Charles Mathews Is Coming Back: What Does This Mean for Michigan Basketball?
A lot. A whole helluva lot.
Combined with Zavier Simpson, the return of Charles Mathews gives the Wolverines one of the best returning pair of defenders in the Big Ten. It also gives them a viable scorer that was second on the team (13pt/gm) behind Mo' Wagner. And if the former Kentucky transfer can improve his footwork and tighten up his free-throw shooting, he should be in the conversation for an All-BIG selection at the end of the season.
At the very least, Mathews' return gives the roster much better depth and versatility across the board. That is something that cannot be overlooked, and it won't. There will be a lot of expectations on this team to perform at a high level after back to back conference titles and a run to the NCAA Tournament Final. All of which will be well deserved, particularly when you include a top 15 incoming class of recruits to boot.
Defensively, this should be one of Beilein's best teams ever. Simpson can lock down most opposing teams' point guard and is a threat to cause turnovers at any given moment. Mathews plays taller than his 6'7" frame because he has a 6'9" wingspan. Jordan Poole and Isiah Livers will both hustle and work to get in the face of shooters. John Teske has already shown an knack for utilizing his 7'1" body to his advantage while guarding the rim. Expect a lot of blocks and rebounds from him. this all could spell real trouble for anybody on the schedule.
Offensively, Poole and Mathews both need to pick up some of the slack left behind by Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman. Simpson needs to raise his 3-point and free-throw shooting percentages. Livers needs to help more on offensive boards and fight to get those second chance looks for the team. And somebody needs to emerge as a threat down low. Both of the top big men returning, Teske and Austin Davis, a rarely used backup last year, will be asked to provide some points of their own from within the paint. And incoming freshman Brandon Johns should help provide some offensive fire from down low as well. Fellow freshman Ignas Brazdeikis is the team's top incoming recruit, and he could immediately provide some spark off the bench in place of Duncan Robinson.
2018-2019 Roster Outlook
PG - Zavier Simpson, Eli Brooks, David DeJulius*
2G - Jordan Poole, Adrien Nunez*
G/F - Charles Mathews, Ignas Brazdeikis*, Naji Ozeir
PF - Isiah Livers, Brandon Johns*, C.J. Baird
F/C - John Teske, Austin Davis, Colin Castleton*
Combined with Zavier Simpson, the return of Charles Mathews gives the Wolverines one of the best returning pair of defenders in the Big Ten. It also gives them a viable scorer that was second on the team (13pt/gm) behind Mo' Wagner. And if the former Kentucky transfer can improve his footwork and tighten up his free-throw shooting, he should be in the conversation for an All-BIG selection at the end of the season.
At the very least, Mathews' return gives the roster much better depth and versatility across the board. That is something that cannot be overlooked, and it won't. There will be a lot of expectations on this team to perform at a high level after back to back conference titles and a run to the NCAA Tournament Final. All of which will be well deserved, particularly when you include a top 15 incoming class of recruits to boot.
Defensively, this should be one of Beilein's best teams ever. Simpson can lock down most opposing teams' point guard and is a threat to cause turnovers at any given moment. Mathews plays taller than his 6'7" frame because he has a 6'9" wingspan. Jordan Poole and Isiah Livers will both hustle and work to get in the face of shooters. John Teske has already shown an knack for utilizing his 7'1" body to his advantage while guarding the rim. Expect a lot of blocks and rebounds from him. this all could spell real trouble for anybody on the schedule.
Offensively, Poole and Mathews both need to pick up some of the slack left behind by Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur Rahkman. Simpson needs to raise his 3-point and free-throw shooting percentages. Livers needs to help more on offensive boards and fight to get those second chance looks for the team. And somebody needs to emerge as a threat down low. Both of the top big men returning, Teske and Austin Davis, a rarely used backup last year, will be asked to provide some points of their own from within the paint. And incoming freshman Brandon Johns should help provide some offensive fire from down low as well. Fellow freshman Ignas Brazdeikis is the team's top incoming recruit, and he could immediately provide some spark off the bench in place of Duncan Robinson.
2018-2019 Roster Outlook
PG - Zavier Simpson, Eli Brooks, David DeJulius*
2G - Jordan Poole, Adrien Nunez*
G/F - Charles Mathews, Ignas Brazdeikis*, Naji Ozeir
PF - Isiah Livers, Brandon Johns*, C.J. Baird
F/C - John Teske, Austin Davis, Colin Castleton*
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