The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS the way now. By default, they're going to be better for it. It's the same with [freshman forward] Ricky Doyle, same with [redshirt freshman forward] Mark Donnal. It develops a core for you, moving forward, and a core you're not going to lose to the [NBA] Draft, all in one year. "It's always been kind of up in the air here, the last few years, with these de- partures. Next year, they will have a core to lean on, for the first time in a while, and that will be a positive. As far as Caris goes, I have no idea. It sounds like with that rehab, he'll be healthy enough to work out in April. I think he's still projected as a top-20 pick. He'll have a decision to make, obviously. It's hard to turn that money down. If he's healthy enough to do it …" The Wolverine: Is there still a place for strong, junior- and senior-led basket- ball teams in the college game? Baumgardner: "I think so. You look at teams like Wisconsin, that have that. Iowa has been better, when they've had that. At the same time, if you're going to make these deep runs in the tournament, you have to have a pro or two on your team. You have to have guys that have that option. "I think you can build the core of your team the way they want to do it, saying, 'Let's get some three- and four-year guys in here that we know we can have a foundation with. But at the same time, we've got to go find a couple that are pretty special.' "It's got to be a mix. Obviously, it could be the other, where it's a one-and- done situation, but I don't think you can say 'Let's just bank on a bunch of seniors' and go from there." The Wolverine: Have you ever seen so much excitement generated following a 5-7 football season? Baumgardner: "No, but everything changed on a dime. It's not surprising, but it does alter perspective. It's a new coach, new coaching staff, new energy, and everything, but it's the same players. "A rational fan looks at it and says, 'Jim Harbaugh's a coach that could maybe not lose to Rutgers, not lose to Minnesota.' Those close games that they prob- ably should have won, they now should win. "That's where some of the optimism comes from. At the same time, they were 5-7, and they've got a long way to go." The Wolverine: What's the biggest improvement that has to be made on this football team, heading into the fall? Baumgardner: "If the quarterback plays like a quarterback, they'll be better. If he manages the game, takes care of the football, and controls the offense, they will be markedly better. "The offensive line, we saw that it was much better at the end of last year