that Bielfeldt was a boner move (phrasing?), if not downright idiotic, and that Spike raised eyebrows. Spike would have contributed this year, but in hindsight, Watson's minutes this year will pay off next so I wouldn't criticize that myself other than from a loyalty perspective to Spike if he wanted to stay.
Spike has a ceiling, not every game (if any ever again) is going to be first half Louisville, and the deal might work out quite sweet for him, as he fits in well with Purdue's team, which has Final 4 potential.
We'll see if Donnal works out if he leaves. I believe your criticism of Beilein on these fronts has some validity though.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^
Yes. Thank you.
I guess I had Watson on my diminishing brain from the wing discussion above.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
from a mobility perspective. He is still heady and can shoot but no longer does he weave through half court traffic dribbling the ball looking for recipients of slick passses.
He can't guard anybody anymore. PU can hide him as they have a couple of shot blockers but can you imagine our defense if he and Robinson were ever on the floor together at the same time? Oh, my...
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
He probably isn't what he was, especially on defense. I would not go as far as you did above, but you make an excellent point.
February 22nd, 2017 at 3:26 PM ^
He's not what he was on offense either. He's only shooting 0.257% from the field this year. Simpson is shooting .323
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:33 AM ^
for him. Just 18 percent from three. The only thing he's useful for at this point is FTs at the end of games. Still a 90 percent guy from the stripe.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:34 AM ^
I'm still hopeful Teske can get a lot better over his four years, but I completely agree that if Mo leaves, I'd rather have Donnal starting next year with Teske getting 15ish minutes a game as the backup, barring a HUGE leap in the off-season.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:00 AM ^
I am shocked.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
PG-Simpson
SG-Ali
SF-Robinson
PF-Wilson
C-Wagner
Watson and Poole should make noise off the bench. What am I missing?
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
Charles Matthews, the transfer from Kentucky. I expect him to start at the 3 and Robinson to continue as the 6th man and scoring spark off the bench.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
Have to believe Charles Matthews will be a starter with Duncan coming off the bench.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:10 AM ^
Dude, cmon, Robinson is not going to be starting.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
But have you seen our outlook going into next year....?
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
Yes, and wing prospects are looking up I would say. Robinson is not a starter on a good team at top-25 type level. He does, though, make a good man off the bench depending on what you need and what he is giving you that day. He passes well for a shooter, and is a team player.
We may be forced to start him for lack of options, but with Mathews, Watson, and incoming wing(s) next year, it's not likely to happen.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:34 AM ^
I think it is better than it was going into this year, this is assuming Wagner/Wilson remain. Obviously we will miss the hell out of Walton. But I think Matthews will be a large improvement over what Irvin has been this season.
There is also more talent and depth on the roster. I think well find a solid contributor between Watson & Poole to give us another option off the bench. I would also be surprised if Brooks isn't a much better player than what Simpson has been this season; and not that surprised if he ends up the starter.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
back next year?
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
he is listed as "Ali" in that starting 5. That is not one of his established nicknames at this point so you may have overlooked it.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^
Shame. He was building something special at MSU.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
These are tough choices.
As I recall, letting Max go meant there was a scholarship for Mo.
I don't get letting Spike go - he was much more a recognizable Wolverine and I think he would have helped us this year.
Mark? I guess JB is making a basketball choice.
Overall, I would rather see some loyalty to your guys and if they were redshirted they should be allowed to stay if they want.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
This season Spike is playing just shy of 13 minutes a game, averaging 1.8 points, and is shooting 26% (18% on 3s).
X Simpson is playing 9 minutes per game, averaging 1.5 points, and shooting 32% (29% on 3s).
It seems clear Spike hasn't completely recovered, and X absolutely needed the time he has been given.
Beilein made the right decision IMO, unless something drastic happens after this point.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:41 AM ^
#intangibles
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:14 AM ^
JH, for as much good as he's done for the program has done some things that aren't what we are used to. You bring up a good point.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
The "firm handshake" for 5th-year guys has been done forever. It's not something that just started with Harbaugh or Beilein.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^
Depth/Experience is quite lacking for the basketball team if you look at next year's options. Small team size=More room to notice errors IMO.
February 22nd, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^
Because Harbaugh recruits at a high level and lack of talent is not going to be a long term issue for the football team.
February 22nd, 2017 at 12:58 PM ^
let go that were contributors on the football team in terms of playing time? Max was a contributor, got the firm handshake and went to IU and became 6th man of the year. To add insult to injury, UM had issues at the 4/5 slot last year.
Donnal: to me this decision is probably determined by what Wagner does. If Wagner comes back, I think Donnal leaving won't be a big deal. You would hope that UM can get Teske/Davis to at least slide into Donnal's spot off the bench. If Wagner leaves, all of a sudden you have a gaping hole in the middle that is going to be filled by...? Not that Donnal would be the answer to our prayers but at least you would have someone with experience to either start or come off the bench.
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
February 22nd, 2017 at 11:54 AM ^
I've been a little concern with the amount of transfers out of the program the last few years. I hope that's not a sign that something bad is going on within the program or with Coach B.
I think a lot of M fans chalk it up to 'that happens in every program' or 'we don't need that guy anyway', but if there is another sizable exodus this year I think we should be seriously concerned.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
If you're looking to make next year's team more mentally and physically tough, it's probably a good idea to let Donnal go. I can confidently say Davis is a better rebounder without ever having watched him play a minute in college.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^