considered a 5 tool player. JD has about half that number. He's regularly injured, nearing 30 and a FA at the end of the year. He was one of my favorite Tigers but the Tigers have been trying to trade him since winter, he just wasn't fetching the offers.
mystery but to most everyone in the country who doesn't post here, Michigan is a football school. Mitch talked about it when he committed, he said he was asked why he would go to a football school. Add Beilein's throw back approach and the AAU influence that replaces the high school coach influence, especially with the most talented.
It's frustrating and disappointing but I respect the hell out of Beilein and accept that he isn't going to compromise or try to be someone he isn't.
when I read interviews with kids Michigan is recruiting they mention hearing from Michigan frequently. What Beilein doesn't do is beginning (as mentioned) and I think that's by design. Beilein doesn't like high maintenance types.
when you look at the salary cap of $99 million. The winning model now is three superstars so unless Hardaway joins that echelon that's a crazy way to allocate finite resources.
but excuses/explanations for losses last season are just as much a threat this fall. Games will be poorly officiated, there will be injuries and games where nothing clicks. If a senior laden team couldn't play over those things I'm not at all certain this squad will.
basketball fix. I'm good with either SF but would prefer Tyson over Locke. I'm embracing this whole positionless basketball thing and Tyson's length. I expect attrition after next season, with Moe not necessarily the most likely. Playing time will tell.
of salary tied up in Martinez, Cabrera and Verlander. How did they perform this weekend? These three are the least impacted by a manager, should be the team leaders.
before Ausmus and Avila. Most of this is Dombrowski's work who left them with fat contracts, an emptied farm system and no bullpen. I suppose you can blame Avila for not pressing the issue when he took over the job but beyond that it's hard to hold him accountable for the low returns they are getting from Verlander, Cabrera and Martinez.
Wagner's problems on defense are fixable. I think his fear of fouls and lack of experience/comfort tended to freeze him last season. He commented after a game last season that he knew what to do but he wasn't doing it for reasons he couldn't explain. If he can play more instinctively he will improve a great deal.
said he would get his degree and loves Ann Arbor. Everything can change but unless he blows up into a lottery pick it's not a safe assumption that he leaves.
with players in East Lansing that have led to transfers, early entrants and the famous sleep over a few years ago when trying to deal with team chemistry.
complicated, every scheme is about focus, effort and having the personnel to execute. The rub on Beilein before Donlon was that he wasn't investing enough practice time. What changed and what Beilein has talked about is the shot clock and how often players were looking to drive the ball without really running any kind of offense. You mistake Beilein's coaching philosophy with a lack of ability.
about the defense in late January. He mentioned the time allocated because of the new staff and lack of results that sent him to the film room. Let's not overly credit Donlon. What hurts most is the timing, especially with the losses of Walton, Irvin, Wilson and Dakich who was considered another coach on the bench.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/01/john_beilein_2.html
players are looking at something completely than football players. Kids don't go to Kentucky for the coaching. They go for the exposure, the soft academic requirements and because they can't go straight to the NBA.
are both legit questions about DJ. He had many games last season where he all but disappeared. They are also two things he can improve if he decides his Cal Swag thing allows.
Indiana well, not sure beyond that. Beilein is a strategist though and if the parting is on good terms he probably sees it as an opportunity to strengthen Michigan.
if more college ready (in one man's view) leave in one or two years or go the DJ route and leave in three? Beilein isn't going to recruit one-and-dones so the trick is backfilling.
Michigan many times according to various articles over the last year. I think this a great pickup and if he continues to show the growth that he did between his freshman and sophomore seasons better than great.
significance of being right is when it's an observation made completely out of the context of Beilein's reasons, which he admits not to know. Secondly, I thought the serious chatter in January was that the RPI was going to play a diminished role in tournament seeding. Finally, there are plenty of Beilein comments over the years about how he breaks down a season and his goals. Maybe he doesn't give a damn about RPI like most respected sources.
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are both legit questions about DJ. He had many games last season where he all but disappeared. They are also two things he can improve if he decides his Cal Swag thing allows.
He moved to Michigan from Ohio last year but grew up a Michigan fan. I think he'll rise in rankings.
significance of being right is when it's an observation made completely out of the context of Beilein's reasons, which he admits not to know. Secondly, I thought the serious chatter in January was that the RPI was going to play a diminished role in tournament seeding. Finally, there are plenty of Beilein comments over the years about how he breaks down a season and his goals. Maybe he doesn't give a damn about RPI like most respected sources.