Who will it be?
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6580614?MSNHPHMA
This dude has a few names. He mentions Crean of Marquette(!), Bennett of WSU, and of course, everybody's favorite human grease ball, Steve Lavin.
What do the esteemed members of WTF Detroit think?

I think Reggie Theuss presently in the witness protection program in Las Cruces, N.M. toiling in his 1st year at N.M. State. Oh did I mention he got them to the tourney? Great player at UNLV and a 10 year pro. Nice run as a yapping dome on NBA telecasts. Bright, GQ dude who is a charmer. He is from Chicago a recruiting hotbed and his personal wealth will allow U-M to pay the chump change they like to pay their head basketball coaches. 2nd pick is Seth Greenberg from Virginia Tech. Both great coaches who would turn shit around pronto.

I'm guessing the guy from Southern Illinois.

i hope not dude from S. ill.

i just saw an interview and he was a whiney little bitch. fuck that.

Jud Heathcoat

Maybe Sidney Lowe or Larry Brown

A basketball coach who is a whiney little bitch? NO WAY!

Terry Forster has a nice article today:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070318/SPORTS08/703180323/1131/
His contention that UM isn't willing to spend is probably old news to anyone who follows UM athletics, but the comment that he heard that football boosters threatened to take their money and run if UM spent money on basketball is either total bullshit OR very telling.
His belief that UM is only serious about football is something I disagree with.
How can UM be serious about football when they've won ONE national championship since 1950?
How can they be serious about football when their last two coaches are named Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr, and they have wallowed in mediocrity for damn near 20 years now?
That UM won't spend on basketball is plain to see. Crisler Arena should have been torn down in about 1985. A team without a basketball practice facility and other state of the art stuff is a joke, especially more so with a program attached to the name University of Michigan.
The sky might not be falling, but UM seems to lack the sense to keep it from happening.
Is there a more arrogant athletic administration in the country? People more consumed with what once was, and with no eye toward the future?
And how about UM "fans"? They still buy the gear, flock to Michigan Stadium to watch the product, and the only thing they complain about is the basketball program.
MSU wasn't exactly "tradition ridh" when The Izzo walked into Jennison Field House, y'know. MSU and UM had won ONE national championship each, and I believe UM had been in more Final Fours. Even this year, prior to the Tourney starting, UM and MSU had somewhat identical records in terms of appearances and winning percentage. All the catching up MSU has done has been accomplished by a then little known assistant from Iron Mountain, Michigan.
If you can;t win at a school like Michigan, you need to be selling cars for a living (American cars, at that).

Excellent post, Zip.

Here is the list as I've heard it right now.........

1. John Beilein -- West Virginia

2. Lon Krueger -- UNLV

3. Mike Montgomery -- Out of Coaching

4. Bruce Pearl -- Tennessee

5. Tony Bennett -- Washington State

Discuss. I'm sure with there being no basketball till Thursday Art and friends will have something definitive or at least a few good rumors to point us in the right direction.

Here is the list as I've heard it right now.........

1. John Beilein -- West Virginia

2. Lon Krueger -- UNLV

3. Mike Montgomery -- Out of Coaching

4. Bruce Pearl -- Tennessee

5. Tony Bennett -- Washington State

Discuss. I'm sure with there being no basketball till Thursday Art and friends will have something definitive or at least a few good rumors to point us in the right direction.

Beilein and Pearl - LOL, too good of position already and $$$.
Kreuger or Bennett - maybe but I doubt it, they can get a job which includes a practice facility.
Monty - sure, but $$$ is a question again.

I expect a MVC type coach, UM won't buy a real item like a practice facility. And people expect them to buck up for a coach? I doubt it.

Chris Lowery.
I told you guys a few weeks back that the local hack radio show floated that rumor, and they seemed pretty serious.
Unfortunately, I live in Missouri Valley Country, so I get all the Hot News about schools like Creighton, Evanston, Southrn Illinois, etc. It's real exciting.
Having said that, I just noticed fillycheese had Mike Montgomery on his list.
Hmmm
Montgomery already has tons of coin from the Golden State gig, and is a proven commodity on the college level.
Hmmmmm

This is from Bigjes on the Scout board.

Most are from USA Today.com, the last 3 are estimates but there was good detail about their contracts (i.e. John Beilein signed a 5 year contract that started at 700k, he got a 20k raise each year so he'd be at 800k in the 5th year):

Sean Miller - Xavier - $329,460
Jeff Bzdelik - Air Force - $336,000
Chris Lowery - Southern Illinois - $277,660
Mark Turgeon - Wichita State - $773,000
Greg Marshall - Winthrop - $224,157
Tony Bennett - Washington State - $400,000
Lon Kruger - UNLV - $775,000
John Beilein - West Virginia - $750,000

Amaker was likely making more than all these guys. So quit whining like Michigan can't hire anyone worth a crap!

Amaker's base salary, according to Terry Forster, was $172,000. Forster estimated his total package at about $500,000.00.
That is a fucking joke. No one is whining that Michigan can't hire anyone worth a crap. We're wondering if they want to.

Bill Frieder is tanned, rested and ready.

Did you guys already mention Bruce Pearl. He is rumored to be interested.

Rick Majerus said that he misses practices and he would come back and coach in the right situation. Basically if the school would let him take care of his mom if need be.

I love Rick and think he would be the perfect bridge at this time.

Pearl wants to be no worse than 2nd banana at his school....he is 3rd right now.

Could you imagine the rivalry we would have with Illinois if we got Pearl as our coach. It would be awesome, bigger than maybe with MSU. Just because of Pearl's past history with Illinois.

Isn't Majerus in a race with Dick Cheney to see whose heart is going to explode first?

Isn't Majerus in a race with Dick Cheney to see whose heart is going to explode first?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17704205/

This is a list from Bluesam and Dre89 at the Scout site on who is being talked about.

Chris Lowery, Southern Illinois. Midwest ties and currently has his team in the sweet sixteen ... he seems to be the flavor a lot of schools want to try good young coach.

Coach Hobbs, George Washington. Atlantic-10 coach of the year .. a very proven coach who helped build Jim Calhoun's Connecticut Huskies program with his recruiting and developing of players ... good young coach.

John Calipari, Memphis. Might be a long shot with the money he makes. Very good recruiter, solid coaching style.

Todd Lickliter, Butler. He has done quite well at Butler and developed them into one of the top teams in the country program. Midwest ties. His teams play hard and get up and down the floor. Other schools will be taking a look at him as well ... a good young coach.

Lon Kruger, UNLV. Has taken four schools to the tournament, has Midwest ties and he can coach, enough said.

Ernie Kent, Oregon. Has had some scandal around him, and just last year he was on the hot seat. He would be leaving money bags at Oregon ... besides, he could be using Michigan to get Oregon to shell out more money and extend his contract.

Sean Miller, Xavier. He continues to impress with his style of play and coaching ablility ... he has the ability but will he leave new facilities and great atmosphere for Michigan? Probably - but ... would he be able to repeat his success at a higher level with lesser facilities? Midwest ties and a good young coach.

Tony Bennett, Washington State. Has done a solid job ... has Midwest ties but are they still strong enough to pull the kids in? He has been on the west coast for quite some time, but he can coach and he is a solid candidate ... good young coach.

Coach Beilien, West Virginia. Has the coaching style, he can recruit, and has had success in the NCAA tournament ... develops players and has Midwest ties ... but will his price tag scare Michigan and Bill Martin away.

Sam has some contacts at Michigan and this is thought to be the list.

Any coach at a big name school, or any big name coach will use Michigan as nothing more than a bargaining chip.
The Tennesse guy, the loudmouth at Oregon, Calipari and Krueger aren't coming to Ann Arbor. BUT, the hint that they might will get them what they want where they are.
Kent probably took himself out of the running by shooting his mouth off a couple days ago. Why would you want a guy who has a contract and then openly talks about other jobs?
Michigan won;t spend the millions it will take to get the West Virginia guy, so that's out.
It will, and should, come down to a Licklighter or Lowery. I don't think UM has proven anything to anyone in terms of committment, certainly at least not publicly. I think they'll have to, and they need to, go after a midmajor guy that they can build around.
I like Lowery.

This is the latest update.

Calipari is already out now (didn't take long). He was interested, and willing to take a pay cut ... but he had some issues at UMass ...

Kent. Not out, and his issues were different, personally not rules-related ... but will they hurt him in the end ... we'll see.

I think you guys should push for Tubby Smith. I know it sounds crazy, but the guy is hated for only making the tourney every year. I think he wouldnt mind being out of the hottest seat, and is definitely a good coach.

The issues with Calipari is that he is not the cleanest of recruiters. I never thought he was a legit candidate.

If Martin ponies up any money I expect the WVU guy to be the next coach.

Thanks for the updates, Art.



Glenn

For those of you who think Tubby Smith is the way to go, you better check his NIT record out first.
Not terribly impressive.

As someone who lives in Kentucky, unless he gets better assistants to recruit, we should stay away from him.

I like Tubby staying at KY and unless there is a serious meltdown, I do not see him leaving.

Miller is off the board.

He is inking a new deal with X today I believe it said.

Tubby still has not met with the AD at Kentucky on the future.

I don't know who I like here. I think I like Lowery the best, but he runs that motion offense bullshit that TA ran.

It sounds like Beilein is a frontrunner in the eyes of fans and administrators too, but comes with a high price tag due to a necessary 2.5 million dollar buyout from WVU. Most would think that AD Bill Martin wouldn't pay that much for a basketball coach, but it doesn't seem like Martin is messing around with this hire at all. He wants Michigan basketball to be back.

Motion offense can be nice when you have a heads-up pg, and athletic, capable ballhandlers.

Doesn't Beiliein run a motion offense that just shoots a lot of 3's??

Beilein is a mix of triangle and Princeton.

They do a lot of screening and back door cuts.

Tubby got 2.2 mil from Minnesota.

I really like Hobbs from GW and Lon Kruger. Kruger makes like 800 at UNLV. So if they dangled 1.5 mil at him, who knows.

Katz was claiming that the reason U of M hasn't done anything is because they are waiting on coaches currently coaching. He suspected Pearl and Kruger.

I LOVE the way that Pearl coaches. If Michigan could score him, I would be instantly interested in watching Michigan basketball again.

What I like about Pearl is that he has enough hair to give himself the Petway Winged Helmet Do.

I've been hearing Brian Ellerbee's name alot lately.

I've been hearing Brian Ellerbee's name alot lately.You're funny.

Ok, let me say this. Bruce Pearl is absolutely insane. I'm sure you've all seen the pictures of him half naked and painted orange at a Tennessee girls game. That's the type of energy and enthusiam that could turn the Maize Rage into a legit NCAA student section. He coaches a fun style of basketball which will draw recruits and fans even if he isn't winning so much. That being said, he could X and O Amaker in circles. Unless he's a racist piece of crap he would enjoy amazing success at Michigan. That's who I'm most cheering for.

By the way, if Martin doesn't open up the checkbook for the next coach I'm personally egging his car and house. I know a half dozen people on this forum that will join me.

I've been hearing Muddy Waters name alot myself, Tre.

Pearl would be sweeeeeet! I don't see it happening, he seems to love Tennessee, but if you think about it, he's really playing "3rd fiddle" to football and women's basketball. Maybe he'd like to move up to "2nd fiddle"?

Ok this is what I hear about Pearl. His recruiting closest is not bare of skeletons.

Lowery seems to be the hot name going around UM right now.

Kruger is the main man though from everything that is being said. Martin is looking at paying a coach 1.5+ mil.

I seriously want Hobbs.

He was the guy who recruited and coached guards at UCONN when Hamilton and Allen were there. Hamilton loves him and Rip is loved in Detroit, so that would be huge in helping Hobbs recruit the city.

Hobbs went to GW and built them from scratch pretty much and has done an outstanding job.

I really like Hobbs out of all the guys mentioned maybe outside of Kruger.

Do not rule out Beilein yet at this point. There is talk the BO is not as big as problem as has been reported.

I suspect we will know more in the next day or two.

BTW anyone else thing these games are about as good as they have been with the closeness the last few years. Wish Vandy would have won. They are my second favorite school after their head of neck and throat cancer guy cut out my cancer and got me cancer free.

Well, one potential candidate will be available to talk in a couple hours once the Oregon-UNLV game ends, since b oth coaches have been mentioned.

Michigan going after Lon Kruger?
Holy sheeeit. But how do you cure his "Larry Brownitis"?
I have an idea: Buy hotel, and give it to him. He can have a different room every night! This way, he'll think he's moving all the time.

I don't care if he does move around. He's taken every team to the NCAA tourney, led most to their best seasons ever, and leaves programs in very good shape. The only exception was the Hawks. Just evidence that the NBA gig didn't work out.
But he can recruit anywhere in the country, his son is done at UNLV whenever they lose their next game, and he's a sure thing coach. Like Larry Brown, if he comes in for a few years, wins big, and then leaves the cupboard full for the next guy, I'm 100% fine with that.

I agree with Art that we should know much more in the next couple days. Now that Lowery, Pearl, Lickliter, and Kruger have all been eliminated there should be interviews this weekend and a decision by the beginning of the week. Kent and Calipari are the only coaches left that could realistically leave their schools, but Calipari isn't the guy here and Kent is probably not better than the other 4 candidates.

Supposedly Lowry has offer in hand and is going to accept.

This is not from a mod at Scout, but from a poster who doesnt usually have inside info, but is not someone who wold post this kind of stuff unless he thought it was true.

Kent has major personal problems. Calipari got into trouble at UMASS. There one F4 apperance was wiped from the books. I do not see him coming.

Art:
I agree, and I don't think Calipari ever got a moments consideration.
Kent may have blown his chances on his own, but he's a good coach.
JETHRO:
I'm all for Kruger if that's the consensus. I don't like coaches who are mercenaries, though. But, if he was able to right the ship and leave alot of talent for the next guy (after accomplishing something).
All in all, I like Lowery, I think he brings alot of energy and passion, he's 34, and I do believe UM has a plan in place to get a coach what he needs.

The best part is that these are all good candidates. Unless Martin completely screws the pooch they will be much better off with this new guy.
The point Zip makes, however, is even more important. Get a coach what he needs. I'm not just talking about the coaches contract. What a coach needs is a practice facility, an arena that isn't a dungeon, alumni support, a student section that ranks among the best in the conference, if not country. What I'm saying is Martin better realize that this isn't THE move, but merely the FIRST of several moves. Yes, getting the coach is a big step, but getting the program involves several more key steps and they sure as heck better be prepared to make the rest of the moves, and soon. If I have to hear another Martin comment on how great Crisler's "bones" are, I'll puke. Ok, leave the bones but put in 300 more lights. Try some drywall and paint, it's a nice start. Remove the stallagtites and replace them with some modern decoration and some extremely attractive displays of the few accomplishments and alumni the school still recognizes.

I don't want to hear about Crisler's Boner.
I want the U of M to step up to the plate like the rest of the big time sports schools (Even MSU ) and build something new, brighter, flashier.
Play at the fucking Palace for two years while you blow Crisler up and start over.
Give free tickets awya. Hell, do anything! I'm desperate here. I need some help.

Lets talk about Lon Kruger and his moving. He was at KSU (4 years) and they are not much and went to Florida (6 years). He built Florida's program. He got a chance to go to a much better basketball school at Illinois (4 years) and did a nice job there that the Hawks threw a bunch of money at him. He was there for 2 years, took a year off and went to UNLV.

Kruger always went with what was a better job. He never did a Brown and went from job to job just because. If Lon Kruger would have been offered NC, Kansas or UK....he would be a long time coach there.

His wife has health issues, which could play into the whole moving to the midwest thing.

I like Hobbs.

Also Martin has said that if the next coach needs facilities so bad that maybe he is not the right coach. Facilities are on the docket, but if you need them in the next 2-3 years, you are not the coach for Michigan.

"If you need them in the next 2-3 years you are not the coach for Michigan"

If you are a coach concerned about your career, Michigan is not the university for you.

Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik

His is the latest name in on the coaching search. Although he is in line for the Colorado job.

It's getting ridiculous.
They need to hire someone. They should have had their guy, the offer should have been made, and the presser should be set up for Monday Morning at 9:00. If they wait, then it just shows more UM basketball: Same shit different day.

So State made a great hire after careful consideration and missing on some big names when they got Dantonio. Yet if Michigan doesn't have a presser within a week of letting TA go, they're just more of the same pathetic program? I'm starting to get sick of you again.

Who the hell said I thought Dantonio was the next Knute Rockne?
He seems to have the right attitude, he seems to be a solid coach who worked under Tressel, but other than that, State has 40 years of poop to wade through before I put my approval on Dantonio. But, I DO think a real "coach" is worth 2-3 more victories, based on MSu being the most undisciplined team I've ever seen for the last four year.
Here's the thing: If you shit can Amaker you should have a plan in place. There is no excuse IF YOU ARE SERIOUS about getting a basketball program back on track.
Guys like me knee jerk, and don;t have a plan. If I was the AD, I'd be walking around Ann Arbor right now, drunk, and looking for Girls Gone Wild.
But I'm not. Bill Martin is, and he should have this thing ready to kick into gear because UM basketball has been a ship without a rudder for too fucking long.
You kool aid drinkers are the worst kind of fans. You think your team will do it right just because they will do something.
I say, if you are planning to be successful, then you have a plan, and at the first available moment that plan is put into place.
We'll see: They may have something, and they are waiting to tell us all. They may want to see how the final four shakes out before making something official.
If YOU are sick of me, then I'm doing something right.

Where'd ya go Jethro?
Did you use up your three thoughts for the day?

UK is a real BBall school and I bet they take longer to find their coach than we do.

I like the fact they are not going ape shit over the "hot" guy.

I really want Hobbs to come in and get the job and remember Kruger just got done with the tourney.

Sam mentioned maybe by the Final 4 we would know something.

How long did Minnesota wait....they dumped their coach early in the season.

Hey Art, what are you hearing about the Pearl to Iowa rumors?

I am hearing Lowery to Iowa as well. Not much of anything regarding Pearl to anywhere.

Iowa like Lowery a lot.

I'm not so sure Iowa is higher on Lowery than anyone else would be.
The Pearl to Iowa possibility is intriguing. Pearl was an assistant at Iowa under Dr Tom, I believe. What I DO know is that he's the one who taped the conversation with Dion Thomas that sent Illinois into the toilet for awhile.
There were many who said he'd never "coach again", including Dickie V.
I think alot of people are going to say, "Lowery" but really want to go in another direction. Iowa is one of them. They are a little full of themselves in the Hawkeye State. Their play by play annoucner is a regular guest of Omaha radio stations, and this week he was all over Bruce Pearl and Lon Kruger. He belives that Iowa has a serious shot at those two.
When asked about Dana Altman of Creighton (the best coach in the MVC), he praised him up and down, but then gave one of those "But he's got a great deal in Omaha, I'm not sure he'd want to leave"--which tells me that although this would be the best fit, Iowa may not be interested.

Former UM and NBA player Gary Grant wants the coaching job big time. He has been an assistant for the Blazers and San Diego State, then a head coach in the ABA last season.
There's an article in the Detroit News about it. He says he knows he can get the prgram winning and bring in the best recruits. Interesting. I wonder if he'll be in town next year. I doubt they bring him in as the head coach - they need to make a bigger splash. I know that generally head coaches pick their own assistants. But if we're talking about a guy like Lon Kruger, a short-timer, I wonder if Grant can find his way onto the staff to be groomed as the next head coach.
Just an interesting storyline to follow.

Former UM and NBA player Gary Grant wants the coaching job big time. He has been an assistant for the Blazers and San Diego State, then a head coach in the ABA last season.
There's an article in the Detroit News about it. He says he knows he can get the prgram winning and bring in the best recruits. Interesting. I wonder if he'll be in town next year. I doubt they bring him in as the head coach - they need to make a bigger splash. I know that generally head coaches pick their own assistants. But if we're talking about a guy like Lon Kruger, a short-timer, I wonder if Grant can find his way onto the staff to be groomed as the next head coach.
Just an interesting storyline to follow.
Phil Hubbard has thrown his hat in the ring as well. Longtime pro assistant. Like Grant an Ohio guy who knows the Midwest. Class act. Interesting.

I wish they would just name Lowrey and end the damn search.

Here's Hubbard's NBA.com bio

Phil Hubbard is in his fourth season as an assistant in Washington, and is a key member of a staff that ranks as the longest tenured unit in the Eastern Conference. With a pair of All-Star performers in 2005, a repeat All-Star and All-NBA performer in Gilbert Arenas in 2006, and a young nucleus that blossomed under the guidance of the coaching staff, Hubbard helped the Wizards reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1988. Having previously worked as an assistant in Golden State and with the Atlanta Hawks, where he helped coach Lenny Wilkens become the winningest coach in NBA history, Hubbard’s long career in the NBA has him amongst the most well-known assistants in league circles.
Hubbard played in the NBA for 10 seasons with the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers and averaged 10.9 points per game during his career. He averaged a career-high 15.8 points per game with Cleveland during the 1984-85 season.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in education, Hubbard enjoyed a standout collegiate career. He led the Wolverines run to the 1976 NCAA Championship Game, and remains as only one of four Michigan players to have his number (35) retired. He was also a member of the United States 1976 Olympic Basketball team that won the gold medal in Montreal.

He and his wife, Jackie, are the parents of two children, Whitney and Maurice.

I love the fact that some of Michigan's top hoops alum are showing so much concern about the state of the program. I'm not exactly sure how much opportunity they'll have to help turn it around, or how successful they would be if given the chance, but the sense of pride is good to see. I would love to see them involved some way in a turnaround of the program. Same goes for Rudy T.

I love that too, Jethro. It is nice to see a rallying of the troops kind of thing. It gives Michigan basketball a feeling of family, a brotherhood.
Even if UM names someone else as coach, the new guy can make contact with people like Hubbard and Grant, and that can help him land on his feet in A2.
With the negativity surrounding UM basketball, and with many folks putting out the "It's only basketball" vibe, this kind of stuff is good to show recruits and fans that there is some love for basketball in Ann Arbor.

Its 9 am and I haven't had my Michigan Coaching Update fix today......so maybe Art or MUHME could get on that for me, thanks fellas.

There are updates on scout.com. Area 51 anyone?

I don't know if Filly has A51 access so, here goes (from The Wolverine)-

It’s been rumored that UNLV’s Lon Kruger is ready to accept the job, and that he’s been offered – as Mike reported earlier, that’s probably not true. In addition to the reasons stated, there seem to be other obstacles that would prevent him from taking the reins at Michigan.

According to a close friend of Kruger’s in the coaching profession and very close to the Big Ten, one of the reasons Kruger wanted out of Illinois was because he felt he was being “held hostage” by the Chicago AAU circuit, and had just had enough. He didn’t feel he should have to “play the game” when it came to recruiting those kids.

So he left (of course, that's not the only reason why).

And, in the eyes of his friend, who has had his own struggles in dealing with the Detroit AAU folks … well, can you imagine how much more difficult DETROIT would be? (I’m sure you can, given all the articles linked here and the stories you’ve heard from us about some of Tommy’s struggles in that respect).

Kruger is still on the list, but it’s looking less and less likely that he’ll be the guy when it’s all said and done.

John Beilein – still on the ‘A’ list. The only concern about him, according to the same source, is how he’ll be viewed in Detroit and how much success is possible there. Still, he’s “a great coach and a great guy” – and it’s not as though they’ve been killing it in Detroit, anyway (for a number of reasons. And along those same lines, for those who missed it, check out this intriguing article on some behind the scenes stuff going on: Detroit recruiting

Former Wolverine Gary Grant … he’s doing his best to get a foot in the door, and they might talk to him, but there’s no way he’ll be a serious candidate. Same goes with guys like Phil Hubbard and Mark Hughes.

One we’ve heard HAS received some sort of interview (phone or otherwise) – former Toronto Raptors head coach Butch Carter, though it doesn’t appear he’s an ‘A’ list candidate.

As for Villanova’s Jay Wright – pretty much what we told you last night. There have been inquiries and there is interest (on Michigan’s part), but there’s not much confidence Wright would think too seriously about accepting the job.

We should know within a week, though, who the next coach is … if it’s anything but an established guy, again, we’d be really surprised.

Oh, and one more quick note … the Kruger source said he’s stunned at how little information has leaked about the U-M coaching search, noting they are really playing it close to the vest.

Disclaimer-Moodini's opinion It looks like no high profile guys even care about the job. And why would we want a hick from West Virginia? I just think we're headed for a disappointing end.

What the hell is Area 51 Mood? And all that was posted on the free board at thewolverine.com today. I read about Kruger at 9 am.

Moodini, Beilein is a freaking great coach and a nightmare to prepare for. Michigan would have to throw a freaking parade if he left WV for AA. The problem with this coaching search is the attitude of Michigan and everyone involved in the search. This was talked about on the radio the other day by the writer for The Wolverine himself. Michigan needs to let go of the "We're Michigan" attitude. Sorry- it doesn't work anymore. Saying "We're Michigan" like it's some big deal isn't fooling anybody and the writer on the radio said the exact same thing.

Everyone knows what Michigan's program is like and nobody from a program that has had great tourney success like Villanova, West Virginia, etc. is going to want to come to a program that is way worse off and has to compete with Michigan State and Ohio State every year on and off the court.

They need to lose the arrogance, realize that they need to build from the ground up, and hire somebody young that can teach and is willing to work his ass off.

Well my Gawd, there you have it.
No one wantsto come to Ann Arbor and compete with Michigan State and Ohio State. Damn, might as well close up shop.
I think that angle is pure D bullshit. Why do great coaches continue to go to the SEC in football, or to ACC basketball schools not named Duke or North Carolina then?
As for this "We;re Michigan" stuff, thats a load of crap as well. UM basketball tucked its tail between its legs for six years with Tommy Amaker while the specter of probation slowly lifted, and I didn't hear Bill Martin say anything like, "Hey! We're Michigan! People are going to beat my door down! In fact, these assholes are going to have to pay ME just to interview them!"
The guys saying that are the Drew Sharps of the world with an axe to grind. Michigan knows what its up against. They also know that they CAN turn it around if they put enough effort into it.

Well, maybe they're not putting enough effort into it.
The Detroit News (that bastion of the (whichever amendment allows for freedom of the press)) runs an article today saying that none of the three candidates that all of the rest of the civilized world are discussing haven't been contacted yet.
Lowery, Stallings, or Licklighter (sp help with this one, please!), and their AD's say, "Michigan? Oh yeah, they came around saying 'hey dickhead, we're Michigan. See ya later!', but they didn't contact us about talking to our coach"
So no contact with these guys at all. That doesn't sound like terribly aggressive searching so far.

Well my Gawd, there you have it.
No one wantsto come to Ann Arbor and compete with Michigan State and Ohio State. Damn, might as well close up shop.
I think that angle is pure D bullshit. Why do great coaches continue to go to the SEC in football, or to ACC basketball schools not named Duke or North Carolina then?
As for this "We;re Michigan" stuff, thats a load of crap as well. UM basketball tucked its tail between its legs for six years with Tommy Amaker while the specter of probation slowly lifted, and I didn't hear Bill Martin say anything like, "Hey! We're Michigan! People are going to beat my door down! In fact, these assholes are going to have to pay ME just to interview them!"
The guys saying that are the Drew Sharps of the world with an axe to grind. Michigan knows what its up against. They also know that they CAN turn it around if they put enough effort into it.

I think its a chump way to go about things if you steer clear of a situation based on the regional competition, but I guarantee some coaches consider that if they are already in a good situation.

"The Wolverine" writer was the one on the radio talking about the "We're Michigan" attitude that is still around.

I'm not gonna totaly discount that (the 'we're Michigan' stuff), but that is a charge that is defenseless, because it is extremely vague. It's one of those broad brush things, and if you say something like that, back it up with some kind of reason.
I also think that there are only about, oh, alot of universities that have that chip on their shoulder.
I remember when Nebraska canned Frank Solich after going 10-3. The football program, in their eyes, had fallen off from the Osborne days (even though Solich had played in one NC game and gone 12-1 in another season). They named a new AD, he came in carrying a big stick and yelling about "Husker Nation" and all that shit. Well, they DIDN'T line up to coach Nebraska football. Yes, I think many "big time" universities would be guilty of playing the "Do you know who I am" card. I just have a hard time believing that Michigan Basketball would be out there trying to convince people they'd be lucky to coach in Ann Arbor.

Sorry but Beilein would jump at the chance to Coach at Michigan.

Coach Jackson has left the program and that is going to hurt with Manny. Grady's dad has already said the is very upset that Jackson is leaving the program.

I see this ending poorly for Michigan as of right now.

It is not that no one wants to coach at Michigan because that is an out and out falsehood and to say that because OSU and MSU is good and to leave out Wiscy in this case is terrible reasoning. Unless you are going to coach in the Conference USA or some other meaningless conference, then you will always have 2 or 3 very strong schools.

Plus Michigan does have B-Ball history. Of course there is a "We're Michigan" attitude. Get over it. It is there and you can whine about it for the next 20 years, as you probably have for the last 10.

From the Hearsay Department:
Some dope on Fithian's show says UM will hire Steve Lavin.
There are many levels on which that is so wrong, but allow me to address just a few:
#1: The guy has had a jaw transplant from Bill Cowher. OK, it worked in the Super Bowl, but I don't think that's a good look for the Final Four, let alone the "Hash Bash".

#2: Lavin may be personally responsible for the higher oil prices. He has more 10W 40 in his hair than they have drained out of the deserts in the Middle East.
Again, it worked for Pat Riley in LaLa land, but if he goes around Detroit with an oil well on top of his head, and you combine that with Detroit's fight with Washington to keep cars below 10 MPG, Lavin might get whacked by some UAW thug.

#3: He can't coach worth a shit.

Personally, I'd take a tire iron to Lavin's chin if he gets hired, but I might need that tire iron some day. If UM hires him, I'll concede to Dr Tre that UM basketball is a perpetual Titanic (but without Jack and Rose).

Lavin would be a huge mistake.

I hope you are lying.

Liar.

If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'
Honest, this dope called Fithian and said UM will name Lavin in two days.
Curiously, the guy turned away from the phone and shouted, "Lupe, quit having sex with the paperboy!"
I don't know WHO that could have been.

Sam is going to have an update some time tonight. I will spread the word as soon as I can.

Steve Lavin..hahaha...hahahhahaha.

I'm laughing with you Artemis...
I hope that Lavin didn't even get a call to ask who he thought might be a good coach.

If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'
Honest, this dope called Fithian and said UM will name Lavin in two days.
Curiously, the guy turned away from the phone and shouted, "Lupe, quit having sex with the paperboy!"
I don't know WHO that could have been.
He used to have a very hot Oriental girlfriend when he was at UCLA so he's got that going for him.

Look this can't be any more obvious. This is starting to take on the look of the MSU Football Coach search. Butch Davis, nope. He'd rather sign on with Carolina Blue pussies who can't hold a candle to MSU's Football past no matter how pathetic the level it has sunk to presently. Brucie Pearl won't even take U-M's phone calls. Krueger, no fucking way. Beeline Ridgerunner? How, when they are paying Lloyd $1.7 or so, are they going to afford him? Bite the bullet. Admit you're a football school and hire Kampe. The guy can coach. Let him build and take advantage of his Detroit ties. Fuck he got Oakland to the dance while TA was jerkin' his bobber. MSU got lucky with Dantonio. He's got a ring, he is a force in Ohio, he works harder than shit, and most of all he wanted the fucking job. How many want the U-M job who are on the national radar that they will write the check for? I give.

If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'
Honest, this dope called Fithian and said UM will name Lavin in two days.
Curiously, the guy turned away from the phone and shouted, "Lupe, quit having sex with the paperboy!"
I don't know WHO that could have been.
<--was working on Fithians show when that fucko called in. He also called into the Inferno and said the same thing. The guy is a fucking clown...it was Scubbaman from the Inferno site (not sure if you guys know who that is or not)...

I heard Fithian give you some "props" at the end of his show.
I thought, "Hey, that's the MUHME show! I don't know that guy!"
To think, I'm just two degrees of separation from Dennis Fithian.

The Washington Times is suggesting John Thompson 3 as a possibility.

As unlikely as that seems, that would be a home run IMO.

Is Dean Smith still alive?

JT3 - I say there's no way. But I would agree that it would be an amazing move if they could pull it off.

JT3 - I say there's no way. But I would agree that it would be an amazing move if they could pull it off.
JT3 will take over in A4 the day I get back from my rocket ship ride with Sir Richard Branson. You peeps are delusional. Hire Kampe for $90K and get it over with.

The hot rumor now is Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings.

The hot rumor now is Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings.
That would be a great hire. I think better than Johnny Be-Beeline. Less $$$$ too I'm pretty sure.

Hip --- What abou Stallings makes him a good hire IYO? I heard that this year was basically a fluke because he had a superstar player and that last year was quite possibly one of the worst years that a team has EVER had. I heard someone say that by the end of the year the Vanderbilt offense was basically a "3 point shoot around." They said that there was no assemblance of an offense and guys were literally just jacking up shots with no direction. If you know of something that would be insightful please do tell. Maybe he is an awesome recruiter and nobody knows it. I really don't know much about him besides the stories I've heard from SEC reporters.

I'll speak for my buddy hipdigit, as he is busy on another board with their daily discussion of the TJ Duckett catch from Smoker from SIX YEARS AGO.
Stallings has gotten pretty far with Vanderbilt. They have a very unorthodox athletic department, and they have high entrance requirements. Vandy truly walks the "Student - Athlete" tightrope.
He's tutored under Gene Keady and Roy Wiliams, been a HC at Illinois St and now Vanderbilt. He's well respected, and many people consider him to be a fine up and comer. He's handcuffed at Vanderbilt- I believe their athletic department is actually a department of their intramural department, or some weird arrangement like that. Stallings probably needs to get out of there and get a bigger job.
Having said that, some UM Jocksniffer on that board, who claims to be "in" with some of the staff, says it will be Belein within a day or two.

Amaker came from a school with high academic standards and trained under Coach K. He was well respected as an "up and comer", too.

That didn't mean jack shit.

Amaker's track record was spotty, and it wasn't as if Seton Hall wanted him to stay, and no one else wanted him either.
It means jack shit if the guy can coach, y'know.
By the logic you just listed, and with adding that to Dr Tre thinking that no one wants to come to Ann Arbor to compete with The Izzo and Thad Mottza, sheeeeit.
Bill Martin just needs to shut basketball down, man. It's over.

I'll speak for my buddy hipdigit, as he is busy on another board with their daily discussion of the TJ Duckett catch from Smoker from SIX YEARS AGO.
Stallings has gotten pretty far with Vanderbilt. They have a very unorthodox athletic department, and they have high entrance requirements. Vandy truly walks the "Student - Athlete" tightrope.
He's tutored under Gene Keady and Roy Wiliams, been a HC at Illinois St and now Vanderbilt. He's well respected, and many people consider him to be a fine up and comer. He's handcuffed at Vanderbilt- I believe their athletic department is actually a department of their intramural department, or some weird arrangement like that. Stallings probably needs to get out of there and get a bigger job.
Having said that, some UM Jocksniffer on that board, who claims to be "in" with some of the staff, says it will be Belein within a day or two.
That's the thing. He is really hamstrung with entrance requirement shit there. You think Petway suits up for Vandy? Give him some players and see what happens.

HipDigIt:
To be honest with you, for some reason I had absolutely no idea who Stallings was before his name got mentioned for the UM job.
The local hacks here talk about him alot due to the Iowa opening, and who they think may get that job instead of the coach of the Mighty Blue Jays of Creighton, Dana Altman (or is it the FIGHTING Blue Jays?). They have been talking about Lowery alot, Bennett from Wazoo, Crean, and others.
I think the Hawkeyes are going either Lowery or Altman.

Is Michigan courting Beilein due to his success in the NIT?

Apparently, that's a goal of ours at Michigan. Pathetic.

Moodini:
There are a few of us that do worry about Michigan's reputation as THE NIT power.
But we realize that a school satisfied with Lloyd Carr will probably not soon give up that coveted status.
Stand fast, Men of Michigan! Our benchmarks of NIT greatness, losing to Ohio State in football, losing bowl games, and now, Red Berenson joining the proud tradition of Underachievement for Michigan Athletics will remain intact!
UM remains a beacon of hope for the Illinois', Indiana's, and Missouri's of the world!

LOL Zip. Sad, but true.

Beilein should fit right in at Michigan. I heard he forces every player on his teams to hang a picture of Madison Square Garden in their locker. I think I found the actual picture-

http://www.seatdata.com/images/venue_madison_square_garden/samples/sample.jpg
Team motto-Aim low.

Mood, I gotta say that you're whack. I understand that you're not happy with the state of Michigan basketball.....but who is right now? Neither you or I will be able to change it, but listening to you bitch like a Sparty is really getting old. So as one of the few Michigan basketball fans left I say that you are no longer allowed to root for Michigan. Thats right, I'm imposing a ban on Moodini from Michigan. If you can't support the team when they need it most then maybe you're not the kind of fan that Michigan needs. So either you get your stuff together and stop bitching like a Sparty or stop posting in general because its really old.

Sorry I had to do it, but I am a former Michigan Offensive Lineman.........ha ha ha!

Apparently, the only hold up is Beilein is refusing to wear mock turtlenecks on the bench.

"Bitching like a Sparty" TWICE!! This from a slappy who appears to be a charter member of a gaggle of whiney, sniveling, yellow bitches who are still moaning over Smoker to Duckett SIX YEARS LATER!! I'll take a good "bitcher" over a "sobbing twat". You anuses put the WAH!!!! in WAH!!! WAH!!! If it isn't that it's Ohio State cheats. USC cheats. The Rose Bowl is a home game for the Trojans. We at U of Mum are held to a higher standard (for a belly laugh see Marcus Slocum). Sweet Creepin' Jesus what a pack of insufferable sots................Oh and I was an honorable mention All-American QB at Arizona State with a 4.0 and a 4.3 40. I fucked Elle McPherson all summer while being paid $200 an hour at my "summer job." Wink-wink.

You have a picture of Blue's Traveler and your Darvocet is starting to wear off...............take another pill, go drown your sorrow in a pack of Marlboros and finish that 6 pack of Corona and then come back and make a rational post..............thanks Hip.

I always thought that was Van Morrison, sure doesn't look like John Popper.

You have a picture of Blue's Traveler and your Darvocet is starting to wear off...............take another pill, go drown your sorrow in a pack of Marlboros and finish that 6 pack of Corona and then come back and make a rational post..............thanks Hip.
Uh, it may be you who has "BlueBrain" (mixed in with a little yellow). That's Van Morrison. Take Justin Timberlake out of the box and give him a spin and raise your aesthetic a notch.

ha ha ha, a Justin Timberlake reference.................wow Hip. All I can say is WOW. (I forget that sarcasm doesn't convey so well on the intra-net)

I hear that AM 1270 is reporting that Alex Legion will de-commit from Michigan today..............any truth Art or MUHME?!?

Mood, I gotta say that you're whack. I understand that you're not happy with the state of Michigan basketball.....but who is right now? Neither you or I will be able to change it, but listening to you bitch like a Sparty is really getting old. So as one of the few Michigan basketball fans left I say that you are no longer allowed to root for Michigan. Thats right, I'm imposing a ban on Moodini from Michigan. If you can't support the team when they need it most then maybe you're not the kind of fan that Michigan needs. So either you get your stuff together and stop bitching like a Sparty or stop posting in general because its really old.

Sorry I had to do it, but I am a former Michigan Offensive Lineman.........ha ha ha!

Filly, I'm a huge fan. I just don't like the state of the program and the hire. We should be able to hire a bigger name or at least a young up and comer at Michigan.

Filly, I'm a huge fan. I just don't like the state of the program and the hire. We should be able to hire a bigger name or at least a young up and comer at Michigan.
Seriously. I mean this with ALL due respect. Based on what do you feel entitled to a "name coach?" I'm scratching my head. Is it 1989? These fucking kids don't know from 1989. Is it the facilities? The promising pay scale that will never rise above Lloyd's $1.5(or so?) because, let's be honest, anymore it is a football school, and Lloyd would turn more churlish than he already is. The way I see it you reap what you sow. You've slid for 10 years and now behind the Frieder's, the Fishers and linda Ellerbee with TA for the cherry on top. Time to pay the band. The price? Continually rolling the dice for a guy "on the come". It can happen. I love basketball and I'd like to see U-M snap out of it. There seems to be no creativity in the "front office." Phil Hubbard's jersey hangs from the rafters there. He implored Martin to consider him. Not so much as a sniff. He's from Ohio and has been an NBA ass't. for fucking years. He's a solid citizen and would rep the school well. I don't get it? How about Reggie Theuss. I've been stumping for him since TA got canned. He's from Chicago. Charming, GQ stud, stinko fucking rich so it's not about the money. He turned chicken shit into chicken ensalada in buttfuck Las Cruces. Does he get a call? I think that for you to think that you schmo's wake up and expect to see Lon krueger, Bruce pearl, Bennet, Tubby and anybody else who might be recognized in the world of college hoop is flat delusional.

If the only thing you have to add to this thread is "hire Reggie Theus" then you've added nothing at all.

If the only thing you have to add to this thread is "hire Reggie Theus" then you've added nothing at all.
"because.......???"

Filly:
What IS it with you freaks that consider yourselves the "Guardian of the Thread"?
HipDigIt is a Sparty through and through and offers great insight and witty rapport regarding all things UM.
Lay off, son. You will be sent directly to the woodshed if you dare challenge him. Be more than a UM slappy, because you guys are the worst thing that can happen to a program that has gone about as stale as "skunky beer". The expectations at UM, and the state of the program inspire NO fear or respect right now in anyone around the country not named Eatern Michigan or Vanderbilt, or, our newest challenge, Appalachian State.
Just ask Pete Carroll, who considers it alot of "fun" to toy with Lloyd Carr and his band of Merry Behemoths.

From what we hear, the following are the "A-list" candidates still standing. It was brought to my attention that I misspoke on the airwaves a few days ago mentioning Butler 's Todd Licklighter as one. The guy I meant to refer to was third guy mentioned on the list below. So while Licklighter is still a name of interest…he is not part of what we're dubbing as the "Final Four."

1.)John Beilein - Definitely the leader of the pack at this point. Last night's NIT victory only strengthened the opinions of him in Ann Arbor . The questions that exist about him as a recruiter are overshadowed by the way his team performed. We're hearing from sources down at the Final Four that if Beilein does get the job in Ann Arbor , he will likely tap fired South Florida headman, and former Western Michigan coach Robert McCullum as his " Michigan guy."

2.)Chris Lowery - The moment of truth comes Saturday for the young Southern Illinois headman. He will get his opportunity to prove that he should be the man to take the helm at Michigan . The questions will likely surround his offense, whether he will he use Michigan as a stepping stone to a higher profile position, his youth, his ability to market & sell the program…and an array other talked about topics. He definitely has a lot of ground to make up, but he will at least be given the chance to blow Michigan away.

At this point we believe Michigan 's coach will most likely be one of those two guys. However, if things fall differently…it could be one of the following A-list candidates.

3.)Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik - We honestly don't know a whole lot about the guy personally, but there are definitely folks in Ann Arbor that have sure taken a liking to him. The fact that he has was an NBA head coach for three years and NBA assistant for 12 is definitely a trait that many believe would go over well on the recruiting trail. In his first season as head man at Air Force he led the team to the best record in the history of the program and an NCAA appearance. His is not a name that is being talked about very much publicly, but if the top two somehow take a tumble, this is a guy that folks would still be pleased with.

4.)Paul Hewitt. Sure he's a long shot, but you can't fault Michigan for giving it a shot. Why not swing for the fences?

There are other guys still being considered like Licklighter and Hobbs , but they are further down the list. The above names are the ones that we hear are in the upper-echelon. Michigan 's next coach will probably come from this group. The hope is that the decision will be made sometime next week.

This is per Bluesam at Scout.com

i like nba hc's 2.

If the only thing you have to add to this thread is "hire Reggie Theus" then you've added nothing at all.
I guess you much teach math. Maybe you missed the part where I asked how on God's Green Earth U-M is deserving of a "name coach" as the previous poster claimed and I laid down the reasons why found it a curious statement. Maybe you don't like Reggie Theuss but he was singled out on more than one front for a job well done in a shithole so bad truckers don't want to stop there. In his 1st year he did what TA couldn't do in six. You don't like his Chicago connections for recruiting? The fact that unlike Lloyd and TA he is a charming extrovert who would in all likelihood do a bang up job promoting the program? Maybe it's his broadcast backround with TNT and others for several years? Guess I'm confused. No mention of the Phil Hubbard suggestion? A true Meeechigan Man with an impeccable background and Canton, Ohio, Big 10 roots. Just a snippy lil' comment about Reggie? Your A4 is showing. Shocker!

Clark Kellogg seems to know so much, I say give HIM a chance.

It'd be a huge "fuck you" to OSU, as well as jacking the Pacers of their color commentator.

Lowery just signed a 7 year extension with SIU

Wow. I'm guessing he's comfortable, and UM is going after Belien. But I'm not too sure that means a whole lot for Lowery and SIU in terms of a long future together. Another good year or two and he will be gone.

Okay, so Lowery is out, but I hear that there is a mystery candidate that is being rumored all over the boards by DOTMAN from TheWolverine. I can only read the headlines, but does anyone "in the know" have a clue who it is or what is going on with the search?

Okay, so Lowery is out, but I hear that there is a mystery candidate that is being rumored all over the boards by DOTMAN from TheWolverine. I can only read the headlines, but does anyone "in the know" have a clue who it is or what is going on with the search?

DOTMAN is not giving up any information. Maybe he's just having some April Fools' fun, but most seem to think it's a current NBA coach who would be a "shocking, universally loved hire".

April Fool's jokes on message boards are never a good idea. I learned that the hard way on my first ever message board.

Let me clarify that statement for JickBoy. I'm not referring to a message board I was a mod of or I started when I say "my". I mean the first message board I was ever active on.

I might have to add a 3 paragraph disclaimer as a part of my sig so retards can understand it.

LOL...

Altman to Arkansas: http://cbs.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10103813

Also, UM has offered the position to Belein

U-M close to landing Beilein as men's basketball coach

Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News

Michigan could land the men's basketball coach it coveted, West Virginia's John Beilein, in the next two days, possibly as early as today.

U-M athletic director Bill Martin has targeted Beilein all along, and according to two sources, Beilein, 54, appears very interested in the job.

But U-M has primarily pursued Beilein.

West Virginia just won the NIT championship and finished with a 27-9 record. In Beilein's five seasons there, the Mountaineers are 104-60 and have gone to the NCAA Tournament twice, reaching the Elite Eight in 2005.

Martin, with the help of an advisory committee, has been seeking a new coach since he fired Tommy Amaker on March 17.

Beilein is considered an excellent tactician. U-M has hoped that would compensate for his lack of coaching ties to the Midwest.

If Belein was paying attention to what WVU's football coach Rich Rodriguez pulled off, he's taking UM's offer back to WVU to have them top it.

Apparently Beilein has accepted the job.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10104587

[smilie=shrug smile:

If it's true, the work begins.
Disturbing fact: West Virginia NEVER had a 4 or 5 star recruit with Beilein.
Comforting fact: He still won with them.
Let's see what he can do WITH 4 stars (assuming he can keep them) and away from the Big East.
Next phone call: Terelle Pryor. 5 star in football and basketball. He is listed as considering West Virginia and Michigan (among others). Seal the deal. Get together with Lloyd and get the verbal.
(Big area of concern: besides SF, he plays QB. Mallett is the QB of the future at Michigan. Is there ANY way they can get him?) If they can't get him it might have to be Yancy Gates. Kenny Frease was recruited by both but it was going to be nearly impossible for anyone to get him away from Xavier. The only big I see that Beilein was recruiting for 2008 outside of that was Ben Cronin, 3 star from Syracuse. 7 footer, 235-250 depending on who you believe. I would be ok with that if Beilein could get a lot out of him. Another Pittsnogle?

Beilein it is.

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=659611

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/478086.jpg

I'll admit, I'm not SUPER excited, but he's well respected in coaching circles and the media seems to hype him as well.

From Rivals-Beilein is considered by colleagues as one of the top Xs and Os coaches in the country, boasting a unique system on both ends of the floor. His teams run at every chance, but also set up in a faster variation of the Princeton offense, averaging more points per game (nearly 70) than Big East powers Connecticut, Villanova and Georgetown, among others.


"Beliein, to me, comes across as a basketball genius type … he really knows the game," said Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer. "He brings a unique style to the conference. That's what Michigan needs. You don't want to play the same style of ball as everyone in the Big Ten.

"He'll do what Mike Anderson did at Missouri and bring some life into the arena. The same as Tennessee with [coach] Bruce Pearl. Play a style no one else plays and shake it up."

That style is running when possible and living behind the arc. The Mountaineers attempted more three-pointers than twos this year, and had no problem getting good looks.

On defense, Beilein has employed a unique 1-3-1 zone that makes life tough for opponents. After one loss to West Virginia in 2006, Georgetown head coach John Thompson III noted, "anybody who doesn't appreciate what they do doesn't know anything about basketball."

"I don't know why anybody wouldn't want to play in that system," said Meyer. "The game has a flow to it. It's enjoyable to watch, as long as a team is cutting and moving and looking for a good shot.

Sounds like night and day from Amaker. I'm interested. He needs to call Manny and Legion NOW!

If they live behind the 3 point line, Reed Baker just sprung a woody. Unfortunately, so did Ron Coleman and Jerrett Smith.

I think Kevin Grady will be happy enough with that to stay. Legion has supposedly said multiple times since the firing (even after Jackson left the program) that he was honoring his commitment. It would seem that the style of play would appeal to Manny as well, though I don't know for sure. How does WVU hoops look on DVD? lol

I guess the best thing here is that he inherits more talent than he has ever had in his life. Once he infuses them with his apparent basketball genius, the program should eventually recruit itself again.

Now if they could just get the stinkin facilities. If this team comes out exciting right away, the tickets will sell. Maybe that's what Martin is waiting for. Put the product on the court first to proove that the school can be profitable there. Then invest in a few lights and some paint. Then throw together a pole barn the team can practice in. Seriously. The talk is that it would take tens of millions to upgrade the facilities. I could make a difference there with a few hundred thousand. It wouldn't be the ultimate end result, but why wait so long to do SOMETHING?!

- im fine with michigan not trying to keep up with the ludicrous sports programs like florida and osu. quite frankly, anyone making 7 figures in a college is beyond rediculous. if you can run a clean program, maintain some semblance of the 'student athlete', and keep the program in the national talks, thats about all you can ask for. i get as down as anyone on football, but when you look at it, who's program would you take over ours in all of ncaa's? osu? usc? please, you lay with dogs and you get fleas. its only a matter of time before those mo clarrettes and reggie bush's catch up with them. those teams are jokes, everyone knows it.

i dont know much about this beileen guy, but im glad hes going to carry over the clean program that amaker worked with (i forget, was crawford an amaker recruit? because i'd say since that class, it'd be hard to accuse UM of foul play). and im assuming beileen's basketball genius will mean the end of passing the ball, repeatedly, to grahm brown just above the timeline, so thats all you could want. (it'd also be nice if he did something to get his name out their, or fundraise. 2 inexcusable faults of amaker's).

so in short, im happy. this doesnt seem like the greatest hire of all time, but rome wasnt built in a day. seems like a good, honest step towards respectability.

LOL @ Filly for saying Moodini is crying/whining too much like a "Sparty?" Are you serious? A Michigan fan claiming that others cry too much? LOL!

Beilein it is.

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=659611

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/883/478086.jpg

I'll admit, I'm not SUPER excited, but he's well respected in coaching circles and the media seems to hype him as well.

From Rivals-Beilein is considered by colleagues as one of the top Xs and Os coaches in the country, boasting a unique system on both ends of the floor. His teams run at every chance, but also set up in a faster variation of the Princeton offense, averaging more points per game (nearly 70) than Big East powers Connecticut, Villanova and Georgetown, among others.


"Beliein, to me, comes across as a basketball genius type … he really knows the game," said Rivals.com's Jerry Meyer. "He brings a unique style to the conference. That's what Michigan needs. You don't want to play the same style of ball as everyone in the Big Ten.

"He'll do what Mike Anderson did at Missouri and bring some life into the arena. The same as Tennessee with [coach] Bruce Pearl. Play a style no one else plays and shake it up."

That style is running when possible and living behind the arc. The Mountaineers attempted more three-pointers than twos this year, and had no problem getting good looks.

On defense, Beilein has employed a unique 1-3-1 zone that makes life tough for opponents. After one loss to West Virginia in 2006, Georgetown head coach John Thompson III noted, "anybody who doesn't appreciate what they do doesn't know anything about basketball."

"I don't know why anybody wouldn't want to play in that system," said Meyer. "The game has a flow to it. It's enjoyable to watch, as long as a team is cutting and moving and looking for a good shot.

Sounds like night and day from Amaker. I'm interested. He needs to call Manny and Legion NOW!

Hey Moodini, didn't I say Bielein was a great coach a week or so ago when you were ripping him?

He's a great offensive coach. Defense is a little gimmicky, but has worked. Hasn't proved himself in recruiting circles as Jethro pointed out, but you've gotta give him a shot. I think it's a solid hire. I hate the fact that MSU will have to prepare for that crazy offense every year. ugh, what a headache

Good hire fellas. He'll make 'em better.

Gimmicky zone, lotsa jumpers, offensive-minded -- sounds like a Flip Saunders kinda coach.

Here's what I like most about the guy.
In 5 years at WVU he had 104 wins, just shy of the 109 wins Tommy had in 6 years at Michigan.
A whole year more and only 5 more wins Tommy?
5 more NCAA tourney wins than Tommy, (5 instead of 0)

The kicker? He did that in spite of the fact that each of his 5 years he started with LESS TALENT than Amaker had here that same year.

Like I said, given the talent he inherits (Sims and Udoh are staying, Reed Baker is jacked about the hire....none of the freshmen have confirmed their commitment yet but all should have a chance to meet with Beilein this week) he should make it to the tourney his first year. If he doesn't, I'm not calling for his head, but I expect 20+ wins easily. Barring players leaving early or not coming at all, I guarantee he has a tourney win at Michigan by the time his 2nd year is over.

A Flip Saunders type of coach will get you to the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight every year, Final Four once in a while. Just never a championship. If Beilein gets us there every year for half a decade or more I will be overjoyed. That will establish us as a top 20 program and the top coaches will be waiting for him to retire so they can take this job. If new facilities are in place by then, suddenly Michigan is a premiere basketball program.
Like I said, I think all Michigan fans would jump at that. So I'm not sure if the Flip comment was a shot at Beilein or not, but obviously if he accomplishes what Flip has it will be a HUGE step forward for Michigan.

Just heard that Michigan somehow got him without paying one penny of his $2.5m buyout. Sounds like they maybe had Beilein buy himself out.

His UM salary is supposedly set at $1.3m per.

Legion has said that he will wait to talk to Coach B.

Personally, Alex would be so stupid to leave this coach. Coach B fits Alex's game like just about no other coach.

%'s being kicked around are as followed:

Grady 90% (all these are staying %'s)
Sims 70%
Udoh 50%
Legion 25%
Manny 60%

Those are Bluesam's %'s.

I will have more later.

Reed Baker is jacked! What could be better than that??

[QUOTE=Jethro34] he should make it to the tourney his first year. If he doesn't, I'm not calling for his head, but I expect 20+ wins easily.QUOTE]

Wow!!! No chance that team makes the tourney next year. All the freshmen would have to come and be absolutely great for it to happen.

They will have average pg play at best and very little bulk and size up front. On top of that, they'll have very little experience.

If Legion or Manny leaves, or both, this team will be terrible.

The hire is good, but it'll take time. The NIT will be visited again.

Jethro, you are getting a little too gitty. Sweet 16-Elite 8 EVERY YEAR? The best programs in the country don't do that every year. tame it a little

Legion has said that he will wait to talk to Coach B.

Personally, Alex would be so stupid to leave this coach. Coach B fits Alex's game like just about no other coach.

%'s being kicked around are as followed:

Grady 90% (all these are staying %'s)
Sims 70%
Udoh 50%
Legion 25%
Manny 60%

Those are Bluesam's %'s.

I will have more later.

Correction, Legion would be absolutely retarded to go to Michigan. Legion is a premier player. Why go to Michigan? Why flirt with disaster when it comes to your future? It sure didn't work out for McDonald's AA Horton, or Mr. Basketball Sims. Sure, Bielein might establish a good program. But, if it's my NBA career, I'm not taking a chance. Him and Manny would have all the weight on them as freshmen with little help. Their first seasons at Michigan going up against the Big Ten's best/Nation's best would not be good for their confidence and development.

Tre:
For all the checks you are writing regarding MSU next year, you need to grant the UM fans, players, and recruits a little slack.
You are basing your Legion post on the PAST. AMAKER wouldn't have done much for Legion, Harris, or Grady.
But now, UM has a coach. They will do as well here as anybody if Belein is as good as everyone seems to think he is.
Don't base your predictions on the PAST. Amaker is out of the picture, and, just like you Sparties also want to convince the world that Dantonio in football is about set to part the Red Cedar AND feed a sold out Breslin sized contingent of people with a bag of peanuts and a coke, allow the UM fans to be just as giddy as you Sparty football fans are. Similar situations and similar new hires.
Don't make me jump through this computer and get in your grille.

I take that back.
UM basketball and MSU football are not in similar situations. MSU football is TOTAL shit, and they have been shit for 40 fucking years.
But OH, Dantonio is THE Man, and it's gonna be all right. So, all you recruits who want to go to MSU, go right ahead! Never mind playing the best of the nation or the best of the Big 10, Dantonio is Mr Magic and your confidence will be ok.
Meanwhile, if you signed with Michigan basketball, just go ahead and committ harikari right now while you have the chance.
Get real here, Tre.

I take that back.
UM basketball and MSU football are not in similar situations. MSU football is TOTAL shit, and they have been shit for 40 fucking years.
But OH, Dantonio is THE Man, and it's gonna be all right. So, all you recruits who want to go to MSU, go right ahead! Never mind playing the best of the nation or the best of the Big 10, Dantonio is Mr Magic and your confidence will be ok.
Meanwhile, if you signed with Michigan basketball, just go ahead and committ harikari right now while you have the chance.
Get real here, Tre.

MSU fball has had just as many good years in the last 40 yrs as UM has had in bball. Don't even try to claim UM is much better off in bball than MSU is in fball, cuz I'll tear that arguement apart. I'm sick of this attitude. Does MSU fball suck?! HELL YES! UM basketball is the same. I said the same exact thing for hs fball players, I wouldn't go to MSU and risk my future either. You didn't have a problem with that, so why do you have a problem with me saying it about UM bball. You need to get real...step away from your UM allegiance. I can with MSU fball. IF you were one of the top players in the country, WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU RISK YOU FUTURE by going somewhere unstable? I'm not ripping UM because I said the same about MSU fball. I just wouldn't risk it. If I'm Legion, I'm saying Peace Out...I'll go to a sure thing.

What kind of future are you talking about? Your argument sucks if you make that statement about MSU football then also. You go there because you want to. Everyone is on TV, everyone watches you, and if your career doesn't pan out you have these new things called "Souts", and "Scouting Combines" where you go and show off your Mad Skillz.
The argument against going to a particular college is for those who are afraid of everything.
For instance, how did Billy Donovan convince any of these players to go to Florida? How about when The Izzo took over?
And as for your argument about UM Basketball and MSU football, UM basketball is head and shoulders above MSU football if you look at the body of work over the last 40 years. You can't tear that argument apart.
Hell, UM's NIT run beats MSU football's run of making people embarrassed to say they are from Michigan. Don't even "go there", man.

OMG Tre that is the most retarded thing you have every said.

MSU has not even come close to Michigan basketball over the last 40 years. How many titles has MSU won in football in that span? UM has one. Which in itself makes UM BBall that much better than MSU football over the last 40 years.

UM BBall has been to 4 Final Fours in the last 4 years with one National Title in 1989.

Over the past 40 years MSU has been to one meaningful bowl game...the Rose Bowl in 1987. The rest of their bowl games for the most part are the equivalent of playing in the NIT. I think their Alamo Bowl game would be consider an NCAA tourney game.

Beilein's offense is made for players like Legion. Sure Legion should like elsewhere, but he will have a hard time finding a system that will allow him to do what he will do in Beilein's offense.

You are allowed to wear your shitty green goggles to see how great MSU football is going to be, but yet let a UM fan of the BBALL squad have an ounce of optimism and you want to think that there is no way UM could pull it off.

I think UM has a better chance of making the NCAA tourney sweet 16 than MSU does of making a BCS game next year. Neither has a very good chance, but I think Michigan has a much better chance of making it 4 more teams notwithstanding making the sweet 16 vs. the 10 that make a BCS game, but MIchigan has to fight a lot more schools just to make the tourney than MSU does.

I would be willing to bet that UM makes the sweet 16 in BBALL before MSU makes a BCS game.

BTW a player can go to any school and if he has the talent it will be found by the NBA or NFL.


That is why they both have scouts that they pay.

Please bring on your argument of MSU being as good over the last 40 years in FB as compared to UM BBall.

Remember you said last 40 years. Not 41, 50 or 55, but 40.

Tre, dude, have you read the context of a single post this week?

The Sweet 16 or Elite 8 comment was in regard to Flip Saunders. Another poster compared Beilein to Flip, and that's what Flip has done in the NBA. Therefore, I said that he was way off if he was using the comparison to rip on Beilein in any way, since ANYONE would gladly take that. Context brother, so you can chill on that. It's in no way my prediction.

As for the team making it to the tourney within the next 2 YEARS (since that was my prediction), how can you say for sure they won't?

Look at the team:
You said the PG play will be bad. I disagree. Smith will be much improved from the beginning of last year, and may be beaten out still by Grady. Grady is a perimeter, pass-first PG. His play will be just fine.

They lose Dion and Lester, but the way they played (inconsistent for Dion and hardly at all for Lester) Legion and Manny can make up for what they lost.

Then they lose Petway and Sims. Sims is a pussa and Udoh had him replaced halfway through the season anyhow. Conditioning will keep Udoh on the floor longer. DeShawn Sims woke up near the end of the season, in the Big Ten and the NIT. His improved play will help off-set the loss of Petway. Anthony Wright can add some scrapiness in the post, though he's short, and Zack Gibson will be eligible to play next year adding another big body.
HONESTLY, I think the team would have been on about the same level as last year's team - and that's if Amaker was still the coach. BUT HE'S NOT. One of the biggest overacheivers in the game is now the coach, and he's going to get more out of the team than Amaker ever did.
So what I'm saying is this team very easily could be a few games better than last year's team, which puts them in the tourney.

JERRET SMITH - We saw towards the end of the season that he can be an effective outside shooter when he's open. He's also been showing improvement at breaking down defenses when the shot clock is running low. Should be a good fit in the offense and probably the starting PG, unless Grady steps up big time.

CJ LEE - I got a chance to see him at the preseason open practice and it looked like he was a solid shooter... a wildcard, but he might get some PT.

K'LEN MORRIS - Above average outside shooter, great passer, and good ballhandler. Should be a solid contributor off the bench, especially if he makes his threes.

DESHAWN SIMS - He didn't take many this year, but he is capable of hitting the 3. Beilein could also run plays for him where he is isolated in the post (I have seen Beilein's teams run this before). Should be a starter.

REED BAKER - We know he can shoot the 3, and he's also a decent passer. He'll thrive in this offense, and will be coming off the bench with a green light to shoot. Beilein will make sure to get Reed open looks since he can't really create his own shot.

ANTHONY WRIGHT - Spot up shooter who will be much better in this offense than in Tommy's. He'll basically camp on the three point line and wait for a kick out. If he shows the ability to be lights out from 3 point range, he should get PT.

JEVOHN SHEPHERD - Of all the players on the team, probably the worst fit for the Beilein offense, just because of his inability thus far to hit the outside shot. Still, I love Jevohn, and he will be great in the 1-3-1 zone defense. He is also athletic enough to get open on back door opportunities and run the floor.

KENDRIC PRICE - Tough to say here. He can make threes with that Shawn Marion-like shot of his, but the question is will he commit himself mentally to learning the offense?

EKPE UDOH - Has a sweet jumper which will be nice in the new offense, but his biggest impact will be as the anchor of the 1-3-1 zone defense. If the opposition does get past the outside of the zone, Ekpe will be there to block shots down low. Should start, assuming he stays.

RON COLEMAN - He's already developed into pretty much a one-dimensional player (shooting 3s), even though he's shown that he can get on the offensive boards and finish. In the new system he'll just become even more one-dimensional and should be a big contributor with that stroke of his. Depending on if Legion bolts, RC could start.

ZACK GIBSON - Most people forgot about him, but he will be a GREAT fit in this offense (much better than in Tommy's). I actually played with him at the IM Building a couple weeks ago and I can assure you that he can nail the three and likes to roam around the perimeter. He's also a very good bounce passer and underrated athletically. Zack has the potential to be one of the first guys off the bench (especially since we have few bigs).

DAVID MERRITT - Hey, he made a 3 against FSU! Doubt he'll get PT though.

PHIL DEVRIES - Also not likely to change his status as bench warmer.

Now, for the recuits, assuming they all come... (take that with a grain of salt)

KELVIN GRADY - He showed in the State Finals that he can really heat up from 3-pt range, which will be nice. But his biggest asset is being able to push the tempo and find teammates in the open court for easy baskets. Beilein will certainly allow him to do this. He'll likely be backing up Jerret at PG (although you never know).

MANNY HARRIS - Not the best fit for the offense, but like Grady and Jevohn, he will be key in the open court. Grady will find him on the run, and Manny is an excellent finisher (or will at least draw a foul and knock down his FTs). In the half-court sets, Manny will be given some freedom from Coach B to penetrate when he sees the opportunity (WV did this quite a few times in the NIT), but maybe not as much as he would under Tommy. He is a streaky shooter and when he's hot, it will just make him that much more dangerous in the offense. I also think that the 1-3-1 defense will benefit Manny, because when I saw him play he didn't look great playing man-to-man defense but was effective at forcing turnovers when Redford would trap the ball. Not a guaranteed starter, but likely.

ALEX LEGION - Most people have touched on it already, but he would be a great fit in Beilein's offense. He will knock down open threes all day, and he won't have to handle the ball more than he would like to. When I look at him I see almost a carbon copy of Arron Afflalo, from their playing styles to shooting abilities to body types. There is little doubt that he could be a true star in this offense and probably contend for All-Big Ten honors early in his career. Almost a definite starter... but the question is will he come?

This from Iprez.

Couple things Big guys that can shoot are needed for this offense. Wright may be undersized to play much downlow....but as Iprez said...he is a very good spot up shooter. Gibson fits this system very well too.

Brett Petway and Courtney Sims:
Can you say "addition by subtraction"?

anyone have a link to where i can watch the dunk contest from last night? just saw the first round. pentway had me cracking up, especially with the announcers talking about how reserved he is.

Some good comments from his press conference today. It's too long to post it all here, so I'll just give the link:

http://www.mgoblue.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=24362

It looks like Manny could be on his way to Tennessee. Not looking good for him at this point.

Have to wait and see. Dad needs some convincing from Coach B. I wouldnt hold my breath. If he is gone....AL is gone too in my opinion.

LINK?

Its all over the websites, just go take a look. For the last 3 or 4 hours there have been tons of rumors, but they all seem to go back to Manny leaving and AL being on his way out..............ouch!!!

Fuck THEM. If they and their prima dona "parents" need some convincing, they can take their shit elsewhere.
Michigan basketball has survived since ought six without them, somehow it will make it if they bolt.
Does anyone believe that either Harris or Legion will be around more than two years anyway? Look at the freshman Cook for Ohio State. Had a shitty year, but still thinks he's ready for the "next level".

yea, so much the better. beilein's O doesnt rely on star players? he doesnt recruit them well, anyway? good. complete dumbass kids. UM is a much better school than wherever theyll end up. not that it would matter anyway, because im sure they think that being a 15th man on an nba roster for 2 seasons is going to secure them and their family financially for a lifetime. why dont they just go to a juco? or a clown college maybe? bring in the pittsnogles of the world. 5 star talent i can do without.

Well, we knew this might happen but if this is penalty for getting rid of Tommy, I'll pay it. These kids would not have gotten any better under him and would have gone nowhere. Now, they can play for a guy that might actually develop thier game and they don't want to come here. Makes no sense to me but oh well.

Wow, if Legion and Manny leave...Michigan is going to be TERRRRRIBLE next year. I'm thinking about their roster and YUCK. I agree with Wizzle in that you needed to get rid of Amaker. But, if Manny and Legion don't come to Michigan and they are pathetic, it is going to be difficult for an already challenged recruiting coach to turn things around. Early success is a key in turning a program around and establishing recruiting.

I stand by my statement that Bielein is a good hire, but no manny or legion and you might be hurting-badly.

Well, Tre, how can losing Manny hurt when you were absolutely NOT impressed with him? And, word is that Legion is a cancer. His old high school in Detroit didn't miss a beat when he left, and apparently no one had any kind words for him when he left.
I'm getting mixed signals. And remember something: Basketball greatness is only a decent recruiting class or two, plus a good coach away.
Don't despair, UM basketball looks to be about as solid right now as MSU football with St Mark at the helm.

Wow, if Legion and Manny leave...Michigan is going to be TERRRRRIBLE next year. I'm thinking about their roster and YUCK. I agree with Wizzle in that you needed to get rid of Amaker. But, if Manny and Legion don't come to Michigan and they are pathetic, it is going to be difficult for an already challenged recruiting coach to turn things around. Early success is a key in turning a program around and establishing recruiting.

I stand by my statement that Bielein is a good hire, but no manny or legion and you might be hurting-badly.

Does your hipocrisy know no bounds?

Vinny:
A man of few words, but great wisdom

Interesting developments. IF Michigan does lose any or all of these guys, any chance Beilein can pick up some of Kansas State's top ranked class? You know with Huggins leaving for West Virginia some of those guys may want out.

Well, convetnional wisdom, Jethro, will tell you that if they are Huggy Bear recruits, they are already making about $125,000.00 per year, cannot read nearly as well as a sick Spider Monkey, and have already spent the better part of 10-12 years in jail.
Yeah, I'll take 'em.

Maybe Walker and Beasley, but not necessarily all of them.

Actually, the best scenario for Michigan is a domino effect. West Virginia can't take all of these guys, so Walker ends up at Tennessee instead of Manny. That would be classic.

Ok, wishful thinking.

Well, Tre, how can losing Manny hurt when you were absolutely NOT impressed with him? And, word is that Legion is a cancer. His old high school in Detroit didn't miss a beat when he left, and apparently no one had any kind words for him when he left.
I'm getting mixed signals. And remember something: Basketball greatness is only a decent recruiting class or two, plus a good coach away.
Don't despair, UM basketball looks to be about as solid right now as MSU football with St Mark at the helm.

They would be terrible because they'd have absolutely nobody on their roster. Sure, Manny is overrated. I don't think he is that great. But, he is better than playing walk-ons. An overrated Manny is better than an underrated walk-on coming off the bench. Don't play kiddy games with me.

Michigan is going to be bad next year, but if you take a bad team and take away two players that can at least offer some skills and athleticm, you are screwed. Good luck if those two don't come.

BTW, while your attempting to catch me in some hypocrite moment, you might want to check your flip flop self. I've listened to the UM faithful hype Legion with his first commitment, then rip the hell out of him when he decommitted, then hype him again as part of the puzzle, and now you are ripping him and he hasn't even officially decommited. It's like I'm stuck on a maize and blue rollercoaster.

I have made exactly ONE comment on Legion, and in fact that last post was my ONLY comment relating to Michigan Bball recruits, other than my usual nonsense like "Manny Harris went to Michigan to get a free years supply of White Castle Hamburgers".
I have been doing some reading, actually, and have been informed by a few people that Legion could be a source of tension.
I agree that if the Big Three bolt, it would be damaging, but more so to the reputation than the actual play.
I would not be so quick to judge Michigan for next year, though. Even with a coach generally not well thought of, he had them close to the tourney. Beeline might surprise even the most vociferous Wolverine hater.

Yes, Amaker had them close last year, but he had three 1,000 point scorers on the team. They're all gone. Now I think Beilein still has a number of players on the roster that will work very well in his system. He has more talent with the current Michigan roster, even if he loses ALL three, than he ever had at West Virginia. So I trust him. I guess my biggest question would be - if we lose these guys, any or all - who replaces them? Do we give scholarships to scrubs just to get bodies, or do we hang on to the scholarships for next year?

By the way, my general feeling with anyone who opts out of a signed letter of intent when the only change was a coaching UPGRADE, I think you can rot in hell. Sure, you had a relationship with that coach and you don't with this coach. Welcome to life buddy. You're still from this damn state and 95% of things remain the same. It's a new offense. Yes, in fact it's a REAL offense. If you think Amaker's offense was better, get ready for a career in Europe, because you have zero basketball IQ.

So I state now and forever, if these guys stand by their commitment, I love them and wish them the best. If they leave, I wouldn't mind if the next U:S truck ran them over. Their talent level is the same either way, but my feelings towards them would be polar opposite.

yea. if your a michigan recruit, you should be thrilled we have a real coach. amaker to beilein and they drop? that tells me they were looking forward to going to the university of club med, or they liked certain intangibles promised ($$$).

Legion and mother talked with Coach B for about an hour yesterday. They are headed to AA today for a face to face.

Manny is 50/50 on what he is going to do, but Coach B got him in the locker room for 30 minutes of face to face time and now Manny is not sure what he is going to do.

I can only laugh at what Tre posts any more; his homerism knows no bounds, nor does his hypocrisy.

My man HipDigIt is telling a certain other board that Legion is headed to UCLA, and is going to ask to be released from his scholarship.
Bye Bye Alex, I hope you prove to be worth this soap opera type drama.

Heard Beilein on Rome today and he sounded completely unconfident that any of the recruits would remain.

Dodged the question, actually.

This is more than ridiculos.
If I'm Belein, I stop the ass kissing right now.
Call them up and say, "You coming or not fuckface? Tell me now."
If they say yes, you welcome them, if they "Don't know" you say, "Well, I do know. Fuck the fuck off"
Move on with life. These fuckers are either comitted or they're not, and if they're not, fuck 'em.

That is just plain dumb.

What is dumber, me thinking that the coach ought to atually be a coach and tell these punks how HE is going to run his program?
Or, ass kissing some 18 year old puke who may not even want to play at Michigan, then you rub his feet and read him Winnie the Pooh stories for two years and he bolts for the NBA anyway?
In short, what's wrong with thinking a coach can grow some balls and tell these punks to "shape up or ship out"?

I think the PC way of making the point is that the coach needs to have a backbone. If he bends over backwards begging these kids now, he'll have no authority months from now during a timeout.
Yes, when recruiting you have to make an appeal to these kids, but there's a fine line. You need to show them that they'll be working with a leader who believes in his system and his ability to make any player better.
So - if Beilein has to sacrifice too much to get these kids to AA, he loses far more than he gains. Long term, he's better off by explaining his system and the success he's had with lesser talent, helping the kids imagine what THEY would be capable of, and then saying that it's not for everyone. Winning, discipline and improvement doesn't appeal to everyone. If you want to go to Tennessee, have a one year tryout for the NBA and showcase nothing but athleticism and how you can carry yourself and nothing more, feel free to go. We don't have room for players like that here anyhow. But if you buy into our scheme we will build a program that will beat Tennessee any day of the week.

That's the pitch he needs to be giving. He'll obviously turn away a number of kids with that approach, but he's turning away the types that would give short term gratification only.

Grady is staying.

AL is rumored to UCLA.

Manny is about 50/50 still.

Both AL and Manny are supposed to talk to Coach B today.

Mike Jackson is supposedly on the list to come back as assistant coach. If he does, Manny would be over 50% in coming back.

UCLA has to clear a schollie if they want AL.

Apparently Manny met with Beilein again Wednesday and it went "alright". He says "I'm opening up my recruiting. I'm not looking at one or any school in particular. Michigan is still a school I'm looking at."

Legion met with him Friday and watched some West Virginia film and said that "He seemed very knowledgeable. His teams like to shoot the three and run that 1-3-1 defense. That offense suits my game." About his commitment he said, "I still have to think about it."

I think once everything settles down, everything will be OK. I just think these recruits are questioning Michigan basketball more than Beilein. They saw Michigan tank another season and they question whether or not they want to sign up for that. With Amaker fired, they see it as a chance to get out of their LOI's. If you compare Beilein and Amaker, it's night and day. I mean Beilein runs a creative, innovative offense and took WEST VIRGINIA to the Elite 8. Amaker won nothing and developed no one. I think once these recruits get to know more and more about Beilein, talk to current players and each other they'll realize it will be a good decision for all of them to stay on board. I think we get 2 out of 3 for sure, (most likely Manny and Grady) but have a solid chance for all 3.

I just saw on rivals, I think, that Mike Jackson is officially back with the team as an assistant. That's huge. When I've been to big time high school games in Saginaw, Jackson was the only one from the staff present. I'm not sure how much Beilein will get around - hopefully a lot - but he'll need to rely heavily on a guy like Jackson to help him make progress with local coaches. It may help him salvage the current class. Either way, it keeps some continuity going with the program (the few good points of the program that need continuity).
I still say Beilein needs to talk to Gary Grant about joining the staff as a top assistant, potentially being groomed as the next replacement.

I guess I'll put this here because it's the best fit. I just heard part of a Stoney and Wojo interview with Bill Martin. Some interesting tidbits. First of all, Martin scares me. You can hear it over the radio, that he's pretty content. I don't like that at all. Mention of things like "I hope Lloyd Carr is here as long as I am" isn't great.

Here are some other things he said:
"My intention with the basketball coach all along was to bring in a proven winner with a proven system and an exciting brand of basketball." - ok, fine I guess

"Our goal is to have our team knocking on the door of a Big Ten championship every year." - I would have liked to have him say they actually win one somewhere in there

"We sold out 4 games last year. I think part of that is scheduling better opponents. I'm not at liberty to announce anything right now be we have some really exciting opponents coming in next season." - translation: we dropped Maryland Baltimore County, Delaware State and Central Connecticut and replaced them with Temple, Baylor and Marshall.

"WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE FROM 16 GAMES TO 18 GAMES, AND IN FOOTBALL WE WANT TO CHANGE IT TO 9 GAMES INSTEAD OF 8." That's what I found most interesting.

Even though I'm ready for Lloyd to move on, I can appreciate the fact that Martin has to tow the line with him, and just can't come out and say something like, "I think I feel the same way that Zip Goshboots does. Lloyd sucks ass".

Grady is staying.

AL is rumored to UCLA.

Manny is about 50/50 still.

Both AL and Manny are supposed to talk to Coach B today.

Mike Jackson is supposedly on the list to come back as assistant coach. If he does, Manny would be over 50% in coming back.

UCLA has to clear a schollie if they want AL.

Afflalo just declared. UCLA has opened up a scholarship. One 6'5" guard replacing another?

In the event Michigan does lose one or both players, it's possible they could bring in another guy in this recruiting class. John Flowers is the only player signed for WVU's class this year. He's a three star SF at 6'7", 185 lbs. That's REALLY skinny (it makes Kendric Price look strong - although ESPN lists Kevin Durant as 6'10", 190), but as mentioned before, a 3 star is better than a walk-on. This kid obviously feels good about playing the type of ball Beilein runs.
West Virginia would probably have no problem letting him go, since Huggins might then inquire about some of his K-State recruiting class joining him instead.

Harris has declared he is staying and Legion has another meeting with Coach B later this week.

Still does not look good for Legion.


So we got 2 of the 3 so far.

That's excellent news! Legion is the one I would miss the most though. After the schedule he played this past year he should be the best prepared, and I think his game best fits the Beilein offense. I really hope between Harris, Grady, Jackson and Beilein they can convince him to stick around. If not, I hope they bring in Flowers.

From the Detroit News:

Ending weeks of speculation, Corperryale Harris of Detroit Redford said he is honoring his signed letter-of-intent to attend Michigan.

And that's not all. According to Harris, Kelvin Grady of East Grand Rapids is staying with U-M and Alex Legion of Oak Hill (Va.) Academy could make his decision as soon as this weekend.

The announcement U-M assistant coach Mike Jackson, a native of Detroit, is staying with the program seems to have swayed Harris and Legion.

"I'm staying," Harris said. "That's where my heart is. With Jackson back, it made me feel more comfortable. But I still had to make the best decision for me. I talked to Kelvin last week. He's staying."

Legion, who returned to Oak Hill on Monday, said he expects new U-M coach John Beilein to visit him sometime this weekend in Virginia.

"I'm starting to like Michigan more and more," Legion said.

And Michigan is starting to like you more and more Alex.

Not sure if this is good info or completely bogus, but I heard that Legion told a coach at Country Day that he's 95% sure he's sticking with Michigan. At first he was leaning towards leaving cause he likes TA and MJ but after talking with JB and everyone staying...he's excited about the future.

Let's hope this is true.

Just like he was staying at Country Day, or at Michigan the first time. Look, the kid has a reputation for going against his "lean". I'm not going to rip him for it too much because I wanted him on the squad, but until he says it on the record that he's back, what he told some dude about leaning doesn't help me.
Thanks for the info though Mood.

Disclaimer-Moodini's opinion It looks like no high profile guys even care about the job. And why would we want a hick from West Virginia? I just think we're headed for a disappointing end.

Ummm, care to explain this post and your newly found sig and avatar? You ripped Bielein and now you've got this Beileining to the final four location. LOL!

Two pics of the guy and a Final Four reference. I'll ignore the comedy of Michigan and the Final Four and I'm going to choose to focus on you making reference to the Final Four being a great thing. Weren't you and Jethro always downplaying Final Fours and calling it a Buffalo Bills accomplishment? Now Moodini is calling for a Bielein to the Final Four? LOL again!

The NIT has a Final Four, too.

I'm with Tre on this one Mood.............what gives? You weren't even feeling Michigan basketball a mere 3 weeks ago and now you're Fairweather Johnson.

I don't really care what you cats think.

At first, I didn't really know a whole lot about him, but since the hire I've done research and respected coaches across the country and members of the media are all calling him a "genius" who teaches fundamentals, defense, plays an up-tempo offense, and has won everywhere he's been. That's pretty much what I'm looking for in a coach. The fact that he's locked up Grady and Manny and has a good shot for Legion helps too. I guess I shouldn't have been so bold before I looked into things.

Here's some more research that I found. These are some quotes from Tim McCormick-

“This is as simple as I can put it: John Beilein will be the best basketball coach in the history of Michigan Basketball. He is a teacher of fundamentals. He will demand defense. He likes an up-tempo style of play where they push it very hard and look for easy points. If it’s not there, they spread the court. They rely on threes.

"His first practice with his team, the players were shocked that they spent the majority of their time learning how to throw bounce passes, how to pivot, how to square up on their jump shots – the most basic 5th grade bitty ball fundamentals, a lot of these things, these Michigan players had never learned before. This will be a very fundamentally sound basketball team. An up-tempo team that’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Moodini:
I'm with you on this one.
When the name "Belein" first got tossed around, I told my kid that if they actually hired this Bozo, She'd be grounded for two years. I wasn't at all excited by it.
But then I realized that my kid would be hanging around the house all the time, and I thought, "Hey, this guy is fuckin' GREAT! You're not grounded Danni!"
Oh yeah, I wanted a sexy name: Calipari, Pitino, Lowrie, Pearl, or even Don Imus.
But now I'm on board with him. He's the coach, ya gotta support him, and many, many people who know alot about basketball think he's one HECK of a good coach.
If that makes my Johnson a Fairweather, then so be it. I think I'm like MOST normal people (re: Not Sparties): I have a life. If the team sucks, I ain't wasting my time with 'em.

I don't really care what you cats think.

At first, I didn't really know a whole lot about him, but since the hire I've done research and respected coaches across the country and members of the media are all calling him a "genius" who teaches fundamentals, defense, plays an up-tempo offense, and has won everywhere he's been. That's pretty much what I'm looking for in a coach. The fact that he's locked up Grady and Manny and has a good shot for Legion helps too. I guess I shouldn't have been so bold before I looked into things.

Here's some more research that I found. These are some quotes from Tim McCormick-

“This is as simple as I can put it: John Beilein will be the best basketball coach in the history of Michigan Basketball. He is a teacher of fundamentals. He will demand defense. He likes an up-tempo style of play where they push it very hard and look for easy points. If it’s not there, they spread the court. They rely on threes.

"His first practice with his team, the players were shocked that they spent the majority of their time learning how to throw bounce passes, how to pivot, how to square up on their jump shots – the most basic 5th grade bitty ball fundamentals, a lot of these things, these Michigan players had never learned before. This will be a very fundamentally sound basketball team. An up-tempo team that’s a lot of fun to watch.”

Maybe next time you should do the research and then form your opinion. Not rip the guy and then do a complete flip flop when he puts on a maize and blue shirt. I was here before the hire saying you should be beggin for him.

Moodini:
I'm with you on this one.
When the name "Belein" first got tossed around, I told my kid that if they actually hired this Bozo, She'd be grounded for two years. I wasn't at all excited by it.
But then I realized that my kid would be hanging around the house all the time, and I thought, "Hey, this guy is fuckin' GREAT! You're not grounded Danni!"
Oh yeah, I wanted a sexy name: Calipari, Pitino, Lowrie, Pearl, or even Don Imus.
But now I'm on board with him. He's the coach, ya gotta support him, and many, many people who know alot about basketball think he's one HECK of a good coach.
If that makes my Johnson a Fairweather, then so be it. I think I'm like MOST normal people (re: Not Sparties): I have a life. If the team sucks, I ain't wasting my time with 'em.

I'm sorry but if some of you didn't know he was a great coach prior to the hire, you don't follow bball much. This guy has received high praise for the last 2-3 years for his creative offense and the interesting things he was doing to expose defenses. I'm shocked to hear what I thought to be very knowledgeable fans say they thought he was a bozo and didn't know anything about him.

In all fairness, while fundamnetalists are praising the hire, a number of people around the state are skeptical about it. First, it was a Martin choice which means conservative more often than not. Second, there has been very little proof that the guy can recruit. He took some teams deep into the tournament, and I love that, but you can't win a National Championship with all 3 star players. You have to have some studs to win it all.

Look at State. You have one of the best coaches in the business and you're giving him free passes on seasons when he doesn't have a roster loaded with studs. He had more talent than Beilein has ever had, and it took "his best coaching job ever" to get them into the tourney. Now, you already have a top 5 class coming in but only Delvon Roe, "one of the biggest recruits in the programs history" would be "the final piece of the national chmapionship puzzle."

So if the talent is THAT important in your own words, can you see why a fan would still be unsure of Beilein? Once he convinced some of the talent to stay, people began to feel reassured that maybe he is the guy to take the program someplace better.

In all fairness, while fundamnetalists are praising the hire, a number of people around the state are skeptical about it. First, it was a Martin choice which means conservative more often than not. Second, there has been very little proof that the guy can recruit. He took some teams deep into the tournament, and I love that, but you can't win a National Championship with all 3 star players. You have to have some studs to win it all.

Look at State. You have one of the best coaches in the business and you're giving him free passes on seasons when he doesn't have a roster loaded with studs. He had more talent than Beilein has ever had, and it took "his best coaching job ever" to get them into the tourney. Now, you already have a top 5 class coming in but only Delvon Roe, "one of the biggest recruits in the programs history" would be "the final piece of the national chmapionship puzzle."

So if the talent is THAT important in your own words, can you see why a fan would still be unsure of Beilein? Once he convinced some of the talent to stay, people began to feel reassured that maybe he is the guy to take the program someplace better.

Maybe you ought to read what was posted first. I have no problem with UM fans being skeptical about the hire. There are tons of reasons to be skeptical. My problem is ripping the guy before you know much about him and then turning around one week later and hyping him with two pics and a location hinting at future final fours.

Alex Legion has officially been released from his LOI and Reed Baker has asked to leave the program as his financial aid package has run out. Rumor has it that Legion will "look around" but is expected to take Aaron Afflalo's scholarship from UCLA as soon as he officially signs with an agent and is gone.

Screw Legion. Who de-commits twice? If he's so in love with TA, then why doesn't he take his ass to Harvard? He was getting an upgrade and was blind to it. Although, I can't blame him if he goes to UCLA, but the way he went about things was bitch-made.

Here's what Legion is missing out on, from an Andy Katz article on ESPN.com about the NCAA coaching carousel.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2834962

Michigan : This also is a contender for best hire of the coaching carousel. John Beilein is arguably one of the best coaches in the country, let alone one of the smartest. Michigan will be well-coached, well-schooled and hard to beat from this day forward. It doesn't matter how he recruits Detroit or the state. He will win. You watch.

So Baker was not on scholarship? Interesting. You know, as much as I gave the guy crap I saw that he was a fan favorite of sorts last year. He was known for hitting the three, a Beilein staple. But then I looked at his shooting percentage and saw that Smith and Coleman were actually better 3 point shooters. So with Grady, Smith and Coleman we should have plenty of shooters for that offense. Plus I've heard about a few of the others as shooters and I think it might be better to get them integrated into the offense. This year might just be about us fans getting used to some players we've seen very little of. K'Len Morris only played 37 minutes last season because of injury. We've never seen Zach Gibson or Anthony Wright in a game. 11 months from now we may be surprised with how familiar we are with their names.

I have to say, though, the loss of Legion hurts a lot. Numerous reports have talked about how well his style of play was suited for this offense, and the schedule he endured while playing for Oak Hill - the quality of opponents and the travel - left him more ready for the college schedule than most. That's nearly impossible to replace.

Screw Legion. Who de-commits twice? If he's so in love with TA, then why doesn't he take his ass to Harvard? He was getting an upgrade and was blind to it. Although, I can't blame him if he goes to UCLA, but the way he went about things was bitch-made.

I agree completely. What is up with this bullshit decommitting all the time now. These parents and coaches need to step up and teach these kids something about being honorable, loyal, staying true to your word, etc.. If you are not completely sure, don't "commit." Keep your options open and announce when you are ready.

I don't have a problem with Legion decommitting now because there was a coaching change. You can't predict that and I think he has every right to change. However, he shouldn't have committed and decommitted the first time around.

I also agree with UCLA, great choice, great decision.

Fuck Legion. He'll go somewhere and be a pussified pain in the ass for one or two years, then go pro. Let him be someone elses headache.

Fuck Legion. He'll go somewhere and be a pussified pain in the ass for one or two years, then go pro. Let him be someone elses headache.

I hear ya and understand the pissed off feeling toward Legion. However, he was a much needed scorer/athlete. It would have really helped Beilein to have somebody like Legion to build off of. He might be selfish, but sometimes you've gotta deal with a few guys like that just so you have some talent to build off of.

Well now, I understand this is a tough decision for a kid to make. I also understand the wavering, and even him being angry about Amaker being canned.
It's just that it's time to move on. I don't disagree that at this stage a big name recruit is advantageous to a new coach and a struggling program. But this is turning into a soap opera, and it's time for UM and Legion to permanently part ways. He's either committed to you at this stage or not. To me it's simple: Alex, are you coming? Well, I just don't know. Well then, you're not. Good bye and good luck.

Tim McCormick was on J&B this morning and said he thinks Legion will go to Kentucky now. Gilispie needs players and has a lot of scholarships to throw around.

freep says his mom is still pushing UM, and that some detroit principle/mentor is pushing ucla/uconn.

I don't pay much attention to recruiting, but from what I've heard about this guy, I don't want him. He sounds like a nice kid but very needy, and it sounds like all he wants to do is jump to the NBA, if he's ready or not.

Just read an article in the Free Press about Legion and his mom. Worth reading to understand a little bit about what is going on with this kid. I think it could give a different perspective on him, certainly different than I originally had.

It says that his mom really likes Beilein and has done a lot of homework on him and has received nothing but great info. She says that there is a man named Tim Green that has tried to have some influence over her son and she is sick of it and insists that he will not sway her son any more. Here are some of her qoutes.

Legion's mother, Annette Williams, blames Tim Green -- whom Legion has referred to as his godfather and mentor -- for the confusion. "I want to make it clear, Tim Green is not part of this process," Williams said Tuesday. "I'm tired of him trying to persuade my son against the University of Michigan and his family."

"I've been quiet for four years, but Tim Green does not speak for my son, and I'm tired of him trying to make decisions for my son," Williams said. "Mr. Green wants my son to go to Connecticut or UCLA, but my son will go to neither institution."

On Friday, Beilein visited with Kurt Keener, Legion's former coach at Country Day. "Even after Alex's departure, I still have a good relationship with him and the family," Keener told the Free Press. "It wasn't that he left on bad terms or anything. When this whole thing with Michigan started to unravel, I knew Annette didn't have the support system she needed, and I've been through the recruiting wars and she could bounce things off me."

Keener said Legion is "a good young man. He's had some poor counsel and misguidance from AAU people in his past."

Williams said she has been doing her own research on Beilein, speaking with people who know him, including Oak Hill coach Steve Smith. "I really like what I'm hearing about Beilein," she said. "I really want to thank coach Keener, who has talked very positively about my son to coach Beilein. We just needed to get rid of Tim Green."

For me personally this sheds a different light on how I view Legion and I am not saying that he still couldn't be a distraction but I am certainly more open minded about it. I have read too many stories about people like Tim Green and the influence they have over kids like Legion. He is most likely latching on to this kid in the hopes that he hits the jack pot as a pro and takes care of Green. Pretty pathetic if that is the case but certainly not surprising.

PC, Warren, MI


This is from one of two people worth reading on the Det News Big 10 forum. Good guy who doesn't bullshit, and a solid UM fan. I'm trying to recruit him here.

That story actually makes me want the kid at Michigan even less. If he's that willing to let this Green guy get close to him (calling him "Godfather") than what else is going to come down the pike later?

I'd steer clear.

And good luck with the recruitment, Zippy.

Just read an article in the Free Press about Legion and his mom. Worth reading to understand a little bit about what is going on with this kid. I think it could give a different perspective on him, certainly different than I originally had.

It says that his mom really likes Beilein and has done a lot of homework on him and has received nothing but great info. She says that there is a man named Tim Green that has tried to have some influence over her son and she is sick of it and insists that he will not sway her son any more. Here are some of her qoutes.

Legion's mother, Annette Williams, blames Tim Green -- whom Legion has referred to as his godfather and mentor -- for the confusion. "I want to make it clear, Tim Green is not part of this process," Williams said Tuesday. "I'm tired of him trying to persuade my son against the University of Michigan and his family."

"I've been quiet for four years, but Tim Green does not speak for my son, and I'm tired of him trying to make decisions for my son," Williams said. "Mr. Green wants my son to go to Connecticut or UCLA, but my son will go to neither institution."

On Friday, Beilein visited with Kurt Keener, Legion's former coach at Country Day. "Even after Alex's departure, I still have a good relationship with him and the family," Keener told the Free Press. "It wasn't that he left on bad terms or anything. When this whole thing with Michigan started to unravel, I knew Annette didn't have the support system she needed, and I've been through the recruiting wars and she could bounce things off me."

Keener said Legion is "a good young man. He's had some poor counsel and misguidance from AAU people in his past."

Williams said she has been doing her own research on Beilein, speaking with people who know him, including Oak Hill coach Steve Smith. "I really like what I'm hearing about Beilein," she said. "I really want to thank coach Keener, who has talked very positively about my son to coach Beilein. We just needed to get rid of Tim Green."

For me personally this sheds a different light on how I view Legion and I am not saying that he still couldn't be a distraction but I am certainly more open minded about it. I have read too many stories about people like Tim Green and the influence they have over kids like Legion. He is most likely latching on to this kid in the hopes that he hits the jack pot as a pro and takes care of Green. Pretty pathetic if that is the case but certainly not surprising.

PC, Warren, MI


This is from one of two people worth reading on the Det News Big 10 forum. Good guy who doesn't bullshit, and a solid UM fan. I'm trying to recruit him here.

Zip that's pretty much the summary of all major recruits. Adults fighting over the future of a young kid. Shady AAU people trying to make money off a kid and get in tight with him so they can cash in later. I don't think your opinion should change. It's the good kids that don't let the bad people in their circle. Anytime a kid commits to a school and then decommits without a coaching change, that says a lot about his character.

At least their strength of schedule looks to be going up. I mentioned earlier after hearing Martin on the radio that he planned on having better schedules. They took the first step by officially announcing Duke is back on the schedule. Now that Amaker is gone Coach K was willing to renew the "rivalry" (I put it in quotes because technically it should only be called a rivalry if each team has won it's share of games in the matchups). Duke was down this year but they're Duke and they'll be back. I think everyone agrees that Duke is more helpful on your schedule than Boston University. Speaking of Boston and the ACC, Boston College is Michigan's matchup in the ACC/Big Ten challenge this year.

At least their strength of schedule looks to be going up. I mentioned earlier after hearing Martin on the radio that he planned on having better schedules. They took the first step by officially announcing Duke is back on the schedule. Now that Amaker is gone Coach K was willing to renew the "rivalry" (I put it in quotes because technically it should only be called a rivalry if each team has won it's share of games in the matchups). Duke was down this year but they're Duke and they'll be back. I think everyone agrees that Duke is more helpful on your schedule than Boston University. Speaking of Boston and the ACC, Boston College is Michigan's matchup in the ACC/Big Ten challenge this year.

It's definately a good thing to beef up the schedule a bit because Michigan's schedule was a joke. Adding Duke though, yikes. haha I'll look forward to that one. But seriously, it gives you TV time at the very least.

I had to bump this thread because I read an article about Tim McCormick running a low-post clinic at Crisler for Beilein and his staff. (link provided)
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/SPORTS/70607003/1006/RSS02

I just love reading about Beilein. I'll keep coming back to the fact that eventually he'll need to become a better recruiter, but this guy LOVES learning about basketball and surrounds himself with people that share the desire to always study the game. He keeps adding great names to the staff and taking full advantage of any resources he can find. Jerry Dunn was recently named one of the top assistant coaches in the country by Rivals. I wouldn't be surprised to see Michigan once again acknowledge the existence, but not the records, of the Fab Five because Beilein convinces Martin to for the sake of leveraging anything those guys could do for the program.
I'm really starting to see how he can succeed with lesser talent. I think players who come to Michigan and learn from this guy will absolutely be improved people and players from their time here, something you certainly could not say during the Amaker years.

I think it's just a matter of time before I'm in Michigan talking Tre off a ledge.

I think it's just a matter of time before I'm in Michigan talking Tre off a ledge.

I think you're right. With Beilein at Michigan now, I'm already picking my ledge. He's going to completely nullify that string of Top 5 recruiting classes coming into MSU and that Izzo guy coaching them.

Jethro actually had a really good post, it would be nice if you could add something decent to it Zippy.

Jethro actually had a really good post, it would be nice if you could add something decent to it Zippy.

I will, Tre: JUMP!

I will, Tre: JUMP!

Don't you have some laundry to do? Your wife is waiting for her panties.

Don't you have some laundry to do? Your wife is waiting for her panties.

This is why you'll forever be a little twelve year old boy who doesn't understand life. You are onto a good joke, but because you are a twit and a Spartie, you miss it completely (but your fellow Sparties are probably in a puddle of their own goo laughing their heads off):
To wit:

Don't you have some laundry to do? Your wife is waiting for her PANTS

Oh Tre, you try, but you ARE a Sparty. Maybe in the next life.

This is why you'll forever be a little twelve year old boy who doesn't understand life. You are onto a good joke, but because you are a twit and a Spartie, you miss it completely (but your fellow Sparties are probably in a puddle of their own goo laughing their heads off):
To wit:

Don't you have some laundry to do? Your wife is waiting for her PANTS

Oh Tre, you try, but you ARE a Sparty. Maybe in the next life.

Zip giving out advice on how to post, LMAO.

More Beilein stuff. He's finding a way to get on the court with his players. He had five of them (Jerrett Smith, DeShawn Sims, Epke Udoh, Ron Coleman and Anthony Wright) working at the basketball camp.
No doubt he's finding a way to teach them while they work with younger kids.
The conditioning program is paying off in terms of weight as well. Smith and Wright have each lost 25 lbs, while Udoh has gained 9 so far.
Finally, his son Patrick, joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

Im really excited about coach B...I dont follow basketball recruiting like most of you do..But im excited that Michigan was a finalist for Green even though it looks like he will end up at MSU.. Nothing but positives since he came here

I was at a big shootout at Delta College this weekend hosted by AH. I'm not exaggerating, every single college in Michigan was represented from D3 schools to Michigan State. The only school not in attendance? None other than the University of Michigan. I was telling Moodini this last night, if you are going to try to compete with MSU, then you better out work them. Haven't seen it thus far. How can you not send an assistant at least to a shootout that will host the best players in the entire state? Amazing!

If I were a "blind Michigan fan" I would make up some excuse or come up with some reason why this wouldn't be a big deal.
But that's not the case. This goes against everything we've been hearing from Beilein's camp. This is extremely upsetting because it seems like the staff is talking the talk but not consistantly walking the walk.

Making matters worse, Rivals is buying into it. Thye have an article teaser on the Wolverine right now, quoted below:

Still more targets continue to emerge in Michigan head coach John Beilein's quest for talent from the class of 2008 (and beyond). Beilein has been anywhere and everywhere in the past few weeks, catching a number of future potential Wolverines in action …
What part of "everywhere" do they fail to understand? Clearly this event, though being held at lowly Delta College, was home to a number of big time prospects.

Making matters worse, Rivals is buying into it. Thye have an article teaser on the Wolverine right now, quoted below:

What part of "everywhere" do they fail to understand? Clearly this event, though being held at lowly Delta College, was home to a number of big time prospects.

The fact that this shootout was a hour and a half away makes this worse, then toss in the fact that it was mostly on Sunday and that makes it downright inexcusable. Most camps (Nike Camp this week) cut off Sunday and that's part of the reason this shootout featured most of its games on Sunday. Noopy was actually at Nike and came all the way back (probably exhausted) to get into Saginaw for the shootout. If Noopy could do it while competing at Nike just a day earlier, Beilein or a member of his staff should have been able to do it.

I could easily put together an amazing Michigan class with the players not committed that were there. You grab Jason Washburn and Kavon Love and you have some serious building blocks. For those of you that thought Washburn was a goon like me, not exactly the case after I watched him. Great base for a project and it wouldn't take more than a year to get him BT ready.

How did Washburn look? I heard his stock was plummeting and Ben Cronin is actually ranked much higher now. Also, I still can't ever find Kavon Love online anywhere. That's the cat from the game we went to, right?

Your argument for building block players isn't sounding great to me right now, but that's not what I thought would have been important at this thing anyhow. It's maintaining a relationship with the coaches, the schools, and the communities so that when the studs players DO come through, you're in a good position.

If it was strictly about the players, I haven't heard any evidence to even see why State was there. I understand D2 and D3 schools, but outside of Noopy I didn't here a name that will end up better off than the MAC. Seriously, Washburn is tanking in EVERYTHING I've read. I'm betting he goes to Central or Western.

How did Washburn look? I heard his stock was plummeting and Ben Cronin is actually ranked much higher now. Also, I still can't ever find Kavon Love online anywhere. That's the cat from the game we went to, right?

Your argument for building block players isn't sounding great to me right now, but that's not what I thought would have been important at this thing anyhow. It's maintaining a relationship with the coaches, the schools, and the communities so that when the studs players DO come through, you're in a good position.

If it was strictly about the players, I haven't heard any evidence to even see why State was there. I understand D2 and D3 schools, but outside of Noopy I didn't here a name that will end up better off than the MAC. Seriously, Washburn is tanking in EVERYTHING I've read. I'm betting he goes to Central or Western.

Washburn looked better than I expected. He can run the floor pretty well and when playing with better talent than he has at Battle Creek, he looks like a solid project. Kavon Love was ranked by the Free Press as the #3 overall player in the state of Michigan for this coming season. I actually told SVSU's coach about him last year at one of our games, he came up to me this summer and said, "Boy, you were dead on with the kid you told me about, he's high end D-1 talent."

You're right, part of being there is establishing relationships with the AAU coaches and high school coaches, but there were plenty of players there. Many of them you or I might not know about yet because they are the next generation of Mustangs. Some are 15-16 year olds that are on the way up and will be top 150 type talent. We played one AAU team that went 6'9", 6'8", 6'8", 6'7" and these kids could move. A big part of recruiting is getting to the kids before the general recruiting followers know their names. That's how you get in good with them early. You should see how the coaches flock to the Mustang games. Yup, we played them.

BTW, Noopy moved up in DocTre's rankings. I initally wasn't all that impressed compared to the other top guards in the country, but he is much improved.

Just to put my .02 in here..How do you know no one from Michigan was there. Also, how do you know they were not in other places?

Here is a snippit from an article from the detroit news


According to the NCAA, there are nearly 300 sanctioned events for men's basketball during the July period.

Recent moves make it tougher to evaluate multiple players under one roof because prospects participate in events all over the country.

So Coach B sucks because he supposedly missed one camp?

Just to put my .02 in here..How do you know no one from Michigan was there. Also, how do you know they were not in other places?

Here is a snippit from an article from the detroit news



So Coach B sucks because he supposedly missed one camp?

I know Michigan was not there because they had a coaches section for each court. The coaches were to sit in that section with the other coaches and those were the best seats in the house. When you go to events like this, every coach wears clothing from their school of course and it's usually an athletic polo shirt representing their school. You want the recruits to see that and know you are there watching them. Every single coach represented their school this way and you could easily see where each coach was from. I was there all day long, trust me, they weren't there.

They could have been other places, but if that's the case, why the hell wouldn't you send an assistant to this event?! It's the closest event to home and it has all kinds of in-state talent. At the least, send a grad assistant or something. Beilein needs the Dantonio approach, he needs to understand that winning with in-state talent needs to be his first goal, when you become national, you can go elsewhere.

I know Michigan was not there because they had a coaches section for each court. The coaches were to sit in that section with the other coaches and those were the best seats in the house. When you go to events like this, every coach wears clothing from their school of course and it's usually an athletic polo shirt representing their school. You want the recruits to see that and know you are there watching them. Every single coach represented their school this way and you could easily see where each coach was from. I was there all day long, trust me, they weren't there.

Dude, I hope you are trying to catch on at ESPN, otherwise, what the FUCK were you doing watching some crummy ass high school basketball thingy?

Dude, I hope you are trying to catch on at ESPN, otherwise, what the FUCK were you doing watching some crummy ass high school basketball thingy?

First of all, I'm a basketball fan. Love high school basketball. Therefore, spending time watching star high schoolers square off early in their career when they one day will be stars in college and then NBA players is pretty cool.

Secondly, I'm a coach. Our team was invited to the shootout so I was there coaching and watching when we weren't playing.

Where do you coach Tre? Saginaw?

Where do you coach Tre? Saginaw?

It's kindof nice having somewhat of a hidden identity online so that we can give our opinions and inside info w/out any problem. If I come acrossed things in the prep world I like to be able to share them somewhat annonymously since most don't know who I am. So yeah, let's just say Saginaw area.

Delta College on West Side Saginaw road? Thats just weird hearing the old stompin ground names. The Michigan Haus was over there and another burger place right across the road.

My gf played softball in Saginaw and we used to go to some bar by the river. Lot of info there.

I stay at Bay Valley when i visit my cuzn's.

Michigan is a great place. If there were jobs, I would'nt have left.

Man, I'm starting to feel like Saginaw County is the best represented county on WTF. I would have guessed Wayne or Oakland, but I think among semi-active/active posters, Saginaw has the deepest roots.

It's kindof nice having somewhat of a hidden identity online so that we can give our opinions and inside info w/out any problem. If I come acrossed things in the prep world I like to be able to share them somewhat annonymously since most don't know who I am. So yeah, let's just say Saginaw area.

"I'm not exactly just the host of "The Gong Show". I'm also an undercover CIA agent. I kill people for the United States Government"--Former Gong Show host Chuck Barris.

The Gong Show would be an upgrade for me.

But he is a hitman.

Man, I'm starting to feel like Saginaw County is the best represented county on WTF. I would have guessed Wayne or Oakland, but I think among semi-active/active posters, Saginaw has the deepest roots.

Sounds like a party. Beer is on me. My buddies, that are left, back there are all Sparties. I thought it was an error of their youth, but obviously their mental development failed somewhere along the line. :)

I'm trying to remember all the posters with Saginaw ties. Tahoe, me, Tre, Moodini, Filly, Jickboy, Wizzle, Hank in Chains, Stu, Glenn.....there are more but my mind is blank now.

Any truth to the rumor that you guys hired Lou Dawkins to moderate something on this board? That's quite a pipeline of, um, talent.