2018 BB Recruit R.J. Barrett Has Michigan in his Top 5
Not a shock since we've known that he's planning on visiting, but this is the first time that he's officially acknowledged us as a finalist.
Link: http://www.umhoops.com/2017/08/16/no-1-ranked-rj-barrett-michigan-final-five/
August 16th, 2017 at 7:45 PM ^
can't wait to finish 2nd lol
August 16th, 2017 at 7:55 PM ^
So you are saying we won't be 3rd? Yes!! Baby steps...
August 16th, 2017 at 7:56 PM ^
That's what she said.
August 17th, 2017 at 12:00 AM ^
but didn't see that one... um... coming.
Bravo to you, Sir.
August 16th, 2017 at 8:01 PM ^
and plays decent D. Bring back the Maize and Blue Canadian flags!
August 16th, 2017 at 8:01 PM ^
Alphabetical? When did K go before M and O in the alphabet? Kentucky is in the wrong spot
August 16th, 2017 at 8:08 PM ^
Maybe because Canadians always use the "u" like in colour, honour. So UK comes after M.
\__(-__-)__/
August 16th, 2017 at 8:19 PM ^
Michigan has done well enough being in the "top 5" or even "top 3" lists of some great players out there. However, I am cynical about Michigan actually getting a kid who Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Arizona, UCLA, or Kansas is really after. Two years ago it was Luke Kennard. Last year it was Mo Bamba. Last week it was Tyrese Maxey. Today it is RJ Barrett. I guess I am glad that Beilein and Michigan are going after them, but it seems like it is always something or other . . . maybe the money from bagmen? Maybe being badmouthed by slimey AAU and college coaches who can't stand Beilein? Maybe the number of championships actually won in those places? I don' know the real answer, but I'll believe Michigan is really there when I see it. I know we would all be fine with some guys at the top, but it seems like Michigan is doomed to always be a bridesmaid, never a bride.
August 16th, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^
It hasn't stopped with the current bluebloods. We've lost a few elite prospects to the likes of Indiana, Cal, and MSU as well, albeit IU and MSU have impressive tradition.
August 16th, 2017 at 11:00 PM ^
IU is a bball blueblood in any sense of the word. Right? I've always thought so...
August 17th, 2017 at 8:11 AM ^
Yes, IU is definitely a basketball blue blood.
August 16th, 2017 at 8:39 PM ^
Multifactorial ...
There are schools with more "tradition" than Michigan. North Carolina (academic cheating aside) is one of those schools. They seem to be getting the same number of high-level recruits as they always have. They're not in the Duke-Kansas-Kentucky one-and-done stratosphere.
Kentucky practically acknowledges its sliminess. Kansas might be in the same ballpark but its fans are much more hypocritical / delusional. I'd be surprised if Duke is completely clean. It's true that all schools can play the tradition card as well as anyone, but that wouldn't seem to account for all their success.
Not sure about Arizona .....
August 16th, 2017 at 10:12 PM ^
"North Carolina is one of those schools. They seem to be getting the same number of high-level recruits as they always have."
Current UNC Roster Makeup:
One 5 star (Senior with little chance of making the NBA)
Six 4 stars
Five 3 stars
Current Michigan Roster Makeup:
Five 4 stars
Five 3 stars
Two transfers (Robinson and Simmons) who are outplaying their unranked status over their careers.
edit: lol, what exactly is the reasoning behind negging this? Are the official rosters somehow wrong, or are you just upset that you were incorrect about UNC's recruiting?
August 16th, 2017 at 10:16 PM ^
NC's four stars are ranked a lot higher than Michigans over the last 4 classes.
Also, NC just won a championship with the help of those classes
August 16th, 2017 at 10:59 PM ^
*sigh*
Let's take a look at the 4 stars by position, shall we?
Joel Berry 30, Xavier Simpson 67.
Brandon Robinson 60, Charles Matthews 59
Kenny Williams 92, Jordan Poole 94
Garrison Brooks 134, Isaiah Livers 135
Not a position match but we've run out, so...
Seventh Woods and Jalek Felton (average out to 39.5, Moritz Wagner (Technically 109, but given the drop from Rivals not ranking international prospects we'll say around 80).
That makes UNC's four stars an average of 66 on the composite and Michigan's an average of 87. As I mentioned, the one five star on UNC's roster just got done with a 6 ppg junior season. The notion that UNC's four stars are ranked "Way higher" is just a complete lie. They're generally about 20 spots higher, not a very significant amount when taking into account that four stars account for over 100 spots on the composite.
August 17th, 2017 at 12:22 AM ^
First rule...
August 16th, 2017 at 9:35 PM ^
Yeah, I've gotten pretty cynical, too. I have no idea what the issue is but something about the program doesn't vibe with these top recruits. Of course, those programs are at a higher level, but the tease of getting one of these guys is frustrating.
August 16th, 2017 at 9:36 PM ^
Maxey is an odd one to have on this list considering we didn't even offer, and if we had, he hasn't chosen a school yet.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:09 PM ^
Of talent who can't relate to today's top level recruits?
August 16th, 2017 at 11:13 PM ^
That is being polite. Very cynical or extremely cynical are the right answers. Putting Michigan in the top 5 is a nice tip of the cap to Belein but he is not coming to Ann Arbor.
He will go to Duke, UK or KU as a 1 and done. I don't blame him for that but the whole 1 and done factory thing is ruining college basketball.
August 17th, 2017 at 7:15 AM ^
"Yeah, yeah, yeah". But your reply would make mine look really lazy, so I didn't
August 17th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
Derryck Thornton Jr and Devin Booker as well.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
August 16th, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^
Tell him it's great to be a Wolverine!!
August 16th, 2017 at 9:40 PM ^
....yeah, we need to put that Sauce on a little thick....
August 16th, 2017 at 8:55 PM ^
You know fucking what. I think this is the one we land. Im issuing a (not)Sam Webb gut feeling on RJ. Lock it down hes coming to the correct shade of blue. Get your inferious color schemes out of here Duke, Kansas, & UK. Alright I've gotten a little lost and side tracked here.
Barrett to Michigan you heard it here first. Let me go put my crystal ballz in.
August 16th, 2017 at 11:09 PM ^
I wonder how many times people have said this
August 16th, 2017 at 11:33 PM ^
Around here? You're far more likely to find someone suggesting we'll finish 2nd.
August 16th, 2017 at 9:00 PM ^
we'll be fine
August 16th, 2017 at 9:18 PM ^
If this truly Michigan's strategy with one and done types, Id rather we not recruit them at all than to have the "if they wanna come, we'd take em" approach. From this article it seems they dont put alot of "work" into these kids judging by Bamba and Bridges (who had to reach out to Michigan first. Let's hope this kid is more like McGary who wanted to come to Michigan.
http://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Beilein-open-to-one-and-dones-but-pr…
August 16th, 2017 at 9:32 PM ^
Don't get your hopes up. Ever.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:40 PM ^
a wall to knock down?
August 16th, 2017 at 11:02 PM ^
Why'd you spear that Dragon?
August 17th, 2017 at 7:33 PM ^
I was wondering who was going to try to be that guy
August 17th, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^
I'm your man
August 16th, 2017 at 10:06 PM ^
This is probably not going to happen so if you could just go ahead and label this OT that would be greaaaaaaat.
August 16th, 2017 at 10:37 PM ^
I wish 93 Grad would learn something about basketball for all the bitching he does.
August 17th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^
Why? He's not wrong..
August 17th, 2017 at 10:11 AM ^
I see him complain in various boards about basketball with zero functional knowledge on the game itself.
August 16th, 2017 at 11:04 PM ^
The kid is a Canuck, right? That automatically gives UM a legit shot. But this is bball, so nevermind...
August 16th, 2017 at 11:45 PM ^
That's nice
August 17th, 2017 at 12:05 AM ^
To Michigan and Beilein that he has Michigan in his top 5. He most likely won't come to Michigan, probably end up at Kentucky. No reason to be bitter about it. We will always compete with Beilein. Leaders and Best.
GO BLUE!!
August 17th, 2017 at 7:44 AM ^
Is there room to sweep Canada and take both him and Brazdeikis?
Also, I'm following the "don't watch his highlights because this isn't happening" rule while hoping to be gleefully surprised.
August 17th, 2017 at 2:06 PM ^
...R.J. Barrett.
August 17th, 2017 at 8:38 PM ^
I was listening to a Malik Monk interview on the radio. Monk was asked "What classes did you take at Kentucky". Monks answer "I cant remember". I take that answer as "I didnt take any classes while at Kentucky"
This is why we will never get these top rated one and done basketball recruits. Why would they want to come to Michigan and actually play school when they could go to Kentucky or Duke and not even go to class?
This isnt even accounting for the fact that places like Kentucky have multimillion dollar basketball dorms with personal chefs and flat screens and shit.