Rumor: Eli Brooks will be returning next year
No link because it's a message board rumor from one of the paid sites. But back when Tyson Walker (Northeastern transfer PG) committed to MSU, a noted basketball insider on message boards said that Michigan wouldn't mind because they were working on their own Plan A. Today he said that Plan A was complete. Based on other rumblings from him and other insiders, it sounds like the implication is Brooks returning next year.
I would wholeheartedly love to have Eli back as a steadying hand in next year's talented, but extremely young backcourt.
I'm very high on Collins and I do think Zeb will develop into a contributor, albeit it may take another year of development because he's still pretty raw - I do like upside as a 6'5" combo guard.
For obvious reasons really young backcourts, aside from a pair of lottery picks, are going to struggle in high leverage situations and generally put a hard cap on deep tournament runs. Oh, also not to forget... he's pretty damn good too.
That would be crucial. He is solid and that is a position that could use him.
But he will be over 22 years old next year.
Be back Brooks to run the point with Collins as an understudy and bring in Adam Miller as a 2 with Zeb as backup. That would be a very formidable backcourt come post-season.
If Brooks stays and Michigan gets Miller I wouldn't be surprised if Zeb left.
Agreed, I think unless your bringing in a guy like Marcus Carr who is a clear one year rental and greatly increase our chance at making a run you stick with our guys.
I thought about that, too, but it almost seems, in this free agent era, that developmental players like Zeb could be victims while the Adam Miller's of the world get to pick and choose.
You guys are hilarious, every time someone hits the portal you assume they are coming here.
We did finish in the top 2-3 for Lander, Miller and Burnett so it’s not that much of a stretch. We also just finished in the elite 8, have a great class coming in with a good core of returners, so I think some are assuming we would have some juice with the portal.
Right? Especially since it was said in the other thread he is leaving because he wants to be a PG.
I think that is over stocking the 1-2 position too much and there isn’t enough pt to go around. If Brooks comes back, I think we could go after a sure fire 3 to replace Franz. I know Houstan is coming in but we may need some more help there. I think the 4-5 is good with Hunter, Diabate, Johns and Williams. The 3 is a little thin. Barnes may be good but that is a freshman backed up by a freshman.
You could have a rotation of Brooks, Zeb/Bufkin, Houstan, Johns and Hunter starting and Collins, Bufkin/Zeb, Barnes/Jace, Williams, Diabate. That’s a lot of youth but that’s an easy 9 man rotation with Barnes and Jace trying to get some minutes also.
Yes please
Yes please. The Book of Eli.
The Hook(shot) of Eli.
that doesn't even rise to the level of 'rumor.'
i'm already sick of offseason crap.
The more Eli the better. Excellent player at both ends, and great team player.
The more Eli the better. Excellent player at both ends, and great team player.
Eli would know he is going to be the leader and elder statesman as well as key component on a Final Four Big Ten Championship type team. It certainly make a sense.
I think I'm more excited for this upcoming basketball season than I ever have been in the past! I can't wait for BBall to start!
Conversely, I'm actually not really all that "pumped" for this upcoming football season...it's just kinda a "meh" for me at this point. Never thought I'd see the importance of Michigan basketball and football swap roles in my fandom haha
This makes me so happy. Eli is a joy to watch.