1. As good as John Beilein is at developing players, it's very nice to be winning recruiting battles again. Our first offer in '17 went to Jordan Poole, our first offer in '18 went to Brandon Johns, and our number one target since April/May (either for '18 or even, after D.J. Wilson's early entry, to re-classify to '17 if he preferred) has been Ignas Brazdeikis. All are coming. While some argue that we should be more focused on 5* kids (though that position has lost a lot of luster over the past week), there can be no argument that guys Beilein has focused on early and gotten (Morris, Stauskas, McGary, Walton, Irvin) have turned out well.
2. I think we're going to see a bit of a transition in Michigan basketball going forward. We'll still be very good offensively--Beilein teams almost always are--but I think we'll be much better than we have been defensively, and thus more balanced overall. This year, the defensive improvement may be minimal, owing to Wilson's departure, Duncan Robinson having to play increased minutes at the 4, and the youth of the roster. However, Charles Matthews is the multi-positional defensive stopper we've lacked, and we're going to be better defensively at the point, especially when Simpson plays and at least a bit in the post because Mo Wagner rates to improve some with experience and our back-up, whether Teske or Davis, will provide a stronger defensive presence than Mark Donnal provided. Going forward, increased athleticism and depth, rim protectors of the type we haven't had in the past, and Beilein's increased commitment on the defensive end, as evidenced by hiring a quasi-defensive coordinator two years in a row, signal a bright future.
3. We get our once every four years foreign trip next summer, and it could not come at a better time. We lose three starters for sure (MAAR, Simmons and Robinson (who will start, no matter how many folks try to envision ways he won't), a fourth almost certainly (Wagner to early entry), and maybe a fifth if Matthews breaks out this year (I think he'll be here two more to develop his offensive skills this year and then showcase them as the team leader in '18-'19, but you never know). We're going to be very talented, but very young. The extra practices and games will help immensely to develop our freshmen and get our returnees experience in the new roles they'll be asked to play.
4. To reach our full potential this season, MAAR has to take over more on the offensive end. While I'm on record as saying that Jordan Poole will be a star in time, this year, MAAR needs to be a guy who makes plays. He showed better vision last year off penetration, but he still needs improvement in that area. If that happens...
5. I think people are giving up on Jon Teske way too early. You can't teach 7'1", and he has shot blocking/rim protecting and shooting/passing skills at that size. Right now, he's far too passive, and he looks awkward as he tries to adjust to the increased speed of the college game and the skill and athleticism of big time posts. Big men, though, often take a bit longer to develop. When Mo leaves, we're going to have three options at the 5 (Davis, Teske and Castleton). I wouldn't count any of them out just yet.
6. Livers, Iggy, Johns, maybe Matthews for at least a year--man, that's talent and depth at the forward spots.
7. I don't know how many guys Beilein will play in the regular rotation this year. I do know that if we suffer injuries, we're much better equipped to deal with them, at least at the 1-4 positions (we're too inexperienced at the 5 to be able to plug in someone for Wagner without major issues).
8. I'm expecting a huge jump from Simpson this year and then going forward.
2. I think we're going to see a bit of a transition in Michigan basketball going forward. We'll still be very good offensively--Beilein teams almost always are--but I think we'll be much better than we have been defensively, and thus more balanced overall. This year, the defensive improvement may be minimal, owing to Wilson's departure, Duncan Robinson having to play increased minutes at the 4, and the youth of the roster. However, Charles Matthews is the multi-positional defensive stopper we've lacked, and we're going to be better defensively at the point, especially when Simpson plays and at least a bit in the post because Mo Wagner rates to improve some with experience and our back-up, whether Teske or Davis, will provide a stronger defensive presence than Mark Donnal provided. Going forward, increased athleticism and depth, rim protectors of the type we haven't had in the past, and Beilein's increased commitment on the defensive end, as evidenced by hiring a quasi-defensive coordinator two years in a row, signal a bright future.
3. We get our once every four years foreign trip next summer, and it could not come at a better time. We lose three starters for sure (MAAR, Simmons and Robinson (who will start, no matter how many folks try to envision ways he won't), a fourth almost certainly (Wagner to early entry), and maybe a fifth if Matthews breaks out this year (I think he'll be here two more to develop his offensive skills this year and then showcase them as the team leader in '18-'19, but you never know). We're going to be very talented, but very young. The extra practices and games will help immensely to develop our freshmen and get our returnees experience in the new roles they'll be asked to play.
4. To reach our full potential this season, MAAR has to take over more on the offensive end. While I'm on record as saying that Jordan Poole will be a star in time, this year, MAAR needs to be a guy who makes plays. He showed better vision last year off penetration, but he still needs improvement in that area. If that happens...
5. I think people are giving up on Jon Teske way too early. You can't teach 7'1", and he has shot blocking/rim protecting and shooting/passing skills at that size. Right now, he's far too passive, and he looks awkward as he tries to adjust to the increased speed of the college game and the skill and athleticism of big time posts. Big men, though, often take a bit longer to develop. When Mo leaves, we're going to have three options at the 5 (Davis, Teske and Castleton). I wouldn't count any of them out just yet.
6. Livers, Iggy, Johns, maybe Matthews for at least a year--man, that's talent and depth at the forward spots.
7. I don't know how many guys Beilein will play in the regular rotation this year. I do know that if we suffer injuries, we're much better equipped to deal with them, at least at the 1-4 positions (we're too inexperienced at the 5 to be able to plug in someone for Wagner without major issues).
8. I'm expecting a huge jump from Simpson this year and then going forward.
