The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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utes when he came back prematurely, Jordan has become the type of defensive presence we envisioned him becoming as a freshman," Alexander said. "Those stages of his career we thought he was trying to expend the least amount of energy possible expecting different results. Today he expends exaggerated levels and gets results. "The secret to Jordan's sauce has always been his obsession with film study. The quickness of the learning curve for the others, whether it's Mitch [McGary], Jon or Max, will solely be based on that." Horford, who has averaged 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, was slowed by knee injuries suffered early in the year and then again at the beginning of Big Ten play, but he has had sporadic success in spelling Morgan and McGary, usually as the third man. He scored 11 points in the Big Ten Tournament win over Penn State in perhaps his best game of the season. "He's really started to understand the scheme of things, whether it's the defensive game plan or offensive play," Alexander said. "When Tim [Hardaway Jr.] got hot against Ohio State and kept making threes, a lot of people forget it was Jon Horford feeding him on a lot of those hand-back plays that led to a lot of those threes near the top of the key. "He's a good athlete with great length and has one of the best upsides of the group in that sense as he continues to get stronger and more coordinated. He's displayed times in practice where he can be dominant in pick and pop, back to the basket and face-up. His success has more to do with him gaining the game reps that will give him confidence to do it when the stands are filled." Meanwhile, McGary has posted averages of 6.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and he provides the energy and — when he's on — a presence on the glass like few in the Big Ten. He came off the bench early in the 83-66 win over the Nittany Lions to provide 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone, a double-double that helped U-M rally from a 14-3 deficit. He scored six of UM's 11 points in the run that tied it and grabbed a rebound to feed freshman Nik Stauskas that put the Wolverines ahead for good. Sophomore point guard Trey Burke sang his praises in the postgame locker room, predicting he'd be a future Michigan captain. "No one can deny Mitch's motor," Alexander said. "It has an infectious effect on our roster, on our fan base when he comes into a game. As Mitch matures, you'll see him become more disciplined as a player, and people will see his talent flourish. He has a very nice touch all the way out to the three-point line, and the ability to put the ball on the floor in the high post. He also has an instinctive, keen sense of being able to find guys whether via pass cutting, in the midst of making a move or standing still."