UM Hoops.com

According to Go Blue Wolverine, 2011 super recruit Michael Gilchrist is on campus ($, but the picture tells all). Gilchrist is the consensus #1 player in class of 2011 and possibly in the whole country. For more information, here’s Seth Davis’ profile of Gilchrist from this summer that details his life, early recruitment, relationship with William Wesley, and just about everything else. Obviously the competition is steep for landing the consensus top player in the country but getting him on campus is a statement none-the-less. From the SI article, here’s Michael’s school situation (July):

As for Michael’s recruitment, many people in basketball circles are assuming that his relationship with Wesley will ultimately lead Michael to sign with Kentucky, whose coach, John Calipari, is perhaps Wesley’s closest friend among major college coaches. When Michael was 13, he told a newspaper reporter that he wanted to attend Memphis, where Calipari was then the coach. This week, Michael said that Kentucky and Villanova were his top choices. (Michael used to play youth basketball with Wildcats coach Jay Wright’s sons, and Cindy is close with Wright.) Cindy, however, cautions against anyone playing connect-the-dots between Wesley, her son and Calipari.

Video:

Russell Byrd enjoys UK visit, but . . .
Kentucky fans might be too crazy for him. I love this quote:

His son was “absolutely amazed” by Madness and almost apologetic after the public pickup games on Saturday. A fan yelled at him for not wearing blue. Byrd played in a yellow t-shirt and black shorts.

“He felt bad,” Kelly Byrd said. “He almost felt like it was disrespectful. (Russell Byrd said) ‘Dad, I didn’t know. I grabbed the first thing out of the drawer.’ ”

Tipton reports that Byrd will visit Michigan State this weekend for their Midnight Madness. Big time big man prospect Daniel Orton committed to U-K this week amidst all the fan fare. I still think MSU is the choice for Byrd but we will see. It doesn’t sound like there is a firm time frame yet for a decision/announcement.

Luckily, this is a different Russell Byrd (I got about 20 Google News alerts about this story this weekend).

Blue Rage Tickets: $199

The Blue Rage is recruiting more members once again. Get SEASON tickets for $199 in the BLEACHERS for the upcoming 2008-2009 campaign. Overflow seating will be in the blue section with the band, behind the basket. The Maize Rage and the Blue Rage are trying very hard to make sure the lower bowl is packed with maize-clad fans for each home game.

Don’t think this is a good sign on student ticket numbers if the Blue Rage has been extended to a full year plan IN THE BLEACHERS. Great deal for alumni though who want to cheer. There are also plenty of other ticket packs on sale. NYC Alumni: Don’t forget about Coaches Vs Cancer tickets.

Patrick Beverley to Europe?

I don’t feel sorry for Mr. Beverley one bit. I still am shocked at the transformation from “virtual commitment” who was cheering Hail to the Victors at the U-M/ND hoops game and telling anyone who would listen how excited he was to come to Ann Arbor. To a kid who didn’t even call U-M to tell them he was headed to Arkansas.

Court Vision with C.J. Lee: A Whirlwind of a Week

Homecoming, practice, Jay-Z, pre-season, and more.

This past Saturday marked the second weekend in a row I have met a celebrity. What can I say; this is a good time for me. Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet Isaiah Thomas but this weekend, I met Jay-Z at his concert in Detroit. He gave a free concert in order to encourage voting registration here in Michigan. My teammates Dave (Merritt), Jevohn (Shepherd) and I were able to meet him. Anybody that knows me knows that I have a passion for music. I can honestly say that I was speechless when my teammates and I met Jay-Z before the Operation Registration Concert. I had so much to say to him but when I was introduced to him, I could barely remember my name. The concert was great but I was physically tired afterwards because I wanted to rap every lyric with him. It is not everyday you get to meet one of the greatest musicians ever!

Justin Watts video

LLP has cancelled his Wake Forest trip, definetely positive sign for the Maize and Blue according to his father.

“I would say this is a good sign for Michigan, that’s for sure,” Laval Perry told The Detroit News about his son’s cancelled visit.

Jordan Morgan’s father told the Detroit News that a practice facility would be completed in three years. Very good news indeed for Michigan basketball fans.

Jordan Morgan, a junior center from the University of Detroit Jesuit, made a verbal commitment to attend Michigan on Tuesday. His father, Jim Morgan, said U-M coach John Beilein’s recruiting pitch included news that the facility would be done in three years.

LLP will be taking more visits. Mark Snyder reports:

“The meeting went very well,” Lucas-Perry’s father, Laval Perry, said tonight. “There was no (decision) but i think Laval and coach Beilein would be a very interesting pair. Laval still wants to see his options but he gained admiration and respect for coach Beilein. Everything he read about coach Beilein came to be true. They became very attached in their conversations.”

Meanwhile Lacy reports that LLP has an offer from Wake Forest and may be visiting there as soon as today. However Lacy also says that LLP would like to reach a decision this week. Hopefully Beilein can close the deal on this one.