Record:
26-6 (13-5 Big Ten)

Big Ten Finish:
T1

Postseason Finish:
Final Four

MVP:
Tim Hardaway, Jr.

Newcomer of the Year:
Glenn Robinson, III

To wrap up our player preview posts, today we will take a look at the five remaining players – Max Bielfeldt, Josh Bartelstein, Corey Person, Eso Akunne, and Blake McLimans – that have not been written about yet. These are guys that will not project to make a significant, tangible impact in on-court minutes but could and should be valuable in a number of other ways off the court and in practice. Some could surprise and play their way into the rotation, but at this point I do not believe they will be regulars in game action. You can view previous player previews here.

Max Bielfeldt
JorNumber:	44
Class:	Redshirt Freshman
Major	Undecided
Measurements:	6’7″, 245 pounds
Hometown:	Peoria, Ill.
High School:	Peoria Notre Dame
Position(s):	Power Forward

Rundown: Bielfeldt is yet another big body that Beilein will have at his disposal to throw into the mix down low when he sees fit. The redshirt freshman saw a decent amount of playing time in last Thursday’s exhibition game, grabbing three rebounds and recording one block in 11 minutes on the floor, and the biggest thing that Bielfeldt can provide on the court is rebounding; Beilein has raved a number of times about how competitive Bielfeldt is in practice on the boards, which can only help Michigan’s regulars put forth a little extra effort when it counts in the games. Bielfeldt is also someone that has worked hard at developing his outside shot, and while he missed his one three-point attempt in the exhibition game badly, Max could be a threat to stretch the floor when he gets in the game. Most of his minutes this season will likely come if Michigan experiences front court injuries or if Mitch McGary, Jordan Morgan, and Jon Horford get into major foul trouble, but Bielfeldt should be in line to increase his role in coming seasons.

Josh Bartelstein
JorNumber:	20
Class:	Senior
Major	Sport Management
Measurements:	6’3″, 210 pounds
Hometown:	Highland Park, Ill.
High School:	Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.)
Position(s):	Point Guard, Shooting Guard

Rundown: Of the players not expected to see many minutes this season, Bartelstein may be the one to make the biggest impact off the court, as he was named the captain of this team prior to last week’s exhibition game. The players decided that Bartelstein was best suited to lead the team in that role, and Beilein mentioned that he has perhaps never coached a player in his career that is more about the team than the senior and son of prominent sports agent Mark Bartelstein. While many teams may take the captain label lightly, that will certainly not be the case at Michigan. We have seen in the past how seriously Beilein considers the captain position and have seen how critical the post has been before, as the 2009-10 team struggled in large part due to a reported lack of leadership. Expect Bartelstein to provide a very vocal presence in the huddle, and even though he doesn’t typically show the fiery side that former co-captain Zack Novak often displayed, Bartelstein is a guy that has been around for a while and knows what Michigan is all about. He’s tough to root against and should really be a key to Michigan’s success this season even though he will only see the court in “garbage” time.

Corey Person
JorNumber:	32
Class:	First-year Graduate Student
Major	General Studies
Measurements:	6’3″, 210 pounds
Hometown:	Kalamazoo, Mich.
High School:	Kalamazoo Central
Position(s):	Shooting Guard

Rundown: While Corey Person is not the captain of this team, he will certainly be one of the more outspoken and noticeable players in the huddle, but in a good way. Person always seems to be in good spirits and can always be seen dancing in the huddle before games and giving a unique handshake to each of the starters as they are announced and run onto the floor before tipoff. Corey will rarely see the floor besides at the end of blowouts, but his presence in the locker room should be very valuable to the team, especially the younger players. As a grad student who has been around for five years now, Person’s experience and knowledge of Beilein’s system will make him the player most likely to be deemed “an extra coach” on the team. He will also undoubtedly be selected as a game captain a number of times and will be the first player I have ever known to player in two Senior Days, as this is his last year of eligibility for college sports.

Eso Akunne
JorNumber:	5
Class:	Senior
Major	Political Science
Measurements:	6’2″, 225 pounds
Hometown:	Ann Arbor, Mich.
High School:	Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Position(s):	Point Guard

Rundown: Eso Akunne is the only player on the roster from Ann Arbor and has played the second most minutes of anyone on this list behind McLimans with 126 total over 35 games. Last season Akunne saw some significant playing time in a couple games in which Trey Burke found himself in foul trouble early on, but his minutes dwindled as the year went on and he sustained an injury that kept him benched throughout the majority of the Big Ten schedule. Akunne finds the majority of his minutes at point guard, and with the addition of Spike Albrecht in the offseason and Albrecht’s fast start in Thursday’s exhibition game, the guard with a linebacker’s body is going to have to beat the newcomer out if he is to see minutes this year. His sometimes shaky handles make it hard for me to believe he will beat out Spike, but Eso did show off an improved jumper last season, shooting 4-5 from behind the three-point line. If he can work his way into a few minutes early on and prove that he is a viable option at the one backing up Trey Burke, he could see extended playing time every now and again. For now, though, his senior leadership should be most valuable.

Blake McLimans
JorNumber:	22
Class:	Senior
Major	Economics
Measurements:	6’10″, 240 pounds
Hometown:	Hamburg, N.Y.
High School:	Worcester Academy (Mass.)
Position(s):	Power Forward, Center

Rundown: McLimans was a star pitcher who clocked up to 92 mph on his fastball and a good volleyball player throughout his prep career but decided to stick with his favorite sport, basketball, at the next level. Unfortunately for him so far, his basketball career hasn’t gone as planned. He is a prototypical Beilein big man that drew comparisons to one-time West Virginia star Kevin Pittsnogle for his ability to step outside the arc to shoot the three-ball over smaller defenders, but he quickly earned the brutal moniker of being a shooter that couldn’t shoot after making only one of his 19 three-point attempts in his redshirt freshman season. When his struggles continued throughout the season, an audible sigh could sometimes be heard from the crowd when McLimans entered games, but McLimans put in more work in the offseason and came back much better last season, when he made 41.7 percent of his 12 three-point attempts and shot 47.6 percent overall. Despite the improved numbers and effectiveness last year, however, Beilein announced in the offseason that McLimans would be on a four-year path rather than taking a fifth year with a redshirt season in 2009-10 like Jordan Morgan. And much like Akunne’s path to playing time, McLimans will probably begin the season behind the much-hyped McGary on the depth chart and will see the majority of his minutes when the other bigs get in foul trouble or if there are injuries. If Bird continues to improve his numbers, though, he just might sneak into a small rotation spot as a stretch big.

With the regular season just around the corner and Michigan’s first exhibition game tonight, let’s take a look at the Wolverines’ preseason First Team All-American, Trey Burke, as we wind down our player previews. You can view previous player previews here.

Trey Burke
JorNumber:	3
Class:	Sophomore
Major	Undecided
Measurements:	6’0″, 190 pounds
Hometown:	Columbus, Ohio
High School:	Northland High School
Position(s):	Point Guard

Career Highs: Points – 30, Rebounds – 7 (4 times), Assists – 9 (twice), Steals – 3, Blocks – 2 (twice), Minutes – 45 (3 times)

Career to Date: Trey Burke came to Ann Arbor as a small, little-known high school point guard, a slightly above-average three-star out of Columbus who had committed to Penn State before re-thinking his decision and picking Michigan over Cincinnati. He would have big shoes to fill his freshman year after Darius Morris bolted to the NBA following a sensational sophomore season, clearly catching head coach John Beilein off-guard.

Burke led Michigan in scoring as a freshman. Can he keep it up this year? (AP photo)

Five months after stepping onto Michigan’s court for the first time, Burke was clearly the best player on a team that earned a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament and split the Big Ten championship. Darius Morris’s shoes had been filled.

Perhaps Burke was underrated his whole high school career because he played in the shadow of Jared Sullinger, a former Ohio State star, a current Boston Celtic, and Trey Burke’s best friend. Northland was dominant with Sullinger, Burke, and two to three others currently playing in Division 1, but no one really thought Burke would turn out to be a dominant individual player at the next level. Though he led his high school team to a state championship, a state-runner up, and a 97-5 overall record in four seasons (including a nearly unprecedented 57-0 City League record), he was too small, not a good enough shooter, and not talented enough on his own to star. In one season, however, Trey proved all his critics wrong.

Within weeks of Michigan’s second-round loss to Ohio in the NCAA Tournament, Burke was contemplating a move to the NBA, a testament to just how far he had taken his game. It was to the point at which the NBA was a serious thought, and probably his choice, but some persuasion from his coaches and parents secured his commitment to stay at Michigan for at least one more season, a season that many predict will be his last in college. After carrying the Michigan team last year, Trey should have some more weapons around, and he will certainly need to use them considering the extra attention he is sure to receive. And even if his scoring numbers dip, the now nationally-known point guard could easily be more effective overall in a distributing role.

If Burke continues to improve and fill up the stat sheet, this probably will be his last season in Maize and Blue, and rightfully so.

The question, however, is not how far can Michigan take Trey Burke, but how far can Trey Burke take Michigan?

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Scoring: Burke led this team in scoring last year by putting the ball in the hoop in a variety of ways. From outside shooting to mid-range jumpers to killer drives, Burke simply knows how to score, and he will be expected to score in bunches again this season. Michigan will have plenty of guys that can put points on the board, but look for Trey to be near the top of the scoring list again. There is really nothing he can’t do on the offensive end to get buckets, and with the offseason work Burke put in, he’s going to be deadly again. And while Trey can score seemingly at will at times, it is in clutch situations that he really comes through with the big shot or nice drive.
2. 2. Offensive Facilitation: There is no question that Michigan’s offense is going to run through Trey Burke once again this season, no matter how many different playmakers there may be. John Beilein has a system, but he tweaks it to fit his personnel. When his team has a superstar point guard and not a whole lot else in terms of ballhandling, Beilein is going to put the ball in his point guard’s hands, meaning Burke should be controlling the ball for at least one quarter to one half of the time in Michigan’s possessions. Burke’s assists numbers were very good last year, and they could rise even higher this year as teams commit to stopping him from shooting. His drives will continue to open up passing lanes and his lethal shot should leave teammates open in the corners as defenders crash on him.
   

   Burke played a lot of minutes last season and will have to avoid getting worn down (photo by Damen Jackson, Icon SMI)

3. 3. Leadership: Beilein recently said that this team’s captains will be voted on by the players, but even those veterans not tabbed as captains will be expected to provide leadership. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Burke was picked as a captain, but even if he is not, he will be certain to provide a more vocal presence on the court and in the huddle. Zack Novak mentioned last year that he was grooming Trey to become a leader; when you learn from the best, things usually turn out well.

What He Will Have to Improve:

1. 1. Decision-making: Burke’s 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio is certainly nothing to stick your thumb up at, but with his skill set, abilities, and basketball IQ, Trey could bring that number over 2.0 with a great season. He turned the ball over a little too often when using the pick-and-roll that will be deployed frequently again this year and also seemed to hold onto the ball a little late into the shot clock at times before looking for a teammate or bailing himself out with an isolation or pull-up attempt. This season, look for Burke’s hard work to pay off, and with another year in Beilein’s system, he should be able to improve his decision-making and play more within the flow of the offense. If there was one fault to Trey’s offensive game last season, it was his tendency to dribble down the court and pop the three without thinking twice when he sensed that the team needed a big shot. He probably took that same shot five times in Michigan’s final game of last season against Ohio and failed to get the team back in it. In similar situations from now on, Burke needs to learn that he can’t always get Michigan back in a game with one shot.
2. 2. Defense: By no means was Trey Burke a slouch on the defensive end of the floor last season, and he will probably never be a lock-down defender because he isn’t the biggest guy on the court, but with the loss of Stu Douglass’s perimeter defense, Trey would be wise to focus on shutting down the other team’s point guard and letting his own offense come naturally.
3. 3. Efficiency: When any college player takes 409 shots in one season, it’s going to be tough to make an extremely high percentage of them, but Burke could boost his 43.3 FG% mark and 34.8 3P% by a couple points each if he takes smarter shots and improves his shot by the slightest of margins. The added playmakers on offense will hopefully lead to some open lanes for Burke to roam. If teams are forced to guard all five Michigan players on the court, Trey’s efficiency numbers should see some improvement.

Burning Question: How many minutes will Trey Burke play?

It was no secret near the end of last season that Burke was starting to lose his legs. Beilein admitted that he probably played him a bit too much, noting that because of a lack of options he would simply call a timeout when Burke got tired instead of giving him an extended rest; with the addition of Spike Albrecht, this shouldn’t be too big of an issue, but Trey is certain to still see more than 30 minutes a game. Beilein will ride his horse as long as he can, being careful to not wear him out down the stretch, but there’s a fine line between tired and worn out; Beilein will try to keep him to the former at the worst while giving him rest when it’s needed.

Favorite Big Ten Opponent: Minnesota – 28.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.5 steals, 2.0 turnovers, 41.5 minutes per game in two games against the Golden Gophers.

Going Forward: If I had only one word to describe Trey Burke’s game, I would choose “smooth.” Trey is simply a pure and natural basketball player that looks so comfortable with the ball in his hands at any time during the game. He is going to be the on-court leader of this team and will determine how far Michigan can go. A huge season for Trey likely means a deep run in March for the Wolverines, but if he sees a sophomore slump, Michigan could find itself underachieving massively.

Stat Predictions: 15.0 points (44.8 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt%, 81.2 FT%), 3.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 turnovers, 0.4 blocks in 35 minutes per game.

To continue our returning player previews, today we take a look at big man Jon Horford. You can view previous player previews here.

Jon Horford
JorNumber:	15
Class:	RS Sophomore
Major	General Studies
Measurements:	6’10″, 250 pounds
Hometown:	Grand Ledge, Mich.
High School:	Grand Ledge High School
Position(s):	Power Forward, Center

Career Highs: Points – 12, Rebounds – 9, Assists – 1 (4 times), Steals – 2, Blocks – 4, Minutes – 19

Career to Date: Of the returning players with somewhat significant playing time, Jon Horford is easily the biggest mystery. A local product out of Grand Ledge, Horford was a late bloomer on the recruiting scene and was better known as the brother of one-time Florida star and now NBA All-Star Al Horford than for his own game. He grew throughout high school until he stood about 6’9” his senior year, then grew another inch in college, but he came to Ann Arbor weighing only about 220 pounds – far too skinny for a big man that plans to play in the Big Ten.

Horford’s freshman year was nothing spectacular as he clearly was too light, too uncoordinated, and a little too flustered to thrive on the big stage. He showed flashes of potential backing up Jordan Morgan, but for the most part was one of the last guys off the bench, not even recording a minute in six games that freshman year.

Can Horford stay healthy for a full season? (photo by Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

Flash-forward to the beginning of last season and Jon Horford was seemingly a new man, poised to make a name for himself after living in the shadows of his NBA father and brother his whole life. Offseason reports were quick to point out a marked improvement in Horford’s body, athleticism, quickness, strength, and just about every other facet of his game. Insiders hinted that he may have overtaken Jordan Morgan in the starting lineup after a strong summer and fall, a notion that seemed ridiculous after Morgan’s exceptional redshirt freshman season and Horford’s nothing-to-write-home-about first year.

Lo and behold, however, Horford did see himself pegged into the starting lineup when the season rolled around, if only for the first regular season game. Clearly head coach John Beilein saw something in Horford that he liked, but a disappointing exhibition game and season opener quickly changed Beilein’s mind, as Morgan started every game after that.

Unfortunately for Horford, the breakout season wasn’t meant to be, as a nagging foot injury cut his sophomore year to just nine games. Beilein noted that Horford had been playing through some minor pain and apparently made his injury worse; by the time it was fully healed, it was probably too late for Horford to come back and make a significant enough impact to lose out on the medical redshirt that he later took.

Now entering his junior year academically, Horford still has three years of eligibility remaining with the basketball team, and depending on who is asked, he is either a star in the making or just a small piece to Beilein’s puzzle that will spend most of his career warming the bench. One thing is certain: no one knows what a full year of a healthy and fully-grown Jon Horford will bring, and with a knee tweak having already occurred this preseason, he will be slowed for a short period of time but is expected to be ready for the season opener. Hopefully for his sake, however, we find out this season what Jon Horford is fully capable of.

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Depth: This is never the most flattering thing to say about a player, but in Horford’s case, it really is a positive that he brings to the table. I don’t think Horford will be starting this season (at least not to begin the year), but he should be able to fill in at either the five for Jordan Morgan or at the four if Beilein wants to go big and McGary is not in the game. Any team that can run out three players that are 6’8”, 6’10”, and 6”10 is going to give some opponents trouble down low. I trust that Beilein will know when to exploit the opposition with a big line-up, and when Michigan does go big, Horford will see plenty of time.
2. 2. Help-side blocking: Michigan was one of the worst blocking teams in the country last year, something obvious to anyone when Trey Burke was the leading shot-blocker on a team that averaged only two swats per game. In his limited playing time, Horford has shown a good ability to block shots with his long arms and good timing, characteristics that almost every great shot blocker possesses. I’m not sure that Horford will ever be a great on-ball defender, but he should be a very good presence in the paint against driving players, leading to many denials on otherwise easy baskets. Guys like Anthony Davis and Ekpe Udoh rack up their blocks like this as well and really help their team in doing so. Horford could erase two to three blocks per game if he continues to develop that skill, which could result in as many as six saved points, a huge number in a college game.
   

   John Beilein hopes Horford can become a reliable defensive presence inside (photo by Carlos Osorio, AP)

3. 3. Rebounding: Again, it might not be the prettiest thing to do, but rebounding is exceptionally important to any team’s success. Beilein historically only stresses defensive rebounding, but with the emergence of a two-big offense, expect to see a little bit more emphasis on crashing the offensive glass for easy put-backs and extra possessions this season. Horford could excel on both ends of the floor in this category, using his tall frame and long arms to rise about the defense and snatch the ball off the rim. He will need to use his relatively newfound strength to get good position and work on softening his hands as much as possible, but if he can do these two things, Horford could again be the best player on the team in terms of rebounds per minute.

What He Will Have to Improve:

1. 1. Offensive Authority: Horford has never proven to be a prolific scorer in his college career (or in his high school career, for that matter), but he will need to be a little more authoritative going forward if he is to be respected by the defense. Jon has shown flashes of brilliance on the offensive side of the ball, most notably in scoring 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting (2-of-3 FTs) in 19 minutes against Joshua Smith and UCLA in last season’s Maui Invitational third-place game and in an and-one throwdown over Ryan Kelly of Duke in the 2010 NCAA Tournament game. But he will need to display it more often before becoming a focal point of this offense. And while Horford won’t be relied upon to score much, he has the ability to become an efficient and solid offensive weapon with some time and effort.
2. 2. Intensity: While this might not merit another spot on this list, going hand-in-hand with authoritativeness, Horford could stand to be a little more intense on the court. He often appears tentative when he receives the ball and is somewhat quick to pass it up before looking for his own shot, a habit that he will need to reverse. I think Horford clearly has the skill to be a good all-around Big Ten player, he just needs to be confident in his game on both ends of the court. And who wouldn’t love to see a few more dunks by Jon followed by a strong stuff on defense?
3. 3. Staying Healthy: The one thing that has prevented Horford from reaching his potential yet has been his inability to stay on the court due to injury. There is obviously little Horford can do about this other than perhaps notify the trainers immediately when he feels something out of place, but if he can’t stay healthy, he will never become the player some envision. Tito and Al Horford were both noted for being fairly late bloomers, so there is still plenty of time for Jon to reach his potential, but sooner or later he needs to play a whole year.

Burning Question: Can Horford stay health for the entire season?

If Horford steps up, Beilein will have a lot of flexibility with his lineup

During his freshman year, Horford missed a couple games due to nagging injuries that probably slowed his early development, and he obviously missed the majority of last season, having played 0 minutes in conference play. If Horford can play this whole season, many think he could be a revelation in the Big Ten, perhaps even overtaking Jordan Morgan on the depth chart. Former Wolverine Tim McCormick went as far as to say that Horford appeared to be a top-five big in the Big Ten when watching a practice last week; if that is true and Horford stays healthy, it would be hard for Beilein not to play two bigs at once.

Favorite Big Ten Opponent: With career highs of only four points and four rebounds in Big Ten play (once against Purdue and once against Iowa), there is not enough data yet to declare a favorite conference opponent for Jon Horford.

Going Forward: Again, this all depends on Big Jon’s long-term health, but assuming he stays injury-free this year, Horford could be the pick for surprise or breakout player of the year, for both Michigan and the Big Ten as a whole. It will be a dogfight for minutes down low with three or four capable bigs, but Horford should be right in the mix. Pay very close attention to him early on to see how his season may go.

Stat Predictions: 6.5 points (55 FG%, 30.1 3-Pt%, 85 FT%), 4.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.8 blocks in 15 minutes per game.

To continue our returning player previews, today we take a look at starting wing Tim Hardaway, Jr. You can view previous player previews here.

Tim Hardaway Jr.
JorNumber:	10
Class:	Junior
Major	General Studies
Measurements:	6’6″, 205 pounds
Hometown:	Miami, Fla.
High School:	Palmetto Senior High School
Position(s):	Shooting Guard, Small Forward

Career Highs: Points – 30, Rebounds – 11, Assists – 5 (3 times), Steals – 3 (twice) Blocks – 3, Minutes – 45

Career to Date: Much like his freshman teammate Glenn Robinson III, Tim Hardaway, Jr. was known more for being the son of a former NBA All-Star than he was for his own game when he arrived in Ann Arbor three years ago.

Hardaway wasn’t very highly recruited and was generally regarded as a high three-star out of high school, but those numbers proved useless. Before his first game in a Michigan uniform, Hardaway turned heads as the media started to realize that he was underrated – the question was, just how much?

THJ has the athleticism to dominate the Big Ten (photo by Duane Burleson, AP)

Timmy started every game that freshman year and was a consensus pick for the All-Big Ten honorable mention and All-Big Ten Freshman teams after lighting the nets on fire frequently and leading the team to a 21-14 record and a narrow loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. And while his 36.7 percent three-point shooting wasn’t necessarily unexpected, he seemed to take over games at will when he got hot. Once a couple shots started falling, the other team would do just as well to leave him open, because Angry Tim was unstoppable, guarded or not.

The standout freshman year led to whispers of the NBA, but Hardaway never seriously considered that route, choosing to return to Ann Arbor for his sophomore year. Many fans and pundits predicted that Hardaway was as good as gone after the end of last season, but a sophomore slump put the NBA on hold yet again. Tim still had the ability to take over games, and when he got hot, he couldn’t be stopped; the only problem is he didn’t get hot nearly as often as the previous season. After failing to make a trey in only five games his freshman year, and only once in back-to-back games, Hardaway put a donut in that stat line in nine of 34 games last year, including three times in back-to-back games.

There is no doubt that the incoming freshmen will be integral to the 2012-13 Wolverines squad, and the ever-so-smooth Trey Burke will be widely regarded as the centerpiece of the team, but make no mistake about it – this team will go as Tim Hardaway goes. If Hardaway continues to fall into three-point funks and lose his confidence, it will be a disappointing season for the team that is pegged in the top five in the country in most preseason polls. If he returns to freshman form and adds a little diversity to his game, Michigan will be unstoppable.

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Scoring: Over the past two years, Darius Morris and Trey Burke have been Michigan’s leading scorers, respectively. Right behind them? Tim Hardaway, Jr. While this team will be expected to have more than two guys average double digits in the scoring column this year, Hardaway will still be called upon to put the ball in the hoop every night. He won’t be the leading or second-leading scorer on some nights, but he needs to once again be at least the second- or third-leading scorer on this team throughout the season. Hardaway has the ability to do just that with his long- and mid-range scoring and his ability to drive as well, but he needs to do so consistently and efficiently.
2. 2. Length and Athleticism: Tre Robinson will be the best athlete on this team, but Hardaway has shown us time and time again that he has some built-in spring as well, most notably on an alley-oop against Michigan State two seasons ago in which he appeared to grab the ball from behind his head and throw it down with authority. Hardaway needs to use this length and athleticism to help him out whenever he can. It should come in handy in scoring, rebounding, and playing defense against quick and athletic opponents. And while it sometimes turns into a weakness, Hardaway’s long arms and high jump basically make it impossible for any defender to distract his jump shot.
3. 3. Leadership: Hardaway has been learning for two seasons under the departed Zack Novak and Stu Douglass; now could be the season for him to make the team his own. Timmy hasn’t been extremely vocal on the court and is always careful to use the right words in interviews, but he will have to show a little fire to get his team pumped up when they are struggling or dismayed.

What He Will Have to Improve:

Hardaway struggled with his shot last season. Can he regain it this year?

1. 1. Long-range shooting: Hardaway developed a deadly mid-range game last season from about 15 feet, but his three-point shot struggled mightily. He started to heat up from mid-February on, but it wasn’t anything like the ending stretch of his freshman season, when he made at least two threes in the last six regular season games. I believe confidence is a big part of Hardaway’s struggles, so if he can forget about his misses, he should see his long-range percentage take a big leap. There is very little wrong technically with his shot, and he has shown that he is certainly not afraid to let it fly in any situation (having never attempted fewer than two threes in a game in his college career); the next step is just seeing the ball go in and repeating. When Tim’s first shot goes in, he’s been great; it’s when those first couple don’t fall that a problem arises.
2. 2. Ball-handling: Hardaway’s handles have often been pointed to as his biggest weakness, a surprise for those who remember Tim Sr.’s famed UTEP two-step crossover. In my opinion, Hardaway’s ball-handling issues are blown out of proportion; he certainly doesn’t have Trey Burke’s skills, but I don’t think he is much below average either. That being said, an upgrade in his ball-handling would make every part of his game more effective. Hardaway has flashed the ability to drive quickly past a defender, but he usually only uses the move when he is feeling confident. A normal possession for him consists of a few low, standing dribbles and a pull-up three in the face of a defender. If Junior can expand his arsenal of moves, his offensive game will be very difficult for coaches to scheme against.
3. 3. Defense: Too often Hardaway lets his offensive play on any given night dictate his effort on defense, and Beilein has used a short string before when Hardaway’s offensive confidence has led to a lack of effort on the defensive end of the court. When he’s not shooting well, Hardaway needs to learn that a good defensive game can be just as useful as filling up the stat sheet. Hardaway will likely play a number of his minutes at the two-guard spot, where Douglass was a lock-down defender of sorts on the perimeter; someone needs to pick up the slack, and there is no better candidate than Hardaway, whose length, strength, and athleticism make him a prototypical quality defender.  

Burning Question: Which Tim Hardaway will show up this season?

There’s no doubt that Tim Hardaway is one of the best players on this team and an intriguing NBA prospect with a nice combination of size, athleticism, and shooting, but he will need to show some consistency on both ends of the court if he is to realize his dream and follow in his dad’s footsteps to the League. Two years ago we saw a fearless freshman knocking down shots left and right from behind the arc while last year we saw a sophomore appear tentative and lacking in confidence. If Hardaway can shoot 40 percent or better from downtown, this team has a very good chance of making the Final Four.

Favorite Big Ten Opponent: Minnesota – averages 17.3 points (21-of-53 FG, 10-of-27 3-PT%, 17-of-22 FT), 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.0 turnovers, 37.3 minutes per game

Going Forward: Hardaway, Jr. is a sure bet to start every game barring an injury, and given his versatility and stated comfort level at both the two and three, Beilein can tinker around with his lineup while leaving Hardaway in whenever he feels necessary. An infusion of talent this season will mean multiple battles for playing time, but don’t expect Hardaway’s minutes to go down at all. His scoring average may decrease slightly due to a deeper squad, but he will often be on the floor, poised for a rebound or breakout season.

Stat Predictions: 15.0 points (46.0 FG%, 40.1 3-PT%, 77.8 FT%), 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals in 33 minutes per game.

Continuing on with our returning player previews, today we take a look at starting center Jordan Morgan. You can view previous player previews here.

Jordan Morgan
JorNumber:	52
Class:	RS Junior
Major	Engineering
Measurements:	6’8″, 250 pounds
Hometown:	Detroit, Mich.
High School:	Univ. of Detroit Jesuit High School (2005-09)
Position(s):	Center

Career Highs: Points – 27, Rebounds – 12, Assists – 3, Steals – 3, Blocks – 3 (twice), Minutes – 35 (twice)

Career to Date: Jordan Morgan’s road to Ann Arbor is one that most didn’t see coming. John Beilein is widely known as a coach that often recruits and takes lower-rated players and turns them into integral parts of his team, finding potential in them that no one else saw. Morgan was one of the first to do this for him at Michigan. Though he played at UD Jesuit High, a private school in Detroit that is certainly known on the recruiting trail, Morgan was undersized and labeled as a sort of tweener – he was pretty tall at 6’8”, but he was thought to be too skinny to fight in the post in college and too unskilled to be a quality D1 talent.

Morgan is reliable down low but will need to diversify his offense (photo by Chris Asadian, AnnArbor.com)

When Beilein came calling, Morgan’s dad was surprised. When Michigan offered, Morgan’s dad was stunned. Jordan Morgan committed almost instantly. His freshman year, a number of lower body injuries and the need to put on weight sidelined him for the majority of the year, so he took a redshirt.

Now in his fourth year in school and third year playing, Morgan is a completely different player. Sure, he is still fairly one-dimensional on offense, but his body is a chiseled 250 pounds, allowing him to bang with the big boys on a regular basis and usually win the battle.

With some of the most experience on the team, Jordan Morgan will be called upon to provide leadership on and off the court, something he has seemingly picked up easily in mentoring the younger players. During games, Morgan’s role will be much like Mitch McGary’s – rebound and play defense. Points will come, but they won’t need to come in droves from JMo for the team to succeed. One of three returning starters, Jordan Morgan’s spot in the lineup should be relatively safe, but with the added depth in the front court, don’t be surprised to see his minutes actually decrease slightly.

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. A Physical Presence: Morgan isn’t the biggest player in college or the Big Ten, and will play games against guys that have two or three inches on him, but he is a battler down low. He rarely gives ground easily on either side of the court and will need to use his strength to get good position on offense and maintain good position on defense. The Big Ten has some excellent big men in Cody Zeller, Trevor Mbakwe, Derrick Nix, and others, and while McGary will help down low, Morgan is one of the leaders of this team and will be asked to hold his own on both ends of the floor.
2. 2. Basketball IQ: If there ever was a true “student-athlete”, Jordan Morgan is it. He is an excellent student in the classroom in Michigan’s prestigious School of Engineering and excels on the court, in large part because of his intelligence. He has really learned to master the pick-and-roll despite playing with two vastly different point guards in his first two seasons, his hustle down the court in crucial situations is admirable, and he has shown the ability to take charges on occasion by being in the right spot.
3. 3. Leadership: Leadership is constantly hammered as an ultimate intangible, and though it will never show up in the box score, it really is important. No one forgets the 2009-10 season when Michigan came into the season ranked 15th overall after losing “only” C.J. Lee and David Merritt and proceeded to flounder to a sub-.500 record. This year, Michigan not only has to replace the on-court production of Stu Douglass and Zack Novak, but it must also replace their invaluable leadership. Jordan Morgan is one of those guys that will be asked to be a leader, and he seems like a perfect candidate for it.

What He Will Have to Improve On:

1. 1. Offensive Diversity: Morgan hasn’t necessarily struggled to score the ball in his two seasons, but he hasn’t shown that he is capable from scoring outside of five feet either. To get defenses to respect his mid-range game and force a man to defend him outside of the paint, Morgan would be wise to put in work on his shot. The three-ball isn’t a necessary addition for the big man, but if Morgan can develop a 10-12 foot jumper from the elbow, he would be frightening to face and he would also spread the floor while giving himself the option to drive past a man on the pump-fake. It should be noted that if Morgan can step out and knock down the jumper, his shooting percentage will likely go down, but that wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. Obviously a 12-footer is a lower percentage shot than a dunk, but by keeping the defense honest, Morgan will create opportunities for others and easier opportunities for himself down low.
   

   Morgan provides a physical presence on the inside (photo by Carlos Osorio, AP)

2. 2. Touch: Jordan Morgan has easily led Michigan in field goal percentage in his two seasons and has been near the top of the Big Ten in that time as well, but he could improve that number even more if he improved his touch near the rim. His tremendous shooting numbers have mostly been a product of a majority of his shots being layups and dunks, but Morgan occasionally rocks balls off the backboard when he has a tougher look at the hoop. Additionally, his touch at the free throw line will need to improve to keep the defense honest and not play Hack-a-Shaq style defense against him.
3. 3. Defense: This admittedly contradicts a few points I have already made, but Jordan Morgan could stand to improve his defensive decision-making. His averages of 3.2 and 2.4 fouls per game in his two seasons indicate that Morgan could stand to be a bit less aggressive on defense. Morgan has been called for four or five fouls 22 times in 69 games, meaning he has been at the very least in danger of fouling out in nearly one-third of Michigan’s games. Obviously the depth in the front-court should make these problems fairly miniscule, but there will be games that the Wolverines need Morgan on the floor to close out a game. On another note, we’ve seen Morgan effectively shut down Jared Sullinger on his best defensive days and give up 29 points and five rebounds to Rocko Holmes of Concordia on his worst nights. If Morgan can play solid defense on every night, Michigan will be tough to beat.

Burning Question: Will Morgan’s offensive game evolve?

We’ve seen Jordan Morgan be an effective inside player at times, throwing down dunks and running the court, and be neutralized at other times by stronger opponents. If Morgan can develop any sort of mid-range game, he will be a nightmare for opposing big men that will have to account for both him and Mitch McGary or Jon Horford on the court at the same time. If he can’t, defenders will sag on him and pack the paint when Michigan deploys a two-big lineup, making it very difficult to score inside. The key to Beilein’s offense is spreading out the defense and finding the open shooter. Morgan has the potential to do his part by forcing the defense to respect his game outside the paint.

Favorite Big Ten Opponent: Iowa – averages 13.0 points (15-of-17 FG, 9-of-14 FT), 6.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 0.7 steals, 0 blocks, 2.3 turnovers, 27.7 minutes per game.

Going Forward: Morgan should be in line to start every game this season except in the event of injury or Beilein opting to play a small lineup and McGary overtaking him at the five. If he can rebound effectively and play good defense against opposing big men, his job will be done. The screen-and-roll will certainly be around plenty and JMo will be seen running the court for easy dunks on occasion as well. A strong season down low is crucial to a strong season overall for Michigan.

Stat Predictions: 8.5 points (55 FG%, 60.1 FT%), 5.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.8 steals in 22 minutes per game.

Now that we have previewed the entire freshman class, we will begin looking at Michigan’s returning players starting today with senior Matt Vogrich.

Matt Vogrich
Number:	13
Class:	Senior
Major	Business
Measurements:	6’4″, 200 pounds
Hometown:	Lake Forest, Ill.
High School:	Lake Forest High School
Position(s):	Shooting Guard, Small Forward

Career Highs: Points – 15, Rebounds – 6, Assists – 2 (4 times), Steals – 2 (3 times), Minutes – 23

Career to Date: Matt Vogrich came to Michigan after winning the Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois in his senior year at Lake Forest High School, having broken former Wolverine Rob Pelinka’s school scoring record with 1,494 career points. He was touted by many as the best pure shooter in his high school class, but was also known as more than just that; he made headlines after competing with now-Illinois guard Brandon Paul in a head-to-head matchup and out-scoring him with all sorts of moves.

Nevertheless, Vogrich’s perceived place under John Beilein was to be a dead-eye shooter that would be deadly in Beilein’s offensive system. The first time he stepped on the court in a regular season game, Michigan fans’ collective jaws dropped to the floor as Vogrich put on a shooting display unlike anything seen before, going 5-of-5 from downtown to score 15 points in 13 minutes in a 97-50 blowout of Northern Michigan. A true shooter had been found. Beilein’s offense would flourish.

Vogrich has proven to be a good outside shooter

Unfortunately, the excitement didn’t last. Vogrich made only one of his next 15 attempts from behind the arc over a nine-game period and only six more total over the remainder of the season. Obviously his minutes were severely limited, and he did bounce back to shoot nearly 40 percent from three by the end of his freshman season, but he still has not emerged as that go-to shooter that Beilein can count on to consistently bury two or more threes per game.

With his senior season left, Vogrich has just one more year to leave his mark on the program. Will he become the sharpshooter that everyone saw three years ago coming into college, the guy that is looked to at the end of games to drain the three, or will his shooting percentages continue to drop as his minutes dwindle and Nik Stauskas takes over his spot in the line-up? All we can do is wait and see.

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Shooting: The scrawny shooter clearly has the pretty stroke to provide a scoring spark, whether that be from the starting five or from the bench. When Vogrich is feeling it from downtown, there are few shooters in the country that will make a higher clip of their deep shots. The rotation on his ball is a thing of beauty when his shot is on, and he can throw daggers left and right with his quick release.
2. 2. Leadership: While Vogrich has never been an extremely vocal player on or off the court, he is perhaps the most experienced on the team, and at 22 years of age, Vogrich will need to help mentor his younger teammates and make sure that everyone is on the same page, even if he isn’t playing a ton of minutes. Beilein and the rest of the team will look to Vogrich and the rest of the seniors to help replace the leadership lost last season in the form of Stu Douglass and Zack Novak.
3. 3. Hustle and Smarts: Zack Novak always got the credit for being the junkyard dog the past four years, and deservedly so. But when Matt Vogrich finds his inner energetic spark, he can turn heads himself with some “That was Matt Vogrich?!?!” plays. He is not a terrific athlete and certainly isn’t very fast, but Vogrich always seems to have a couple big plays every now and again that completely turn the tide of a close game, whether in grabbing a big rebound among the trees down low, poking a ball out from behind when least expected, or making a backdoor cut for an easy lay-in.

What He Will Have to Improve On:

1. 1. Defense: The one player that has come the farthest in the last three years on the defensive end of the court? Matt Vogrich. The one player that has the farthest to go in improving on the defensive end of the court? Matt Vogrich. The first time Vogrich suited up in a Michigan uniform, in an exhibition game against Wayne State, Vogrich was crossed over and ended up on his rear out of bounds, resulting in both “oohs” and “ughs” in the stands. Since then, Vogrich has certainly improved on that end of the floor, but he still has a ways to go. Stu Douglass was one of the better man defenders in the Big Ten over the past couple years, and Vogrich will at least have to hold his own one-on-one against quick guards if he is to see consistent playing time.
   

   The senior will need to continue to improve his defense

2. 2. Handles: In high school, Vogrich was more of an all-around scorer than the stand-still shooter he often turns into on the court at Michigan. If Vogrich can improve his ball-handling, gain some confidence, and drive to the hole on occasion, he would help immensely. He often looks hesitant to put the ball on the floor even when he has a clear driving lane, but a couple quick dribbles to the hoop could collapse the defense or draw a trip to the charity stripe, which has been a foreign concept to Vogrich. In three seasons, Vogrich has shot only 21 free throws compared to 209 field goal attempts, good for an absolutely abysmal free throw rate of 10 percent. A reasonable jump up to 20-25 percent could do wonders.   
3. 3. Consistent Production: Want an interesting, and somewhat disappointing, stat? Matt Vogrich has never made at least one three-pointer in more than three consecutive games, and has only done that two times (both in his sophomore season). His best three-game stretch was going 5-for-6 in the non-conference season in 2010, and he has never made more than five threes over a three-game stretch, having done that just twice. Granted, this probably has something to do with limited minutes and inconsistent playing time from game to game, but Vogrich needs to prove that he deserves those minutes by scoring consistently before Beilein can give him the court time.

Burning Question: Will Matt Vogrich start?

There are a couple factors that go into this question, but it needs to be asked. Vogrich has never started a game in his career, but with the graduation of Douglass and Novak, two starting spots open up. One of those spots probably already has Tre Robinson marked on it in permanent marker, but the other is likely up for grabs among Matt Vogrich, Nik Stauskas, Jon Horford and Mitch McGary. Obviously if Beilein feels a two-big lineup gives Michigan the best chance to win then McGary or Horford will get that spot, but if he chooses to play small, Vogrich will need to prove that he deserves the spot over a threatening freshman. Keep in mind that the line-up will most likely change once or twice before Beilein settles on one for the majority of the season, but the opportunity is there for Vogrich. Will he seize it or let it slip?

Favorite Big Ten Opponent: Penn State – averages 3.3 points (6-of-14 FG, 5-of-12 3PFG. 3-of-3 FT), 1.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, 0.2 turnovers, 12 minutes per game

Going Forward: I actually have Matt Vogrich pegged into the starting two-guard spot at least to begin the season. Beilein has shown a propensity to play experienced players over freshmen early on and will likely put out his safest five at the start of the year. By the time Big Ten season rolls around I think we will have transitioned to a two-big starting lineup, but Beilein has never played that style before and will require some time to adjust to its quirks.

Stat Predictions: 4.3 points (44 FG%, 41.3 3-PT%), 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.5 steals in 13 minutes per game.

As we close out our individual previews on the incoming freshmen class, today we preview the highest-rated player and the first commit of the praised quintet, Glenn Robinson III.

#1 – Glenn Robinson III
Measurements:	6’6″, 210 pounds
Hometown:	St. John, Ind.
High School:	Lake Central High School
High School Stats (2011-12):	21.7 points, 7.5 reb, 4.1 assists, 2.1 steals per game
AAU:	SYF Players
Projected Position(s):	Small Forward, Power Forward (wing)
Committed:	September 14, 2010
Major Suitors:	Colorado, Valparaiso, Indiana State, Missouri State
Chances of Redshirt:	0 percent (barring injury)
Recruiting Rankings:
Rivals:	5-star – Overall: 11, position: 2
Scout:	4-star – Overall: 29, position: 8
ESPN:	5-star – Overall: 18, Grade: 97, position: 5, state: 2

Background: The similarities and differences between the recruiting roller coasters of eventual Michigan commits Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III are absolutely fascinating to recap, having intertwined at times and been polar opposites at other times. As we saw a couple days back, Mitch McGary started out as a virtual unknown big man in a small northern Indiana town that found its place on the map thanks in large part to Zack Novak. He quickly evolved and expanded his game to become one of the most coveted players in the country, garnering interest and offers from the who’s who of college basketball programs around the country. His commitment to Michigan was cause for great fanfare in Ann Arbor and for Michigan fans around the country. McGary’s last season of basketball on the high school level, however, saw him slip in the rankings from the consensus second-rated recruit to an average rank around 30th in his class – still exciting indeed, but perhaps not reason to throw a block party.

GRIII is already the best athlete on the team

Glenn “Tre” Robinson’s path was quite similar early on. He was regarded as a good high school player that would probably end up as an average contributor on a Missouri Valley Conference team. John Beilein saw something that no one else did, though, and offered Tre a scholarship at some point before his junior season began at Lake Forest. He committed shortly thereafter, probably for a combination of reasons that included him wanting to make a name for himself apart from his dad’s, a sense of belonging in Ann Arbor, and a chance to play on the Big Ten stage. Quite frankly, Michigan was by far Robinson’s most prestigious offer and he saw no reason to wait on pulling the trigger. At the time of his commitment, many questioned what Beilein was thinking, and I must even admit that I was on the wrong side of a debate with my roommate about whether or not offering Robinson was a smart move at the time.

Robinson’s sophomore season saw him average 16 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, good numbers undoubtedly, but certainly not the kind of numbers that blow you away when considering the competition level. He found himself generally regarded as a high 3-star, but he continued to grow and work on his game. As junior year rolled around and Robinson showed off his improved athleticism on his way to scoring 22 points and grabbing six rebounds per game, his stock started to climb. He grew a couple inches and measured in as one of the best athletes in his class at an offseason Under Armor event, showing off a 36-inch vertical.

Senior year arrived and Robinson continued to shoot up the boards, making it pretty easy to imagine what coaches at other big-time programs were thinking. “How did I miss this kid?” was certainly asked aloud many times while Beilein sat back watching his diamond in the rough flourish, leading his Lake Central team to its first-ever Indiana sectional title by noticeably improving all of his stats but scoring, which dropped less than half a point per game.

So while Mitch McGary turned heads on the AAU circuit playing alongside Tre under coach Wayne Brumm for SYF Players, it was Robinson who shone brightly in the last organized basketball of their high school careers, often throwing down highlight-reel dunks on unassuming opponents.

And even though Tre has now made a name for himself in high school, he still has gigantic shoes to fill in college. Many have already penciled him into the first round of next year’s NBA Draft, but Little Dog is certainly focused on setting himself apart in the Big Ten. Big Dog, Tre’s dad, was a phenomenal player at Purdue, where he averaged 30.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, leading the Big Ten in both categories, in his second and final season (as a junior) before being selected first overall in the 1994 Draft, the year Tre was born. He was awarded the Naismith and Wooden Awards and became the first Big Ten player to score 1,000 points in a season that year. The point is, Glenn Robinson was out of this world. And the truth is, Little Glenn is a completely different player.

In the end, Glenn Robinson III arrives at Michigan as the most heralded player since perhaps Lavell Blanchard moved across the street from Pioneer High School in 1999. He’s not his dad, but he’s out to prove that that doesn’t matter. Beilein saw something two years before anyone else did. This year, we all get the chance to see what he must have foreseen. The fanfare may have been delayed, but no more. Glenn Robinson III is a Michigan Wolverine.

Video:

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Athleticism: Tim Hardaway Jr., also the son of a former NBA All Star, is a good-to-very good athlete, but Glenn Robinson III will be the best athlete on this team without a doubt. The way he throws down power dunks with ease on his highlight videos is impressive to say the least, but I think his athleticism will cause the most excitement for John Beilein in the rebounding game. Robinson has been a good rebounder throughout his high school career and will be expected to be a Manny Harris-like wing who can grab a rebound above the rim and then lead the fast break. For the average fan though, Tre’s monster slams will be plenty enough.
2. 2. Scoring: Sense a trend with this freshmen class and the scoring they can bring to the table? Tre will probably be the best of the high-powered bunch in the scoring column with his ability to drive, shoot, dunk, and get put-backs. You can also see in a couple highlights above a nice knack that Glenn has for playing the screen and reading the defender. When the defender goes over the screen and chases from behind, Robinson can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim to throw down, but when the defender goes under, he is also more than comfortable shooting the mid-range jumper off the dribble.
   

   Like McGary, GRIII already looks natural in the Maize and Blue

3. 3. Versatility: This is another asset that this freshmen class should be able to provide Beilein with. Whenever a team adds five brand new players, those players should bring a variety of talents that lend their coach the ability to play in a couple different ways. This class meets the criteria, as Beilein could conceivably throw out all five at once and ably fill each position. Most of the freshmen, including Robinson, also have the ability to play a couple different positions. When Michigan wants to go smaller, Tre can play the four and stretch the defense, providing mismatches with his athleticism against bigger and slower players, but he should also be able to keep up on the defensive end with his cut 6’6”, 210-pound frame. When Beilein chooses to go big, Robinson can slide to the three and Hardaway to the two to create a lineup with four guys 6’6” or taller. Those are two vastly different looks that will both be used to exploit opponents in a multitude of ways.

What He Will Have to Work On:

1. 1. Learning the Offense: I’m probably picking at straws here, because Robinson really does have an impressively complete game for being 18 years old, but he will have some learning to do. Everyone knows that Beilein’s offense is very complex, and even though Robinson will not be asked to handle the ball often and make the decisions that Trey Burke is tasked with, he will be asked to learn his position so that he can use his athleticism for the benefit of the team. If he struggles to learn the offense and finds himself in the wrong places, his scoring ability and athleticism will be largely wasted because Beilein’s offense relies so much on team work to succeed.
2. 2. Handles: As I just pointed out, Tre (not to be confused with Trey I should add at some point) will not be the primary ball-handler on this team, but he will need to get his handles down so as not to get his pocket picked at the college level. We have seen Hardaway struggle at times in putting the ball on the floor, which sometimes forces him to become a one-dimensional shooter. Robinson would be wise to practice his ball-handling as often as possible so as to make himself as dynamic as possible on the offensive end of the floor.  
3. 3. Gelling with the Vets: This is another aspect that each of the five freshmen, and to an extent all the players, will have to work on, but I think it might be most important for Robinson. Because he will be asked to probably be the third scorer on this team, he will have to mesh with Trey Burke and three other teammates on the offensive end of the court so he is getting the ball in the right places on the floor. On defense, Michigan will play mostly man, but Robinson will still need to communicate switches and helps. Right now he is the only freshman that is almost guaranteed to start from Day 1, so his chemistry with the rest of the team will be crucial to the team’s success.

Burning Question: How good is Glenn Robinson III’s shot and where will the majority of his points come from?

There is no question that Tre Robinson is a very highly-skilled player with a diverse skill set on offense. He’s going to score plenty of points, but how will those points come? He’s certainly a capable shooter, but no one is quite sure how good. We also know he can fill it up from mid-range and will be deadly around the rim, but I’ll be interested to see how his overall offensive game develops and where the majority of his shots come from.

Stat Predictions: 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals in 28 minutes per game.

As we continue to look at the newcomers on the 2012-13 Michigan basketball team, the freshmen become more and more hyped. Today, let’s take a look at the once top-rated big man in the country, Mitch McGary.

#4 – Mitch McGary
Measurements:	6’10″, 250 pounds
Hometown:	Chesterton, Ind.
High School:	Chesterton High School
High School Stats (2009-10):	22 points, 13.3 reb, 3 assists, 5 blocks, 3 steals per game
Prep School:	Brewster Academy (N.H.)
Prep School Stats (2011-12):	12 points, 10 reb, 2.5 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal per game
AAU:	SYF Players
Projected Position(s):	Power Forward, Center
Committed:	November 3, 2011
Major Suitors:	Duke, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland
Chances of Redshirt:	0 percent (barring injury)
Recruiting Rankings:
Rivals:	4-star – Overall: 30, position: 8
Scout:	4-star – Overall: 26, position: 10
ESPN:	4-star – Overall: 27, Grade: 96, position: 5, state: 4

Background: Early on in his high school career, Mitch McGary was a tall, lanky, and undeveloped kid playing in the tiny town of Chesterton, Indiana. He didn’t even play varsity ball his freshman year, and he  had some academic problems as well, struggling to focus in the classroom and on the court. Michigan had shown some interest in him, having had a certain player by the name of Zack Novak, also from Chesterton, on the roster at the time, but it never seemed like much would come of their relationship.

Fast forward about two years and Mitch McGary was off to New Hampshire for prep school to shore up his grades, get better coaching, and play against the best players in the country. His team, Brewster Academy, boasted as many as eight potential Division 1 basketball players, but McGary stood out with his size, hustle, and rebounding prowess. McGary never scored at a high clip in the NEPSAC, but he didn’t need to with such a star-studded team around him, a team that went 66-3 in his two seasons there.

McGary provides an instant upgrade to Michigan's interior

On the AAU circuit, McGary made an even bigger name for himself. He thrived in the run-and-gun style of the summer and showcased his uncanny ability to bring the ball all the way up the court himself after gathering a rebound, usually dunking at will on the other end. Before he knew it himself, Mitch McGary was a household name as he rose to the top of recruiting rankings and dropped the jaws of college coaches that packed the house every time he played. Coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, and Bill Self put on the full-court press, and not a team in the country would have turned down a commitment from the now cut, athletic, and big kid. Michigan, who had shown that early interest, seemed to now be wasting it’s time going after such a coveted player, but word eventually got out that the Wolverines were actually right in the thick of things. In fact, reports emerged saying that John Beilein was about to gain McGary’s commitment as the early signing day approached.

But that was far from the end of it. Within days of Dave Telep’s report that Ann Arbor would be McGary’s college destination, Telep came out with another story saying that Michigan was all but out of the running. The big man was leaning toward Duke, Florida, or Maryland, depending on the time of day. That’s how it went for a number of weeks, as no one truly knew where McGary would end up. Then, as signing day continued to draw near, McGary’s verbal pledge to John Beilein was broadcast live on ESPNU, and he instantly became Michigan’s biggest recruit in more than a decade.

If there is a single moment that Michigan fans will look back on years down the road in declaring that their team was back from the dark ages for good, that day would be a top choice. A consensus top-five recruit in the country, a Wolverine.

Interestingly enough, the story was still not complete. McGary’s final year at Brewster saw him disappoint to an extent, not meeting expectations as the dominant post player he was thought to be. He came off the bench at times and barely averaged double digits in points. Then again, it’s tough to judge players individually on such an impressive team overall. In the end, McGary’s commitment was still a turning point for John Beilein and this Michigan team, a signal to the rest of college basketball that Michigan truly is ready to tussle with the big boys. And even though he is now regarded closer to the 30^th-best player in his class as opposed to the 2^nd-best, Mitch McGary is expected to contribute immediately, and in a big way.

Video:

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Rebounding Prowess: If McGary is relied upon to do one thing in his first season, it will be to clean up the glass. Michigan has yet to be a great rebounding team under Beilein, but McGary could change that single-handedly. Beilein’s system stresses defensive rebounding and stopping the transition game, so offensive rebounding has never been a priority for his teams, but he has hinted this offseason that he may send more guys to crash the offensive glass to pick up a few easy buckets a game that way. Offensive put-backs and transition baskets are the easiest points in the game, so watch for Beilein to continue to stress stopping their opponents from doing both but pushing his own team to go after these types of buckets. It’s not inconceivable to imagine McGary averaging double-digits in rebounds; granted, that is quite a high number for college, but it is also doable for a player of his caliber.
2. 2. Novak-like Toughness: Beilein mentioned this offseason that there must be something in the water in Chesterton, because both of his players from the small northern Indiana town play like the Energizer Bunny. Novak made a name for himself by diving after loose balls and bodying up to players that sometimes seemed to be twice his size. Luckily for Michigan and Beilein this time, however, size won’t be an issue for McGary, but he still seems to put forth 100% effort every time down the court. Combine McGary’s size, talent, and natural athleticism and mix it with a large dose of hustle and you come up with a monster on the court. That’s exactly what McGary can be.
   

   McGary already looks good in the Maize and Blue (photo by Carlos Osorio, AP)

3. 3. Versatility: While McGary’s game is not all that multi-dimensional, he provides Beilein with options he has never had before. Last season fans waited for the time Jon Horford and Jordan Morgan would see significant time on the court together, but that time never came due to a number of factors, including Horford’s injury and Morgan’s propensity to commit fouls. This year, Beilein has openly admitted that he and his assistants are at the very least considering implementing a true two-big offense, and McGary is a big reason for it. His huge frame paired with Jordan Morgan, Max Bielfeldt, or Jon Horford on the court would create nightmares for opposing coaches, especially if the other team lacks size.
4. 4. Swagger: If Michigan has lacked one intangible since the early 1990s and the Fab Five, it’s this. Swagger is far from necessary for a team to succeed, and too much can tear a team apart and create individuals that butt heads. But in small, effective, and controlled doses, the swagger that McGary will help provide can do wonders in intimidating every opponent. Some of the best teams in the country can essentially put a win on the board before a home game begins because they have swagger that renders the other team helpless. Look no further than the broken backboard video above to see McGary’s swagger in full force.

What He Will Have to Work On:

1. 1. Shooting: While Mitch McGary’s mid-range and deep shot are far from broken, they certainly aren’t going to be enough right now to be relied upon. Now Michigan shouldn’t have to rely too heavily on McGary’s scoring this season, especially from the outside, but if he is going to play significant time at the four, I still think he will have to keep the defense honest at times. Two big men won’t be able to live in the post constantly, so look for McGary to work on developing a nice and consistent 12-15 foot jumper.
2. 2. Basketball IQ: This is not by any means calling out McGary’s smarts on the court; he will simply have some adjusting to do in his game before he will be a college star. While he may have been able to bring the ball up court all the way by himself in high school and certainly was able to overpower defenders with his strength, McGary will need to be smart about how he plays on the court in college. If he’s not wide open on the fast break, he will need to learn to pass it up for a better and safer look. If he’s double-teamed in the post, he will need to learn to not force it but rather pass the ball up for an open shot for a teammate. And if he picks up an early foul, McGary will need to pay special attention to defense. His energy will certainly be an asset, but he needs to control it and turn it into positive energy.
3. 3. Filling a Role: By all means the whole incoming freshmen class has been wonderful in adjusting to playing as a team and not worrying about their own stats, but practice has just gotten underway and no one has played a real game yet. I don’t anticipate that any freshmen will have a problem in caring too much about their own numbers, but it is always worrisome when blue-chip recruits have to adjust to being second- or third-fiddle on the team. McGary will certainly have a role to play on this team, and that is grabbing rebounds and playing tough defense. If he isn’t getting 10 shots per night, he cannot start complaining about “getting his”; he will simply have to accept his role, fill it as well as he can, and help the team in any way he can.

Burning Question: How much will John Beilein actually use two of Jordan Morgan, Mitch McGary, Jon Horford, Max Bielfeldt, and Blake McLimans on the floor at once?

If John Beilein really does switch his patented, traditional four-out, one-in to a base two-big offense, Mitch McGary could see 25-plus minutes a night, but if Beilein decides to stick with the smaller offense a majority of the time, McGary’s minutes could linger around 15 minutes a game if he doesn’t beat out Jordan Morgan on the depth chart. My best guess is that we will see a good mix of both types of offenses, but different opponents will dictate different styles of play. McGary’s minutes will be dependent on how Beilein chooses to exploit these matchups.

Stat Predictions: 10.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks in 22 minutes per game.

Today, we continue our player preview posts, beginning with the most unknown of the players, the 2012 freshmen basketball class. Everyone knows at least a little bit about the returning players, but the ones that haven’t played a minute of college ball have the most to prove on the court this upcoming season. As we start to look at the freshmen now, I will begin the previews with the least-heralded newcomers and end with the jewels of the highly-ranked class. Today, let’s look at Michigan’s recruit from north of the border, Nik Stauskas.

#11 – Nik Stauskas
Measurements:	6’6″, 190 pounds
Hometown:	Mississaugua, Ontario, Canada
High School:	Loyola Catholic Secondary School (Toronto)
High School Stats (2009-10):	32.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists per game
Prep School:	St. Mark’s School (Mass.)
Prep School Stats (2011-12):	20.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists per game
AAU:	Grassroots Canada
Projected Position(s):	Shooting Guard, Point Guard
Committed:	March 25, 2011
Major Suitors:	Kansas, Wake Forest, Iowa St, Stanford, Georgetown
Chances of Redshirt:	5 percent
Recruiting Rankings:
Rivals:	4-star (Overall: 71, position: 13)
Scout:	3-star (NR)
ESPN:	4-star (Overall: 76, Grade: 92, position: 21, state: 2)

Background: The first thing that comes to mind when watching Nik Stauskas play is that he is a prototypical “Beilein player,” an absolute dead-eye shooter that will kill teams that leave him open behind the 3-point arc. Stauskas emerged on the scene while playing under Mark Lubick, the father of current Georgetown big and once-certain Michigan commit Nate Lubick, at St. Mark’s, where he teamed with five-star talents Alex Murphy (Duke) and Kaleb Tarczewski (Arizona) to form one of the best teams in the country two years ago.

Stauskas is one of the best shooters in the class of 2012

When Michigan started recruiting the Canadian early on, he seemed destined to commit in a heartbeat to what seemed to be the perfect system for him. All signs pointed to the Wolverines, and his coach had always been a big fan of Beilein’s despite his son’s commitment to play for John Thompson III. He visited Michigan for the first time in late summer of 2010 then came back for a football game in the fall, consistently naming Michigan at the top of his list. As his recruitment appeared to be winding down, however, Bill Self swooped in from Kansas with an offer and certainly gave pause to Stauskas. He then seemed to be destined for Lawrence for a couple months before the Wolverines re-emerged in early 2011 and eventually gained his commitment. The match made in heaven came to fruition.

While at St. Mark’s, Stauskas was overshadowed by the big names of his teammates, but he shone brightly on the court, reportedly leading the team in scoring both of his seasons there, and in 2011 he guided his Winged Lion squad to a 28-2 record and a huge win over Nerlens Noel’s Tilton team. He was never a flashy player and always seemed to play within the game, but his stats always stood out at the end of the games, more likely than not because a large percentage of his makes came from downtown.

Stauskas also has myriad personal YouTube videos on the internet that showcase his hard work while at home, going through shooting drills in which he surprises himself when he misses and dribbling drills in which the ball is moving so fast at times it’s hard to tell exactly what he is doing. While he doesn’t particularly look like a star athlete with his unassuming face and relatively thin build, he has shown his ability on the court and will look to prove it further throughout his college career.

Video:

What He Will Provide:

1. 1. Scoring: Stauskas is one of the best shooters in this high school class, and while his shot might not be the prettiest, it goes in. He very nearly broke a record in one of his first attempts in John Beilein’s famed 50 threes in five minutes drill with a number in the mid-70s and consistently put up big scoring numbers in one of the best prep leagues in the country over the past two years. And while his three-point shot probably attracted Michigan in the first place, Beilein now consistently raves about Stauskas’s all-around offensive game, as evidenced in the above videos. He probably won’t be as good a slasher on the college level, but there is no question he finds ways to score, whether launching it from deep or driving past two men and putting up a nifty lay-up.
2. 2. Competition: Junior Tim Hardaway and senior Matt Vogrich figure to be in line to receive the most minutes at the two-guard spot, depending on what Beilein decides to do with the line-up, but they will certainly see Stauskas challenging for minutes every day in practice with his sweet stroke. If either of those guys is struggling in the midst of a cold streak, Beilein will quickly turn to the freshman to provide a scoring spark off the bench.
   

   Stauskas' defense will dictate his minutes this season

3. 3. Size: Stauskas is definitely not the biggest player in the world, but 6’6” shooting guards don’t grow on trees either. Size is always big in basketball, whether it helps in getting a shot off over a smaller defender, rebounding the ball above the rim, or blocking shots on occasion; Stauskas has shown the propensity to do all three of these things, which will help win games.

What He Will Have to Work On:

1. 1. Defense: This will be a common theme throughout the player previews, but the Michigan coaches have made it clear this year that defense will be stressed first and foremost, mentioning that Stauskas’s defense will dictate how many minutes he plays. Stauskas isn’t necessarily a bad athlete, but he isn’t the quickest guy either. If he consistently gets beat one-on-one, his minutes will drastically decrease.
2. 2. Strength and Quickness: Again, this is not to be unexpected in freshmen, but Stauskas is going to have to put on some muscle to survive and thrive throughout the long season and will have to improve his quickness to hold up on defense and to better utilize his driving ability on offense. Stauskas, a 19-year-old, certainly has time to work on both of these things over the next couple of years to reach his potential as an upperclassman.

Burning Question: How will the 2-guard rotation play out?

If Beilein implements the two-big offense that everyone is talking about these days, Stauskas’s minutes could be severely limited with Tim Hardaway, Glenn Robinson III, and Matt Vogrich all in the mix to see time at his spot, but if Beilein elects to go with his 4-out, 1-in offense at all, Nik will get pretty decent run throughout the year regardless of whether or not he beats out Vogrich in the rotation. Vogrich will likely be Stauskas’s main competition for minutes in a smaller offense, and the winner of that battle will be on the court for extended periods of time.

Stat Predictions: 5.2 points, 1.2 assists, 2.3 rebounds in 12 minutes per game.