We posted a fair amount of content from the last weekend’s Spiece Run-n-Slam Memorial Classic throughout the last week but here’s a roundup of highligth videos from elsewhere including Vince Edwards, Trevon Bluiett, Jalen Brunson, Kevon Looney, Eron Gordon and more.
![294529[1]](http://www.umhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2945291_thumb.jpg "294529[1]")
Zak Irvin committed to Michigan nearly two years ago in summer of 2011 and has emerged as the top rated prospect in Michigan’s Class of 2013. Irvin took home Indiana Mr. Basketball honors and will look to step into the role vacated by Tim Hardaway Jr. in his first season in Ann Arbor. We caught up with Irvin to discuss his senior year, the transition to college and much more.
Describe your reaction when you found out you won Mr. Basketball in Indiana.
“I was so happy. I was just glad all my hard work paid off. It’s just an honor and a blessing to be put in the same category as all the other Mr. Basketballs of Indiana.”
Did it add a little extra knowing that Gary Harris won it the year before?
“Yeah. Our school was the first school ever to have back-to-back Mr. Basketball. It’s nice for Gary and I to go down in history together.”
Are you looking forward to playing against Harris in the Big Ten now that we know he’s coming back?
“Yeah. We’re best friends off the court, which is always good. It’s going to be nice to go against him at least twice a year starting next year.”
![prospect1[1]](http://www.umhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/prospect11_thumb.jpg "prospect1[1]")
John Beilein’s two guard offense was originally designed to minimize the necessity of a true point guard. He didn’t have a lead ball handler so he leaned on two guards instead of one. In recent years, Beilein’s offense has morphed into a showcase for superb point guard play.
Darius Morris started the trend, Trey Burke took it to the next level and Derrick Walton hopes to continue it. Young point guard recruits are taking notice.
The Wolverines are in a strong position for a number of lead guards in the class of 2015 but class of 2016 guards are intrigued as well. University of Detroit Jesuit freshman point guard Cassius Winston is one of those young guards that likes what he sees in the Wolverines.
Winston already holds offers from UMass, Iowa State and Colorado and rattled off Michigan, Michigan State, Georgetown, Xavier, Ohio State and Iowa as other schools showing significant interest early on. If Winston, who led The Family squad to the 15U semifinals at the Spiece Memorial Run-n-Slam Classic, continues to play like he did in Fort Wayne then his list will continue to grow.
Winston noted that there’s a long way to go in his recruitment but he’s enjoying the process.
“I can’t even pick sides right now,” Winston admitted. “I’m just taking it all in while it lasts.”
QuickPost: State of the Blog: Thanks for the support
We launched our State of the Blog postseason fundraiser a month ago and wanted to wrap things up (don’t worry you can still contribute if you forgot) with a sincere thank you to all of you that contributed.
The fundraiser was one of our best yet (other than this year’s preseason drive, which vastly exceeded expectations) and that was vital. When we added up the bills after Michigan’s NCAA tournament run we realized we had already matched last year’s total expenses in just four months. While we wouldn’t have it any other way, it shows that growth isn’t always cheap.
Your support is always appreciated and the site wouldn’t survive in its current form without it. It’s crazy to think that Michigan’s NCAA tournament run came to a close just a month ago, as it feels like distant history, but it was our privilege to cover it. Thanks from all of us here and with four AAU tournaments already under our belts this spring, remember there’s more to come throughout the off-season.
Michigan’s ten year disassociation period with Chris Webber, Louis Bullock, Maurice Taylor and the late Robert “Tractor” Traylor officially came to a close on Wednesday.
While reconciliation between the University of Michigan and the banned players doesn’t necessarily seem imminent, there is enough tact involved in all parties’ comments to believe something could happen eventually. We rounded up some of the best reactions from David Brandon, players that were involved and notable media voices.
Webber hasn’t commented officially but he has been active on Twitter. He tweeted “OK!!!” at 12 midnight on May 8th, retweeted several comments about Michigan and tweeted a picture of Aaliyah wearing his #4 Michigan jersey later in the afternoon.
Others have been active in the media, including Michigan athletic director David Brandon, who spoke with the Associated Press:
“I’ve never met any of those guys, and I am looking forward to meeting them,” Brandon said late Tuesday night in an interview with The Associated Press. “If any of those guys are interested in meeting with me, that would be great.”
“I wasn’t around when all of this happened,” Brandon said. “I’ve never had an opportunity to interact with them to talk about anything and I am hopeful that opportunity will present itself.”
![images[3]](http://www.umhoops.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/images3_thumb.jpg "images[3]")
Michigan will travel to Durham, NC to face Duke in the 2013 Big Ten-ACC Challenge. The announcement was made official on Wednesday afternoon.
Michigan and Duke will face off on Tuesday, December 3rd. Times and television information for the Big Ten-ACC Challenge will be released at a later date.
Duke returns Rasheed Sulaimon, Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson and others and adds transfer Rodney Hood and highly touted freshman Jabari Parker among others. The Blue Devils and Wolverines are both projected as a top ten team by most publications.
The Wolverines will also host Arizona and travel to play Iowa State, Stanford in Brooklyn and to the Puerto Rico Tip Off with potential matchups against Auburn, Charlotte, Florida State, Georgetown, Kansas State, Long Beach State, Michigan and VCU. Find a complete run down of games and dates from Michigan’s future schedules here.
Find a full rundown match-ups after the jump. [click to continue…]
