Spinning off another thread about 5 star Maxey.
Beilein does a fine job of marketing his program - his vision of the program. He puts a ton of effort into it. What he doesn't do is stray far from his basic principles. So what does he sell?
On the basketball side, he sells player development. It's the coin of the realm. Skill development and learning an offense that translates to the NBA very well. He breaks down film to show a recruit how he fits in. Sanderson's track record of physical transformation of every player who puts out the effort. Great facilities, the best equipment. Playing in the B1G against top competition, and NCAA appearances almost every year. The chance to play at venues all over the world.
On the non-basketball side, he sells team first. He sells the university as an academic power that stays with a student for the rest of his life. Academic support and an insistence on meeting expectations. The Ann Arbor social life. Being active in the community.
What Beilein won't or can't sell? A luxury dorm for athletes. An easy ride academically. Playing time promises. Extra benefits, obviously. Star treatment. Being a "glamor" school a la UK, KU and Duke or playing for a glamor coach.
The above is not exactly a prescription for landing most 5 star recruits. They see themselves as certain one and dones who don't need much development, who major in eligibility, who dreamed of playing at the handful of elite programs. I'm actually grateful for that. Beilein has raised our profile enough that we are usually in the mix for a couple of elite kids, but that will never be his bread and butter. The harshest critics of Beilein's recruiting want him to be someone he's not. Beilein may have played his hand wrong from time to time, but there's lots of company in that, including Izzo.
I'm happy to trade off what Beilein can't or won't do for a team that lives up to his standards.
Beilein does a fine job of marketing his program - his vision of the program. He puts a ton of effort into it. What he doesn't do is stray far from his basic principles. So what does he sell?
On the basketball side, he sells player development. It's the coin of the realm. Skill development and learning an offense that translates to the NBA very well. He breaks down film to show a recruit how he fits in. Sanderson's track record of physical transformation of every player who puts out the effort. Great facilities, the best equipment. Playing in the B1G against top competition, and NCAA appearances almost every year. The chance to play at venues all over the world.
On the non-basketball side, he sells team first. He sells the university as an academic power that stays with a student for the rest of his life. Academic support and an insistence on meeting expectations. The Ann Arbor social life. Being active in the community.
What Beilein won't or can't sell? A luxury dorm for athletes. An easy ride academically. Playing time promises. Extra benefits, obviously. Star treatment. Being a "glamor" school a la UK, KU and Duke or playing for a glamor coach.
The above is not exactly a prescription for landing most 5 star recruits. They see themselves as certain one and dones who don't need much development, who major in eligibility, who dreamed of playing at the handful of elite programs. I'm actually grateful for that. Beilein has raised our profile enough that we are usually in the mix for a couple of elite kids, but that will never be his bread and butter. The harshest critics of Beilein's recruiting want him to be someone he's not. Beilein may have played his hand wrong from time to time, but there's lots of company in that, including Izzo.
I'm happy to trade off what Beilein can't or won't do for a team that lives up to his standards.
