The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1111798
MAY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 55 BY CHRIS BALAS I f we've said it once, we've said it dozens of times (literally) in this column over the years: Recruiting isn't an exact science. Just when coaches think they're done with a class and can kick back or get a head start on classes down the road, the rug can quickly get pulled out from under them. That's exactly what happened to John Beilein and his staff when red- shirt junior Charles Matthews, soph- omore Jordan Poole and freshman Ignas Brazdeikis declared for the NBA Draft weeks after U-M's season ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Texas Tech. Matthews and Poole made de- cisions to stay in before the end of April, while Brazdeikis seemed a good bet to follow the same path. Matthews was expected, but Poole and Brazdeikis left Beilein and his staff scrambling to fill not one, but two more spots for the 2019-20 team. They had already signed two four-star 2019 freshmen in Lynden (Wash.) Chris- tian's Cole Bajema (6-7, Rivals' No. 92 senior nationally) and Denton (Texas) Guyer 's Jalen Wilson (6-8, Rivals' No. 43 player in the country), but they also got involved with several gradu- ate transfers and seniors when it be- came clear defections were imminent. Beilein's quest literally became an international affair, taking him as far as Germany before he returned to the United States to look for diamonds in the rough and others who had yet to sign. "If you knew my schedule — I can't tell you my schedule — the next month, the next 10 days, it's abso- lutely incredible … how we've got to go out there and be in position to be in position," Beilein said April 17 before Michigan basketball's annual banquet. He added he would chuckle and shake his head at those who told him, "now you can finally get some rest," after the NCAA Tournament ended. Three 2019 prospects seem to have emerged for him, and they have very different backgrounds. Beilein stayed in the U.S. and visited some 2020 prospects before flying overseas to see Franz Wagner, younger brother of former Michigan standout Moritz Wagner, around April 22. Before he left, Beilein and his staff hosted William & Mary graduate transfer Justin Pierce — a 6-7, two- time all-conference selection in the Colonial Athletic Association. Pierce, originally from Glen Ellyn, Ill., aver- aged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor as a junior. Sources said the visit went great, probably moving U-M ahead of Notre Dame (April 13 visit), though Pierce was still planning on seeing North Carolina April 29-30. One aspect working in Michigan's favor is former William & Mary head coach Tony Shaver, who had been at the school since 2003-04 before being fired at the end of this season. He's a friend of Michigan head coach John Beilein, and that certainly hasn't hurt U-M's chances. Pierce also wants to play in the NCAA Tournament and make some noise, and Notre Dame isn't likely to be that team next year, with or without him. Michigan "rolled out the red car- pet" the entire weekend, according to one source. The family was en- thralled with many aspects about U-M, including the facilities and Jor- dan affiliation, and love the thought of playing in the Big Ten. They were also very impressed with Beilein. The decision date looks to be May 2, when Pierce graduates. He needs to BASKETBALL RECRUITING Back To The 2019 Class Justin Pierce, a 6-7 graduate transfer from William & Mary, visited Michigan in April, and will choose between the Wolverines, North Carolina and Notre Dame in May. PHOTO COURTESY WILLIAM & MARY ATHLETICS