Michigan head coach John Beilein and staff are so good at developing talent that they’ve become victims of their own success in some ways.
Nik Stauskas, for example, was never projected to be a two-and-done, but he was a lottery pick. Tim Hardaway Jr. went after three years, Trey Burke after two … it all left Beilein in a bit of a bind after they left early.
They are better prepared for it now, but that was foreign territory for a coach who was used to playing some seniors. And those two teams, following premature departures of some great players, were destroyed by injuries (Caris LeVert, Derrick Walton, etc.).
That still hasn’t prevented Michigan from being the winningest program in the NCAA Tournament over the last six years.
Think about that one. Michigan and North Carolina have more wins than anybody in that span … more than all the so-called elite programs and cheaters (many times one and the same) out there.
That’s amazing given how Beilein operates.
So why does it seem some kids in such a hurry to leave the program for the pros?
A few reasons. One, they aren’t getting anything up front like they are at many other programs (and which has been proven now, folks. Don’t come at us with this “sour grapes” stuff). They have to strike while the iron’s hot.
And at some other places, programs have enticements for players to stay, too. We got an email recently from a preferred subscriber down south close to the inner workings of one of the football factories.
“What they do is sprinkle money … they have a network and it is sprinkled through churches. [The head coach] isn't involved directly ... but he knows. The word just gets to the people that need to know. A few years ago [the head coach] convinced a defensive end to stay his senior year, $5,000 a month cash put in a lockbox. If anyone was ever to challenge this in [this state], the political structure would kill it.
“If you get an NFL talent to stay for his senior year, that is better than recruiting a 5-star freshman. A few players … it took about $2,500 month each to keep them. Not huge money, but enough sprinkle money to make it worth their while, have some fun and improve their draft status. it paid huge dividends.”
Speaking with a colleague at one of the Detroit papers recently, he noted these football factories (there are a handful) are like “cartels.” Challenge them, and it’s like challenging big oil. You don’t, unless you’re looking for trouble (and we’re not talking about a little harassment here, folks).
So the next time someone asks us, “Why don’t you investigate and write about it if you know about it?” … well, why don’t you? We’ll hire you for a few weeks and send you to the front lines.
Pay is a year’s subscription to the jelly of the month club, and we’ll name the office after you (in your memory?) if you get the big story.
So back to basketball, and Ignas Brazdeikis. Stauskas told us a few years ago this kid was going to be a pro after two or three years of college. It’s now looking more like one or two.
We strongly believe it will be two, depending on what happens this season. If the Wolverines were to win it all, for example, or make another run to the title game, then all bets are off. He’s that good, and Northwestern coach Chris Collins was the latest who was blown away after the frosh’s 23-point game that included three triples.
“We loved him when he was in high school,” Collins said. “Michigan has had great success in Canada, and Nik Stauskas was a great player for them. He obviously fits very well for what they do.
“I knew he was really good. I just love his sprit. He’s a warrior; he’s tough. He makes shots, gets to the basket, competes. He’s a really fun guy to watch play.”
Unless you’re a rival, of course. But selfishly, we’d love to see him in Ann Arbor for one more year, and we think you will.
Collins is also among those who believe U-M is among the nation’s elite. Michigan made plays down the stretch, including big threes by Brazdeikis and Eli Brooks when Michigan fell behind, in a 62-60 win at Northwestern.
“That’s what great teams do. They are one of the great teams, very well coached,” Collins said. Give them credit for getting it done.
“Their defense is very good, as good as any we’ve seen all year, maybe any we’ll see all year. It’s one thing to defend them, but then it’s another thing you have to work hard to try to score against them because the are a really good defensive team.”
****
Early departures aren’t only an issue for hoops, of course. We continue to hear that junior quarterback Shea Patterson is conflicted about whether or not to test the NFL waters. The Ohio State game has left him hungry for more, and while there are some in his camp who want to see what he can do at the next level (and soon), he really loves Ann Arbor.
It’s looking more and more like he’ll return for his senior year.
Junior Devin Bush is another who loves it here, and it makes sense for him to leave considering he’ll be a first round pick. We expect him to. At the same time, guys like Jake Long, etc. were in the same boat and came back because they loved Michigan football so much and had unfinished business.
Again, do we expect it? No. But it wouldn't be unprecedented.
Nik Stauskas, for example, was never projected to be a two-and-done, but he was a lottery pick. Tim Hardaway Jr. went after three years, Trey Burke after two … it all left Beilein in a bit of a bind after they left early.
They are better prepared for it now, but that was foreign territory for a coach who was used to playing some seniors. And those two teams, following premature departures of some great players, were destroyed by injuries (Caris LeVert, Derrick Walton, etc.).
That still hasn’t prevented Michigan from being the winningest program in the NCAA Tournament over the last six years.
Think about that one. Michigan and North Carolina have more wins than anybody in that span … more than all the so-called elite programs and cheaters (many times one and the same) out there.
That’s amazing given how Beilein operates.
So why does it seem some kids in such a hurry to leave the program for the pros?
A few reasons. One, they aren’t getting anything up front like they are at many other programs (and which has been proven now, folks. Don’t come at us with this “sour grapes” stuff). They have to strike while the iron’s hot.
And at some other places, programs have enticements for players to stay, too. We got an email recently from a preferred subscriber down south close to the inner workings of one of the football factories.
“What they do is sprinkle money … they have a network and it is sprinkled through churches. [The head coach] isn't involved directly ... but he knows. The word just gets to the people that need to know. A few years ago [the head coach] convinced a defensive end to stay his senior year, $5,000 a month cash put in a lockbox. If anyone was ever to challenge this in [this state], the political structure would kill it.
“If you get an NFL talent to stay for his senior year, that is better than recruiting a 5-star freshman. A few players … it took about $2,500 month each to keep them. Not huge money, but enough sprinkle money to make it worth their while, have some fun and improve their draft status. it paid huge dividends.”
Speaking with a colleague at one of the Detroit papers recently, he noted these football factories (there are a handful) are like “cartels.” Challenge them, and it’s like challenging big oil. You don’t, unless you’re looking for trouble (and we’re not talking about a little harassment here, folks).
So the next time someone asks us, “Why don’t you investigate and write about it if you know about it?” … well, why don’t you? We’ll hire you for a few weeks and send you to the front lines.
Pay is a year’s subscription to the jelly of the month club, and we’ll name the office after you (in your memory?) if you get the big story.
So back to basketball, and Ignas Brazdeikis. Stauskas told us a few years ago this kid was going to be a pro after two or three years of college. It’s now looking more like one or two.
We strongly believe it will be two, depending on what happens this season. If the Wolverines were to win it all, for example, or make another run to the title game, then all bets are off. He’s that good, and Northwestern coach Chris Collins was the latest who was blown away after the frosh’s 23-point game that included three triples.
“We loved him when he was in high school,” Collins said. “Michigan has had great success in Canada, and Nik Stauskas was a great player for them. He obviously fits very well for what they do.
“I knew he was really good. I just love his sprit. He’s a warrior; he’s tough. He makes shots, gets to the basket, competes. He’s a really fun guy to watch play.”
Unless you’re a rival, of course. But selfishly, we’d love to see him in Ann Arbor for one more year, and we think you will.
Collins is also among those who believe U-M is among the nation’s elite. Michigan made plays down the stretch, including big threes by Brazdeikis and Eli Brooks when Michigan fell behind, in a 62-60 win at Northwestern.
“That’s what great teams do. They are one of the great teams, very well coached,” Collins said. Give them credit for getting it done.
“Their defense is very good, as good as any we’ve seen all year, maybe any we’ll see all year. It’s one thing to defend them, but then it’s another thing you have to work hard to try to score against them because the are a really good defensive team.”
****
Early departures aren’t only an issue for hoops, of course. We continue to hear that junior quarterback Shea Patterson is conflicted about whether or not to test the NFL waters. The Ohio State game has left him hungry for more, and while there are some in his camp who want to see what he can do at the next level (and soon), he really loves Ann Arbor.
It’s looking more and more like he’ll return for his senior year.
Junior Devin Bush is another who loves it here, and it makes sense for him to leave considering he’ll be a first round pick. We expect him to. At the same time, guys like Jake Long, etc. were in the same boat and came back because they loved Michigan football so much and had unfinished business.
Again, do we expect it? No. But it wouldn't be unprecedented.
Last edited:
