Beilein on Poole
I went to the Beilein show at Pizza House last night. Jordan Poole came up, and Beilein praised his play off the bench against Wisconsin, but then talked about the late turnover, saying that sometimes Poole plays like "Bambi on ice" (not the first time Beilein's used that analogy to describe a player who doesn't always stay balanced). I love Poole's skill and confidence (he rarely seems tentative even in tense situations), but he can also seem like he's all arms and legs, and a bit out of control.
Anyway, I expect him to be a starter/leader before long. This article from a week or so making the Vinnie Johnson/microwave comparision after his games against Purdue and Indiana does a good job of describing the spark he can bring to the team:
https://www.michigandaily.com/section/basketball/microwave-poole-raisin…
February 13th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^
I see Poole as a Zak Irvin type -- boundless spirit and enthusiasm, not afraid to launch threes, not a great ball-handler, average-at-best athlete. Like freshman Irvin, he's an awesome sixth man, but not sure it will translate to 35 min a game.
I'd expect him to start next year as we don't have another true SG, but I'd love to see a big lineup with Simpson-Matthews-Iggy-Livers-Wagner/Teske.
I was disappointed that we couldn't seal the deal with Huerter in 2016 or Carmody in '18.
February 14th, 2018 at 12:11 AM ^
The Beilein comment is about his tendency to try to “shimmy” too much with the ball and get himself off balance or rhythm. He is pretty smooth at times but can be overconfident in his handle. Just gonna get bigger and better. And he won’t be playing out of position at 4. (Or even 3).
February 14th, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
Poole is really good, but MAAR finishes in traffic maybe as well as any player I've seen play at Michigan. Poole is more athletic and seems to have a better 3-pt shot, but don't assume that he can take the ball 1-on-4 and finish at the seemingly 80% clip that MAAR does.
February 14th, 2018 at 3:37 PM ^
MAAR will graduate from UM as one of the most underrated players to wear the maize and blue.
I like Poole as a shooter and playmaker -- and hope he can translate into an effective starter -- but athleticism is actually his weak spot. (Though it seems he is making strides to improve it.) MAAR, although maybe not the most explosive guy, has fairly good hops: remember when he dunked on Jake Layman's head at Maryland.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:27 PM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
to Explode next year. Maybe even in the tourney this year.
I also expect he will be gone after next year.
Enjoy him while you can. Go Blue.
February 14th, 2018 at 12:18 AM ^
February 14th, 2018 at 2:33 AM ^
Until Coach B retires we will be sending players that dont make third team big ten to the pros while dominating cant miss prospects from purdue, state, and OSU enjoy their mid 20s on campus.
Rant over.... for now
February 14th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
is the exception, not the rule. he looked completely lost when he first played, plus lost a sesason to a bad injury. He was suppsoed to be a big deal coming out of high school and it just took him a few years to fulfill his super-high expectations.
Normally a player that would be going quickly to the pros would be obviously special right away.
February 14th, 2018 at 7:26 PM ^
DJ Wilson is also tall and athletic and the perfect shape for an NBA player. Poole needs to do a lot more than stop being lost and start making threes to become an NBA player.
February 13th, 2018 at 10:38 PM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 11:44 PM ^
February 13th, 2018 at 10:43 PM ^
February 14th, 2018 at 9:19 AM ^