Michigan target 2021 *5 PG Khristian Lander commits to Indiana
https://twitter.com/khristianlander/status/1232485320177803268?s=21
https://247sports.com/Player/Khristian-Lander-46054936/
This was quite unexpected since I believe most though that Michigan and Louisville were the favorites with Indiana continuing to underachieve and Miller being on the hot seat
February 25th, 2020 at 9:16 PM ^
Hard to blame him when you remember the job Archie did with Romeo Langford
Wait....
February 25th, 2020 at 9:20 PM ^
And they have a 5* PF on their roster this year and are also terrible. Not sure why 5*s are lining up to be on a team in the bottom half of the B1G
February 25th, 2020 at 9:26 PM ^
$$$$$$
February 26th, 2020 at 9:58 AM ^
Not sure why you're getting downvoted. Do people really think that money isn't the main issue, or at least one of the biggest considerations, in almost all recruiting situations?
February 26th, 2020 at 7:03 PM ^
except when we get a recruit apparently
February 26th, 2020 at 7:03 PM ^
except when we get a recruit apparently
February 25th, 2020 at 9:20 PM ^
Langford still got drafted 1st round.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:24 PM ^
So? Langford and that team completely underachieved then Langford went 16th overall when he was projected as a top 5 pick in the preseason. That’s not good
February 26th, 2020 at 11:05 AM ^
Langford played with a busted hand that needed surgery all year. And he didn't suck at IU. But I do think he was a bit overrated to begin with.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:31 PM ^
Dude that's like defending Izzo's usage of Jaren Jackson because he got drafted in the 1st round
Both Jackson and Langford would've been 1st round picks regardless of what school they went to. Izzo not even making the sweet 16 with bridges, Jackson, and Winston is a huge coaching failure. IU missing THE ENTIRE TOURNAMENT with Langford is an embarrassment
February 25th, 2020 at 9:33 PM ^
AND he convinced Bridges to forgo being a top ten pick in the draft so he could fail with that Jaren Jackson MSU team!! Dude hurt his draft stock by coming back to school to play with Cassius Winston and Jaren Jackson. That is hard to do but Izzo pulled it off
February 25th, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^
Izzo has photos
February 25th, 2020 at 10:08 PM ^
The blog says that he must keep players' relatives locked in his basement until the draft deadline passes, but I don't think he has the upper body strength to capture anyone
February 25th, 2020 at 10:56 PM ^
It's not hard to do. Izzo does it all the time.
February 26th, 2020 at 4:14 AM ^
Last I checked Bridges is making millions of dollars playing in the NBA. So I’d say he ended up doing all right.
February 26th, 2020 at 9:35 AM ^
you understand it's possible to have a nuanced conversation about this without going all "derp he's making millions anyway"
He was ALREADY going to make millions...he would've made more had he not stayed at MSU for another year, and if Jaren Jackson he could've been a potential POY candidate.
February 25th, 2020 at 11:44 PM ^
haha, terrible post
February 25th, 2020 at 9:18 PM ^
Posted in my thread but in case it gets deleted:
Lander is a 5 star PG out of Indiana, ranked as the #1 PG and #11 player in 2021. 2 of his 4 crystal balls were for Michigan as he stated he grew up a Michigan fan, but he decided to stay in-state tonight.
Recent rumblings had him going to IU or Louisville as he had been on multiple visits to those schools recently and none to Michigan (he was IU for the Penn State game this weekend). There are rumblings he's going to reclassify to 2020 which would have made him coming to Michigan fairly improbable.
Michigan is still after 2021 5 star PG Kennedy Chandler, but all his predictions on 247 right now are for Duke.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:26 PM ^
I guess we’re theoretically fine in 2021 at PG anyway. Senior DDJ and sophomore Zeb
February 25th, 2020 at 9:35 PM ^
Michigan also recently offered in state PG Jaden Akins who MattD seems to be really high on.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:28 PM ^
Akins is the real deal-Matt knows his stuff. If Landers wishes to go to Indiana...so be it. Chandler and Akins would be more than excellent options.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:46 PM ^
If he actually reclassifies to 2020 I don’t view this as that big of a loss. Seems like the deadline for him to do that would be fast approaching.
February 25th, 2020 at 11:46 PM ^
that's a lot of rumblings.
February 26th, 2020 at 1:07 AM ^
Archie is desperate to save his job, so he will move mountains to allow him to re-classify.
February 26th, 2020 at 1:13 AM ^
5-Bean Chili
February 26th, 2020 at 9:49 AM ^
Yes, I just want to add that Lander committing to IU was not a surprise. Michigan has been on the outside looking in for some time, especially since Lander is going to reclassify if he can.
Here is our mostly likely PG in the 2021 class. https://247sports.com/Player/Jaden-Akins-46086703/
Akins is one more prospect where the CB doesn't say much about his recruitment. I won't mind Juwan snagging some in-state talent in the next class. He also offered SG Pierre Brooks.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:18 PM ^
Lol wut? IU?
February 26th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
IU has landed a number of five-stars through the years. Yogi Ferrell, Cody Zeller, James Blackmon, Thomas Bryant, Noah Vonleh, Romeo Langford... I mean, if crazy Crean can lure them to IU, I'd assume Archie would have a shot. Not surprising at all. It's still considered an elite, albeit dusty, program.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:19 PM ^
Well there goes Belein becoming IU's next coach.
Good luck to the kid though.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:22 PM ^
I mean apparently this kid grew up a Michigan fan while Beilein was coach so I’d don’t think this kid would mind
February 25th, 2020 at 9:20 PM ^
Long way to go...
Remains be seen if he truly signs with IU.
February 25th, 2020 at 9:44 PM ^
If he doesn't reclassify to 2020 im pretty confident Indiana will find a way to lose him.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:00 PM ^
Paging Matt D:
I know you weren’t as high on Lander than other analysts. Is this a blessing in disguise for us? And would you take Kennedy Chandler or Jaden Akins over Lander?
February 25th, 2020 at 10:55 PM ^
I'm not Matt D but I share his enthusiasm for Jaden Akins.
While Khristian Lander is a high quality player, I think Akins is as good if not better. Akins is improving at an incredible rate and I'm projecting him to be a very productive college player.
Furthermore, we will have a senior DeJulius and a sophomore Zeb already on the roster.
I think we'll be set at the PG position for the foreseeable future.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:42 AM ^
If dejulius continues to improve his game not to mention have elite playmakers around him next season he might be headed to the nba draft as a junior. I would still go after a PG. that will be a position of need for the 2021 class
February 26th, 2020 at 1:24 AM ^
I think size will be an issue.
Senior Derrick Walton (especially 2nd half Walton) was an incredible PG. And Walton is currently a journeyman in the NBA.
The pro game is a different beast. Chris Pauls are rare.
Even if junior DeJulius could play at the level of a senior Walton, I don't see him as a threat to leave after his junior season.
February 26th, 2020 at 7:25 AM ^
In relation to the mainstreams, I'm not as bullish. Lander is a nice prospect, but he's not necessarily elite. His ranking, to a certain extent, is based on the 2021 class being weak overall. He's got solid size for a lead guard, good athleticism (not great or elite), average-ish shooter and a solid handle........but I definitely don't regard him as a game-changer, particularly if he reclasses to 2020.
I'm of the opinion that Akins has more upside for sure. Simply cannot teach his acceleration, open court speed, body control and overall quick twitch athleticism in a 6'3 frame for a lead guard. May take him a few years to develop (Needs to put on muscle mass), but that kid has an extremely high ceiling.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:07 PM ^
#BeileinEffect
February 25th, 2020 at 10:51 PM ^
It would be kind of funny if Beilein came back to college basketball so cynical he just started blatantly paying players.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:36 AM ^
Pulling out his wallet on the court and handing cash to players for made 3's, backdoor cuts that lead to points, making that extra pass, etc. It would be entertaining and a great recruiting pitch! Coach B would get the class of his career!
February 26th, 2020 at 12:42 AM ^
Breaking Bad Beilein would be amazing
February 26th, 2020 at 2:23 AM ^
This would be awesome.
He shaves his head, starts wearing the hat.
Beilein is definitely the most likely p5 coach to be driving an aztek.
I can see him now throwing subs on the roof when hes pissed off after a loss..
February 26th, 2020 at 11:46 AM ^
Sleeveless T Shirt, Tats, and Dollar Bills.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:14 PM ^
He’s going to try and reclassify to 2020 and Michigan essentially told him they are running out of room. My brother lives right by him and has seen him play a lot. He’s a big time Michigan fan as others have said, but if he wants to reclassify to 2020 it was going to be almost impossible for Michigan to find him a spot. If he stays a 2021 commit he may reconsider depending on how things fall.
February 25th, 2020 at 10:28 PM ^
+1 Insightful
February 26th, 2020 at 12:40 AM ^
He wants to play for a team that struggles to make the NIT....good riddance. Enjoy 2-3 ass kickings when you play the wolverines!
February 26th, 2020 at 6:15 AM ^
Is Jett Howard going to be able to play PG at the college level, or is he strictly a wing?
February 26th, 2020 at 7:17 AM ^
Rivals has him as an SG.
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2022/jett-howard-234064
February 26th, 2020 at 7:27 AM ^
It looks like he is trying to reclassify to 2020 which would make sense given his choice. There is likely no room for him at Michigan if he did reclassify and Christopher ends up coming here.
February 26th, 2020 at 7:29 AM ^
Especially being a "lifelong" Michigan fan.