MBB Recruiting: 2017 G Greg Elliott to Marquette (3rd Detroiter to MU)

Submitted by ypsituckyboy on

While Michigan is still waiting on a decision from 5* Mohamed Bamba (who's not coming to Michigan), 2017 guard Greg Elliott from East English Village Prep has decided to head to Marquette and play for the original floor-slapper. Elliott will be joining two other Detroit standouts -Jamal Cain (Cornerstone) and Ike Eke (UD Jesuit).

This will be a very interesting class to watch at Marquette if you're an MSU or UM hoops recruiting junkie. Neither MSU nor UM seemed to pursue any of the three with much intensity. I'm curious to see if they end up being better than the in-state classes from the two B1G schools, which each feature just one player from state.

Matt EM

April 4th, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^

but he was never going to MSU period. I think Greg is probably the most underrated player in the country. He's going to be absolutely great in 2 years. Hard to look at his frame and skillset and not think of another stud that went to the Big East.....Ed Sumner

ypsituckyboy

April 4th, 2017 at 9:47 AM ^

Sure seems like both UM and MSU got involved pretty late with Elliott. I know Izzo and Beilein went to a few games, but didn't seem like either really pushed (and I don't think UM even offered).

I would've been fine with adding Elliott in 2017 due to the dearth of creators on the team and his size. Seems like Elliott will still grow a bit and, if he did, he could probably play 1-3 down the line. Just don't want any more 6', one dimensional guards on the roster added in 2017 or 2018. That's why I think Bieniemy is so important in 2018.

Matt EM

April 4th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^

Would've definitely changed his recruitment if we did. Would've really loved to have him here, as I think his upside is tremendous. His potential as a 2 way player is definitely something I think the roster needs moving forward

Matt EM

April 4th, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^

I think Greg would have been a better option than any of our current 18 targets (but it is extremely close with Bieniemy) for the simple fact that none of our 18 targets are likely to be instant impact types. That said, a sophomore year Greg with a year of development and Sanderson is likely a better player in 18 than any of our current 18 offers/targets as freshman. Greg also has more upside from an athletic standpoint as well.

I'm a big fan of Bieniemy though, and I think the staff is doing a great job getting in on him before he blows up this summer.

jackfl33

April 4th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^

Curious, why do you say he was never going to MSU?

And I saw G play twice this year, both L's to Cass Tech. That kid has a lot of tools in his toolbox but a long way to go to put it all together. His effort and focus....wavered. That said I love his game and hope he lights it up at MU.

Matt EM

April 4th, 2017 at 3:24 PM ^

and a few other reasons that I'm not going to disclose. I rarely push back on opinions regarding skill level, etc., but to say Greg's effort wavered is perplexing to me. In my opninion, Greg plays harder than 99% of high school propsects that I've seen. His motor simply does not stop on either end, and that is what makes him a special player in my view.

jackfl33

April 4th, 2017 at 4:50 PM ^

I hear you and that seems to be the consensus view so I am probably wrong. But EEVP as a whole played zero defense in the two games I saw, which included Greg walking back a few times. 

Also picked up a T when he was already in foul trouble in a playoff game. That was after he almost put down one of the most incredible dunks I have ever seen and later hit some big 3's, so I don't mean to come across as a hater.

But in that loss to CT, his biggest issue was focus and effort. Limited sample of course, so I defer.

StephenRKass

April 4th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^

I really hope DJ comes back. I hate this whole Mo Bamba drama. I am not an insider, and am intrigued by all those who state definitively that Bamba's not going to Michigan. Man, Michigan needs to do everything they can for him to come to Ann Arbor.

Regarding Greg Elliot:  How does he compare to Jordan Poole and Eli Brooks? And also to Thomas Allen, who Michigan has reached out to? With two guards, and possibly a third, I don't see how Michigan can go after another guard. As hard as it is, they need to put their eggs in the Bamba basket.

EQ RC Blue

April 4th, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^

Michigan doesn't hand out many offers and Cain got one.  Seemed like he liked Michigan but was waiting to see what other offers he got, but not a ton materialized, and Livers took his spot.  But he wound up in a fine spot at Marquette with a couple other Detroit  area guys.

As for Elliot, he seemed to develop late and Michigan seemed happy with Brooks and Poole and their other guards (like DeJulius).  It will be interesting to see if Elliot's ball skills develop. Marquette is probably a good spot for him and his style of play.  

bacon1431

April 4th, 2017 at 7:50 PM ^

Cain is a much different player than Livers. Cain has more guard type skills than Livers does. I would have taken both if I was the coach because I don't think there's any chance we get Bamba. But if we get that grad transfer from Wright St, I think that'll be great too.

LabattBlue

April 4th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^

They are going after a very similar 4* PG, Blake Harris from Raleigh NC. Similar stats 25 pts, 9 assts, 4 rebs, 3 stls.

Should be interesting as Elliott looks to be a complete player by year 2.

goblueritzy92

April 4th, 2017 at 12:49 PM ^

These next few weeks will be huge for the future of MSU basketball. They are waiting on decisions from Bridges (NBA), Bowen, and McCoy who are all high 5 star talents. End up with 2 or 3 and you may be a top 5 team but if they end up with none they could be looking at the middle of the B1G.

ldd10

April 4th, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^

If Bridges goes they need a wing desperately (need one anyways though).  They are making a late, strong push for Mark Smith as well.  Would be a big addition.  Might actually be more worthwhile than a late McCoy add given front court depth next year and McCoy's all but sure one-and-done status.

ldd10

April 4th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^

That's a fair point, but I've read elsewhere some think he could play some minutes at SF.  He's 6'5".  Interesting prospect - was committed to Missouri for baseball, blew up in bball (Mr. Basketball in Illinois) and have many programs chasing him.  Kentucky might even offer.

alum96

April 4th, 2017 at 3:58 PM ^

I don't think MSU will be a mid tier Big 10 team without Bridges.  They had a young team this year with some bad upperclassmen and say Bridges goes.  They get Winston in 2nd year, so PG are better than fr PG.  That takes away time from Bum Bum.  Ward was one of the best offensive players in the conference - he just couldn't play more than 25 minutes a game most nights.  I expect him to play 25-30 most nights next year.  Langford looked like a bum the first 2/3rds of the season but finally flashed the last 1/3rd.  So those are all coming back and are the base of the team.  They signed a 5 star 6'10 Jaren Jackson who will help their front line and probably play 20-25 a night, then they get Schilling back who is mediocre but can provide 5 fouls a night.  When Ward went out this year their next tallest guy not named Bridges was like Goins at 6'6 or something.  So next year they will have a front line again.

So they will be fine and that assumes they don't hit on any of these fish they are still in on.  They have a nice core of sophomores next year, a top end big man recruit coming in, Tillman might be a bench player as a freshman, and they have the usual assortment of weird guys like McQuaid etc.

Eron Harris and Alvin Ellis are only senior losses.

As a lot of teams show now you really only need to be 7-8 deep, and their top 5 should be quite good.  Bench might be tricky.

There is a lot of talent being lost at Wisconsin, and Maryland lost their star.  Purdue let's see what Swanigan does but if he stays, you might have Purdue, UM, MSU, and Minn (of all people who seem to be retaining most everyone) as your contenders.  Indiana I don't know their story yet we'll see.  Big 10 still seems to be down in star power so I don't see a lot of challengers at the top to make MSU a mid level team like they were this year when they were playing 4 freshman as their top 5 players.

DenardPeppers

April 4th, 2017 at 7:41 PM ^

melo is signing an agent?   he should go next year because this draft class is deep.  thats why I could see Swanigan back.   also regarding MSu they are gonna be better then this year if Bridges comes back or not.  Winston is gonna be awesome and Ward will be a lot better next year and Langford got his swagger going around the end of the season.  also the 2 bigs who were out for the season might get to play next year.   I dont like Jizzo n farty but they are gonna be a good team next year just like us.

Gobgoblue

April 4th, 2017 at 3:11 PM ^

all Michigan ever needs to do is put a lock on Detroit and they could fill a full team every year. Pisses me off. okay im gonna calm down now.
/Alex jones

DenardPeppers

April 4th, 2017 at 7:37 PM ^

we missed out on quite afew good players from our State.  Yante Maten at Georgia is 1st team all SEC.  then Sumner, EC Matthews and another guy who is at Rhode Island.  There are some guys we could have had if we would have went after hard enough.  I want some tough kids from Detroit or Flint.  I liked Walton a great kid from the inner city. they need a guy who can get others Motivated.  Wagner has some of that in him and it can be contagious.  I am hoping we can get Bamba but if we cant would love a awesome grad guard or anyone who has major upside and skills.