Updated Basketball Depth Report
Point Guard
1. Derrick Walton Jr. (Sr) 6'1"/190lbs
2. Xavier Simpson (Fr) 6'0"/180lbs
3. Andrew Dakich (Sr) 6'2"/190lbs
QA: Walton Jr. returns for his fourth and final season in Ann Arbor, and there are a lot of expectations for him to be a team leader. He has struggled with consistency but has shown the ability to beat teams in a number of different ways. If he can put an end to his streakiness he could be First Team All-Big Ten performer. Simpson has all the raw ability to be a killer guard. He should get a lot of time on the floor at the point, as well as at the two-guard spot. Dakich will most-likely be nothing more than a mop-up player, though his minutes will probably increase slightly due to all the defections that have occurred this past off-season.
Shooting Guard (2-Guard)
1. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (Jr) 6'4"/190lbs
2. Ibi Watson (Fr) 6'5"/185lbs
3. Fred Wright-Jones (So) 5'11"/170lbs
QA: Nobody on the team is more athletic or has a flare for the big-play as Abdur-Rahkman, who was simply amazing at times last season. However, he too struggled with consistency. Look for him to rebound and have a big campaign at the #2 spot. Watson might be forced into more action than the coaches would like due to other players transferring, but he appears to be an underrated prospect that could surprise in his first season. Don't expect to see anything from Wright-Jones, a former team manager turned walk-on, despite the fact that he has earned himself a scholarship.
Small Forward (3-Guard)
1. Zach Irvin (Sr) 6'6"/215lbs
2. Sean Lonergan (RJr) 6'5"/210lbs
3. Ibi Watson (Fr) 6'5"/185lbs
QA: Irvin will be looked upon as the team leader and should be a captain in his final season. He had his moments last year but also struggled to string together big games. This is his last chance to prove that his lofty rankings as an in-coming recruit four years ago were deserved, and he will get his opportunities as I don't expect him to leave the floor much considering the lack of proven depth behind him.
Power Forward (4-Guard)
1. Duncan Robinson (RJr) 6'8"/215lbs
2. D.J. Wilson (RSo) 6'10"/240lbs
3. Austin Davis (Fr) 6'10"/240lbs
QA: Robinson is more of a small forward/shooting guard-type player but he fits the four-spot in coach Beilein's scheme. He proved himself worthy last season, playing in all 36 games and starting 27. He averaged nearly 30 minutes per game and was often deadly from three-point range, hitting on 95 from the arc for the season (2.6 per game). Some of his best play came late in the year, including a tournament win over Tulsa. Expect more from him this season as he settles into his role. Wilson will probably play around 10 mintues per game and will be used to match up against bigger opponents. He should develop into a decent defender but don't expect too much from him on the offensive end.
Center
1. Moritz Wagner (So) 6'10"/235lbs
2. Mark Donnal (Sr) 6'9"/240lbs
3. Jon Teske (Fr) 7'0"/245lbs
QA: Wagner was the break-out star of the Big Ten and NCAA tournament for the Wolverines while stringing together some inspired performances. He has reportedly gained a solid 15lbs since then and will be counted on to be the spark plug and fan-favorite of the roster. Hopefully he can provide enough presence under the net to draw attention away from the shooters out on the perimeter. Donnal has been solid if unspectacular thus far in his UM career. Expect to see him getting 12 to 15 minutes per game in relief of Wagner. Teske has nice size and length, but it is not clear whether or not he is ready to compete for minutes just yet. If he shows any type of spark it would go a long way towards providing depth up front.
1. Derrick Walton Jr. (Sr) 6'1"/190lbs
2. Xavier Simpson (Fr) 6'0"/180lbs
3. Andrew Dakich (Sr) 6'2"/190lbs
QA: Walton Jr. returns for his fourth and final season in Ann Arbor, and there are a lot of expectations for him to be a team leader. He has struggled with consistency but has shown the ability to beat teams in a number of different ways. If he can put an end to his streakiness he could be First Team All-Big Ten performer. Simpson has all the raw ability to be a killer guard. He should get a lot of time on the floor at the point, as well as at the two-guard spot. Dakich will most-likely be nothing more than a mop-up player, though his minutes will probably increase slightly due to all the defections that have occurred this past off-season.
Shooting Guard (2-Guard)
1. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (Jr) 6'4"/190lbs
2. Ibi Watson (Fr) 6'5"/185lbs
3. Fred Wright-Jones (So) 5'11"/170lbs
QA: Nobody on the team is more athletic or has a flare for the big-play as Abdur-Rahkman, who was simply amazing at times last season. However, he too struggled with consistency. Look for him to rebound and have a big campaign at the #2 spot. Watson might be forced into more action than the coaches would like due to other players transferring, but he appears to be an underrated prospect that could surprise in his first season. Don't expect to see anything from Wright-Jones, a former team manager turned walk-on, despite the fact that he has earned himself a scholarship.
Small Forward (3-Guard)
1. Zach Irvin (Sr) 6'6"/215lbs
2. Sean Lonergan (RJr) 6'5"/210lbs
3. Ibi Watson (Fr) 6'5"/185lbs
QA: Irvin will be looked upon as the team leader and should be a captain in his final season. He had his moments last year but also struggled to string together big games. This is his last chance to prove that his lofty rankings as an in-coming recruit four years ago were deserved, and he will get his opportunities as I don't expect him to leave the floor much considering the lack of proven depth behind him.
Power Forward (4-Guard)
1. Duncan Robinson (RJr) 6'8"/215lbs
2. D.J. Wilson (RSo) 6'10"/240lbs
3. Austin Davis (Fr) 6'10"/240lbs
QA: Robinson is more of a small forward/shooting guard-type player but he fits the four-spot in coach Beilein's scheme. He proved himself worthy last season, playing in all 36 games and starting 27. He averaged nearly 30 minutes per game and was often deadly from three-point range, hitting on 95 from the arc for the season (2.6 per game). Some of his best play came late in the year, including a tournament win over Tulsa. Expect more from him this season as he settles into his role. Wilson will probably play around 10 mintues per game and will be used to match up against bigger opponents. He should develop into a decent defender but don't expect too much from him on the offensive end.
Center
1. Moritz Wagner (So) 6'10"/235lbs
2. Mark Donnal (Sr) 6'9"/240lbs
3. Jon Teske (Fr) 7'0"/245lbs
QA: Wagner was the break-out star of the Big Ten and NCAA tournament for the Wolverines while stringing together some inspired performances. He has reportedly gained a solid 15lbs since then and will be counted on to be the spark plug and fan-favorite of the roster. Hopefully he can provide enough presence under the net to draw attention away from the shooters out on the perimeter. Donnal has been solid if unspectacular thus far in his UM career. Expect to see him getting 12 to 15 minutes per game in relief of Wagner. Teske has nice size and length, but it is not clear whether or not he is ready to compete for minutes just yet. If he shows any type of spark it would go a long way towards providing depth up front.
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