Beilein on Poole

Submitted by PeteM on

I went to the Beilein show at Pizza House last night.  Jordan Poole came up, and Beilein praised his play off the bench against Wisconsin, but then talked about the late turnover, saying that sometimes Poole plays like "Bambi on ice" (not the first time Beilein's used that analogy to describe a player who doesn't always stay balanced).  I love Poole's skill and confidence (he rarely seems tentative even in tense situations), but he can also seem like he's all arms and legs, and a bit out of control.

Anyway, I expect him to be a starter/leader before long. This article from a week or so making the Vinnie Johnson/microwave comparision after his games against Purdue and Indiana does a good job of describing the spark he can bring to the team:

https://www.michigandaily.com/section/basketball/microwave-poole-raisin…

Frank Chuck

February 13th, 2018 at 9:31 PM ^

It's clear Simpson improved substantially from his freshman to sophomore season.

While I think very highly of David DeJulius (because I think he's grossly underrated), the notion that a true freshman will replace a junior is difficult to believe.

If DeJulius is freshman Trey Burke/Chris Paul-level then sure. Otherwise, I expect freshman DeJulius to be the back-up if Eli Brooks doesn't step up his game.

Indy Pete - Go Blue

February 13th, 2018 at 9:23 PM ^

Beilein’s big focus for Poole this year has been teaching him how to play winning basketball. He seems to be catching the drift with some notable improvements in defense and passing. I agree with above... looking like a starter next year and a big scorer for this team for years to come!

Frank Chuck

February 13th, 2018 at 9:41 PM ^

...if Wagner returns.

 

PG: Zavier Simpson / David DeJulius / Eli Brooks

SG: Jordan Poole / Ibi Watson

SF: Charles Matthews / Ignas Brazdeikis

PF: Isaiah Livers / Brandon Johns

C: Moritz Wagner / Jon Teske / Austin Davis / Colin Castleton

 

I think Adrien Nunez goes prep if we don't lose Watson or Davis as a transfer.

Robbie Moore

February 13th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^

Wagner and Watson. Your 2018-19 depth chart:

1 - Simpson/DeJulius/Brooks

2 - Poole/Nunez

3 - Matthews/Iggy

4 - Livers/Johns

5 - Teske/Davis/Castleton

I think Matthews is the true X factor. He's got the tools. Just got to figure it out. I'm betting he will. 

This is a really good roster. Though I think the 2019-20 team may be the one with the Final 4 potential.

Frank Chuck

February 13th, 2018 at 10:15 PM ^

I see him returning for his senior season barring an epic Mitch McGary-esque run in the NCAAT.

If he's in a Michigan uniform, then I expect us to be a top-5 to top-10 team in 2019.

But I agree that the 2020 team sets up to be a FInal Four caliber team.

bluesalt

February 13th, 2018 at 11:38 PM ^

I love Wagner and hope he stays, but nothing I’ve seen from him this year gives me any confidence he’d turn into the defender he needs to be to be picked in the 1st round. He doesn’t alter shots, gets out of position, and commits some bad fouls. I don’t think it’s for lack of effort — he’s just not an instinctual defender, and even in today’s NBA where you shoot from half-court, bigs still need to be able to defend, or at least look like they can learn.

Piston Blue

February 13th, 2018 at 11:59 PM ^

mainly because if next year goes really well, Poole or Livers might not be back. I think Poole has B1G PoTY potential as early as next year, and may go the Stauskas route. Livers is more of an NBA athlete already, and if he can polish his game off over the summer we might not have either of those guys come 2020.

Mike Damone

February 13th, 2018 at 10:51 PM ^

one badass looking roster.  Can't remember a potential 10+ deep Michigan team with this much balance between shooting, quickness and size.  The 88-89 team perhaps comes to mind, but that team really only went 8 deep at most.

Going to be a fun few years of Michigan hoops!  Go Blue!