Carlton Brundidge : All posts

Carlton Brundidge tells Detroit Free Press he wasn't happy at Michigan, now all smiles at Detroit

Carlton Brundidge's career as a Michigan basketball player seemed to end before it ever really began.

After sparsely playing as a freshman in 2011-12, Brundidge left John Beilein's program in March and eventually ended up with coach Ray McCallum at the University of Detroit.

The reason for the move? According to Brundidge, it was a matter of happiness.

Carlton Brundidge

"At the end of the year, I asked myself was I really happy at Michigan and was I becoming the player I dreamed about?" Brundidge said in an interview with the Detroit Free Press. "Something inside told me this isn't where I was supposed to be."

Ex-Michigan guard Carlton Brundidge will transfer to University of Detroit

All three of the Michigan basketball program's recent transfers appear to have found new homes.

And the final player won't be traveling too far for his next destination.

Former Michigan guard Carlton Brundidge announced via Twitter on Thursday night that he will transfer to the University of Detroit to play for coach Ray McCallum.

"I just signed with UofD Iam a Titan now," Brundidge wrote.

Recruiting analyst looks back, says Michigan's Trey Burke should've been the top PG in 2011 class

Hindsight is generally perfect.

In the case of college basketball recruiting rankings, it's also rather immediate.

Drew Cannon, a writer for BasketballProspectus.com, recently took on the task of re-ranking the 2011 class based on how things actually went down, rather than high school and AAU hype.

And through all the bumps, slips and adjustments, the player with the most movement was none other than Michigan basketball point guard Trey Burke.

"Burke came out of nowhere (or, at least, the "obscurity" of the non-McDonald's All-American section of the ESPNU Top 100) to be a superstar do-it-all point guard for an NCAA tournament No. 4 seed," wrote Cannon, who re-ranked Burke as the No. 5 player in the 2011 high school recruiting class. "He scored often, he scored efficiently, he passed, and he took care of the basketball.

"The Wolverines' round of 64 loss to Ohio shouldn't alter the fact that Burke had a fabulous season."

Grading the 2011-12 Michigan basketball freshman class

Michigan point guard Trey Burke had plenty to shout about during his freshman season.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

The Michigan basketball program only really got valuable minutes from one of its four freshmen this season.

But, boy, did that one rookie produce.

Freshman point guard Trey Burke finished the year as the team's first All-American since 1998, capping a banner season that also saw him grab co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

Now, the Wolverines and coach John Beilein must sit and wait as Burke decides his potential NBA future.

As for the rest of the freshmen, Carlton Brundidge will transfer, and both Max Bielfeldt and Sai Tummala will look to benefit from a redshirt season in 2011-12.

Here's a look at how Michigan's four freshmen fared last season:

How the departure of Evan Smotrycz, Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian alters the Michigan basketball team

The Michigan basketball program's offseason is underway.

And it got off to a rather loud start.

Michigan coach John Beilein announced the departures of three players, Evan Smotrycz, Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian, Wednesday, a trio of moves that could have quite a ripple effect with regard to the program's future.

Here's a look at how:

ESPN.com: Michigan basketball sophomore Carlton Brundidge makes 'coolest name' bracket

Michigan basketball guard Carlton Brundidge hasn't seen a lot of time on the floor this season for the Wolverines, but that doesn't mean he's been overlooked.

Brundidge, a 6-foot-1 freshman guard from Southfield, was included in ESPN.com's "Coolest name" in the NCAA Tournament field.

Michigan basketball forward Jon Horford officially shut down for the season

Jon Horford's season is officially over.

On Friday, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein said it doesn't make sense to chance putting the 6-foot-10 sophomore forward back into the lineup this late in the year as he continues to recover from a right foot injury.

"We're just working him hard in half court (during practice) and thinking about the future," Beilein said. "I don't think it makes much sense (to play him now).

"It's not fair to him."

Jon Horford's status still up in the air, Eso Akunne injury may create room for Carlton Brundidge

The Michigan basketball team will need all the beef it can get Sunday when it travels to Ohio State.

But it remains unclear whether the Wolverines will indeed get an extra boost in their efforts against the Buckeyes and big man Jared Sullinger.

Michigan coach John Beilein said he planned on running sophomore forward Jon Horford through a full practice Friday, but had no idea whether he’d be able to play in Columbus (1 p.m., CBS).

“Unless (men’s basketball trainer) John DoRosario stops me, we’re trying to go full-go (with Horford at practice) today,” Beilein said. “We may give him a breather here and there, but he’s (rusty).

“We’ve all found out that playing in practice and being on a bicycle or running in a water tank is very different.”

John Beilein: Michigan senior Zack Novak now 'living a dream' as a true two guard

Throughout his college career, Zack Novak has been used in just about every way imaginable.

The 6-foot-4 Novak has handled the ball, shot from deep, defended four positions and been asked to be the team's top rebounder, all while maintaining a role as the emotional leader of the Michigan basketball team.

But now, with a little help from sophomore forward Evan Smotrycz, Novak has been able to finally settle into his true position -- something coach John Beilein is quite excited about.

Notebook: Carlton Brundidge plays first important minutes, Jon Horford to have MRI and more Michigan basketball notes

Carlton Brundidge wasn't sure if Saturday was going to be any different than what has become normal for him this season.

He did, however, have a feeling.

"I can tell at practice sometimes when (Michigan basketball coach John Beilein) works me out more or tells me to pay more attention to certain things," the first-year guard from Southfield said. "I had a good week of practice, so I kind of felt it might be different (Saturday)."

His inkling was correct, because for the first time this season, Beilein received valuable minutes from a freshman guard not named Trey Burke.

Brundidge logged three points and two rebounds in 13 minutes during Michigan's 87-57 win over Alabama A&M. It was the first extended amount of playing time he has had as a college player, and a moment he says he's been ready for.

Michigan freshman guard Carlton Brundidge still searching for time as Trey Burke's minutes continue to rise

In Michigan basketball coach John Beilein's world, there's normal freshmen and there's abnormal freshmen.

Wolverine freshman point guard Trey Burke lands in the abnormal category, a player who's played beyond his years early this season as one of No. 20 Michigan's biggest bright spots.

As for Burke's classmate, Carlton Brundidge? He's what Beilein describes as normal. In other words: he's not ready to be a major contributor.

"(Brundidge needs to) just keep practicing and let everything slow down," Beilein said Friday. "It's a process."

Tuesday (7 p.m., ESPNU): 4 things to watch: Michigan basketball starts soft non-conference stretch run against Arkansas-Pine Bluff

If you're into judging a book by its cover, then your take on the Michigan basketball team's next two weeks should be pretty clear.

It's cupcake time, with an extra side of frosting.

Michigan's final stretch of non-conference tilts before the start of Big Ten play begins with a home matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday (7 p.m., ESPNU).

From there the Wolverines will take on Alabama A&M (noon, Saturday) and Bradley (6:30 p.m., Dec. 22).

The Golden Lions -- who have yet to play a home game this season -- aren't the sexiest team on Michigan's schedule this season, but they're an opponent nonetheless.

Here are four things to watch for during Tuesday's game:

Notebook: More than just a leader, Michigan senior Zack Novak serves as go-to shooter in Maui Invitational win

Michigan's Jon Horford, center, congratulates Zack Novak on a well-played game when the senior was removed late in a Maui Invitational win over UCLA.

AP Photo

Michigan basketball senior guard Zack Novak made two mistakes all game Wednesday.

He missed a 3-pointer five minutes into the second half, and he missed a free throw with 1:28 to go.

Outside of that, pretty much perfect. Not a bad day's work.

Still standing: Michigan's young freshmen guards surviving the early days of practice

The Michigan basketball team's freshman class includes (from left) Carlton Brundidge, Sai Tummala, Max Bielfeldt and Trey Burke.

Jeff Sainlar I AnnArbor.com

Wolverines coach John Beilein said Wednesday that freshmen guards Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge are adapting well to full-tilt college practices, both mentally and physically.

"I've really been impressed with the way they've been able to adapt in practice," Beilein said. "They're high-IQ. When they get on that court, their basketball IQ has been very receptive to change, which is always good."

Michigan basketball recruit Carlton Brundidge using one moment to funnel his focus

SOUTHFIELD —The memory follows Carlton Brundidge when he walks around his suburban Detroit neighborhood, when he works out early in the morning and when he’s downstairs in his family's basement, folding laundry and cleaning, late at night.

There is no way he can fix it. The end of Brundidge’s high school career in March has haunted him. He can’t go back and do what he now believes he should have done late in a Class A state semifinal game at the Breslin Center.

NOTEBOOK: Darius Morris advises Trey Burke not to read into the hype and other notes

When Darius Morris joined the Michigan basketball program two years ago, there was immediate pressure.

On a team with big expectations and with no other true point guard on the roster, Morris was looked at as the immediate replacement for graduated seniors C.J. Lee and David Merritt.

Michigan basketball commits Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge finish year in Scout Top 100

John Beilein and the rest of the Michigan basketball staff knew the commitments from guards Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge meant they had successfully recruited two high-impact guards.

Now, Burke and Brundidge are officially Top 100 players in the country.

Scout.com released its final Top 100 rankings on Tuesday and both Burke and Brundidge are among the final 10.

Detroit News: Dream Team spot for Carlton Brundidge continues list of honors for Michigan basketball recruits

Michigan basketball recruit Carlton Brundidge is part of the Detroit News 2011 Dream Team announced Thursday.

"A lot of people don't see his work ethic," Southfield High School coach Gary Teasley told the newspaper for the story. "After our game against Detroit Henry Ford (in the district semifinals) he put up another thousand shots in the gym. His work ethic is solid."

Michigan basketball recruits Carlton Brundidge and Trey Burke headed to state semifinals

Michigan basketball recruit Carlton Brundidge and his Southfield High School team are headed back to the Breslin Center.

Southfield beat East Detroit 59-47 Tuesday night at Calihan Hall in Detroit to earn its second straight trip to the MHSAA Class A final four. Last year, the Blue Jays were eliminated by Huron in a semifinal.

“We have unfinished business,” Brundidge told C&G newspapers after Tuesday’s win. “We’re just striving to win a state championship.”

Notebook: Carlton Brundidge officially signs with Michigan basketball, a Globetrotter update and game time explanation

It took a few extra days, but the Michigan basketball team finally completed its early signing period recruiting class Tuesday.

Carlton Brundidge, who had been verbally committed to the Wolverines for almost a year, finally sent in his Letter of Intent this afternoon, adding himself to a class that already included Columbus guard Trey Burke.

“It’s the end of one chapter, if you will, and the beginning of another,” Brundidge’s dad, Clennie, said Tuesday. “I hope it’s the right decision for him, the right fit. Hopefully he can be part of, if not the catalyst, to help Michigan get back to where they were when I moved here back in 1988, a team that most of Detroit and outlying communities, that’s
all they talked about.

“It’s a tall order, but I told him he has to do his part.”

The 6-foot-1 Brundidge averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists last year while leading Southfield High School to a Class A semifinal. In his three-year high school career, Brundidge is averaging 21.1 points a game.