The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MARCH 2019 THE WOLVERINE 87 BASKETBALL RECRUITING "It was a big deal," Johnson said after scoring 25 points in a loss to Detroit Edison Jan. 26. "Every kid dreams to get one from the local top- 10 schools. This summer Coach Bei- lein was just telling me he liked how I played. It's a process, though." His own process included improv- ing his shot, staying the course in the classroom and continuing to de- velop. He's done all three. In addition, Johnson's court vision is uncanny, and even the shots he missed against Edison (he finished 10 of 15) were either just long or in and out. His relationship with the U-M coaches, meanwhile, continues to evolve. "It's good. Coach Beilein was chewing me out [about parts of his game] when I first came that Mon- day," he said with a laugh. "I think we're going to have a good bond … if I do go there. "He showed me all the academics, facilities, the weight rooms. All the assistants were there. My mom and dad came, and they liked it, too." Johnson is familiar with some of Michigan's players, including junior forward Isaiah Livers and freshman guard David DeJulius, having played against them in the past. He saw both on his visit. He also watched film of the Michigan team and the video pre- sentation Beilein shows to recruits. "I like how they're a freelanc- ing team, drive, kick and penetrate, a shoot-outside team," he said. "You don't know what to expect from them." His highlight, though, was talking with strength coach Jon Sanderson, and his visit to the academic center and business school. The latter im- pressed the 4.0 student. Johnson still has a year and a half of high school remaining, and he knows he's got parts of his game he wants to take to the next level. "I'm working on my outside game. I know I'm a complete player in the post, and my vision is crazy," he said. "But shooting outside, some people leave me open sometimes. "That's what I'm working on … that and my handle under pressure." Johnson thinks he's "close" to a Michigan State offer, and he's also talking to Butler and Missouri coaches daily. Those are among the others that have offered and shown the most interest. "I'm open to everything," he said. "Any college out of state, down south, west, anything. If they offer, I'm good. I'm going to wait to see who else offers, because I'm still in- terested in everybody. I'm not com- mitted to one place." MICHIGAN OFFERS JUNIOR BIG MAN ZACH LOVEDAY Zach Loveday has already unof- ficially visited Michigan twice and is looking forward to a third trip, he reported in early February. The 6-11, 205-pounder, Rivals.com's No. 55 overall junior nationally, has a game perfectly suited for the Wolveri- nes — deep range from three-point land and the frame to get bigger and stronger. Michigan, Baylor, Florida, George Washington, Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue, Stanford and Xavier have offered, but he'll likely get even more interest now that he's made the move to Huntington (W.Va.) Prep from Gallia Academy in Gallipolis, Ohio. "I really wanted that offer Loveday said. "Their offense, their defense — it is all awesome. They special- ize with the skilled bigs, and that's something they push to me every time they talk to me. I see that more and more as I watch them. "When I went up there they told me that I have Moritz Wagner's build — that 6-11 or seven-foot guy who when they get me can put 20 pounds on easy. I really liked their strength coach [Jon Sanderson], too. He's a re- ally good guy and one of the best in the business from what I hear." Loveday is only 17 with plenty of room to improve, but it's not a stretch to think he can be a Wagner type. "They think I'm quick enough where I can go isolation on the wing or block area, that I have the size and that I can float in and out because I can shoot it," he said. "That appeals to me a lot about their offensive style." Loveday visited Michigan and saw U-M play Air Force just before Christmas, and he also observed some workouts. He had previously attended an Ohio State at Michigan football game two years ago. Loveday came away especially im- pressed with Sanderson's strength and conditioning program. "They'll have workouts for the seventh, eighth man and rotational players, and it was really interest- ing," Loveday said. "The assistant that was recruiting me was saying, 'This is what we do for all first-year players who might not get a lot of minutes or aren't rotational players.' "Coach Beilein also stresses educa- tion. If you do go to the League, you at least have started your education. He's not a big one-and-done guy." Style of play will be the main moti- vating force in his college decision, he added, but it will be at least until this summer before he makes a decision. CLASS OF 2020 PLEDGE ZEB JACKSON DOMINATING Toledo (Ohio) Maumee Valley Country Day's Zeb Jackson (6-3, 165, Rivals.com's No. 66 overall junior nationally) is having a huge year, av- eraging 25.4 points per game for his 14-4 team as of Feb. 14. The Michigan pledge scored 34 with seven assists and seven rebounds in a blowout win of West Unity (Ohio) Hilltop Feb. 11, following up on a 31-point showing in an 84-26 win over Toledo (Ohio) Emmanuel Christian days earlier. ❏ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan basketball recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. The Wolverines have offered 6-11, 205- pound Zach Loveday, the No. 55 junior nationally. He is attending Huntington (W.Va.) Prep this year, after transferring from Gallia Academy in Gallipolis, Ohio. PHOTO BY JACEY ZEMBAL