Silver Lining: No Early NBA departures?

Submitted by Bones032 on
I needed to find a silver lining after that heartbreaker.Wilson and Wagner are not leaving for the NBA after that game. Wagner was considered the better prospect and he couldn't even get on the floor in the 2nd half, he's way too inconsistent right now for the NBA. Just look at this tournament, first game he was nearly invisible, 2nd game he looked like a lottery pick and then invisible again today. Wilson shot the three really well today, but he doesn't finish around the rim like the NBA would hope for. He's a great shot blocker but his one on one defense is very poor sometimes. Don't think there is anyway either would be drafted in the first round this year. Hell of a season though, super bummed it's over, such a funny team and season.

M Ascending

March 24th, 2017 at 8:04 AM ^

If Moe and DJ stay, we could have a great team next year. Matthews is supposedly a good defensive player who could be an effective replacement for Irvin.

The only issue is PG. I am not confident that X can do the job. He lacks size, scoring ability, and defense. Hopefully, he will improve. But PG is the key position on the court, and the drop off from Walton could be the difference.

BigCat14

March 24th, 2017 at 9:58 AM ^

There will likely be a dropoff.  How much remains to be seen?  I believe the way X played was somewhat passive due to playing off the bench.  He deferred to DW and DJ and Mo and even Duncan and MAAR.  If you look at some of his confident drives he was able to create his own shot well at times.  His drives often created good looks for others as well.  I think he will be a hard worker and be able to dish and create as he experiences driving the team.   If not then Coach B and staff will find others to step up.  

 

Go Blue!

UMfan21

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:41 PM ^

I agree their stock dropped today as both struggled against smaller opponents.

next year will be fun. X has big shoes to fill, and he won't be another Walton, but Livers can be an upgrade over Irvin IMO. add Matthews to the mix and return the rest. we should be in another sweet sixteen next year.

UMfan21

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:20 PM ^

and our biggest liability for 50% of the season. even today when he was carrying the team he BADLY missed many shots. I don't mean to shit on him, he was solid, but I think Livers will contribute the same offensive output as Irvin.

Longballs Dong…

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:40 PM ^

Irvin averaged 13 points per game this year. That means you expect Livers to average more than the following freshman: GR3, Stuaskus, Walton, McGary, Hardaway, Juan Howard, etc. To average more than 13 points as a freshman would put him along side names like Burke, Rose, Crawford and Weber. I like his film, but let's be realistic.

RobM_24

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^

Wilson hitting those threes were a double-edged sword. He fell in love with them. He never got to the middle of the paint and used that little baby hook or anything. Any chance we had of getting Bell in foul trouble went out the door. Maybe we were better off with the 3s, I dunno.

TrueBlue2003

March 24th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^

that is outstanding.  He certainly did not take too many.  Bell is insanely good at protecting the rim without fouling.  Why challenge him when you can get 1.5 (!!!) points per three point shot. Whenever we tried to challenge him, things went poorly.  The Duncan drive that got blocked and obvioulsy the late Walton drive come immediately to mind.

URNotGuilty

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^

FWIW, I've decided to return to college. I'm either living with Thornton Melllon or Rushing the Godfather's Frat. As my kids say, "Don't Judge Me". Let's streak through the Quad!

The Fugitive

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:47 PM ^

I don't see how Mo can still have a first round grade after that. Pretty brutal after a stellar game.

DJ had an opportunity for a dunk plus a foul, instead he blew a layup. Gotta go up strong and at the very least get to the line.

Mo Bamba, come compete for one of these spots.

Lionsfan

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:48 PM ^

1: Players who aren't ready for the NBA sometimes leave early anyways.

2: There's a chance Moe could go back to Germany, play a full year there, then try for the draft

Qmatic

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:49 PM ^

X is well the X-Factor next year. MAAR Robinson Wilson and Wagner have unfishef business. Matthews will start and Poole & Livers are going to be good.

We need something from Austin Davis too

ppudge

March 23rd, 2017 at 9:51 PM ^

I hope they come back for selfish reasons - I love UM and I don't care for the NBA. That said, I've never really believed either of them were ready. Need to add a little more muscle. Wilson needs to get a little better handle and Mo needs to be more consistent. That said, I loved watching them play and was very impressed with them, especially relative to expectations.

It sucks to lose Walton and Irvin (and Donnal, who had his moments), but I am already looking forward to next season.

A lineup of Simpson, MAAR, Matthews (remember him - could be a nice player for us), Wilson and Wagner could be pretty good. Plus our bench would still have Robinson and I think Austin Davis will be the backup big. Plus we have Eli Brooks coming in - I've never seen him play (obviously) but I've read that he's a college ready ball handler which immediately makes me think Spike 2.0. Then Jordan Poole is supposed to be a dead-eye shooter and we also have Michigan's Mr. Basketball in Isaiah Livers. Heck, if we somehow get Mo Bamba, then this team would be loaded!

I don't want to get ahead of myself (too late) but I really like the direction of the program right now. Of course 2 months ago, I wondered if we'd win another game after losing to that craptastic OSU team at home, so what the hell do I know?

MichiganMAN47

March 24th, 2017 at 12:15 AM ^

We will be a deeper team next year, but we will lose some serious talent and experience with Walton and Irvin. Basketball is a game of inches and their leadership made a huge difference in our win total.

Next year our depth should be:

Forward/Center: Wilson, Wagner, Teske, Davis, Bamba?
Wing: Matthews, Robinson, Livers, Poole, Watson
Guard: Simpson, MAAR, Brooks.

I think we see MAAR at the point for stretches next year, unless Brooks is 100% ready. Point Guard play could be us weakness next year unless there is significant improvement from Simpson- he did play great at times this year. I think we have enough depth at wing to find a few serviceable players.

ryholly

March 23rd, 2017 at 10:17 PM ^

Haha okay. One game doesn't change their stock. Wilson is 95% going but won't hire an agent. Wagner is 50/50.