Charles Matthews Returning For Junior Year
leggoooooooooooooooooooooooooo [Bryan Fuller]
The pieces are in place. Michigan announced this afternoon that Charles Matthews is withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft and will return to school for his redshirt junior season:
"I am thankful for the assistance Coach Beilein and the staff have given me in order to gain as much information as possible before making this decision. They showed great confidence and patience with me while I sorted this all out," said Matthews. "After much prayer and discussions with my family and the staff, I am excited to be returning to Michigan next year. I learned a lot throughout this process, but my main focus will now be completing my education at Michigan and leading my teammates to more success next season."
"This process allows young men to gather so much valuable information and make the most informed decision they can," said U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan head men's basketball coach John Beilein. "Charles has an incredible personality and confidence. His work habits and desire to reach his potential are terrific. He is more focused than ever to improve in all areas of his game. Like others before him, Charles will be a great senior leader for us and we are excited to have this opportunity to coach him again next season."
Matthews has the opportunity to be Michigan's go-to scorer (a role Jordan Poole is eyeing, too) now that Moe Wagner has gone to the NBA, and his return cements the Wolverines as one of the Big Ten favorites for 2018-19, especially in conjunction with the news that Maryland's Kevin Huerter is hiring an agent. Not only does Matthews give the team another NBA talent, he allows a talented freshman class of wings to work their way into big roles at a more reasonable pace.
It seems likely Matthews will follow the Wagner route—testing the waters, returning, then leaving after improving a couple key areas—and if he does, Michigan should be a very good team once again. His slashing, rebounding, and defense will be major assets, and if his shot develops this season like his footwork did last season, he'll be an all-conference player.
I'll have a post soon to give a full overview of the returning and departing talent in the conference and its outlook now that we have a better handle on the rosters. Meanwhile, top-50 2019 TX forward Jalen Wilson is announcing his decision at 6 pm ET from a group of six that includes the favored Wolverines.
look familiar...
MUPPETS!
and yes, the time share was 60/40 in favor of Duncan towards the end of the season, so he was effectively the starter but Duncan's departure doesn't hurt like a typical starters departure might, given the remaining pieces.
Livers was arguably a better player last year (team efficiency margins were better with him on the floor) so even with modest improvement, the 4 spot should be better than it was last year.
So technically, M now has three returning starters (Z, Matthews and Livers) and experienced backups (likely) stepping in to replace the departed in Poole and Teske.
And given that Z and Teske (but especially Z since last years team was his in a lot of ways) are also returning upperclassmen, we should once again have very good leadership to go along with young talent.
The future looks very bright.
HALLELUJAH!!!
we'll certainly allow it! HALLELUJAH INDEED!!!! WOO HOO!
this will be a banner day for Michigan basketball! Please let that happen!!
Just plain ol' awesome! Does it get any better than this?
Should be a great year!
O YEA! SMELL MY ASS!!!
This made me LOL way too loud and long, thank you!
that this be posted every time he is mentioned... And it's a law I love to obey...
More of this next season please!!!
ALRIGHT!!!
Great to have Charles back for another year; this team has all the makings for another deep run in March.
Another year under Beilein's tutelage will only improve his draft stock.
Go Blue!
I think another year of Beilein coaching is just what Mr. Matthews needs.
This day has taken a positive turn.
Hell yeah
Nick Ward's announcement to return to MSU was the obvious deciding factor. So glad to have such a fantastic player coming back! (us not them)
Finally got my central air fixed and now Matthews returns!!!!
I was wrong about this one. Very happy to be wrong!
An obvious and logical decision. The draft process isn't perfect, but allowing guys like Matthews to dip their toes in the water is great.
We need some shooters to step up next year. Matthews could be one. If he were to, say, improve his 3-point shooting by 7% or so, our team is a lot better. And he starts looking like a first-rounder.
BTW I don't see any reason why Matthews and Poole can't both be great, go-to type scorers.
Thrilled he decided to comeback.
i think we'll see a big time leap in consistency in him in the upcoming year.
B10 next year if he works hard on his shooting in the off season. Without a doubt the right decision for him. Go Blue!
to score on this team. M should once again be a top 3 (!!!) defense in the country. I can't even believe that was the case last year and this 18-19 team could (should?) be even better on the defensive end.
Hail yeah!
Jalen Wilson to Michigan, per his Twitter. https://twitter.com/thejalenwilson/status/1001948509942185984
the media will give M the benefit of the doubt.
Great for Number 1.
Great day for M, going to be a championship year.
Go Blue!!
If he continues to progress as he did last year..... Not only will it be great for Michigan Basketball, but he'll work his way into a great draft position.
GO BLUE
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