Recruiting Rankings. Rivals put out their list of 2009 team recruiting rankings by conference. Michigan finished a respectable fourth in the Big Ten behind Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. Darius Morris was also named the top dog at the point guard position. Looking ahead to next year has to have a Michigan fan excited as long as Manny stays. You take away CJ, Dave, and Jevohn and add a freshman class of Darius Morris, Matt Vogrich, Blake McLimans, and Jordan Morgan to what is mostly the same core.
DaShonte Riley. I have received a lot of emails about DaShonte Riley choosing not to sign with Georgetown and whether or not he is an option for Michigan. I don’t see any way that Michigan goes after Riley because nothing about it makes sense. Michigan is out of scholarships for 2009 and Riley isn’t a great fit anyways. Riley was considered a can’t miss prospect a couple years ago but his stock has dropped steadily from a 5 star to a 3 star recruit. Michigan will move a long and keep looking to the class of 2010.
Top 25? I also got a couple questions about whether Michigan could make it into the top 25. The polls are out and Michigan is #32 in the AP and #45 in the coaches poll. One win against UCLA doesn’t warrant a move into the top 25 at this point in my book. Polls in college basketball are relatively meaningless compared to football so I think this is the least of Michigan’s concerns. The most important take away from the UCLA game is that it will be a resume booster if Michigan finds itself on the bubble.
Tickets. There is a graphic on MGoBlue that says the Duke game is sold out but it looks like you can still buy singles. If you are planning to get to that game I would buy my tickets sooner than later. Another reminder about tickets, tomorrow’s game is $1 if you bring two canned goods for the Food Gatherers. This is a great deal and hopefully people make it out despite the 8:30 tip.
Laval Lucas-Perry. It seems like no Michigan basketball broadcast is complete with out a mention of LLP. Dickie V spoke very highly of him and I haven’t heard anyone who doesn’t expect him to be a contributor. The questions I have are where he fits, does he play the point guard or the two guard. Reports have him as more of an undersized two who could play some one. I just worry about putting all these expectations on a guy who is coming into the middle of the season cold and hasn’t played college hoops since last Fall. There are still lots of questions with how LLP changes the rotation as well. Beilein has talked about playing less people and I think Novak might be the odd man out right now.
Links!
- Well, maybe UCLA just isn’t as good as everyone thought
Beilein’s turnover magic still worked against Duke and a look at other Big Ten action. - Ray Floriani on Michigan/Duke
A good look at the first four minutes of both halves. - Ray Floriani on Michigan/UCLA
First four minutes again - Off the bench, Sims provides huge spark for ‘M’
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. - On Men’s Basketball: Duke is just another measuring step for Michigan
“It’s like we’re in the same league,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “But playing against John’s teams will always make us better. One of the reasons we scheduled Michigan was because playing them will make us better, win or lose.” - Manny Being Manny, Johnny Being Johnny
So, how has Michigan all of a sudden become relevant again? The answer is simple: Manny Harris and John Beilein. - All-Detroit Preseason 2008
I know they aren’t Beilein recruits but it has to help recruiting in Detroit that Manny and Peedi are two of the best players from the city in college hoops. - Michigan Sleeper Report
If your looking for some names to watch — I don’t know about Michigan interest but they are worth keeping an eye on. - Michigan Rolls to Upset Win Over No. 13 Vanderbilt
Huge win for Borseth and company.
