Basketball Teaser

It's kinda weird that Big Ten football is starting up almost about the same time as Michigan basketball. And just like their gridiron counterpart, the men's hoops team has a lot of questions to answer in regards to who will be in the game day lineup. 

Point Guard 

Analysis: For the last seven years since Trey Burke left for the NBA, the starting point guard position has been manned by two guys: Derrick Walton Jr. and Xavier Simpson. Both of them became stars in their own right, though neither of them was in Burke's class of play-making ability. They certainly carved out their own little niches at Michigan and gave the fans a lot to cheer for over the better part of a decade. Now it looks like the #1 spot at the helm will be manned by more of a committee this season. Eli Brooks is a bit of a 'tweener who returns to give the position some carry-over from last season, though he might be better-suited at the two-guard position, which he will probably play a lot too. Mike Smith, a grad transfer from Columbia, looks more the part of a true point guard but he can also shoot too, so his skills might also suit the two-spot better. Luckily, Howard's offense isn't as complicated as Beilein's and these guys should be able to make it work. 

My starting pick: Mike Smith - A smart guy like this should be able to figure the offense out over the first part of the schedule to get ready to make a run in the Big Ten. I am not worried about his transition from the Ivy League to one of the most competitive basketball conferences in the nation. He hits over 40% from the field, shoots over 80% from the charity strip, and made five assist per game last year, so he should be just fine with ball in his hands when games are on the line. Expect him to play around 30 minutes per game.

The backups: Eli Brooks, Zeb Jackson - Jackson could also see some action at the point throughout the season in relief of Smith and Brooks.

Optimistic Fan's Confidence Level (out of 10): 7/10

Two-Guard 

Analysis: Brooks and Smith will both get some reps here, particularly early in the season as the coaches look for the lineup that works best for them. Adrien Nuenz, a junior that averaged seven minutes per game last season with very little to show for it, is the only other player returning with any experience at guard. Zeb Jackson, a prized 4-Star recruit listed as the #71 prospect in the nation by ESPN, looks the part of a two. He hit 40% of his threes in eight AAU games last year. If he can reach that number and hustles to play defense then he will quickly earn a starting gig in Ann Arbor. 

My starting pick: Eli Brooks - He isn't as good of a free throw shooter as Smith but he did have a higher average from three-point range last year, so he just feels like a better fit at the two. However, he and Smith might both be needed to play the point it might prove too difficult to keep the talented Jackson on the bench. At any rate, no matter how it all plays out, I expect to see Brooks averaging over 32 minutes per game unless some other players step up.

The backups: Zeb Jackson, Adrien Nunez - Jackson has a lot to prove but I think he will get a lot of minutes as a freshman. 

Optimistic Fan's Confidence Level: 7/10

Small Forward 

Analysis: Franz Wagner quickly established himself last year as the heir apparent to Duncan Robinson. The German-born brother of Mo' started all 27 games he played in and averaged nearly 50% from the field. He also hit over 80% of his free throws and nabbed over five rebounds per game. If he can raise his percentage from beyond the arc by just six or seven more percentage points he would appear to be even more dangerous in the eyes of opponents. Nunez can fill in here if needed but I do not believe we will see Wagner come off the floor all that much. 

My starting pick: Franz Wagner - I expect him to play 32 minutes per game and reach All-Big Ten honors by the end of the season. 

The backups: Zeb Jackson, Terrence Williams - I don't expect too much from any backups here but we could see Jackson become the top guy off the bench at both the two and the thee spots if he proves to be a deadly shooter. Williams, another top 100 recruit could swing at both forward spots, thus giving the team some versatility here if needed.

Optimistic Fan's Confidence Level: 8/10

Power Forward

Analysis: When Isiah Livers was starting games as a freshman four years ago and helping the team win the conference championship I never thought we would see him play his senior year. However, due to a number of circumstances that have fallen in favor of the fans, here he is still in a Michigan uniform still to this day. So what does he bring back to the table? Well, for starters he is the team's top three-point shooter with a 40% average from downtown and 45% from the field. He is by far the most experienced Wolverine on the roster so what I believe we need to see from him is an injury-free season where we see him average about six rebounds per game. 

My starting pick: Isiah Livers - He should be the team leader on and off the court and he will average about 32 minutes per game.

The backups: Brandon Johns, Terrence Williams - Johns is a very good backup here who averaged nearly 50% from the field, 35% from three, and four rebounds in under 20 minutes per game. We should see him playing more like 25 to 30 minutes per game and we could see Livers shift over to the small spot occasionally to make room for him on the floor. Williams, who comes to Michigan at 6'7"/240lbs could get some minutes here too, especially if he proves to be as good of a defender as many scouts think he can be. 

Optimistic Fan's Confidence Level: 10/10

Center

Analysis: Jon Teske leaves a big 7' hole in the middle of the defense. Austin Davis, a fifth-year senior who did hit 52 of 75 shots (.693 average!) in just about 11 minutes per game last season. He hustles well enough on defense too, getting 38 defensive rebounds in the process too. He should be a solid enough of a fill-in while the coaches ease Hunter Dickinson, a 7'1"/255lb specimen who comes in ranked as the #36 recruit in the nation. Dickinson, much like Teske, can occupy a lot of space beneath the rim, and I expect him to be a solid defender almost immediately. His offensive game will probably need a lot of work but he might have just enough tricks in his bag already to make it all work. 

My starting pick: Hunter Dickinson - Might just be too good to leave off the court for more than 20 minutes per game. Could pick up where Teske left off as a defender. Looks like a better free throw shooter than Davis too, which could be huge factor later in close games.  

The backups: Austin Davis, Brandon Johns Jr. - Davis has some skills that could make him a valuable commodity off the bench in his final season. At the very least he and Dickinson should be a decent tandem of sorts, with Johns and Livers also being other guys that could play here in smaller sub-packages. 

Optimistic Fan's Confidence Level: 8/10

Ranking the Roster

The Starters:

1. Isiah Livers  F
2. Franz Wagner  G/F
3. Eli Brooks  PG/SG - 
4. Mike Smith  PG/SG
5. Hunter Dickinson  C

The Backups: 

1. Brandon Johns Jr.  F
2. Zeb Jackson  G/F
3. Terrence Williams  F
4. Austin Davis  C
5. Adrien Nunez  G