LaVell Blanchard deserves a spot in the top 10 of Michigan basketball history. According to Maize n Brew, his individual skills were elite even when the team struggled. He led the team in points and rebounds every single season he played. That feat makes him the only player in program history to do so. His legacy is built on pure talent, not just team wins.
Why He Was The Best Player On Bad Teams
Blanchard played for three losing teams during his time in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines went 53-63 while he was on the roster. Maize n Brew notes that he was the best player on some bad squads. If the team had won more games, he would be a legend. Instead, he gets credit for carrying a heavy load alone. He was a four-year starter who never gave up on the program. His loyalty shines through even in tough years.
53 wins. Not enough.
The stats back up his greatness as a scorer and rebounder. He finished sixth all-time in scoring with 1,818 points. He also sits seventh in rebounds with 845 total boards. In his sophomore year, he averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He shot 44 percent from the field that season. He even hit 40.8 percent from behind the arc. These numbers show he was a complete player on the court.
A Career That Should Have Been Bigger
Blanchard was a Gatorade Player of the Year from Ann Arbor. He chose to stay home and play for the Wolverines. According to Maize n Brew, he received pre-season All-American praise before his senior year. He ended up as a first-team All-Big Ten performer instead. He led the Big Ten in three-point shooting during conference play. He scored 24 points in the second half against Minnesota. That game helped Michigan win their 12th straight match.
12 straight wins.
His career high of 30 points came in a win over Iowa. That game was a career day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. He was co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year alongside Jamal Crawford. Even with that company, he stood out as a star. The model used by Maize n Brew gives him a score of 132.9. This score places him at number seven on their list. It proves he is a borderline top-10 guy by any measure.
He might have missed the NIT in 2002-03 because of the record. But his individual brilliance was clear to everyone watching. He was a four-year All-Big Ten performer with great consistency. The transition from Brian Ellerbe to Tommy Amaker hurt the team. Blanchard didn’t get the support he needed to win more. His story is one of wasted potential due to bad coaching. He is a true Michigan great who deserves more love.
Do you think Blanchard should be ranked higher than number seven? Share your thoughts on his legacy in the comments below.
