Wolverines' Basketball Depth Chart and Expectations

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Point Guard: Mike Smith 

Backups: Eli Brooks and Zeb Jackson

Smith, who has never suited up for Michigan before, is being called upon to lead the way at the point. He can create plays for teammates and score on his own. He is fourth all-time on Columbia's scoring list and he averaged nearly five assists per game last season on a last place Ivy League squad devoid of talent around him. He won't have to do as much for Coach Howard's team and Brooks will probably get a solid 15 minutes per game, and he could be the de facto starter in this spo after he started to have a breakout season last year, and freshman Jackson will get some looks too.


Shooting Guard: Eli Brooks 

Backups: Chaundee Brown, Zeb Jackson, and Adrien Nunez

Brooks, as stated above, truly began to emerge under Howard last season. He will probably play over 30 minutes per game split between the point and the two-guard positions. Brown will probably be the first guy off the bench here, but he could be a starter too if needed. Jackson and Nunez will get some opportunities to help with depth. 


Small Forward (Three-guard): Franz Wagner

Backups: Isaiah Livers and Terrance Williams

Wagner looks to be the top scorer on the team this year after breaking out last season. Many plays will be designed to get him the ball this season and he will probably be a draft pick this coming spring. Livers can easily play here as he is the best three-point shooter on the team. Williams, another talented freshman, will probably get some decent playing time too.


Power Forward: Isaiah Livers

Backups: Brandon Johns Jr. and Terrance Williams

Livers has been the best deep ball shooter on the team for the last two years. He will start here but will get almost 10 minutes per game in relief of Wagner at the small spot. Johns Jr. emerged as a really player off the bench over the last year and he could be a starter on a lot of rosters. Williams is also another big body guy that could play a role in this spot.


Center: Hunter Dickinson

Backups: Brandon Johns Jr., Austin Davis and Jaron Faulds

A top 40 prospect, Dickinson will be given every opportunity to develop as a starter. There is just too much raw talent and size (7'1"/255lbs) to be left on the bench. I don't expect him to play 25 minutes or more unless his conditioning has improved, so expect to see nearly 20 minutes per game where Michigan uses a smaller lineup with Johns or Davis in there. Faulds, a walk-on transfer from Columbia who sat out a year before getting his feet wet last season, could also get a couple minutes per night off the bench too. He could have a bright future as a rotational depth player for the program. 

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