![beilein[1]](http://www.umhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/beilein1_thumb.jpg "beilein[1]")
John Beilein joined Larry Lage on WDFN this afternoon to discuss his program. Michigan’s head man talked recruiting, the assessment of the 2012 class already on campus, the advantages and disadvantages of one-and-done players and much more. Find the highlights and notable quotes from Beilein below or listen to the full interview here.
Beilein supports revamped recruiting calendar
“Recruiting this year has taken a sudden change,” Beilein said. In April of this year, Beilein and the assistant coaches were able to hit the AAU circuit and, as Beilein said, “sort some things out.” Beilein said that although they watch all the Michigan commits they can, and are still looking for 2013 players, they’re mostly watching players in the class of 2014 at this point.
“This is the first time ever, in 20-some years, that I have been home on July 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,” Beilein said.
But the breaking down of the recruiting period into four-to-five week segments has helped the coaching staff, according to Beilein. The staff has been able to get good evaluations as well as rest, and the events have been well-done.
“I’m pleased with the direction the NCAA has taken in that.”
Beilein on the “one-and-done” players
The Michigan coach addressed the anomalous nature of his experience with players leaving school early, mentioning that both Darius Morris, a two-and-done player, and Trey Burke, who was almost one-and-done last year, were barely top-100 recruits.
“It’s hard to tell who the one-and-done is and who isn’t,” Beilein said. “So, you have to recruit the best player you can get. If a guy is like a Kobe Bryant, and he says, ‘Coach, I’ve dreamed my whole life about going to Michigan, but I’m only going to be there one year,’ that’s different than us being on a top-10 list of someone who’s a sure one-and-done.”
Beilein said the trouble with the latter is that you could lose some really good players slotted just behind that prospect if you expend a ton of time and energy going after the top guy.
“We have to choose our battles very carefully as to who we are going to recruit with the really super prospects,” Beilein said.
2012 class on campus
“They’re like typical freshmen. You’re teaching them the fundamentals of the college game, you’re cleaning up things their high school coaches have no time to do. — balance, fine-tuning the shot,” Beilein said. “And then you get them acclimated with our players, teach them the culture. It’s really been good.”
Beilein mentioned that the time the new freshmen get to spend on campus, going to class and getting some practice time in — they’ve practiced about eight hours so far — has been a great “orientation” for the incoming class.
“I like what I see,” Beilein said. “I love this team’s depth, those frehmen, their spirit, and how the upperclassmen have embraced them.”
Trey Burke staying in school
Beilein said he thought most of the reports that surfaced during the investigation into whether or not Trey Burke would leave for the NBA were “premature.”
Burke and the coaches worked together to find an honest assessment of his draft prospects, with Beilein getting word from numerous NBA general managers and getting many other opinions.
“We were all together with the whole staff working with them, every day talking about different prospects.”
After assembling all the information and evaluating it, Beilein said Burke simply told him one day he was staying in school.
