Michigan clarifies John Beilein's preference on transfer destinations

"John Beilein's conditions on Evan Smotrycz were Bo-esque," Goodman tweeted. "Couldn't go to Big Ten or anyone on Michigan had already scheduled for 2 years."

On Thursday, a Michigan spokesman clarified Beilein's stance on transfers to AnnArbor.com.

The spokesman said that when a player opts to transfer from Michigan -- as Smotrycz, Carlton Brundidge and Colton Christian did last month -- it's Beilein's preference that the player not choose a Big Ten school or a program that Michigan has on its schedule over the next two years.

That's his preference.

However, it's not a policy, the spokesman said. And it's not a hard and fast rule.

The spokesman said that should a situation arise where a transfer student shows a strong desire to attend a school Michigan has scheduled down the road, then Beilein would be open to having a discussion about the situation, and would not be absolutely opposed to allowing the transfer to occur before the discussion took place.

It's his preference that transfers don't leave for direct future competition, but not his policy.

Presently, Michigan has confirmed non-league games against Bradley, Arkansas, West Virginia, Iowa State and Arizona over the next two seasons.

The Wolverines also will continue to participate in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge -- and may well have to play against Smotrycz, who decided to transfer to Maryland (with Michigan's full release) earlier this week.

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