Austin Davis shoots down transfer noise
A few of my family members are in the inner circle of the Davis’ family and I had heard before the tourney he wasn’t planning to leave but since it’s in writing now I figured I would share. As discussed in a prior thread, some may construe this as more evidence Moe is considering leaving.
“I’ll be here,” Davis said. “I committed to Michigan, and I’m not going anywhere. This season just showed me what I need to do differently.”
http://www.lenconnect.com/sports/20180410/davis-anschuetz-find-roles-du…
But he doesn't have any ball skills.
Castleton is a baller -- no way he redshirts if Mo leaves.
You think Davis needs 20 extra pounds? He's listed as 245 lbs, same as Detroit Piston forward Henry Ellenson and 7 pounds more than Piston Eric Moreland. Blake Griffin goes 250. I don't think a 265 pound Austin Davis is necessarily an upgrade, unless it's 20 pounds of Bielfeldt calf muscle to launch him into the stratosphere.
It's pretty obvious that Davis is never going to be a go-to player. He was a lowly recruit who played in a bad, bad league in rural Michigan. Davis's strength then was overwhelming small white guys!
He has some ability to get out and run a bit but was a foul machine this year who showed absolutely nothing on the offensive end.
Does that mean he won't improve? No, all players improve under Beilen and he'll have a role at some point.
But it will not be as a stretch 4 or 5 hoisting threes or taking guys off the dribble which are both in Castelton's quiver. Comparing Davis and Castleton is simply illogical -- they won't play the same position in B's offense. Davis, at best, will be a role player filling minutes. He'll probably be eating 7-10 minutes backing up Teske next year.
April 11th, 2018 at 10:51 AM ^
April 11th, 2018 at 11:52 AM ^
Exactly. He's transformed his body significantly since his arrival on campus. His body frame can certainly handle another 20 pounds, but does he really need it? Continuing to get stronger does not necessarily mean adding significant weight. I would argue increasing strength, quick-twitch reactions, stamina, and understanding defensive positioning better will benefit Davis more than gaining 20 additional pounds.
His scouting report was always a "do the dirty work down low" type of guy. He has great hands. He's a tool that can be used with more offensive and defensive refinement.
I'm rooting for him.
he needs to stay at 245 or even get down to 240. He's playing in an offense that absolutely will not post him up and let him back a guy down. This is modern basketball and he needs to be as quick as possible to defend the pick and roll and 5's that can shoot and be on the perimeter (like Omari Spellman).
He's big enough to box out any defender already (he was a stellar defensive rebounder this year).
There is literally nothing we'd want him to bulk up for.
When Davis starts hoisting 24 footers I'll revise and amend my comment.
How about 21 feet - aka the college 3-point line? Can he be 245 lbs if he shoots from 21 feet?
And how's this work? How much poundage do you need to take jumpers? Is there a range? Like, if you can't hit more than a bunny, you have to be 400 pounds? If your max is within 10 feet, you have to weigh 275-300? Is that how your scale works? Do you have a chart you can share to help us out?
Jordan Morgan was listed at 250. What if we stuff Davis' pockets with loose change? Is that allowed?
He was 5'8"/135 lbs at the time and outscored Davis.
Have you ever seen Davis play in person? I don't want to run the kid down and he has the potential to be a role player at some point but, back to the original point, he is not going to keep Castleton on the bench. He's not in the same stratosphere skill-wise and the two play different positions in a Beilein offense.
Ellenson is a wing gunner. You got me bad on that comparison. Morland isn't.
Here's a list of B1G big men who might be on rosters next year. This group comprises Davis' likely matchups. Average weight: 242 lbs
Some of these guys may gain weight. Others may lose weight (Wesson). I still argue that a 245 lb Austin Davis can compete in the Big 10. Promise me a muscular 265 lb Davis that still has a modicum of mobility and stamina? Sign me up. But your blanket "Davis needs 20 pounds" statement is subject to scrutiny.
Grabbed from this year's roster listings.
D. Pardon 6'8" 235
I. Roby 6'8" 226
M. Watkins 6'9" 254
K. Wesson 6'8" 270
X. Tillman 6'8" 260
N. Ward 6'8" 245
N. Ruevers 6'10" 215
E. Happ 6'10" 235
R. Haarms 7'3" 250
J. Murphy 6'6" 250
J. Morgan 6'8" 230
M. Finke 6'10" 235
B. Fernando 6'10" 245
L. Garza 6'11" 235
C. Pemsl 6'8" 240
And I'll throw a few relevant stats at you. In the two games he played the most minutes this year, Davis had 3 fouls in 12 minutes against that powerhouse Alabama A&M squad and 5 fouls in 7 minutes against U of D (whose coach got canned).
Keep trying to spin gold out of straw, Rumplestilskin!
My take: Davis needs to learn defensive positioning, how to move his feet better, and how to play physical defense while keeping verticality. All of those things don't require gaining 20 pounds.
I agree that Davis needs to learn how to play better defense. I'm arguing against your assertion that Davis needs to gain 20 pounds.
Hell, Duncan Robinson learned how to play effective post defense this year against power forwards much heavier than him. How much does Duncan Robinson weigh? 215 pounds.
Davis effectively has no offensive game at all.
He's not going to keep Castleton on the bench.
April 11th, 2018 at 11:30 AM ^
THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!
GO BLUE
that he expects Davis to be a real contributor next season... he seemed pretty high on Davis.
that Donnal was going to be really good. And he played with him. I frankly don't think McCormick has any special insight here.