University of Michigan courting Joe Trapani

[UA_MA_2000]

"U of M is courting Vermont Transfer," courtesy of the Detroit Free press:

 

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...3/1054/SPORTS06

 

John Beilein is still in his first month at Michigan, but he's already making progress.

 

With two scholarships open for this season and another for 2008-09, Michigan is making inroads with recruits and transfers.

 

One showing interest is Joe Trapani, who just finished his freshman year at Vermont but was granted a release.

 

A 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward, Trapani averaged 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Catamounts, despite missing seven games with a stress fracture in his foot. He was averaging more than 15 points before the midseason injury.

 

He returned to help Vermont to the America East regular-season title and an NIT bid, and was selected to Rivals.com's mid-major all-freshman team. He shot 40% from three-point range.

 

His father, Charlie, said this week that four schools were involved in his recruitment: Michigan, Boston College, Northeastern and Providence.

 

"Michigan definitely showed an interest in him, and he was surprised," Charlie Trapani said. "John has a lot to do with it."

 

Charlie Trapani, a former captain at Vermont, has said his son didn't assimilate well at his alma mater.

 

Joe Trapani plans to visit all four schools, with the trip to U-M coming Thursday.

 

Although Ann Arbor would seem an odd fit for a player who grew up in Madison, Conn., and has three other New England schools on his list, U-M has a few advantages.

 

The relationship with Beilein began during the first recruiting process when Beilein was at West Virginia. Also, Trapani plans to be a business major, and Michigan's Ross School of Business is perennially ranked as one of the nation's best.

 

"The distance is a bit of an issue," Charlie Trapani said, "but the coach has a lot to do with it."

 

Wherever Trapani transfers in Division I, he will have to sit out next season. He would then have three years of eligibility.

[UA_MA_2000]

With me being a Yankee fan (and Michigan fan), this is like David Ortiz signing with the Yanks to play first base next year. Weird ... . Smart move for Trapani if he can get into Michigan and get a degree from there. Use hoops as a tool to get the Michigan diploma; it's one of the nation's finest schools.