McGary's Parents Favor Duke; AAU Coach Favors Michigan
It's hardly a surpise that Wayne Brumm, Mitch McGary's AAU coach, thinks Michigan is the best place for McGary given his previous positive comments, but this cbssports.com article reveals that McGary's parents want their son to attend Duke:
McGary didn't deny the fact that his parents favor Duke while his summer coach with the SYF team, Wayne Brumm, likes Michigan.
He also said he's still taking it all in right now.
"I'm keeping quiet," he said. "I'm putting it down on paper and seeing what school fits me. I'm not sure when I'll commit."
Although the article hints at a chance that McGary commits to Duke today when Krzyzewski meets with him at Brewster, that seems unlikely given that Calipari is supposed to be meeting with McGary on Saturday and that McGary continues to say that he still wants to visit Florida, Maryland, and Kentucky "but he's not sure if and when that will happen."
So much, by the way, for Sam Webb's gut feeling that Michigan, Maryland, and Florida were the leaders among the final six.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
Well what parent wouldn't favor their kid getting a Duke education? The fact that they are insane about bball in Durham doesn't hurt either.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
Maybe a parent that knows he can get an excellent education at Michigan while being closer to home???
September 15th, 2011 at 11:36 AM ^
Except he is a 1-and-done. So, it is not like he is getting his degree for either institutations.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^
It's my understanding that Coach K tries to avoid one-and-done players historically (Kyrie Irving excluded). What led you to believe he'll bolt after a year?
September 15th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
It's pretty much a well known fact that he's a one and done guy. When asked about it, he has never denied it. Even Sam Webb has stated that he's likely a one and done guy. on several recruiting round ups.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^
Yeah he was almost a none and done guy, due to his unique situation he was thinking about going straight to the NBA.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^
Do you have a link to where McGary talked about being a one-and-done? I've never seen that, and it directly contradicts what he's said elsewhere--such as in his first ESPN blog post:
I just feel like these schools are the best fit for me in college and will put me in the best position beyond college, because I want to get a four-year degree and my dream is to play in the NBA.
I'm not denying he could end up being a one-and-done, but it seems out of character for him to say what you contend he did.
September 15th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
IMO,The consensus is McGary is a one and done talent. People confuse this, and take it to mean McGary is going to leave after his one year, which is pretty bizarre to me, considering he elected to go to HS for an extra year.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^
If they think there's a significant difference in the quality of education you can get at Michigan vs. Duke, they don't know much about Michigan. I suspect there may be better advising, etc., at a smaller private school, but that's certainly not a problem for athletes.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:53 AM ^
I've known about 10-15 Duke graduates through personal and professional connections. They were a pretty diverse group in terms of their backgrounds and their interests and professions.
But they all had one thing in common (with one exception): they were insufferable tools. Pretentious. Extremely snobbish. Entitled. And none of them were as smart or talented as they thought they were.
(The exception is a woman whom I knew in college and who went to Duke Medical School. I think that, in her case, avoiding the Duke undergraduate experience was crucial).
I'm sure there are some nice, admirable people who attend Duke. But, based on my experience, there is something about Duke that attracts and/or produces obnoxious people at an extraordinarily high and disproportionate rate.
If either of my kids got into Duke, there is no doubt that they would also be admitted to other terrific schools. I would urge them to attend one of the other schools. Anywhere but Duke.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
I get what you are saying about Duke Snobs. But we have the Michigan Arrogance. Similar stuff, but to a lesser degree.
September 15th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
Sample size, my friend. That's only 10-15 people out of thousands of graduates. *stirring the pot*
September 15th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
You realize that that's what other fanbases think of us right? Michigan Arrogance is a fairly documented quality.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:01 PM ^
Duke's not Harvard or even Stanford. It's not that much better of a school.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
the fact is that it is not at all better. Most ranking systems have them at about the same level. There are two worldwide ranking systems linked on MGoBlog within the past few weeks, one ranked Duke 14 and Michigan 18 and the other ranked Michigan 14 and Duke 19. I wouldn't trade my Michigan experience for anything, not Harvard, Stanford or Duke.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^
does not do a good job of developing big men(considering recent history). Coach K used them nothing more than a screener and rebounder. He had highly rated recruits, Josh McRoberts and Shavlik Randolph, and both were huge busts. They never develop into a premier big man. Coach K system is geared more toward guard/wing players which is like MSU in a sense that it's geared for guards/wing players. If Mitch McGary is serious about development and making it to the NBA after 1 year, Duke should not be in his consideration IMO.
September 15th, 2011 at 2:19 PM ^
During the last NCAA tournament, I wasn't very impressed with either of the Plumlee brothers as far as their role in the offense and level of development. And most of their big men have not been that great in the NBA. It's more their forwards and guards who do well. I think the AAU coach is probably right on the mark.
At least his parents DID apparently have a good time here also, and supposedly hit it off with the coaching staff. So, let's not panic.
September 15th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^
This one.
September 15th, 2011 at 5:48 PM ^
That area of Durham is a pit. Wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing my kid was there.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:06 AM ^
I am just amazed that Michigan basketball is mentioned in the same breath as Duke's program. whether we land McGary, coach Beilein must be proud.
September 15th, 2011 at 5:04 PM ^
The first step to getting back to where things were before Chris Webber and Ed Martin tore them down is to be mentioned in the same breath with the elite basketball schools by top ten recruits. The next step is for that first top ten recruit to choose Michigan. It only takes one to make MIchigan "cool" again in the eyes of elite recruits.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:09 AM ^
his close relationship with Glen Robinson III and the influence of his AAU coach is enough to swing him over to Michigan. Maybe next time the student section should chant the parents name to win them over :)
September 15th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
Nothing like a little flattery via chanting.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^
... if we're activitely hoping that an AAU coach can out-influence a kid's parents.
[NOTE: I realize that this coach isn't one of the shady ones. Still.]
September 15th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
what is making the parents lean towards Duke, but the coach would certainly be in at least as good a position as the parents to give him basketball advice. It is at least highly likely that the coach knows Coach K and Coach Beilein as people to a much greater extent than the parents.
September 15th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
"I realize that this coach isn't one of the shady ones"
Then your concern is unwarranted, no?
September 15th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^
Raoul: The article doesn't say anything about where McGary places Duke among the final six. It simply says McGary's parents favor Duke.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^
I didn't say anything about where McGary places any of the schools. McGary has never given any indication of his leaders.
If you're referring to my last paragraph, that "gut feeling" from Sam Webb was certainly not based on anything McGary told him as (to my knowledge) Sam has not been in touch with either him or his parents. I believe all of Sam's info on McGary comes from Wayne Brumm.
As I mentioned on a previous thread, if Sam was so certain about that gut feeling, why didn't he repeat it the other day when he talked at length about McGary on a recruiting roundup?
I have no idea which school McGary is going to pick. The only thing this article revealed is that Duke is very much more in the running than some people had been contending. Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if McGary spurns the advice of both his parents and Brumm and picks one of the other schools.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
September 15th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^
Agreed. If that wasn't the case, Chris Spielman probaby would have come to Michigan. Parents can have a lot of influence.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:32 AM ^
But wasn't this the case with Amir Williams as well, in terms of his parents being a deciding factor?
September 15th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
I thought he said their facilities were much better than ours.
September 15th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^
Not with the new PDC and renovated Crisler. Our facilities should be pretty good now.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
cut the cord, fly the nest, set out on your own, Go West Young Man!
The Champions of the West
September 15th, 2011 at 11:55 AM ^
He's from Indiana. Ann Arbor is east of there.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
To get on the phone to his buddy and maybe they could conference in Mitch's parents.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/2/1398649/duke-final-four-2010-ncaa-tour…
That person should be Zack Novak
September 15th, 2011 at 11:49 AM ^
for posting that. I couldn't remember where I read that. My friend is a Duke fan and doesn't understand my contempt for Duke. I'll be sure to reference that during basketball season.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
Yes indeed. I like where you're at in all this.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^
Did Harvard alums write similar letters to Mark Zuckerberg because he left school to pursue another opportunity?
Just sayin...
September 15th, 2011 at 5:50 PM ^
Thanks for posting that. I had not seen it before. Loved it.
September 15th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^
As the great Will Smith once said, "Parents just don't understand."
September 15th, 2011 at 11:53 AM ^
Who does Mitch favor?
September 15th, 2011 at 11:58 AM ^
FWIW, as per ESPN, they list Michigan as the only school that Mitch has a "High" interest it.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
($ $) ($ $)..... ok, i'm no artist but you see what I am getting at. A one and done at Duke this year will go way earlier in the draft than a one and done at Michigan next year.. no matter the numbers he puts up at either school. If he goes to Duke he is almost a #1 overall lock. He could do that at Michigan too if the team plays well and if he dominates... but Duke is a lock to make him the first overall pick.
Anybody thinking his parents favor Duke because of education is kidding themselves.. they don't expect their son to graduate college.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^
Gotta admit I am confused by your post. You mean if he scrapes along and posts subpar numbers at Duke he is still a lock to be #1? I am curious why that would be. You think scouts will be fooled at evaluating his talent simply by which jersey he wears?
Also, wouldn't he be likley to put up bigger numbers/make more of an impact at Michigan where he will have less competition for playing time and be more of a focal point of the offense?
September 15th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
Your first paragraph makes it sound like you're a Duke fan. You imply that, by going to Duke, he will have a better draft status than if he attends Michigan. If that's not a knock on Michigan I don't know what is because players that aspire to the NBA would rather choose a college that gets them most prepared for the NBA. I assume that would mean Duke by your analysis.
IME, if he favors Duke its because he wants to attend a basketball-centric school (all other things being equal).
September 15th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
OJ Mayo from USC and Beasley from Kansas State were one and done and I don't think being at Duke would have made them go any higher. As long as you play tough completion, and we do, it shouldn't make a difference.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:56 PM ^
Duke is not a lock to make anybody the first overall pick.
Kyrie Irving went #1 in a draft that was very weak at the top. When Derrick Williams from Arizona is a contender to go first, you can't count on a single draftee becoming a star.
Nobody from Duke got drafted in 2010.
Duke's only drafted player in 2009 was outside of the top 10 and isn't a full-time starter for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Nobody from Duke got drafted in 2008.
Josh McRoberts was selected in the 2nd round in 2007 and nearly busted his way out of the league.
In 2006 Shelden Williams was drafted too high at #5 (everybody knew this was a reach at the time). JJ Redick also went in the lottery, but neither are viable NBA starters.
Daniel Ewing went 2nd round in 2005.
I could go on.
September 15th, 2011 at 12:58 PM ^
which school you attend. If you're good, you're going to be drafted high regardless. Just because it's Duke, doesn't mean that he's a lock for #1 overall pick. It's the player, not the school.
Look at Paul George. He played in obscurity at Fresno State and was still drafted in the lottery. NBA scouts find talents no matter where you are.