Alley oops a priority now (w/GRIII video)

Michigan freshman forward Glenn Robinson III is playing beyond his years through two regular season games -- including being the recipient of several ally oop jams. What’s the secret so far? **With GRIII interview video**

Michigan freshman Glenn Robinson III is assimilating himself to the college game about as well as anyone inside or outside the Wolverine basketball program could have hoped.

After quietly scoring 10 points along with 8 rebounds in the opener Friday night against Slippery Rock, Robinson brought his A-game Monday night in the first round of the Preseason NIT against IUPUI. After a loose ball gave Michigan a baseline inbound on the first possession of the game, Robinson worked his way free on a back screen and was the recipient of a lob from sophomore Trey Burke for the easy lay-in.

“Me and Trey—you’ll see us kind of just joking around before or after practice, just throwing those, and we’ve got good chemistry at that,” said Robinson III after the 91-54 win. “He sees me cutting, I just point the finger up and he knows he can throw it and I’ll go get it.”

Robinson III went and got it an alley oop on several occasions Monday night on his way to a career high 21 points on 8 of 9 shooting from the field including a perfect 6 for 6 in the first half. Although Burke and Robinson might spend time on their own joking around with lobs to the rim, Head Coach John Beilein is serious about them. Beilein is serious enough that he’s implemented the high-flying play into drills in practice in order to aid in the Wolverine’s completion percentage.

“For the first time we actually practice them now, ‘cause I realize it’s a really good play against help defense that you have, if you have athletes,” said Beilein. “They’re more spontaneous that they happen, but we’ve thrown so many away that we actually have started to practice them more and get more confident—because they are an important part of today’s basketball.”

Robinson’s demeanor and approach to the game since his arrival in June already has him among the favorites in the locker room with his teammates, on the practice floor with coaches, and now already a source of excitement within the fan base on game days.

“He’s learning what he can do and what he can’t do,” said Beilein. “He’s probably over lamenting his turnover that he had too. He’s a very efficient player as you can see, and his team loves him and they find him.”

“What’s most impressive about Glenn has just been his defense, that he really buys into playing defense. He’s been just a pleasure to coach and he’s just got instincts both offensively and defensively that you don’t coach. You just don’t coach that stuff, he just does it.”

To watch video of Robinson III after the win over IUPUI, press play below.