MAAR praised in excellent Nick Baumgardner article

Submitted by Indy Pete - Go Blue on

We have all seen MAAR finally get the praise that he has deserved for his consistently excellent play for Michigan.  This article articulates his rise to becoming one of the most efficient players in the country with facts as well as with subjective observations.  I know the Freep is often unpopular on this board, but this is high quality writing by a talented writer who overcomes his bias to his alma mater and gives the best piece on MAAR's senior year that I have come across (and that includes great stuff from Brendan Quinn - which has been more focused on his whole career).

Here is an excerpt:

"In February, Michigan's senior co-captain has averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and just seven turnovers in seven games. In 18 Big Ten games, Abdur-Rahkman — a guy who played nearly 37 minutes per game — turned the ball over just 13 times. That's an absurd number for a player who handles the ball as much as Abdur-Rahkman does and it's part of the reason why he's been one of the more efficient players in the Big Ten, and the country, over the past month."

And this:

Those goggles aren't going anywhere. 

"I'm going to keep wearing them," he said. 

I hope you enjoy the article.  I know you have been enjoying a special senior year for our beloved MAAR!

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverin…

Indy Pete - Go Blue

February 25th, 2018 at 3:09 PM ^

Yes, and in general, he is as accurate about Michigan football as any writer out there (probably the most on point).  He does a good job with the facts and presents sound opinions.  There are times where his emotional disdain subtly comes out, but we fans are very sensitive about that and I may be misinterpreting him at times.  His closet MSU fandom is especially clear on his twitter account and any time basketball is brought up. (RedGreene might just be a ticked off sparty fan b/c I am pointing this out!  Poor RedGreene - spends his free time on a Michigan fan blog - unless he is a confused and inept moderator?)

Michifornia

February 25th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^

Like MAAR represent the program.  Quiet leader that always outworks the other team.  Shooting lights out is the cherry on top.  Would love to see him get a shot at the next level.  But I have a feeling he'll be successful whatever he does next.

GO BLUE!!

ThatTCGuy

February 25th, 2018 at 1:53 PM ^

I am super proud to have someone like MAAR represent this university and this state. He went from a 2 star recruit that no one was recruiting to one of the most efficent players in the country just by keeping his head down and working hard. That's what Michigan is all about. Go Blue!

Ajcoss

February 25th, 2018 at 2:19 PM ^

Do people not like Nick B. On this site? I generally think he has done good work. I followed him on Mlive. I like someone who tells it like it is, and not always sugar coating stuff. Curious overall opinions of the board on his writing.

The Krusty Kra…

February 25th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^

And in a media group that seems to be more content getting caught up in the Harbaugh hype wagon than actually selling results, I appreciate that. Hard to believe that MLive had him and Brendan Quinn both under their employ at once but both are talented writers that don't bullshit around. Nick B finds the story and tells it in a compelling manner. (Also, big upgrade from Snyder at Freep)

Indy Pete - Go Blue

February 25th, 2018 at 2:32 PM ^

You nailed it KK.  Mlive had the two best UM beat writers on its staff.  They had an incredible podcast (The Wolverine Beat) that I miss dearly.  Nick B and BQ are witty, intelligent, knowledgeable, and funny; hearing their banter was a weekly highlight for me for a long time.  And Nick B is much more interesting and sharp than Snyder. 

Bill22

February 26th, 2018 at 7:49 AM ^

I like him in that I like any content about Michigan football and basketball. He seems to go out of his way to “not sugarcoat things.” As a fan, I appreciate a little sugarcoating when things aren’t going well. You don’t need to bluntly say that Offensive line sucks and Harbaugh needs to fix it. We know that. If I wanted to hear that I could just tune into the Pete Finebaum Show.

Owosso_wolverine

February 25th, 2018 at 2:31 PM ^

What’s the difference fine

Wrote a negative Article and getting away from not

Building an o line or having a qb In year 3 ? I read his stuff and still not happy with

The program

Goggles Paisano

February 25th, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^

MAAR has been clutch and always seem to hit a big shot or get to the line when they most need it.  I wasn't sure anyone on this team would be able to carry the torch that Trey and Walton carried, but MAAR sure is gettin' it done in that department.  

carlos spicywiener

February 25th, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^

Walton, MAAR....

Nice to have seniors available the past couple of seasons and see them put things all together and play at an All Big 10 level.

Something the Fresh Five class never yielded...Burke and Hardaway Jr also left early.

steve sharik

February 25th, 2018 at 3:11 PM ^

"this is high quality writing by a talented writer who overcomes his bias to his alma mater and gives the best piece on MAAR's senior year that I have come across."

Welcome to the mgoboard, Mama Baumgartner!

UM Griff

February 25th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^

Much as DW was last season. It is great to see the seniors provide leadership to this team that is clicking on all cylinders at just the right time!

M-Dog

February 25th, 2018 at 3:32 PM ^

All of Beilein's 3-star recruits get developed by him too well and then leave early.

So maybe this is the key . . . only recruit 2-stars so that they stay until they are Seniors.

John Beilein development + high level talent is just too explosive of a combination to contain in college.

 

greymarch

February 25th, 2018 at 4:29 PM ^

"excellent Nick Baumgardner article"...

 

That phrase is an oxymoron.  Want proof?  Do a simple word count on any Nick article, and find the number of times Nick uses the word "but".  The guy is a passive-aggressive mess.  Notice Nick's paragraphs are mostly comprised of two or three sentences.  The man cannot form complex ideas, let alone express them using the written word.

thelomasbrowns

February 26th, 2018 at 9:41 AM ^

I read most of Nick's articles and listen to the podcast.  Generally he's pretty spot on when it comes to the state of the program(s).  I think he overuses the 'things are going well now, but here are all the ways they could go wrong' trope, which is why some fans think he's biased.  But I think that's pretty common for Detroit-area beat writers.  He's no Drew Sharp or Carlos Monarrez.