The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1178918
NOVEMBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 45 2019-20 BASKETBALL PREVIEW Preseason college basketball magazines have hit stores across the country, and most of them expect U-M to take a step back after the success of last season's 30-7 campaign that ended in the Sweet 16. There is plenty of intrigue in Ann Arbor following John Beilein's departure for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Juwan Howard's arrival, with Lindy's even calling the Maize and Blue "the Big Ten's — if not the na- tion's — most fascinating team as every- thing changes." Athlon Sports' preseason annual is the lone major magazine that included the Wolverines in its projected field for the NCAA Tournament. They tabbed U-M to be a one and done, but the fact that they were dancing as a No. 9 seed is significant. Athlon tabbed Michigan to finish sixth in the Big Ten and pointed to sophomore forward Brandon Johns as a key cog, not- ing "he might have the most raw talent on the roster," while it deemed senior Jon Teske "perhaps the best returning defensive center in the Big Ten." It also listed Teske the No. 3 rim protector and No. 97 over- all player in the land. In the backcourt, the magazine dubbed senior point guard Zavier Simpson the fifth-best perimeter defender and No. 55 overall player in the country. Simpson was also named to the All-Big Ten second team and the league's top defender, while Teske was included on the third team. "Howard wants defense to remain Michigan's calling card and has the roster to make that happen," they wrote. "Simpson, Teske and [junior forward Isaiah] Livers return as pillars from a unit ranked second nationally in defensive efficiency last year. "The offense, however, is another story. Michigan loses its top three scorers and one of the best offensive minds in coaching. … No one is quite sure what to expect, but Michigan has the veterans to contend in the Big Ten and return to the NCAA Tournament." Lindy's pegged the Wolverines to finish fifth in the Big Ten be- hind Michigan State (No. 1 national ranking), Maryland (No. 9), Ohio State (No. 17) and Purdue (No. 31), respectively. However, the publication also had the Maize and Blue missing the NCAA Tournament, due to two major questions they have heading into 2019-20. "How long will it take Howard to adjust to his new job?" they asked. "How long will it take a team that lost its top three scorers to find its footing in a system Howard chooses not to divulge? Finding those answers will determine how much suc- cess the Wolverines find in Howard's inaugural season." However, Lindy's also explained there are plenty of reasons for optimism in Ann Arbor, with most of them surrounding Simpson. "Howard characterizes Simpson as an extension of his coach- ing staff on the floor," they wrote. "Simpson was the No. 2 assist man in the [Big Ten] last season, handing out 244 helpers, which trailed only Michigan State's Cassius Winston's 291. Simp- son turned the ball over only 74 times as a junior, marking a 3.30 assist-to-turnover ratio [which ranked sixth nationally]." The outlet's praise for the senior didn't end there, with Lindy's tabbing him to their second-team All-Big Ten squad and naming him the league's top defender. It also listed Simpson the No. 63 player in the country. The magazine also had plenty of acclaim for both of U-M's freshmen — guards Cole Bajema and Franz Wagner — even calling the former the Big Ten's player that will take observers by surprise and the top signing coup in the entire conference. "Considering the caliber of programs recruiting — and the closer distance be- tween his home and those schools — Ba- jema signing in November and then stick- ing with the Wolverines when Beilein left for the Cavaliers is that coup," Lindy's noted. They deemed Wagner, meanwhile, as the roster's top newcomer, explaining how he'll "provide enough versatility to play both forward spots and provide the Wolverines with a bona fide three-point threat." Street & Smith's, meanwhile, wasn't as high on the Maize and Blue, projecting U-M to finish seventh in the conference (though it did not project an NCAA field, it's safe to assume seventh in the league wouldn't receive an at-large bid). The publication notes that Howard will build around Simpson and Teske, but explains that it's "difficult to forecast the lineup" beyond those two. "Junior forward Isaiah Livers is a good bet to start, particularly if he can become more of a threat off the dribble," they opined. "Guards [junior] Eli Brooks, [sophomore] David DeJulius and [sophomore] Adrien Nunez will get the chance to find work on the perimeter, but they will receive stiff challenges from a couple of freshmen. "Franz Wagner is a 6-8 wing with good shooting ability and experience with a German professional club. He could start. And 6-7 Cole Bajema is an excellent shooter with plenty of skill. Sophomore forward Brandon Johns Jr. can finish well inside, while lean, 6-11 Colin Castleton has some low-post skill." Like Lindy's, Street & Smith's also had glowing reviews for several U-M individuals, tabbing Simpson to its Big Ten All- Conference and All-Defense teams, Wagner to its Big Ten All- Newcomer squad and Livers to its Big Ten All-Sharpshooter crew. The outlet also placed Howard at No. 1 on their list of "NBA stars turned first-year coaches," citing how he must "blend his Fab Five nostalgia with the blueprint John Beilein installed to maintain the Wolverines' status as a perennial Big Ten title and Final Four contender." However, Street & Smith's was also quick to point out the chal- lenges that lie ahead for the U-M head man, writing that "while it was great to celebrate the homecoming, there is plenty of work to do." — Austin Fox Preseason Magazines Project Michigan To Finish Near The Middle Of The Big Ten Lindy 's is high on freshman guard Cole Bajema, who was ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 98 overall prospect nationally. PHOTO COURTESY LYNDEN TRIBUNE