jaden springer
The Wolverines have three prospects which are the sole focus of the 2020 class after the commitment of five-star Isaiah Todd. Decisions could be forthcoming within a few weeks for two of the three and Michigan appears to be on solid ground heading into the early signing period. The fact that Michigan is locked-in on these three, and these three exclusively, may give some insight as to the staff’s respective confidence meter.
Michigan Makes Final 3 for Moody
2020 Top-30 Prospect Moses Moody is down to 3 schools. @moses_moody3 pic.twitter.com/nSsnpqdVW7
— TIPTON EDITS (@TiptonEdits) October 29, 2019
Top-60 prospect Moses Moody cut his list down to Michigan, Arkansas and Virginia yesterday. Moody took an official visit to Michigan in late September where the staff made a great impression by all accounts. Isaiah Todd and family also struck up friendship with the Moodys and one has to assume Isaiah himself has on his recruiting hat with just two weeks until the early signing period.
The Montverde wing recently took an official visit to home-state Arkansas, and his parents are likely pushing him in that direction if their visits are indicative. Despite reports to the contrary, I’ve been hearing for months the Razorbacks are a serious contender in this recruitment with Mom and Dad on board and childhood friend and top-100 guard KK Robinson likely to end up in Fayetteville.
Virginia recently entered the picture, although a visit has yet to be scheduled. Moody placing the Cavaliers in the final 3 without an offer or visit certainly means he has serious interest. Reading between the lines, this appears to be a situation where Tony Bennett is slow-playing Moses at the moment. Based on the Virginia depth chart and 2020 commitments of SF Jabri Abdur-Rahim and SG Carson McCorkle, Bennett is more likely to give him a serious look in the Spring rather than making Moody an early signing period priority.
A decision is still expected within the next 2-3 weeks, and the key item to look for is whether a Virginia visit comes to fruition. If not, we’re looking at a Michigan-Arkansas battle where the kid may gravitate a bit more toward the Wolverines while staying home is the likely pitch from Mom and Dad.
[Hit THE JUMP for the status quo elsewhere.]
The first domino fell in place last week, with 5-star wing/forward Isaiah Todd committing to the Wolverines. I’d highly encourage everyone to take another look at the Hoops Hello post for Todd if you subscribe to the We Can Have Nice Things theory with respect to basketball. In a piece with USA Today, Todd says he’s already started giving the Michigan pitch to other prospects. Moving forward, Juwan Howard has a few high-level prospects on the board that are moving toward decisions. Let’s see where things stand.
Hunter Dickinson Makes it Out of Durham
Top-40 center Hunter Dickinson took an official visit to Duke last weekend for Countdown to Craziness with a slew of blue-chippers. There hasn’t been a ton of reaction in the aftermath, but Coach K is selling immediate playing time:
“It was nice,” Dickinson told ZAGSBLOG Sunday via text. “[They’re message] is to come in and play a lot right away. What’s next is just try to keep narrowing it down.”
As mentioned last week, the Blue Devils certainly are pushing for both Dickinson and top-30 center Mark Williams. With Williams being a near guarantee to pledge to Duke on November 1, the DeMatha Catholic big man may genuinely be seeking the best opportunity for early playing time among his finalists.
No crystal balls have been placed in favor of Duke since the visit, with Michigan receiving the two most recent CBs in late September. A well-placed Duke-source doesn’t even have a clear read as to where the Devils currently stand. That said, there has been some Florida State buzz from multiple sources recently.
This very much has the feel of a recruitment that will wrap-up sooner rather than later, and it doesn’t appear anyone has a solid grasp of where things are headed right now. Michigan has as good a chance as anyone.
[Hit THE JUMP for latest on Moody, Burnett, Springer.]
As we head toward the early signing period in November, Coach Howard and crew have the Wolverines in good position with several upper-tier prospects. Despite getting in the mix late for every prospect on the current board, it appears the projected recruiting chops of Juwan Howard are very real. There is some real momentum at the moment, so let’s take a look at where things stand with several elite talents.
Todd Down to 2, Sets Commitment Date
I’ll be committing on October 17th ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EzBMLHZHkS
— Isaiah Todd (@zaytodd) October 7, 2019
Consensus 5-star forward Isaiah Todd named a final two of Michigan and Kansas yesterday, with an October 17th announcement date. In a short piece with USA Today, Todd cited relationships with Bill Self and Juwan Howard as big factors but played it close to the vest otherwise.
“It’s gonna be very tough because both schools have great coaches, great opportunity and have great programs,” Todd said. “It really comes down to the details now. I’ve got a little over a week to get my thoughts together and make my mind up.”
Setting a decision date in the immediate aftermath of the Kansas OV would seemingly not bode well for Michigan. Unless, of course, your parents get a live view of the entertainment at Midnight Madness as Self and crew are potentially staring down sanctions.
Michigan is making a strong run on the crystal ball, receiving the last 5 predictions, including that of 247 National Director of Scouting Jerry Meyer.
Rivals' Cory Evans made the equivalent of a crystal ball prediction with his future forecast flip to Michigan, after initially going with Kansas.
Kansas and Michigan are very different on many levels, making this one hard to project. A skeptic by nature, I can't go any higher than a 50/50 chance with Self and rumors of the overseas option both in play despite the recent crystal ball run. What gives one optimism are the positive vibes from Mother Todd, as admiration for Juwan Howard and Michigan correspond with Isaiah's comments in the USA Today piece referenced above.
Can we have nice things, please?
[Hit THE JUMP for updates on other guard targets and two large human beings.]
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