Michigan Monday: Welcomes Franz and Iggy goes off in the Summer League

When Juwan got the head coaching job at Michigan he had a lot to do immediately.   Number one, he had to put a coaching staff together and number two, he had to solve the problem for next years team that lost 3 players to the NBA Draft.

Juwan moved quickly on the staff but it seemed next years team was taking another step back with the loss of Jalen Wilson to Kansas.  Over the weekend, that team took a major step forward with the signing of Mo Wagner's brother Franz from Germany.

Franz picked the Wolverines over playing pro ball in Germany.  He is a 6'7 wing and will play multiple positions at Michigan.  He also isn't done growing as some recent reports have him closer to 6'9.  Franz wasn't rated by the recruiting services but most expect he would end up in the high 4 star range and probably ranked between 30-40 nationally.

Franz was a youngster on the his German pro team that featured familiar names Derrick Walton and former Louisville guard Peyton Silva who are considerably older and experienced players.   Franz played 11 minutes a game and averaged 4 points per.  He also played for a Germany Pro-B team where he averaged 16 points per game.  He is known as a shooter and strong defensive player and many believe is farther in his development at this stage then is NBA brother.

Michigan just got a starter on next years team that now has higher expectations then it did a week ago.

• In Summer League news, Iggy went off last night and scored 30 and first round draft pick RJ Barrett struggles.

• Jordan Poole went for 21 in a Sumer League win over the Raptors on Sunday. 

• Duncan Robinson also went for 20 as he is trying to win a roster spot on the Heat.   That roster now has Jimmy Butler and could add Westbrook in a trade.

• Mo Wagner will also get some summer league touches as his trade to the Wizards is now official. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/07/michigan-monday-welcomes-franz-and-iggy.html

Michigan July 4th Update: Everyone Loves Kris!

The commitment train keeps rolling down the track and yesterday was no exception.   Kris Jenkins Jr. committed to the Wolverines in the 2020 class after visiting two weeks ago.  You might remember Kris Senior who played for Ypsi, went to Maryland and had a 10 year career in the NFL at DT or Kris's Uncle Cullen Jenkins who played at Central and had a 14 year career in the NFL.  

Now that is a good bloodline and makes it a little strange that Kris Jr. is so under the radar.   This is another East Coast prospect that is closer to the basement right now then his ceiling.   Even though he plays for Good Counsel a powerhouse program in the area.   His current weight might be the reason, Kris is 6'4 and 240 pounds and rated a 3 star prospect to all the services.  He currently listed as a DE but Don Brown and crew have talked to him playing anything from OLB to DT at Michigan.  
Unless Kris is crazy fast of the edge, I expect him to redshirt has he puts on a few pounds and some more muscle in Michigan's S&C program.  If he grows big like his dad or uncle and has the talent of those two, this was a complete steal.  Michigan is lacking DT's in this class and Kris getting around 300 pounds wouldn't hurt anyone's feeling.   I expect after a strong senior year, Kris will end up firmly in the 4 star range.  

Kris's offer list included the likes of Northwestern, Yale, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Iowa, Michigan State, Air Force, Duke, UNC, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, and Vanderbilt.  With all those academic schools in there, Kris must be a strong student athlete.  

Rooms at the Inn are getting tight! 

Michigan has 21 guys committed right now with a full class expected to be at 25.   I'm not counting the wrestling guy, who is expected not to use a football scholarship at least for a couple of years.  (rule is, if the kid sees the field he automatically counts against the football scholarship count).   That leaves 4 spots with needs being DT, OT, TE, and probably another CB.

• Don Brown has also signed a new 3 year extension to stay as Michigan's DC.  Love the guy, he just needs to figure out the one game a year where he gets completely out coached.

Enjoy the holiday!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/07/michigan-july-4th-update-everyone-loves.html

Wolverine Wednesday: Lands More Speed in Space or Island

If you ask any person living in Michigan in January, if they rather be in Ann Arbor or Hawaii?  I think 99% would answer, Hawaii.  

Not 2020 4 star WR Roman Wilson, he picked Ann Arbor from Honolulu, Hawaii.    He is going to take his talents on an 8 hour flight to play for Coach Gattis and Coach Harbaugh.  

You want to talk about fast?  Roman runs a laser timed 40 yard dash in 4.37 seconds.  That's crazy fast!  Combined with AJ's commitment, its been a good 10 days for the Wolverines and their WR recruiting.   Roman's offer list included the likes of  Oregon, ASU, Colorado, Hawaii, UCLA, Cal, Washington, and Wisconsin.   He had 32 catches for 812 yards and 7 TD's as a Junior. 

Roman might need to put on a few pounds as he looks a bit slight on his 6'0 175 pound frame before he sees the field in Ann Arbor.   Either way he is the type of game breaker that Coach Gattis  is looking for.  

Welcome to Ann Arbor Roman, I would recommend waiting to buy your winter coat in Ann Arbor as the weather might be a little different then your used to.  

So how many coaches want to visit Roman prior to signing day?

• Former Michigan WR commit Kalil Branham from Columbus committed to UK yesterday.  Branham has had a strange recruitment, he committed to Michigan and then later Coach Gattis asked him to "look around".  He de-committed and really didn't get a ton of high profile offers, his other offers were from the likes of IU, EMU, UC, BC, Akron, Louisville, Kansas, etc.  

• Michigan also has Jerry's son Brenden Rice on their WR wish list for this class.  I would also add Instate 4 Star WR Maliq Carr from Oak Park.  He is a 4 star and 6'4 230 pounds and rated as a TE by 24/7.   Right now it seems Purdue is leading in his recruitment. 

• Michigan Basketball gets it first taste of Juwan Howard today as its the first workout for the team with its new coach. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/07/wolverine-wednesday-lands-more-speed-in.html

RADA Technologies plans 80 new jobs in Germantown

RADA Technologies, an aerospace and defense company, is relocating to a new headquarters facility in Montgomery County by the end of this year.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/rada-technologies-plans-80-new-jobs-germantown/

Michigan Tuesday: New Michigan Jordans and Summer League Stats

The NBA Summer league started quietly last night and former Wolverines Jordan Poole, Duncan Robinson, and MAAR all took the floor.    Lets start with first round Jordan Poole:  played 25 minutes went 3-12 and 0-6 from 3 point range, finished with 6 points.

Duncan Robinson played 20 minutes shot 5-8 and 3-5 from 3 point range, finished with 17 points.  
MAAR played 21 minutes, shot 0-4 and 0-2 on 3's, finished with 0 points.

It's interesting that MAAR is playing for Coach B and the Cavs. Jordan didn't hit any 3's, which is not ideal and Duncan who is clearly now comfortable in the NBA, played very well in limited minutes.

A few years ago after Michigan signed the Jordan contract they released a very limited friends and family release of the Jordan 5 "Fab 5".   These are highly collectable and there is one pair on StockX for $12,500.   The last pair that sold on that site was $8,000.    I think we all would like a pair of those.

A similar "Michigan Inspired" Jordan 5 will release on Saturday.   They are very similar but different.  See below:

Fab 5 Model:

Jordan's that release on Saturday:

Note, there isn't any Michigan branding on the ones releasing on Saturday.   Though sneakerheads are calling it a Michigan edition.

• Coach Gattis top remaining 2020 offensive recruits include: WR Roman Wilson, WR Brenden Rice, TE Theo Johnson, RB Lawrence Toafili, and OT Andrew Raym.  Things are looking solid for Wilson and Rice at WR.  Theo seems to be trending to Iowa, Raym trending to Oklahoma, and Toafili to FSU.   If you didn't know, Brenden Rice is Jerry's son. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/07/michigan-tuesday-new-michigan-jordans.html

Michigan Monday: Franz Thoughts?

Michigan recruiting basketball insiders seem to have some information on Franz Wagner and his future with the Wolverines or staying in Germany and playing professionally.    Insiders are tweeting out German flags without anymore information.   That would seem like a good sign but who knows?  I would imagine there are a few hoops and lots of paperwork when a player comes from overseas.

Fingers crossed for Juwan landing his first big recruit and a guy that can contribute to next years team.  If your wondering, the kid is the real deal, he is a 6'9 wing and was getting good minutes in a decent pro league.   With Mo now playing in the East for the Wizards, that should be easier on the Wagner's if Franz does come to Ann Arbor.

• Kris Jenkins, a 3 star DE from Maryland is expected to announce on Wednesday.   He is the son of 10 year NFL vet at DT (2 time Pro Bowler) with the same name.   His offer list includes Yale, UNC, Northwestern, Duke, MSU, PSU, Purdue, BC, Vandy, and more.   Seems Kris takes care of business in the classroom as well as the football field.  Kris is expected to Go Blue. 

• So Caris LeVert got a couple good teammates last night in Kyrie and KD.  I hope Caris has a great year as KD will be out with injury. 

• Derrick Rose to the Pistons.  I always had hopes another Rose would have played for the Pistons.  

• Congratulations to the PGA's Tour return to Detroit.   They might want to bring the fairways in a bit and grow the rough a little deeper so the players don't go so low. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/07/michigan-monday-franz-thoughts.html

The Wheaton revitalization project

Wheaton is experiencing a resurgence thanks to a revitalization project that is well underway. We talked with Casey Anderson to hear about the changes happening now and what’s on the horizon for Wheaton.

from https://open.maryland.gov/blog/wheaton-revitalization-project/