Nik Stauskas : All posts

Versatile Nik Stauskas ready to do a bit of everything for the Michigan basketball team

Nik Stauskas wasn't exactly terrified, but he was far from settled.

Earlier this spring, when Michigan basketball point guard Trey Burke was pondering his future, Stauskas was suddenly faced with the prospect of adding even more to his plate next fall.

The Canadian-born 2012 signee had played the lead guard spot before.

But the Big Ten is a long way away from grade school.

"It was scary," Stauskas told AnnArbor.com on Monday. "I had so many Michigan fans and other people messaging me on Twitter and saying 'I hope you're ready to play point guard.'

"I was a little bit worried."

Michigan basketball recruit Glenn Robinson III ranked No. 11 in nation by Rivals.com

Some rankings were shuffled and one addition will still be made, but in the end, experts still see the Michigan basketball team's 2012 recruiting class as one of the best in the country.

Rivals.com updated its top 150 players list for 2012 on Wednesday, moving future Wolverine Glenn Robinson III to the No. 11 overall player in the group and giving him a five-star ranking in the process.

Presently, Rivals ranks Michigan's 2012 haul as the fifth-best class in America.

Michigan basketball signees Nik Stauskas, Mitch McGary receive honors

Two members of the Michigan basketball program's incoming recruiting class garnered recognition Monday.

Five-star power forward Mitch McGary and four-star shooting guard Nik Stauskas both earned mentions on All-New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) teams.

With video: Michigan basketball signee Mitch McGary helps Brewster win national title and more notes

Future Michigan basketball big man Mitch McGary earned a national championship Wednesday night.

McGary, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound five-star power forward, scored 12 points to help Brewster Academy grab an 87-76 victory against Hargrave Military Academy in the title game of the National Prep Championship tournament in New Haven, Conn.

Despite Mitch McGary's slide, Michigan basketball's 2012 class rated higher than Michigan State's

The Michigan basketball program's top recruit for 2012 took a dip in the national rankings recently, but the class as a whole maintains a strong standing.

Despite five-star power forward Mitch McGary's fall out of the top five to No. 21 overall, Scout.com rated John Beilein's three-man as the seventh-best class in the country Tuesday in its updated 2012 class rankings.

Michigan's 2012 group is three spots higher than Michigan State's four-man class.

Recruiting analyst explains Mitch McGary's ranking slide, says Michigan basketball still has 'terrific' '12 class

The Michigan basketball program made national waves in November by signing five-star big man Mitch McGary to its 2012 class.

Earlier this month, McGary made more waves in recruiting circles, and not in an overly positive manner, either.

McGary, once pegged as the No. 2 overall prospect in the country by Scout.com and ESPN.com, has fallen considerably in the national rankings.

ESPN dropped McGary to No. 21 earlier this month, and Tuesday, Scout followed suit by moving him down to No. 20.

"I think we may have gotten a little aggressive after the summer (with McGary), he had a terrific summer, but there are concerns," Scout.com's national basketball recruiting analyst Evan Daniels told AnnArbor.com. "His lack of ability to score consistently is one, and maybe we over-valued him a little over the summer.

"That said, he's still a terrific player, and he's still a guy who will have a pretty big impact at Michigan and should be able to produce right away. ... Michigan is still getting a terrific player."

ESPN.com: Michigan basketball recruit Mitch McGary falls in ESPN.com rankings

It was a rough day for the recruiting stock of 2012 Michigan basketball signee Mitch McGary.

The 6-foot-10, 260-pound power forward from Brewster Academy fell from No. 2 to No. 21 overall in ESPN.com's updated recruiting rankings for next season.

McGary, who chose Michigan over Duke and Florida in November, now is rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN and the sixth-best power forward.

At the time of his signing, he was a five-star, and rated as the No. 1 overall power forward.

With video: Michigan basketball recruits Mitch McGary and Nik Stauskas earn wins on national stage

Two pieces of the Michigan basketball program's 2012 recruiting class took to a national stage Sunday.

And both came away with victories.

Brewster Academy (N.H.) power forward Mitch McGary and St. Mark's (Mass.) guard Nik Stauskas both competed in the 2012 Hoophall Classic, held at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

McGary and his Brewster squad knocked off the Tilton School, featuring top 2013 prospect Nerlens Noel, 57-53. Stauskas, meanwhile, was part of a 67-57 St. Mark's win over Friends Central.

The Brewster-Tilton game was aired live on ESPN.

John Beilein laughs off analyst's prediction of Michigan in the 2013 Final Four

On his weekly radio show, Michigan coach John Beilein, left, said of Tim Hardaway Jr.: "He's phenomenal as far as trying to get better and working at it. He has his blind spots just like I do, and just like you do. You just (try) to help him see how to attack things."

Jeff Sainlar | AnnArbor.com

At least one college basketball analyst expects big things from the Michigan basketball program next season.

Even if John Beilein thinks he's crazy.

Big Ten Network analyst Tim Doyle joined Beilein on his weekly radio show Monday night to preview the 13th-ranked Wolverines' home game against Northwestern on Wednesday.

While on the show, broadcast by 1270 AM WXYT in Detroit and 1050 WTKA in Ann Arbor, Doyle paid Beilein's fledgling program a rather lofty compliment.

"A note to you guys, I got a chance to see (2012 signee) Glenn Robinson III play in Milwaukee this past weekend, and holy cow is that kid good," Doyle said on the program. "And I've got a prediction next year: I think Michigan is a Final Four team next year."

Beilein's response?

"What happy hour are you at right now?" he said in jest.

with video: Mitch McGary's prep squad remains unbeaten and notes on Michigan basketball's other 2012 signees

Michigan basketball super-recruit Mitch McGary is off to a rousing start this season at Brewster (N.H.) Academy. He and the Bobcats improved to 8-0 Monday with a 102-57 win over Rise Academy.

McGary dropped in 13 points in the win, as his team now prepares to host the 2011 Brewster Invitational this weekend.

John Beilein calls Nik Stauskas a 'perfect fit' for Michigan basketball

On paper, Nik Stauskas seemed almost destined for John Beilein's Michigan basketball system.

At 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, the Canadian-born wing had the distinction as one of the top pure shooters in the 2012 recruiting class, and he also has the ability to play possibly three different spots on the floor.

So, naturally, when Beilein first saw him play, the interest was high.

"We heard about Nik when he attended the NBA Camp (as a) rising junior," said Beilein, who made his first public comments about Stauskas Tuesday. "The more we got to know Nik, the more we realized 'what a perfect fit for Michigan.'"

Nik Stauskas signs, joins McGary, Robinson III in 2012 Michigan basketball class

And then there were three.

After getting national letters of intent from MItch McGary and Glenn Robinson III on Wednesday, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein completed his early period business Friday when St. Mark's (Mass.) shooting guard Nik Stauskas signed to play for the Wolverines next season.

"Nik is an outstanding three-point shooter who becomes a playmaker with the ball off the bounce," Beilein said in a released statement. "He possesses tremendous ball handling skills and outstanding court vision which allow him to be an exceptional passer. Nik loves the gym and works tirelessly to expand his skill set.

"We welcome him to The University of Michigan with great anticipation."

Michigan basketball 2012 commits continue to rise in recruit rankings

The Michigan basketball team's 2012 commits, Glenn Robinson III and Nik Stauskas, remain on the rise in the eyes of national recruiting analysts.

Rivals.com updated its Top 150 players for the class of 2012 this week, moving Robinson up to No. 35 and Stauskas up to No. 80 overall.

ESPN.com: Michigan basketball team's 2012 recruiting class ranked No. 14

Note: This story was updated to correct national signing dates.

ESPN.com updated its 2012 college basketball recruiting class rankings Wednesday, and Michigan's current two-man crop was well-received at No. 14 overall.

Currently, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein has pledges from two players -- both on ESPNU's Top 100 for 2012.

Michigan basketball picks up second commit in two days in Nik Stauskas

On Friday, the Michigan basketball program picked up its final commitment for the class of 2011 when forward Max Bielfeldt chose the Wolverines over Illinois.

One day later, Michigan may have closed out 2012, as well. According to multiple recruiting websites, coach John Beilein received a non-binding verbal commitment from Nik Stauskas, a Canadian playing at St. Mark's in Southborough, Mass.