LSAClassOf2000

March 19th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^

You know, I didn't even really think about that, but for as competitive as the field can be as we've seen this year, that's really not a bad run at all even if you don't win it all. It's just more evidenceo f where Beilein has taken this program in releation to where it had been, I would say. 

trueblueintexas

March 19th, 2018 at 3:13 PM ^

I propose the opposite take, with how unfairly balanced the field has probably been (see: FBI investigation), it's really amazing Michigan has been able to keep pace with those schools. 

In essence: Duke, Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas, UNC, Luisville (add whoever else you think is cheating) have had an easier path to the sweet 16 than all other schools. They are handed elite players, those players help the school get a high seed, the high seed provides an easier path to the Sweet 16.  That is based on what we already know. If I put on a tinfoil hat, I bet we find those same shoe companies who were cheating to get certain schools certain players, also tried to get refs to make more favorable calls for those same schools (THE BLOCK WAS CLEAN!!!). That makes Beilein's accomplishments even more amazing.

Basically, with everything stacked against him, they can't keep him out.

Arb lover

March 19th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^

It's really difficult to manage elite players who you had to hand cash on a platter to come play for you, just gives them the wrong idea of who's boss, and they don't follow any directions, or stick around for 4-5 years to really develop.

It's also hard having to try to get the local police on board to clean up their messes before the student population or local paper gets wind of it. 

trueblueintexas

March 19th, 2018 at 11:40 PM ^

Agreed, it could, and most likely was, a really bad call. That said, if you are Adidas, who do you want winning that game? The program you have set up for ongoing success or the school that somehow got there despite running a clean program. For Adidas, it’s simply a business investment decision. For them investing in Louisville over Michigan would have been the better long term investment (until the whole FBI thing).

I also believe once a company (or individual) has crossed a line, there really is no limit until the next significant line. If you are going to illegally pay players and create illegal agreements between schools, coaches, and agents...it’s not that hard to justify trying to pay refs also. Again, company investment for a justified cause. That is why I will not be surprised to find out refs were involved in the whole FBI mess as well.

panthera leo fututio

March 19th, 2018 at 1:38 PM ^

I'm all for statistical pedantry, and I'm usually the first to call out arbitrary bounds on models that make statistical outcomes look good.

But 1) I don't think the arbitrariness of 2013 starting point is all that damaging to the intended inference -- that Michigan has had a great recent run of tournaments; and 2) I like the inference. So I say valid.

ak47

March 19th, 2018 at 1:55 PM ^

We bitch and moan about recency bias as a measure of program rankings in football, can't have it both ways. 

Since Beilein started in 2007 we've made the tournament 8/10 years the sweet sixteen four times, the elite eight twice and final four once. That is fantastic, celebrate that. Don't pick 2013 as a random year. 

BigBlue02

March 19th, 2018 at 5:07 PM ^

I suggest you tell M bball how upset you are as a fan then. Let them know that you are morally opposed to the timeframe of their tweet. Or you could not and just be cool with us being in elite company the last 6 years with regards to the NCAA tournament.

Zarniwoop

March 19th, 2018 at 1:23 PM ^

I hope Beilein coaches until he's 104.

When OTHER coaches all mention Beilein as the cleanest coach in basketball (evidenced by the way he doesn't even bother going after the very top kids), and the improvement his teams make, YEAR after YEAR.

He's really teaching the game of basketball.

Perkis-Size Me

March 19th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^

To be fair, I'm sure Beilein is interested in the very top kids. Here is a very short list of five star talent or very high four star talent that he either got to commit to him, or he was "in on" until the bitter end:

-McGary 

-GRIII

-Jaylen Brown

-Tyus Battle

So its not like he completely shuns them away. McGary and Brown were top-5 overall recruits who could've gone literally anywhere they wanted. GRIII was top-15 overall. If a kid wants to come here and play everything "by the book," I'm sure Beilein would have him. 

What I'm sure he does, though, is that if the kid shows any kind of mutual interest in Michigan, Beilein lays out expectations before he and his family even get on-campus. They're not getting any bagmen money, they will be attending class, there will be no free cars from boosters, no promises of playing time, no strippers to "seal the deal," etc. All he's offering them is an opportunity to play D1 basketball and get a free education. 

If a recruit wants anything beyond education and an opportunity to play ball, I imagine Beilein thanks him for his interest, but tells him to save his energy and not bother showing up for the visit, because he's not getting anything else. 

Well...Well...Well

March 19th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^

Beilein talked about it on Rich Eisen's show the week after the Big Ten Championship - he basically said exactly what you are mentioning about the mutual interest, if a kid has you in his top 2-3 and has reached out, attended camps, etc. you keep recruiting him. If he's got you on his top 10 or 12 - Beilein is saying see you later. He specifically mentioned McGary as someone who was super excited to have an opportunity to play at Michigan - and as a result he was someone he recruited. 

DeepBlueC

March 19th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^

A guy who still has 10-12 teams on his list going into his last year isn't doing his own homework on what place will actually be best for him in a basketball sense and a growing up sense. He's more likely waiting to see whose bagman will slide him the most cash under the table. The more competition, the higher the auction price. Guys looking for that kind of leverage don't limit their options to 2 or 3 too early.

HailHail47

March 19th, 2018 at 5:48 PM ^

I’m expecting recruiting will improve significantly in the next few years, it’s clear Beilein is elite now. It’s also clear that he’s a lot of fun to play for with all the press he has received, and parents are going to see it too. Beilein has grown a lot, and it’s going to pay off.