OT: would you take Suggs over Cade #1 overall?

Submitted by tspoon on April 3rd, 2021 at 11:37 PM

I know Cunningham has been a near-unanimous candidate to go first in the draft.  His physical traits/abilities and the way he can dictate the game are all impressive. 
 

That being said, give me Suggs with that pick. The guy just has it.  The things he’s doing (not just that last shot) lead me to think that absent injury he will go down as one of the greats. 
 

 

brad

April 4th, 2021 at 12:26 AM ^

Not sure about any of that, but if the Pacers don't take Juzang with their next available draft pick, it will be criminal

Maize in Cincy

April 4th, 2021 at 12:34 AM ^

All I know is the more I watch non Michigan games the more I think Franz isn’t even close to being ready for the nba.

 

I know scouts love his versatility but he has a long way to go.

Frank Chuck

April 4th, 2021 at 12:58 AM ^

The one weakness I've noticed with Michigan is that we have no one who can consistently go iso and pull-up off the dribble from 15 feet and make a tough shot against a good defender.

Hence, in many of our games this season...we had high assist relative to made baskets. Our offense is built on teams basketball and passing (which is awesome!). But there are a select few games (usually at least 1 or 2 in the NCAAT) where one player just needs to take over and get buckets by any means necessary. We failed that test against UCLA in the Elite 8. We didn't have our own version of Johnny Juzang.

- Mike Smith could go 1-on-1 but not against someone of length and defensive savvy. If he didn't create space with a crossover and or hard rhythm dibble, it was probably not a good shot.

- Livers has the skill but not the tight handle and (explosive) quickness. (He made a few mid-range pull-ups but I saw enough to know that this would be a liability against a quicker defensive player. And Livers isn't exactly a quick/jittery player.)

- Wagner doesn't have a consistent mid-range in his game. (Believe me, I kept waiting all season.)

- Eli is kinda strange. He has the skill, savvy, and athleticism but his shot from mid-range isn't reliable. (It's largely hot-n-cold. And the analytics shows this.) I'm hoping he'll improve in this regard if he returns for a 5th season.

One bad effect of the 3 point revolution is that many players are no longer good iso mid-range players. And this is being seen across the the NBA. Hence, there's an emphasis on horns sets or curl actions out of pin downs.

One of the surest ways I know that I'm looking at a future solid pro is when he shows me the ability to go 1-on-1 against a defender and hit a (tough/contested) mid range. It's a disappearing skill. And frankly, it's a skill that's currently the province of mostly NBA All-stars.

blueheron

April 4th, 2021 at 8:32 AM ^

I'm not sold on Eli's athleticism, but I think that's overall a very good analysis. Opposing teams seemed to at least halfway figure out Michigan's offense as the season progressed. The good news is that there are some incoming players who appear to have promising "iso" ability.

AlbanyBlue

April 4th, 2021 at 12:59 AM ^

The issue I have with Franz is that if you get into his head -- or get him to get inside his own head -- and mess with his confidence, he lets that linger during games. The NBA will eat that up. 

He needs to figure out a way to maintain his mental strength. You can see his lack of confidence in many games.

Frank Chuck

April 4th, 2021 at 1:03 AM ^

I'm glad you said this. Yes, I've noticed this in many games.

Fortunately, he maintains his defensive intensity for much of the game even if his shot isn't falling...which allows him to recover offensively eventually.

By mid-season I realized the following: if his first few shots don't go in, I knew we were likely going to see Wagner struggle for much of the game on offense.

1VaBlue1

April 4th, 2021 at 8:41 AM ^

We've all noticed that Franz's confidence is fragile - it's very obvious.  I have to wonder, does Michigan use sports psychologists to help out confidence-weak players (or for any other reason)?  I get that a player would have to accept the help, and that 'therapy' is still considered a sign a manly weakness.  But I can't help but think that Franz would benefit from it in a big way.  Dude has zero reason to doubt himself...

- Wagner doesn't have a consistent mid-range in his game. (Believe me, I kept waiting all season.)

Yeah, we were all waiting for that magical 'take over' game that would signify his arrival.  His handle, size, and athleticism give him all the potential in the world - much more than Mo.  But his unreliable confidence is standing in his way.

MGoShorts

April 4th, 2021 at 2:05 AM ^

lol no. This is all based on a block that was clearly a hack and a lucky bank shot. Cade is the better player and it's not close.

B-Nut-GoBlue

April 4th, 2021 at 7:55 AM ^

And multiple drives through the lane, contact, and a slew of UCLA players and he was able to get layup shots up.  Not something most players could have done. They all didn't go in, no. There's more to his game than is even being mentioned here, dude is very, very good.  Some also watched him all-season long.  This all isn't based on one or two plays.

Perkis-Size Me

April 4th, 2021 at 7:27 AM ^

Forget those guys I’m taking Juzang. I’m not sure I saw him miss once last night or against Michigan, outside 1-2 free throw shots. 

I don’t know how good of a defender he is, but if you can consistently put the ball in the basket from any spot on the floor, there is a place for you in the NBA no matter what. 

rjc

April 4th, 2021 at 8:30 AM ^

Cunningham, Mobley and Suggs are all great prospects but I think every team that passes on Jalen Green will come to regret it.

jbohl

April 4th, 2021 at 8:33 AM ^

cunnungham.  he has more overall game and is real long.

suggs is a great athlete.

i wouldn't cry if the pistons got either.

i'd pick Cunningham first if i had a choice.

1VaBlue1

April 4th, 2021 at 8:49 AM ^

Just Friday somebody mentioned that freshman point guards aren't ready for big time college basketball (topic was whether Frankie Collins would be ready to handle PG next season).  My reply, that Suggs would like a word about that, received -3 MGoPoints.
 

Here we are now, talking about whether he should be the first pick in the draft.  But I was told that freshmen couldn't handle the moment!  LOL!!  Sometimes, homers should just not comment...

King Tot

April 4th, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^

You got negged because you used a 5 Star, 10th ranked prospect heading to a lottery as your arguement that our 50th ranked freshman would be ready to start. If anything that makes you the homer and the rest of us our trying to have reasonable expectations.

1VaBlue1

April 4th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^

Not true.  I responded to a generic comment about freshmen not being ready.  This is the exact quote I commented on:

"Freshman just don't have it at this level. This is completely different from any basketball that they have ever played before."

That statement has nothing to do with Collins in particular.  In fact, the post I pulled that quote from didn't even mention Collins, at all.  The thread was actually about Brooks and Brown possibly returning, and who would get playing time.

Perhaps I poorly worded my post here, but face it - that comment was wrong, and so is your post here...

njvictor

April 4th, 2021 at 9:40 AM ^

I think the conversation isn't as cut and dry as some people think it is. Suggs is a better athlete and seems to have that "it" factor like some are saying. However, I'd still take Cunningham. He's size, shooting, playmaking, and maturity are hard to pass up

BlueinKyiv

April 4th, 2021 at 12:33 PM ^

Give Gonzaga Cade Cunningham as their point guard.  I think there team would be better...again, not a swipe at Suggs...he deservedly will be a top 3 pick, but I take Cade.