The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/678402
2016 BASKETBALL RECRUITING ISSUE got a steal when Simpson — who had visited U-M on the way back from Wisconsin — pledged. His Sept. 9 commitment over schools like Illi- nois, Iowa State and Miami seem- ingly came out of nowhere. Beilein would later compare him to another Ohio steal in former Wol- verine and Naismith Award winner Trey Burke. "He has great work habits, really has a chance to be a good defender and is a great leader on the court," Beilein said. "He really is an elite passer from that position and can play off the ball screen really well. "From his junior to senior year, he has seen a big bump in his ability to make shots from the outside. That's really important for so many players to draw the defense out so they can have space." In a word, Beilein added, Simpson is a winner. He's also got a hate-to- lose mentality and some "dawg" in his game. "That's important. We try to find that as much as we can," the coach explained. "It's not the only way to win — to get a bunch of guys that are super competitive — because some of that grows over their four years. If it never grows, they never become players. "But if you look at it, not even half come in with that quality. If you look at Tim Hardaway, Glenn Robinson, they've developed that over time. None of them would you say that these guys are intimidating teams with their hustle and energy. They end up learning to do that." How the 2016 group adapts will determine how successful it becomes. Some will earn early playing time — Simpson seems the best bet — but Beilein said he'll have to watch more film and see his players in action before he can determine how much they'll contribute early. As for his recruiting strategy, it will remain the same. "I don't think anything has actually changed," he said. "There are always kids who have looked at Michigan, and we're trying to find the right ones. "We'll look at the Mitch McGarys that are high-profile guys that really want Michigan, and there are going to be other ones that come through Xavier Simpson is Michigan's highest rated recruit in the class, checking in the Rivals. com rankings as the nation's No. 86 pros- pect. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN