We're really pulling in top recruits now...

[deltguy2]

“He visited Appalachian State and then Tulane,” Hargrave coach Kevin Keatts said. “I think every mid-major program that came into the gym fell in love with him.”

-----Are you freaking kidding me? Why is Ohio St pulling in the top recruiting class in the nation, and we get this guy??

Colton Christian....was originally committed to Tulane.

Colton Christian’s basketball odyssey has already stretches coast to coast. Next year, the road show will head toward the Bayou. On Thursday, the 6-foot-6 west coast native and current Hargrave Military Academy power forward, committed to Tulane.
“He visited Appalachian State and then Tulane,” Hargrave coach Kevin Keatts said. “I think every mid-major program that came into the gym fell in love with him.”

And why?

“What makes him really good is that his motor runs all the time. He plays above the rim and he competes. I’ve had a few guys like him and they’ve always been successful.”

Keatts saw the same attributes in Sam Young, a Hargrave alum. So, how did this forward ascend from barely recruited to the toast of Chatham?

“I don’t know,” Keatts said. “Last year I think he took a visit to Eastern Washington and Sacred Heart. I don’t know how he’s unnoticed but it happens. We had Luke Hancock last year. He only had Division III offers and now he’s at George Mason playing well. Heck, the biggest

[bighousemike84]

So what exactly do you want? An apology?

Michigan has made the NCAA tournament once in the last 12 years and you expect them to be able to recruit all the top players in the country?! I mean seriously, what is the purpose of this post but to bitch about something that is entirely out of your control? Realistically Michigan is still rebuilding and it is a process that takes time. They have shown a commitment to succeed by beginning work on a brand new and state of the art practice facility, once its done the facility will help boost recruiting by convincing potential prospects that Michigan is the place to be. Unfortunately it wont be done for at least another year and until that happens Michigan is behind just about everyone else in the country.

I dont know man, I just dont get what you expect out of this team. One decent season and a tourney bid and suddenly you feel that Michigan is back. I would have thought that last seasons "success" would have proved to everyone that Michigan is not back yet but apparently not everyone feels that way. Patience brother, thats all you need, patience and persaverance. Or if you are that desperate you could hope that Michigan fires Beilein and hires Caliparri to come in and cheat his way to success then leave the program to reap the penalties. In the short term it could bring a national championship to Michigan but that means selling out to every ideal that the Michigan tradition has been built on. Kentucky might be ok with selling their souls to the devil but I am not, I would rather watch Michigan lose then go down that path.

[Wolvrin704]

UM used to get the top recruits too, we are still to this day feeling the affects of going that route. As Mike said UM has been in the tourney once in the past 12 years so that sure doesn't help recruiting at all. Not to mention our coach is a system coach, not an NBA enabler.

[Don Unverferth]

The main problem with UM basketball is Tom Izzo IMO.

The MSU program is a national power, one of the elite college basketball programs, led by a coach that's on track to make the basketball hall of fame. Any coach taking over the Wolverines would have their work cut out for them.

Sure, a few years down the line, Beilein may have a Michigan team that will beat MSU, and finish higher in the Big 10 standings. But he won't be able to do it consistently. They might beat MSU a couple times a decade, but they'll never find themselves on an even playing field.

If you were a talented Michigan high school player, where would you rather play?

[Wolvrin704]

The main problem with UM basketball is Tom Izzo IMO.

The MSU program is a national power, one of the elite college basketball programs, led by a coach that's on track to make the basketball hall of fame. Any coach taking over the Wolverines would have their work cut out for them.

Sure, a few years down the line, Beilein may have a Michigan team that will beat MSU, and finish higher in the Big 10 standings. But he won't be able to do it consistently. They might beat MSU a couple times a decade, but they'll never find themselves on an even playing field.

If you were a talented Michigan high school player, where would you rather play?

I agree with that, I really do. As long as Izzo is at MSU its going to be hard for UM to get top recruits at least in-state. But it can be done with consistency. As for UM getting back to the top and beating MSU, that'll take a lot of time and hard work. To be honest I don't see UM being more than a middle of the road B10 team with being a contendor for making the tourny. I don't like it any more than anyone else but it is what it is and I accept it for what it is.

PS....with UM breaking ground on a new practice facility it just might make it easier down the road to get those top recruits.

[deltguy2]

So what exactly do you want? An apology?

Michigan has made the NCAA tournament once in the last 12 years and you expect them to be able to recruit all the top players in the country?! I mean seriously, what is the purpose of this post but to bitch about something that is entirely out of your control? Realistically Michigan is still rebuilding and it is a process that takes time. They have shown a commitment to succeed by beginning work on a brand new and state of the art practice facility, once its done the facility will help boost recruiting by convincing potential prospects that Michigan is the place to be. Unfortunately it wont be done for at least another year and until that happens Michigan is behind just about everyone else in the country.

I dont know man, I just dont get what you expect out of this team. One decent season and a tourney bid and suddenly you feel that Michigan is back. I would have thought that last seasons "success" would have proved to everyone that Michigan is not back yet but apparently not everyone feels that way. Patience brother, thats all you need, patience and persaverance. Or if you are that desperate you could hope that Michigan fires Beilein and hires Caliparri to come in and cheat his way to success then leave the program to reap the penalties. In the short term it could bring a national championship to Michigan but that means selling out to every ideal that the Michigan tradition has been built on. Kentucky might be ok with selling their souls to the devil but I am not, I would rather watch Michigan lose then go down that path.

I dont know about you, but I would like to see a team continually get better. Thats the making of a good coach dont you think? Year 1, one of the worst seasons in UM basketball history, year 2 an NCAA tourney birth, year 3 we are 15-17 and 7-11 in conference. All with one of the better Big10 players this season in Manny. And now the 2 best players on the team are gone, so we can expect a 10-23 record. That would make 3 losing seasons out of 4 with John B. Are you happy and satisfied with that? Why can Thad Matta come into OSU and have immediate success and get top recruits?? Is it just because of their facilities? I am sure that plays a small part, but I am confident that these recruits are not picking Michigan because of Chrysler area. I'll be there first one to come out and say it, I dont like John B. and and I do not see our team succeeding with him as our coach. How many years do you give him Bighouse? RichRod has had 2 losing seasons in a row and if he doesnt win this year, he's gone.

And yes I am bitching about something that is out of my control, isn't that what most people do here? Talk about things that are on their mind about Michigan, things they like/dislike and get other peoples perspective? I know that we are rebuilding, but in a rebuilding process you should consistanty see improvement. Have we seen that in our case bighouse? Are you happy with where the UM basketball program is at in year 3 of a rebuilding process?

[bighousemike84]

Facilities are a big deal in the world of college basketball. Value City Arena is a professional level arena and is an impressive place to play for 18 year old kids, Crisler Arena is not a very impressive place to play, I love the arena because it is uniquely Michigan but it is rundown and in dire need of repairs.

[QUOTE]Are you happy and satisfied with that?
Am I happy with the "progress" of the team? No. But I didnt have very high expectations to begin with. Manny Harris is a decent player but he always struggled with turnovers and he always came off to me as a bit of an immature player mentally. Much like the football team, when Beilein came in he lost the only big man on the roster when Udoh bolted for Baylor, then in his second season he was forced to start 2 walk-on seniors because of a lack of quality talent on the roster. They overachieved on expectations in 2009 and ended up with a tourney bid, mainly because of the intelligence and heart of Merritt and Lee, without those two no one else on the team was able to lead this team on the floor. Harris and Sims are good players but obviously not good leaders.


How many years do you give him
Well lets see, Amaker got 6 years and he didnt even make 1 NCAA tourney so I suppose that Beilein is entitled to at least a few more years. He is a system coach that needs guys that fit his system, I dont expect Beilein to be the coach to get Michigan back to the top but I do believe that he is the right guy to help build something strong that another coach can come in and succeed with.


And yes I am bitching about something that is out of my control,
Even though it might not seem like it I do understand the frustration but I choose not to let it get to me. Because I have no real say in who or how Michigan basketball plays, it doesnt do me any good to get overly frustrated about something that I dont need to get frustrated about.

One thing I would like to point out is this, before Beilein I had no expectations about this team, after Beilein I can believe that the program is on the right track. Your frustration over the losing season is a great example of that. Amaker always managed to produce a team that underachieved every year and for a good 5 years I didnt go to a single game. Now I look forward to the hour drive to AA to watch a basketball game in Crisler, I can still remember the excitement of beating Duke at home and beating UCLA on their home turf. I still vividly remember the way it felt that Selection Sunday when Michigan was drawn for the NCAA tournament, I still get chills remembering the explosion of excitement that came from the 4000 fans anxiously waiting the announcement with the team, in Crisler. All things in good time man, its just gonna take a little more time.

[deltguy2]

I just want all Michigan sports to be competitive, thats all I am saying. We are freaking Michigan here, just by our name we should be able to pull in some decent recruits. Not guys who are already committed to App. St or Tulane. I say if next season's team doesnt go .500 or better then Belein is out...you say to give him some time, well this will be year 4 and more than likely it will be 3 out of 4 losing seasons.....that is enough time if you ask me. We all know Tommy A. and his 7 years was waaay overdue, we need a guy who teaches what it takes to make it in the NBA, that is what these recruits are looking for.

[bighousemike84]

I just want all Michigan sports to be competitive, thats all I am saying. We are freaking Michigan here, just by our name we should be able to pull in some decent recruits. Not guys who are already committed to App. St or Tulane. I say if next season's team doesnt go .500 or better then Belein is out...you say to give him some time, well this will be year 4 and more than likely it will be 3 out of 4 losing seasons.....that is enough time if you ask me. We all know Tommy A. and his 7 years was waaay overdue, we need a guy who teaches what it takes to make it in the NBA, that is what these recruits are looking for.

I want success at Michigan but I also understand that given the self imposed sanctions and the powerhouse program that Michigan shares the state with, success will not come quickly. It is something that must come through a lot od hardwork and patience. Also, you can argue that Matta has a program that gets kids ready for the NBA and I wouldnt argue with that but he also has a lot of players that stay for one year and they are gone to greener pastures. That is something I dont want to see at Michigan, I want a Michigan player to be dedicated to 3+ years of Michigan basketball. Look at Kentucky, a team with the best 5 freshman since the Fab Five and not one of them has committed to playing another year for Calliparri, that might be ok for UK but thats not cool for UM.

[1OSUNUT]

Does Michigan have any height next year ? How much longer will you guys put up with JB and his boring style of play ? The Big Ten will be loaded again next year with Ohio State and MSU being Final Four canidates - how long to Michigan can say that.

[Wolvrin704]

Does Michigan have any height next year ? How much longer will you guys put up with JB and his boring style of play ? The Big Ten will be loaded again next year with Ohio State and MSU being Final Four canidates - how long to Michigan can say that.

How long do we have to put up with snide comments like this?

Bragging cometh before the fall.

[1OSUNUT]

704 -

You guys were the ones that were bragging about how Michigan was rated higher then the Buckeyes in the pre-season and how they would finish higher then the Buckeyes in the Big Ten standings. I'm just curious how long your going to stick with JB when it seems like he has the program going in reverse. There is nothing snide about it. The coaches that you guys stole from WVU sure have not done you guys many favors so far - maybe there is truth to the whole curse thing. I don't see the Wolverines being better without Simms and Harris - do you. I think Michigan will be pretty bad to be quite honest with you. I see a team that will just be bringing the ball up the court and launching threes without much of a chance to rebound or score inside.

[Don Unverferth]

Kind of a random post... I can't remember why Epke Udoh transferred from Michigan, but he's really good and I'm glad he left.

[deltguy2]

Does Michigan have any height next year ? How much longer will you guys put up with JB and his boring style of play ? The Big Ten will be loaded again next year with Ohio State and MSU being Final Four canidates - how long to Michigan can say that.

We do have a couple of guys over 6'8" that were red-shirted lastyear and incoming freshamn. But how much of an inpact will they be, having never seen the court before. Like I said before, another losing season this year and I saw he needs to go. I know we are rebuilding, but I do not see our program improving, do you? I see us winning 10-13 games next year overall and finishing in the bottom 3 of the Big 10. BigHouse, you keep saying that it takes time, well is that what they kept saying about Tommy A.? And he lasted 7 losing seasons, did he have any really decent years I cant even remember. Do you think we should be John B. 7 years if we continue to go .500 or below?

I do not...I say by year 4, if the preogram is not better than in year 1, its time for a change. Why is this true for RichRod and football, but not for John B. and basketball? If the football team has another losing season, what are the chances RichRod still has a job the following season?

[rickyleach]

does michigan have any height next year ? How much longer will you guys put up with jb and his boring style of play ? The big ten will be loaded again next year with ohio state and msu being final four canidates - how long to michigan can say that.

nut i dont remember ohio state being even close to the final 4 especially 2 years ago , maybe i missed that part of the tourney

[Wolvrin704]

704 -

You guys were the ones that were bragging about how Michigan was rated higher then the Buckeyes in the pre-season and how they would finish higher then the Buckeyes in the Big Ten standings. I'm just curious how long your going to stick with JB when it seems like he has the program going in reverse. There is nothing snide about it. The coaches that you guys stole from WVU sure have not done you guys many favors so far - maybe there is truth to the whole curse thing. I don't see the Wolverines being better without Simms and Harris - do you. I think Michigan will be pretty bad to be quite honest with you. I see a team that will just be bringing the ball up the court and launching threes without much of a chance to rebound or score inside.

Yes it is a snide remark. This thread was fairly civil up until now. You have to let comments from over 6 months ago be answered in this manner? Start a thread bashing UM for not finishing higher, oh wait you've already done that repeatedly in other threads.
You don't see UM being better without Sims and Harris. Well they were the reason everyone thought UM would do well this past season. Sure Sims will be missed but I've never been a supporter of Manny and I won't miss him. To me he will be an addition by subtraction. Will UM be better or worse? Depends on how well they gel and what kind of inside play they can get. The BB program has more issues than we can expound on in here and 1 coach will not fix it in just a couple of seasons, it may just take a decade. Of course they could just bring in Calipari and be winning next season. :)

[byebyelloyd]

with thad matta on the same violations trail as o'brien, how long until ohio state basketball is the next usc football in front of the NCAA? (hint, not long)