The Big Payoff
With our advancement to the Final Four, I think we are now tied with North Carolina for the most post season wins since 2013. I believe this also makes our 2nd Final Four appearance in that span and hopefully the 2nd for making it to the championship game.
For the better part of the last 5 yrs we have been one the four or five best teams in the country in those regards. My question is when do we start to see the big "payoff"? Meaning, when do we begin to get a McDonald's All-America player or two.
I know they are usually one and done for the most part. But I'd love to see us get one of those guys every year. Go Blue!
March 27th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
I agree wholeheartedly. But there are downsides to every system. Don't get me wrong. I am not down on coach or the team. I am estactic at the success they are having.
But in regards to long term subtainability and having a chance at national championships, recruiting only 4 yr projects is not going to work. Sure we will still win a good number of games, but every kids dream is to hoist that trophy.
There is a difference of no one and dones and only four year players - Beilein has proven that with all the 3-4 star recruits who have gone pro after 2 or 3 years.
As others have said, getting the guys who will develop and give the program more than one year is a great approach.
A 1&D player wants to be the star of the team. He's likely going to be a ball-hog and want it to be all about himself.
When Charles Matthews came here, he was looking in that direction, and he had to be "reprogrammed' to use his words from an article I read to make him the team player he's become.
A true 1&D player would be a cancer in the locker room. He wouldn't be about the team. Team focus is what makes Beilein's system work so well, so in that regard, a 1&D player would be a downside.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
Doesnt pay players or offers cars like the ithers the answer is never...As long as those 5 stars are looking to get paid we wont be getting them and thats JUST FINE because Belien has found a way to win at the highest level without being dirty...Louisville, Kentucky, NC, MSU Arizona and many others have all been implicated in the tip of the iceberg FBI probe with more to follow..
March 27th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
Not happening, unless there is another Shane Battier.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
I think we have to win the first game to tie UNC.
I'm not sure we'll ever get the elite players under Beilein. Not that they don't care about winning, but basketball is different than football; if you're truly elite (and possibly NBA-ready), I don't think college-level player development is really as important as it is for football (where playing for former NFL coaches is a big deal).
Beilein stresses team so much, and I get the feeling he wants players who will stick around long enough to learn a system and invest (unlike Ayton, as an example). What role would Bamba have had this year? JJJ? Would you prefer having them for one year and starting over next year, even at the expense of developing Teske to the point where we can rely on him for the next two years?
March 27th, 2018 at 11:41 AM ^
UNC has 16 tournament wins since 2013. Michigan has 15.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
I appreciate Teske and the hardwork that he puts in, but chances are he is never going to be much more than he is now. #lowceiling
March 27th, 2018 at 11:51 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:11 PM ^
I'm willing to bet you absolutely anything that Teske will never ever develop to the point that he has the same type of impact of MAAR. Never going to happen. I don't dislike him, but he is who he is.
Anyone who thinks he will turn into the big guy from Purdue that fractured his elbow is delusional!!!!!!!!!
March 27th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
I don't know how you compare Teske last year and Teske this year and say "he'll never develop into an impact player." The guy is already one of our best defenders and rebounders
March 27th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
Teske's development this year has me pretty impressed.
Great rebounder and post defender, and he had that one B1G tourney game where he showed off both low post and mid-range jumpers.
If he puts together another offseason like that, he's going to be a pain in the arse for the rest of the B1G.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
I don't know about best defender or rebounder, but simply being a 7ft abled body that can take up space will get you on any team. Being big is not a talent.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
talking about. Big men are hard to develop and John has dramatically improved his game, and his offense will evolve, just like Jordan Morgan's game got better under Beilein at both ends. When Beilein finishes with a player, you feel like losing him is the worst thing the program can endure, until he finds another who can fill the same role and do it as well or better.
And as Beilein himself has said, he's here to teach first, winning is just the outcome of his teaching method. Quite frankly, I think that is the big payoff.
I think you're confusing "talent" and "value". Being big might not be a talent, but I would contend that being valuable supercedes talent in importance 11 out of 10 times.
Ps. You're also incorrect in your analysis that Teske isn't talented, he is.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
Stupid Post. He has already been developing a 3 point shot throughout the year. He will more than likely introduce it at the start of next season and be a strech five after wagner leaves. He just doesn't have to be that player this year.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:16 PM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
Not even remotely close to trolling. I've been avid reader of this blog for years, though I just made it official last year. So I know about the recruits that are coming in.
Again, I am not saying that we don't have a good coach or team. Or reason not to be excited about the future.
All I'm saying is that with our current success you'd think that a big time recruit would say "You know what? I'm taking my talents to Ann Arbor!"
Why that seems so foreign I honestly have no idea. Go Blue!
March 27th, 2018 at 12:26 PM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
The "big guy from Purdue that fractured his elbow" is Isaac Haas.
You're right, Teske is not Isaac Haas.
In this thread, you are.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:48 PM ^
Thank you, I couldn't remember his name.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
I have not downvoted a single one of your posts....until this one. Now you have gone to far. Please stop posting while your only losing.
Teske has improved TREMENDOUSLY from last year to this year. If he only improves a little bit the next two years, we have an all Big Ten player and the best rebounding/defensive center in the league. He has improved his shooting, pick and pop, and passing ability by so much over 1 year. he will most likely moderately improve and be a complete stud next year to the point that losing Wagner is only going to be felt because the #2 guy behind Teske next year wont be nearly as good as our #2 guy this year - Teske.
Please stop.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
It may wind up being that you are right and I am wrong. That would only mean good things for Michigan. Go Blue!
Teske has LOTS of potential.....Even Haas (the Purdue big with the broken elbow thinks so)
March 27th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
#lowceiling??? Try #clueless or #lowintelligence.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:31 PM ^
Except better offense. This guy can be a truly elite shot blocker if he continues to developp.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
Would have been a McDonald's AA if he played in the states this year. We may see more interest from 5 stars now after seeing what Beilein can do with a 5 star like matthews that Calipari couldn't do. Granted he had more time with him, but still, if Matthews was still at UK he wouldn't be the player he is now.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
Unfortunately so was McGary. Regardless, he was top 50 in at least two of the recruiting sites. Maybe not 5 star officially but I would consider top 50 unusual for Beilein to get.
Edit: He was a top 5 player in his class when Kentucky offered him. Fell down the rankings for some reason.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
He is a Harvey's All-American
/s
March 27th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
I thought the "Big payoff" was Elite Eights, Final Fours and National Championships.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^
+100000. This is the correct answer. Drops the mic and walks away.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
Duke might have 5 one and dones next year. They will be fascinating to watch. Probably as much if not more talent than some of the best young Kentucky teams.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
Villanova and Virginia (I know, I know, but they won the ACC) are two examples of programs that recruit at/slightly below the level Beilein does and win consistently with good coaching and player development.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:47 AM ^
Have 4 years of Simpson over one year of some random 5*
Ill take Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans and John Wall in back to back classes. Thanks
March 27th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
Beilien is too clean. We might get one every once in a while, but it won't be the norm. I'd rather have a program that does things the right way that still wins than expose 18 year olds to hookers, snorting crack off baby tigers, underground child slave rings, illegal weapon sales, blood diamond trafficking, baby seal clubbing, dumpster BJs, hiding cinvicted rapists in basements, puppy mill investing, snide remarks, ugly drape shopping and whatever other atrcocities go on at MSU, Arizona, Kentucky, etc.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:57 AM ^
I think they're pretty trashy.
March 27th, 2018 at 12:17 PM ^
March 27th, 2018 at 12:18 PM ^
John Beilein. E before I both times.
This sounds more like seedy Koala behavior...the loveable front your species kept up for years belies the true smarmy nature of Koalas.
March 27th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^
Even when John Beilein's team is in the Final Four, some fans are still bitching about his recruiting. Amazing.