The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/315684
2014 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE it comes time to decide, he said this spring. • Jamal Murray (6-3, 180, Kitchener, Ontario, Athlete Institute, Rivals.com No. 18 rising junior nationally): Murray, a gifted Canadian point guard, visited for Michigan's game with Indiana and enjoyed himself, and he's planning a return trip at some point. Syracuse, Kansas State, Illinois, North Carolina State, Louisville and Michigan are among those recruiting him hardest, and he's also seen Georgetown. Murray is still waiting on his first offer, and recently mentioned U-M and Michi- gan State are among the schools that are most involved in his recruitment, though he hasn't really given the recruiting process much thought. • Derek Funderburk (6-9, 205, Lakewood, Ohio, St. Edward High School, Rivals.com No. 48 rising junior nationally): Ohio State, Iowa and Xavier have offered, and he has visited OSU. Clemson, Pitt and West Virginia join U-M in showing interest. It may come down to a battle with Ohio State, and Michigan could have a shot at landing him if he continues to ramp up the interest. He also covets a Kansas offer. "I have heard from Michigan a lot, but that haven't offered me yet," he said in April. "The coaches like my game and they want to see how I progress in my junior and senior year." • Quentin Goodin (6-2, 170, Campbellsville, Ky., Taylor County High School, Rivals.com No. 51 rising junior nationally): Indiana, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Tennessee and others have extended offers to the talented point guard, while Ohio State, Louisville and Kentucky are interested. Michigan, though, has made an early impression. "He's very, very interested," his head coach Rich Gatewood said. "[Assistant] Jeff Meyer has done a great job recruiting him. He has a great relationship with him and his family. Michigan won't offer the 2016 kids until June 15, but he's very intrigued." U-M coaches watched him notch a triple-double when they caught him in January. • Barret Benson (6-9, 245, Willowbrook, Ill., Hinsdale South High School, Rivals.com No. 33 rising junior nationally): A Michigan camper last sum- mer, Benson has seen his interest rise dramatically after an outstanding start with the Illinois Wolves on the AAU circuit. Indiana offered the talented power forward, and Michigan, Purdue and Kansas State are the others recruiting him most aggressively. His main recruiter at Michigan is assistant coach LaVall Jordan, with whom he said he is starting to develop a solid relationship. "I'm just open minded right now," he said. "I have a lot of time to decide. When I look at schools, I look at academics first and then how I fit into the system and the university. Coaching is important, too."