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Posted on Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 9:10 a.m.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon sees promise in the Michigan basketball program

By Michael Rothstein

In one of his first days as athletic director last month, Dave Brandon was sitting in Conseco Fieldhouse as Michigan’s basketball season concluded with a last-second loss to Ohio State.

It closed a disappointing season for the Wolverines, who started the season ranked No. 15 in the country and ended with a 15-17 record. Despite that, Brandon isn't discouraged.

He has belief in Michigan coach John Beilein.

“John’s contract was extended coming out of last year and he’s committed to Michigan," Brandon said. "There’s a lot of schools out there who would like John Beilein coaching their basketball program.

“We’re lucky to have him here.”

From talking to those who know basketball around the country, Brandon said Michigan is in a good position with the 58-year-old Beilein, who had been head coach at Canisius, Richmond and West Virginia before coming to the Wolverines.

Next season, for the first time, Beilein will have only his recruits in the program. Michigan is also renovating its basketball facilities, something Brandon said was much needed.

In September, the Board of Regents approved the construction of a 57,000-foot player development center and practice facility expected to open next year. In January, renovations for the first phase of a Crisler Arena overhaul were also given the go-ahead.

It is why Brandon indicated he looks at the entire picture of a sport when evaluating a program.

“I don’t put a disproportionate amount of emphasis on any one year, but clearly this year was a year we hoped for better and certainly lost a little bit of momentum in terms of our improvement,” Brandon said. “But that doesn’t detract from my belief that going forward we can regain that momentum, and our program is going to get bigger and better and stronger when we get those practice facilities in, and we do some things that will afford us to be able to recruit a little more aggressively. It’s going to help both those programs a lot.

“Just in terms of our practice regimen and the resources that we give them to be successful, it will help attract better recruits, because in many instances we are just woefully uncompetitive in what we can show a prospective student athlete, in terms of what support we give our basketball programs.”

The commitment with the practice facilities and Brandon’s ideas for the Crisler renovation are the beginnings of changing that level of support.

Brandon said the new practice facility, which will break ground after graduation ceremonies in May, and the eventual Crisler renovations are ways Michigan can bolster its recruiting efforts.

The first step of the Crisler overhaul will be behind-the-scenes structural upgrades necessary for the overall viability of the building.

The next steps, though, are fixing the fan experience and cosmetic look of the facility. 

Brandon said he met with architects, financial representatives and operations people this week to discuss different options for Crisler - calling the renovation “an active topic.”

“We need wider concourses, we need more restrooms, we need better amenities in terms of food service and service opportunities for our fans,” Brandon said. “We need to re-seat the bowl, think differently about the kind of seating that we use and probably put in some kind of club-seating opportunities to give special experiences to people who are willing to take advantage of those.

“Probably come up with a different game plan as to where we put the media and just how we professionalize that arena.”

One thing has stuck with Brandon about Crisler. Two years ago, he said, a television broadcaster called Crisler one of the worst facilities in Division I on-air.

That statement bothered him. It is part of the reason why he wants Crisler to look much different a few years from now.

“I want that same guy to come back into town to do a game,” Brandon said. “And announce to the country that the University of Michigan has a basketball facility as good as anyone out there.”

The pieces, Brandon believes, are in the process of falling into place for Michigan basketball. He has the coach he wants, facilities are being built and renovated and that combination will lead to a more consistent program.

“I have high expectations and high hopes that men’s basketball at Michigan can become the program that can compete for Big Ten championships and be in the NCAA tournament,” Brandon said. “And really represent the brand and the university in the manner that we all want it to.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.

Comments

forreal

Tue, Apr 6, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.

Michigan HAS won national championships in B-Ball AND football (hockey and baseball as well)... which btw is the only D1 school to do such... but sooooooo what!... What have you done lately? This situation isn't getting any better with practically no recruits (ok 3) in b-ball and Manny leaving early (yikes) and the football program w/ their 3-to-4 star (not many 5 star) recruits albeit he did get into the top 20 as regards recruits... With their recent records.. Im not optimistic, however, WINS can change that outlooks!

trigg7

Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.

Those who stay will be...in violation. Your B-ball team would take 40 years to do what Izzo did in the last 2 alone.Keep telling yourself how great u are.

spartyo

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.

Usually i don't like to comment on a Michigan article. Unlike some people Spartyno aka Tater. But I believe Jb likes to find those diamond in the roughs. He took chances with two star recruits from rural Indiana. Tater thinks Izzo is always using the Martin scandal. Its been 15 years wake up tater. Guys know Izzo will get them to the final four and compete for Big Ten championships. I do believe that if Trey signs that would be a huge recruit for you. Jb needs to get in to Detroit Saginaw and Flint. I just don't think he works that hard to recruit those players. He loves those shooters from Indiana. How many big recruits does he get from Michigan. The kid from southfield next year is one..

GoBlue2009

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.

What gets me are all these MSU fans who have been brainwashed into believing their basketball program "has always been superior." Remember the 60's, 70's, and 80's?

NoBowl4Blue

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.

U of M basketball has a long way to go but not as far as U of M football. Both teams will continue to be mediocre for next few seasons. Basketball will have trouble recruiting quick impact players as they will go to MSU,Purdue or Ohio State before Michigan. Football RR will continue to guess on 3 stars as the 4 and 5 stars will head to Notre Dame and OSU.

Terry Star21

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.

sonofscoot, robotmonstor... so was the hash bash.... Tater knows because he is on the inside, and sometimes that truth hurts the outsiders, those that hate their own teams and try to trash UM. Come on, 'Brandon saw promise in Domino's... worst in US...'. the hash bash must still be going on. With patience and hard work, UM basketball and football will persevere! Brandon, RichRod and Beilein -... those that stay will become champions..

robotmonster

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 10:48 a.m.

I thought April Fool's day was three days ago. Equal footing? Izzo building his program artifically? UM cheated for 20 years. They got caught. There are 10 other programs in the conference that want to win as bad. Thanks for the laughs

John Agno

Sun, Apr 4, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.

It was good to watch the West Virginia b-ball team reach the Final Four this weekend with the Beilein court strategy, recruiting momentum and a coach who knew how to keep his team emotionally charged for their contests.