PurpleStuff

April 19th, 2014 at 4:32 PM ^

Every year they do it, like clockwork.  There will be another Brunson type character for all of us to worry about then.  If Brunson himself is that great (wherever he goes), he wouldn't be around for year 2 anyway. 

I suggest taking up whiskey.  It will take the edge off and help you see that times are good.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

WolvinLA2

April 19th, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^

If Dawkins commits, that would give us 4 true wing types, with one of them likely gone after this season, and another one 2 years older than anyone in the 2015 class.  That means the guys from that class only need to beat out one of Dawkins and MAAR to be the first guy off the bench (Irvin's role this year).  I don't expect that to scare anyone away.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

WolvinLA2

April 19th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^

But Spike and Walton were here before today, so what does today have to do with him?  

I doubt LeVert stays, and Coleman probably knows that, and he wouldn't be "behind' Irvin because they could both play at the same time.  He would only have to deal with one or two lightly recruited guys who are only one year older than him.  I have no idea why you're so worked up about this.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

PurpleStuff

April 19th, 2014 at 4:21 PM ^

There is nothing stopping that from happening.  I don't know what you are basing your worry on.

Walton and Brunson could play together and Irvin could play the 3 (assuming he's even still here).  LeVert won't be here and Brunson would just have to beat out two guys who are going to be no more than bench players next season (and likely only one of them will land that kind of role). 

Again, no other elite program is going to have a roster devoid of guards who could "potentially" beat out Brunson should he sign with them.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

iamtjeff

April 19th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^

I don't think Brunson will shy away from Michigan because of either one. He's much better than both of them based on video. Maybe these two come in and light it up; provided how little playing time either will get I seriously doubt it. The more likely issue will be scholarships. If Mitch stays, we'll probably see McGary and maybe Levert leave for the NBA next year, though. 

Joined: 01/11/2014

MGoPoints: 994

AlwaysBlue

April 19th, 2014 at 4:52 PM ^

make sense. If they are replacing Walton and/or Caris and/or Irvin, there openings. The backups are irrelevant, particularly when they aren't highly ranked/recruited kids waiting their turn. The only trouble could be if one of these guys blew up in some unimaginable way as freshmen. And if that happens, I will be less worried about 2015 recruiting.

Joined: 11/23/2008

MGoPoints: 7854

ThadMattasagoblin

April 19th, 2014 at 4:06 PM ^

The coaches know what they're doing in regards to Brunson and other targets. Levert is leaving for sure. Walton and Irvin may leave next year or the year after. Spike and caris Levert as late offers worked out well.

Joined: 08/24/2011

MGoPoints: 63925

LSAClassOf2000

April 19th, 2014 at 4:32 PM ^

I had thought he visited Ann Arbor somewhere around this time last year and I don't think we offered at that point. Indeed, a quick look at 247Sports just now - if this is current - shows that we did not. His highest interest, according to them, would be in Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, UCLA, UNLV and North Carolina. His only Big Ten offers are Indiana and Ohio State. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130561

Bb011

April 19th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^

I'm not sure how much I like this, but I trust beilein. I can't help but feel like with the way we have been playing that we should be snagging some high level recruits right now though...

Joined: 09/02/2010

MGoPoints: 4721

93Grad

April 19th, 2014 at 4:34 PM ^

Why take both MAAR and Dawkins? Gotta think this does not bode well for landing two guards in 2015 which means only 1 of the Jalens, Ahrens, Davis and McQuade. I know some people don't like to bank schollys and our staff has hit recently with late offers but I don't think getting both of these players is a good strategy. Unless this means we don't have a very good shot at landing more than one of our top guard/wing prospects in 2015, and if that is the case why are doing worse with top prospects than we were prior to our on court success?

Joined: 07/26/2011

MGoPoints: 13555

PurpleStuff

April 19th, 2014 at 4:54 PM ^

If Irvin starts at the 3 (which I think is a very safe assumption) we really have only one 2-guard on the roster next year (LeVert) and he's probably gone after next season.  Taking two guys (both of whom could probably play the 3 as well) ups the chances that you find one who can contribute a little bit next year. 

Next year you replace LeVert with a blue-chip recruit and everything is golden.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

PurpleStuff

April 19th, 2014 at 5:12 PM ^

With Hatch almost certainly out of the picture for next year and Wilson/Chatman both potentially looking more like 4's in Beilein's system, you may need a guy at both the 2 and the 3 off the bench.  In that case, the UMHoops scouting report seems to suggest MAAR as a better fit at the 2 (more handle, less outside stroke) and Dawkins as a better fit at the 3 (better shooter with less playmaking ability), with both viewed as athletic and potentially good defensively. 

And with Dawkins being an NBA player and NCAA coach's son, he fits the Beilein recruiting MO nicely.

Joined: 04/21/2009

MGoPoints: 15969

bluesalt

April 19th, 2014 at 4:36 PM ^

And trust the coaches. A championship game appearance, an outright B1G title, and an elite 8 appearance in two years. I think they've shown they have a good idea of what they're doing.

Joined: 11/02/2011

MGoPoints: 8490

turd ferguson

April 19th, 2014 at 4:53 PM ^

But it's not like Beilein's success was a one-year fluke or all attributable to one star player.  Let's even ignore his pre-Michigan success.  Beilein took over a program in pretty rough shape and in seven seasons has made the NCAA tournament five times (advancing past the round of 64 each time), won two Big Ten titles, and been to the Elite Eight twice and championship game once.  

Those five tournament teams each had essentially a different star player.

2008-09:  Manny Harris
2010-11:  Darius Morris
2011-12:  ?  (Burke? Novak? Hardaway?)
2012-13:  Trey Burke
2013-14:  Nik Stauskas

If "trust the coaches" has ever applied, it's probably right now with this staff.

Joined: 12/09/2009

MGoPoints: 26493

alum96

April 19th, 2014 at 4:57 PM ^

Yes I am amazed at the consernation.  Save it for football.  I am perplexed why they are taking both guards myself but obviously we have zero idea what the coaches know so they probably know how likely X transfer is or Y commit in 2015 is etc.  They have earned the benefit of the doubt.

Saying X guard won't come here because we signed two 2-3 stars is like saying Leonard Fournette was worried about Rawls.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82301

dayooper63

April 19th, 2014 at 5:10 PM ^

His success is unsustained?  In his 12 years coaching major D1 basketball, Beilein has been to the NCAA Tourney 7 times, never losing in the first round.  He took BB power WVU to both the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8 in consecutive years.  He has led UM to the sweet 16 in just under half (3) of his seven years as coach.  He knows what he is doing.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 715