Wolverines Host Media Day at Crisler Center
10/22/2018 6:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
• John Beilein Press Conference | Photo Gallery
• Kornacki: Brazdeikis is Confident, Coachable and Ready to Contribute
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's basketball team hosted its annual media day at Crisler Center today (Monday, Oct. 22), with U-M's David and Meredith Kaplan Head Coach John Beilein, his coaching staff and the Wolverine players making time to speak with members of the local and national press.
In his 12th Michigan Media Day, Beilein tipped off the event by speaking about team expectations and how the preseason practices have been progressing. Below are a few of the highlighted quotes from Beilein.
Head Coach John Beilein
A few opening thoughts ... "Today is practice number 17, and we have 11 more to go, plus an exhibition game and a scrimmage. We've made great progress from what anybody saw this summer, if anybody saw us even practicing earlier this year. There are still some days where we really look like we're really missing Muhammad-Ali (Abdur-Rahkman), Duncan (Robinson), Jaaron (Simmons) and Moe (Wagner), and then there are other days where I say, okay, we could be alright."
On this season's team and schedule ... "They're a great group to coach. Every day, it's like no agendas, just let's go play basketball and let's improve as a team. I know I say this every year and somehow it continues to grow, but it's probably the most difficult schedule that we've had, and when you add in that the guarantee games don't look like guaranteed wins, they look like teams with everybody back, where anyone could sneak up and get us, so we have some real challenges and we're going try to be up for them."
On the coaching staff ... "One of the great things in the transition from last year to this year is we didn't lose anybody off our staff for the first time. We have as good a staff as anybody in the country, without question."
On freshman Ignas Brazdeikis ... "Iggy's been such a pleasure to coach. The kid wants to be such a good player. And for a player that's so highly rated, a player that is so college-ready to play, he's a sponge. You just say, okay, this is a guy, you know --Â the Hardaways, the LeVerts, the Stauskases -- the guys that just came in and were sponges. That's really good for all of us to coach. It's 'yes, sir' and 'no, sir' and I just really love coaching him. He's got a chance to play right away, could be in the starting lineup even, we'll wait and see what happens, but he's doing a really good job."
On freshmen Brandon Johns Jr. and David DeJulius ... "Brandon and David are pretty much in the same boat right now, that every day they learn something, there's something new to consider, there's a new way people play us, there's a new way we have to guard, and that just takes some time. They're very much like Isaiah (Livers) and Jordan (Poole) last year at this time. But they're working hard, they both have to learn what winning basketball really looks like at this level. They know what it's supposed to look like at the high school level, now they've got to learn what's at this level."
On his relationship with Zavier Simpson ... "We're right on the same page now. Great growth by both of us. I think the good coaches that are out there grow with their teams, learn what's important, grow and adapt. We're developing a really close relationship and it's a lot of fun. He's stubborn but he really believes in our system."
On managing expectations from last season ... "The expectations for a team that lost so many good players is probably way too high, and we're not going to worry about them anyhow. I can't let our guys worry about any hype, if we're a nationally ranked team, or where they come out in the early stock, we've just got to try and get better. We've got to try and beat Norfolk State and Northwood before that, that's what we've got to do. And then we'll see where we are after that."
In the middle break before players' media, all three assistants spoke with the media.
Assistant Coach Saddi Washington
On being from the same area as Brandon Johns Jr. ... "Well, we're connected through that, obviously. We know a lot of the same people. His parents, him growing up, there's a lot of similarities there. But with any freshman regardless of where they come from, having lived that life as a player and been doing it for many years as a coach, it's my job to ease them through this transition period that they're going through. As long as they have a good attitude and are receptive, good things can happen for them. It's been fun watching their development so far and I'm looking forward to watching their progress."
On challenges for Isaiah Livers ... "I think his biggest challenge is consistency. That was one thing Duncan (Robinson) really brought to our team last year. Isaiah had a really good, productive summer and he feels a year more comfortable in the program. Not only is he going to have to bring consistency but I think he's done a good job of stepping out and using his voice a little bit more and trying to be more of a leader. When you graduate such strong guys, there's a vacuum to be filled. Isaiah along with Charles (Matthews), X (Zavier Simpson) and some other guys have done a good job stepping into that role because they see the importance of leadership in having a player-led team. If we can get guys to step up consistently in those roles, it gives a chance to be successful this year."
Assistant Coach Luke Yaklich
On the defense ... "In order to understand the importance of the little things, there has to be some accountability and plan for those. Coach always said, and I've definitely subscribed to this statement in coaching which is what gets measured gets done. If you want to hold someone accountable to something there has to be a basis for it, for A the importance of it and B on a personal level to stay with it and track it over time to see how well that accounts for their improvement as a defensive unit and for their improvement as an individual defensive player."
On Jordan Poole ... "Jordan has been terrific. I think his approach towards defense -- and I always tell Jordan, 'You're a defensive player that can also score.' He's just had a great mindset about taking what he learned from Muhammad-Ali (Abdur-Rahkman) last year and then the mindset of wanting to come in -- and we always have that phrase where we say don't come in and be 'that guy.' If you have four guys functioning as one out there on the floor and then one guy is letting the team down -- he really, really has improved his body with Coach (Jon) Sanderson in the offseason and then it goes from his mind to his body and that whole emphasis has really allowed Jordan to be focused each and every day out here. He wants to be good. There's a desire on his part to become a really elite two-way player."
Assistant Coach DeAndre Haynes
On Jordan Poole ... "He's stepped up to the plate and he's ready for the challenge. Coach Beilein challenges him every day along with myself and he's just being a great teammate and player right now. His numbers have increased defensively. The last few practices he's been terrific. I told him last year that you have to play both ends of the floor and now he's starting to do that and realize that if he starts to do this thing he'll stay on the floor and help the team win. I think Muhammad-Ali (Abdur-Rahkman) showed you what it took and JP has stepped it up."
As the coaching staff wrapped up its opportunity to speak with the beat writers, the 2018-19 Wolverines spent time with the more than 65 members of the media. Below are a few quotes from the closing session.
Senior Guard Charles Matthews
"I feel confident in myself and I feel this can only get better. I feel like I am ready to make good plays for this team. This year isn't as much to impress, it's to lead this team."
Junior Guard Zavier Simpson
"We are trying to put everything aside and concentrate on playing as a team, playing together. We, of course, think about last season but we are just playing and trying to get better."
Junior Center Jon Teske
"I know the starting position is open and between myself, Austin (Davis) and Colin (Castleton), we just need to continue to work together. Every day we are battling and that is making us better and the team better."
Sophomore Guard Jordan Poole
"I feel like I am more prepared then I was last year. Last year I really didn't know what to expect coming in, I just knew that I wanted to be aggressive and try and get on the court. This year I know I will be playing a bigger role. I feel like that I know that I can come in and set the pace offensive and defensively."
Freshman Forward Brandon Johns Jr.
"We are a really young team, but I think we are finding our roles and it won't be too difficult. We all have a good understanding of what we are supposed to do on and off the court."
The Wolverines concluded media day by opening the first hour of its practice to the media. U-M will open its season on Friday, Nov. 2, with an exhibition against Northwood at 7 p.m. The regular season begins Tuesday, Nov. 6, against Norfolk State at 8:30 p.m.
