Thursday, April 10, 2014

Michigan Thursday: Pack Your Bags Boys, We're going to Eurpoe!

As we wait for the NBA Draft decisions for Nik, Mitch and Glenn we now understand that having a young team is something every successful NCAA program will have to deal with.   Michigan next year will again have a young squad and will need a number of freshman to contribute to the success of the team. 

Michigan and every other NCAA basketball team has the ability to take a summer European trip every four years.   The purpose of this trip is to play some exhibitions and bond as a team.   Michigan did this 4 years ago and it really helped the freshman get some much needed experience.    The Wolverines will do a similar trip this summer.    (Hey Big Ten Channel, here is a great chance for a documentary as you follow the Wolverines through Europe)

Many current players are going to stay in Ann Arbor during the breaks, here is John:  "There has been a major push for guys to want to be here the whole summer. We expect many of our guys will be there, though we don't have all the numbers yet. I'm not saying both summer sessions but definitely with one. We only want them taking 12 hours during the year so they can continue and graduate on time. It's completely up to them, the first session. They need time to go home as well and just get away, but it really paid off for Caris and Nik. But it's their choice."


Don't forget about Mark!

Mark Donnall a true freshman this year was a red shirted this and is expected to be a big part of the next years teams.   Here is John again on his development:  “Mark is still 18-years-old right now,” Beilein said. “So that is very encouraging to us. Every day when our guys were out shooting around – he was finishing a lift with (strength coach) John Sanderson in the weight room.

“What I like about Mark, is he takes coaching and move it right away. When in doubt, he shoots it and it goes in. And he’s got great instincts as he learns other parts of the game. Depending right now on a lot of different things – he may have an opportunity to play next year. Will have to see how it all shakes out.”

Where do the NBA decisions stand?

"As we go through the process, we will continue to give as much info as it comes in from the advisory counsel and others in pro basketball that can advise us. I can't say we're meeting every day, but as it comes in and we work at getting it in, here's what everybody is saying.

"It's very fluid and there's a lot of emotion in it," he said. "You just try to help them make educated decisions. I'm comfortable with it, because it's part of the game and here to stay. You have no choice. They're going to be swayed in different ways by the ones that have more access to them."


Breaking as I write this:  Nik is gone as expected.  Michigan sophomore Nik Stauskas is headed to the NBA, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Thursday.  The source said the 6-foot-6, 205-pound shooting guard intends to make a public announcement soon.

Nik quickly responds on Twitter: 

NStauskas11 Just wanted to reiterate that any reports about my future intentions are FALSE! I have NOT made ANY decisions on my future yet!

This could be true or he is trying to "protect" his press conference.

4 comments:

Scott K said...

Lets not forget kirk herbstreit having Les Miles on a plane to Ann Arbor, at the same time he was signing a contract extention at LSU.

Scott K said...

Horford is transferring away for his final season.... reading the tea leaves... it only makes sense Big Mitch is coming back.. Why would he leave, knowing he's the only experienced big man on the roster?

Big35Hurt said...

Nik will be out of the NBA within 3 years. He can't create off the dribble at all vs a defender with a pulse. He's also a liability on defense.

Scott K said...

I think 'Hurt is probably right... he'll make a living playing in Europe, if he wants to. Unfortunately, he could do that after another year or two in college just as well.