Unconfirmed Twitter Rumors: Franz Wagner will be committing to Michigan

Submitted by MichCali on July 5th, 2019 at 12:13 PM

From the twitter account "WolverineCorner":

So here’s an update on Franz Wagner: Based on everything I’ve heard and everyone I’ve talked to, Michigan is very confident Franz is coming to Ann Arbor. At this point it would be absolutely shocking if he’s not wearing a Michigan uniform next season.

Obviously nothing is official. And I’m definitely not an insider (and I don’t act like I am lol). But I still know people in the program and I can say with 100% certainty that the expectation right now in the program is to have Franz on the team next season.

Now....if this does happen (which it’s looking like it will), this will be an incredible get for Juwan Howard. To come in and snag a 5-star type talent in the 2019 class after Beilein left, that’d be really impressive.

So good news, although it might not be from someone much more credible than a friend hearing it on counterstrike.  Hopefully, Howard minke NCAA violatik wasn't true and Franz is coming.

MGlobules

July 5th, 2019 at 1:31 PM ^

I think this will prove a huge break for Juwan, and I am so happy it looks like it's happening. Teske and X have been mentioned repeatedly, but with Isaiah, Castleton, and Johns also on the roster, I think Michigan will have enough talent on the floor to play high-level competitive bball this season as the squad adjusts to the new regime. And bring interest and eyeballs to the process.

MGlobules

July 5th, 2019 at 1:31 PM ^

I think this will prove a huge break for Juwan, and I am so happy it looks like it's happening. Teske and X have been mentioned repeatedly, but with Isaiah, Castleton, and Johns also on the roster, I think Michigan will have enough talent on the floor to play high-level competitive bball this season as the squad adjusts to the new regime. And bring interest and eyeballs to the process.

michymich

July 5th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^

Here is how I see coach Howard right now. He is inheriting a very good roster. Wagner would be a huge get because UM has one flaw right now and that is some 2 guard/small forward shooting. Simpson absolutely needs help on the perimeter.

 

Back to coach Howard. I am in the very small minority who actually see the 'floor' for coach Howard as somewhat high and not low because my belief is he will leave UM (hypothetical) with talent. I believe his system will bring relatively talented guys to UM so regardless of win/loss record, for the most part, the roster will have talent.

 

What really is needed by coach Howard is a somewhat good start. To legitimize his hiring and show that UM is in capable hands. This isn't a rebuilding project that was left for Howard. He has talent and upperclassmen on this roster. No roster is perfect but Wagner really would give him a formidable squad that can win.

 

Is anyone actually able to convince me on why UM can't compete for a Big Ten title with Wagner?

1VaBlue1

July 5th, 2019 at 1:53 PM ^

"I am in the very small minority who actually see the 'floor' for coach Howard as somewhat high and not low..."

I'm calling BS on this line!  There are a lot of people that believe his floor is high and that he'll be successful.  The only question is this coming year, because of the lack of 3-pt shooters and no time to recruit for the upcoming season after three big departures.

Franz's pending arrival changes this years equation in a big way.

Mr Miggle

July 5th, 2019 at 1:55 PM ^

I've said all along that the floor for Juwan is high, higher than most of the realistic coaching candidates.

He's highly respected, as a coach and as a man. He obviously loves Michigan. He's going to recruit well and coach well. That sets a high floor.

Will he also be good at running a program? At managing a roster and staff? How will he deal with the limitations placed on a college coach? On the uneven recruiting landscape? Those things will help determine his ceiling.

Qmatic

July 5th, 2019 at 2:03 PM ^

1. Simpson (best guard defender in the country and a floor general; second team All B1G)

2. Brooks (going to need to improve his shooting a lot)

3. Livers (will be our leading scorer)

4. Franz (expect an Iggy-lite level freshman year)

5. Teske (will be the best post defender in America. If he can be more consistent from 3 and get some down low game, he could be an all around difference maker)

Bench

DDJ

Johns

Castelon

Maybe Bajema/Nunez

1VaBlue1

July 5th, 2019 at 2:16 PM ^

I think Franz would be better than Iggy off the bat, and certainly at the end of the year.  I also think that Teske won't be trying 3's nearly as much under Howard.  This is not Beilein's offense!  Howard will no doubt put much more emphasis on the deep post.

Perkis-Size Me

July 5th, 2019 at 5:30 PM ^

I just hope Howard adopts the philosophy of adapting his system to his players rather than the other way around. I’m sure as time goes on we will see much more of an emphasis on a deep post game, especially as Howard brings in “his guys,” but the guys on the current roster were very, very good at what they did under Beilein. And it won them a lot of games. I hope Howard allows certain elements of that game to stick around next season.

In other words, let guys like Simpson, Teske and Livers do the things that have made them successful in previous years. I think we all learned the hard way from RichRod, never force a square peg into a round hole.

nerv

July 5th, 2019 at 4:06 PM ^

Who plays the 2 guard in that lineup if Johns starts over Brooks? That would mean sliding Livers into the shooting guard role which just isn't ideal. One of Brooks, DDJ, or Nunez will be in the starting lineup. My money is on Brooks who I personally think is going to be quite improved. I feel he has the tools to be an effective player. I think he can average something around 8ppg while making some open 3's, occasionally manning the point, and playing tough man to man D.

maize-blue

July 5th, 2019 at 3:55 PM ^

That should be a good enough squad to get into March Madness, especially if a couple of guys improve. If they can somehow win a game or two in the tournament that would probably be enough to really ramp up recruiting under Howard. 

I don't think expectations will be too high for next season but the ultimate goal should be to show upcoming recruits that Howard is the real deal. As most have said already, the 2020 class will be very important to Howard's future success at UM.

northernmich

July 5th, 2019 at 2:16 PM ^

A twitter page that is run by a 16 year old that has no insider information is not a reliable source that should be posted here.

East Quad

July 5th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^

I think that you have confirmed the Twitter rumors.  Unconfirmed rumors with a quote from Twitter is oxymoronic.

The commitment of Franz to UM is not confirmed.

Perkis-Size Me

July 5th, 2019 at 3:42 PM ^

Would rather see someone like UMBig11 make this statement, or Sam Webb put out one of his "gut feelings" before I start feeling like Franz is really going to show up. 

Don't get me wrong, would much rather see this news than the MichCali saying he's not coming. But again, still trying to remain cautious here. 

Bodogblog

July 5th, 2019 at 3:47 PM ^

The tweet linked in this post has been deleted.  There's literally nothing to this OP. 

HOWEVER.  Mr. Miggle posts a link to a umhoops thread, and in that, several users note that a user named PAX is Wagner's father.  And PAX insists that Franz is going to Michigan.  Again, nothing to do with this OP, and not sure of the validity of the claims, but I would take that as some small level of encouragement.  

Arb lover

July 5th, 2019 at 9:01 PM ^

Sometimes recruits don't like it when a fan base says they are doing something and they haven't made their minds up yet. Don't tweet recruits, and don't spread unverified rumors. Everyone know's its a maybe right now. 


That said if Franz came that would be Uber.

UMich2016

July 6th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^

Would be big for our season. Proves nothing about Howard recruiting prowess. We will know if Howard has got it when he plucks a random 5 star with no previous M ties.