Michigan Basketball: Sales Pitch for Each Top 2014 Recruiting Target

Selling the Michigan basketball program to the nation's top recruits is a little easier for head coach John Beilein these days. Gone are the days of sub .500 records, outdated facilities and stagnant player development.

The Wolverines have won a Big Ten Conference title and played in a national championship game over the past two seasons. Better things could be coming soon.

Future rosters will continue to be littered with NBA talents. The class of 2014 will undoubtedly produce some professional prospects. Current commits Ricky Doyle and Austin Hatch do not exactly fit that bill, but the rest of Michigan's targets certainly do.

There is a special sales pitch the Wolverines can use on each their top five targets. Winning, proximity to home and early playing time are just some of the things Michigan has to offer. 

Certain pitches will help separate the Maize and Blue from the rest of the programs on the recruiting trail, though.

All player and team rankings are courtesy of ESPN unless noted otherwise.

Trevon Bluiett, Small Forward

Pitch: "You can replace Glenn Robinson III."

It is no secret this season could be Glenn Robinson III's last as a member of the Michigan Wolverines. Robinson would have been a first-round selection in the 2013 NBA draft. In an early projection by CBS Sports' Gary Parrish, the sophomore small forward is a lottery pick for next year's draft.

As long as Robinson stays healthy and meets expectations, the chances are slim he passes on the NBA for a third year in Ann Arbor. 

The coaching staff's best pitch for Trevon Bluiett is an opportunity for immediate playing time and becoming the heir apparent to Robinson. Neither Butler, nor Indiana could say the same thing to Bluiett.  

Indiana signed four small forwards in its 2013 recruiting class. Chances are Bluiett would have to come off the bench as a true freshman with the Hoosiers.

Meanwhile, Butler already has a veteran small forward in Roosevelt Jones. Bluiett would have to split time with the rising junior for a season before becoming a starter.

Michigan needs to hard-sell the nation's No. 41 overall prospect on the idea of replacing Robinson. It is the best chance the Wolverines have at beating out Bluiett's other favorites. 

Vince Edwards, Small Forward

Pitch: "You won't beat us, so join us."

Whenever Vince Edwards winds up making a verbal commitment, it will in all likelihood be to a Big Ten Conference program.

The Michigan Wolverines and Purdue Boilermakers have been the favorites to land Edwards for quite some time now. These programs are at opposite ends of the league spectrum right now, though.

The 2012-13 season saw Purdue struggle through a rebuilding year. The Boilermakers finished with a 16-18 overall record and an 8-10 mark in conference play.

Although Purdue lost just one major contributor this offseason, a Big Ten title still appears to be a stretch for the 2013-14 campaign. 

On the other hand, Michigan finished last season 31-8, were one rotation away from winning a share of the league crown for a second straight year and made a run to the Final Four.

Oh, and the Wolverines swept their two-game series with the Boilermakers.

Another sweep will be expected this coming season. Big Ten titles and Final Fours are going to be the standard for the rest of Beilein's tenure in Ann Arbor. It remains to be seen whether Purdue can keep pace.

Selling the 4-star prospect on being better than the Boilermakers and contending for titles consistently should be enough to seal the deal.

Kevon Looney, Power Forward

Pitch: "Look what we did for Mitch McGary in just one season."

Landing top recruits is only half the battle when it comes to putting a winning product on the floor. Developing those highly-touted prospects is what wins titles.

Kevon Looney could become a dominant big man under the tutelage of John Beilein's staff. The 5-star power forward already has good ball-handling skills and a consistent mid-range shot. Knocking down threes is something Looney is working towards as well. 

For the past three decades, Beilein has been able to develop unknown recruits into faces of the program's he coached. Remember Kevin Pittsnogle at West Virginia? How about Zack Novak, whose only other Division I offer was from Valparaiso? 

Now Beilein is working with NBA-level talent. In just one season, Mitch McGary went from being a raw 4-star talent to a well-rounded big man.

McGary developed a solid mid-range jump shot and was practically unstoppable in pick-and-roll situations. Improvements in the rising sophomore's footwork and balance were also a key to his breakout performance in the NCAA tournament.

McGary is now the top-ranked center in the country, according to Sporting News.

The skills Looney already possesses make him a perfect fit for Beilein's offense. With a full year of development at Michigan, Looney could very well become the best big man in college basketball.

This is the best selling point the Wolverines have to offer. 

Kameron Chatman, Small Forward

Pitch: "Hate losing? Good, because we love winning."

In an interview with Dave Telep of ESPN, 4-star prospect Kameron Chatman said he "hates losing."

“I want to do whatever it takes to win. (Whether) that’s scoring or rebounding or getting my teammates going," Chatman elaborated. 

The Long Beach Polytechnic product will have a chance to do plenty of winning with the Michigan Wolverines.

No one from the nation's No. 12 ranked class of 2013 is expected to turn pro after one season. Rising sophomores Nik Stauskas, Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht should not be heading to the NBA anytime soon either. 

This means even if Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary both declare for the 2014 NBA draft, Michigan will still return a solid nucleus. Those returnees should once again set the Wolverines up for a Big Ten and national title run.

The Maize and Blue will be contenders year in and year out. Losing is no longer an option for the Wolverines. All Beilein needs to do is point to the new banners Michigan is hanging from the rafters in Crisler Arena.  

If winning means everything to Chatman, he would be wise to sign with the Wolverines. 

Devin Booker, Shooting Guard

Pitch: "Come back home and play in front of your family."

Although 5-star shooting guard Devin Booker plays high school basketball in Mississippi, he actually has family in the Grand Rapids area. In fact, Booker is currently spending the summer with his mother in the Great Lakes State.

Playing in front of family and friends on a nightly basis is one thing only Michigan and Michigan State can offer Booker.

The former, though, has a much stronger academic reputation. Booker realizes the importance of getting a good college education, which would help the Wolverines beat out their in-state rival.

Michigan can offer winning, but so can everyone else pursuing Booker. North Carolina, Duke and Florida are all in the mix. Daily contact from John Calipari has put the Kentucky Wildcats in the hunt for the nation's No. 16 overall prospect as well.

Coming back and starring close to home is something John Beilein should emphasize in his recruitment of Booker. Not much else can give the Wolverines a leg up on the competition for the 6'5", 185-pounder.