Comments on: Catching Up: Notes & Links

By: Ky Fox

Ky Fox — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:40:36 +0000

I slightly have to side with Jay on these points. While I do not neccisarily think that we need riley I do believe that we need a versatile, athletic 4 man. I do not want to criticize JB much because he has done a great job SO FAR at somewhat taking our program to the next level. But I am just a little concerned at what our roster might look like in a couple years, a lot can happen in that time recruiting wise but my fear is lack of athletecism in the frontcourt. Now like I said I dont particularly think we need Riley but going forward we need an athletic 4 man…someone between 6’7″ and 6’9″ who can get off the hardwood and grab some bounds, block some shots, but at the same time have some offensive ability. Im sorry to say that Cronin(especially after watching him tonight), JMo, McLimans will not bring that to the table. Cronin has A LOT of work to do to contribute to the squad and its as simple as getting up and down the floor…granted he might not be 100% physically but still. If any of you seen the Uconn Wisky game that is exactly what I am talking about. Bo Ryan will always be a avg 20th ranked team. They will never be in a championship nor a final four…..and in theyre very very best years they maybe get into an elite eight.. maybe! They do not have the athletesicm in the frontcourt to ever be an impact team NATIONALLY. Thats just the way it is and its just the way Ryan constructs his teams. You have to be a balanced team, and that means having a certain level of athletesicm in your frontcourt…not just finnese bigs who can shoot. Now having a big or 2 who is versatile and can shoot is great and I think it is needed…..but you have to have both to be a balanced team. My concern is we are getting bigs who can bang or shoot and guards who can, for the most part shoot, and we are not getting anything in between. I myself trust in JB but we have to get some more athletic ability in here with our next few recruits..mainly the 4 spot if we expect to win games against Duke, Uconn, MSU…ect. We are close but in my eyes thats what we need to really round out our team. And in reference to having rich rod run another offense…you cant really compare the two sports. And the way rich rod recruits is he recruits speed, its been noted that he has the fastest recruiting class in the nation…which if you did compare the two sports it would be the equivilant to a basketball team having the most athletic class coming in. Nobody is wishing JB would run another system or style because I like the way he coaches and I love the way his players become better, Im just hoping he sprinkles in a little more athletesicm to balance our team out, and really compete at a NATIONAL level.

By: Voice of Reason

Voice of Reason — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:04:24 +0000

You may already have this but…

For anyone interested in tracking a college teams basketball effeciency, e.g., Michigan, Duke, etc., then check the links below. Michigan has improved over last year and we still have a ways to go but we can keep an eye on how we compare with other teams this season and how we’ve compared last season.

http://kenpom.com/stats.php?y=2009&s=14

http://kenpom.com/stats.php?y=2008&s=14

By: Dylan

Dylan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:32:26 +0000

Beilein was an overtime away from the final four without much athleticism in the post at West Virginia. Not sure if you can really say that his system doesn’t work in March.

Beilein was the one who offered that Joe Alexander kid that no one looked at. Compare Joe and DeShawn’s sophomore season numbers and then tell me what DeShawn is doing this year — playing inside. Of course it is partly by necessity and Peedi isn’t Joe Alexander but you just can’t give JB no credit for Joe Alexander.

Let Beilein do it his way. Just like it’s ridiculous for U-M fans to want Rich Rod to run an offense other than his own. Beilein has coached this offense for YEARS and he knows what he needs to win.

Would he like to get a lineup full of NBA talent? I’m sure he would. Is DaShonte Riley a guy like that? No not really. Is he worth any sort of risk? No probably not. Is he worth not giving a 5th year to a guy who has busted his ass for JB for 2 years? Nope.

Next….

(Also, I have no problem with DaShonte and I think he has enough upside that he will turn out to be a very good player wherever he ends up)

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:21:46 +0000

Courtney Sims wasnt that bad of a player to tell u the truth, if Dion Harris amounted to anything or Air Georgia developed a game outside of 3 feet things could have been better. But in Beilein u guys trust, I understand “system” yadda yadda..but when it comes down to that time in March if you cant Bang with the other schools and believe you can finesse your way to chip then your lost. Keep gettin these soft big men, who wanna play on the perimeter. Everybody wants to talk about Joe Alexander..be honest with urself look at Joe’s #’s with Beilein and w/o..less 3′s, more block and face up to destroy the man holding him. Do you wanna give Beilein that credit also since hes UM coach now? or was that a slight change in the philosophy Huggins brought in. B is a great coach, but there is no athleticism on that front line is the point.

By: Giddings

Giddings — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:14:09 +0000

Well said, Tom. Riley is one of those guys that Tommy would go after aggressively (and potentially get), but I guarantee you that Beilein has looked closely at Riley and decided “no thanks”.

Beilein also would have stayed away from guys like Courtney Sims, and NOT just because he doesn’t have a jump shot.

Have you guys watched Riley at all? I was able to watch DCD in the state playoffs the past couple years on FSN. He really didn’t do anything for me and I remember thinking at the time “how can he possibly be a 5-star?”

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:32:16 +0000

Just an FYI, but passing on Riley may have more to do with Riley’s not being a good fit and less about his “upside”.

Beilein puts a lot into having guys who “fit in”. And by “fit in”, I’m not just talking system or style of play. I’m talking “fitting in’ to the culture of the team and the university. Beilein speaks a ton about the importance of team chemistry and I think when it comes to guys like Riley, that may be the reason he is not pursued.

Beilein simply feels he can get more out of a kid slightly less talented but more of a chemistry fit than a more talented kid who is less of a chemistry fit. I really think it is as simple as that.

My guess is Beilein doesn’t feel Riley’s potential on the floor outweighs his potential to be a disruptive force off of it.

By: BL11

BL11 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:31:09 +0000

Beilein has been looking at Regan for 2 years now and obviously is tracking his progress. Regan has a decent offer sheet…hes not a chump. I know people want riley because of his ranking and location but thats what tommy did…..

also a nice place to check out RPI along with a lot of other information…..B11 RPI rankings look like this…http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_big10_Men.html

By: UMDC

UMDC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:41:59 +0000

When it comes to Riley, I’m going with “in Beilein I trust.” He knows what he wants in a player and appears to be very good at identifying guys no matter where they are. If he wants him, then Riley’s good for the team. If Beilein doesn’t want him, then Riley isn’t worth crying over.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:12:07 +0000

OK Jay…

Let’s put it this way. I see Cronin and Morgan as fives. McLimans as a four. I made a post a little while back that Beilein doesn’t usually carry a lot of big men.

Also FWIW DaShonte plays at DCD so he plays in the Catholic league and not in the PSL.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:05:46 +0000

Ok Riley had a bad summer, but so did the rest of his team. Cronin isnt a banger, when his key attribute is “a big man with a nice shot” same with McLimans. With Beileins skills, and Rileys raw talent and athleticim could be something VERY nice.I still havent seen footage on this Reagan kid, who you seem so high on. FYI: playing in a city like the D, with a X on your back every night because you were hyped up from the 9th grade is alot different then playing in Buffalo competition . Ask Brandon Kearney, Keith Appling etc how many guys bring there A game, when they see him