mgoblogging

We're still alive.

And probably the biggest names are Cole Bajema and Franz Wagner, in order.

So it was the tip on umhoops.com by Franz's father that gave it away?

If you could put people into categories and classifications, which you can't, or say that a person represents or should be like another person, which you cannot either, Moe Wagner was the culmination of John Beilien: White, great family, tatoo-free, and a lot of other really bad stereotypes.  It is hard to call him a gifted player, but he is very, very good and in college his enthusiasm was original.

He came from Germany---my God, Michigan is hard enough, imagine doing it in a foreign language?  Outgoing in a completely unselfish in an almost childlike way would be another way to describe him.  But he was also over 6' 10" and awfully strong by the time he left Michigan.  He wasn't a natural like DJ Wilson at blocking shots, but he persevered and was a force.  He had moves and 3-pointers that were just plain fun.  His family cheering, not to mention deep Big Ten and NCAA runs, are memorable too.

No disrespect to Derrick Walton, Jordan Morgan, and many others.  And the best in Detroit and the state will always be a big part of Michigan.  Put very broadly, John Beilein did have his ways and his requirements.  It is good to update and expand.  Let's see what Juwan can bring.

As for Franz, it is wrong to shoehorn him into anyone else or expect a certain type of player or person.  But expectations, very high ones, come with the territory.