The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1178918
46 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2019 2019-20 BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2019-2020 MEN'S BASKETBALL QUICK GUIDE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING "There are not many players in college basketball more valuable to their own team as Zavier Simpson is to Michigan. Do everything PG is a combined 63-15 over the past two years as a starter. Elite Glue Guy." — CBS college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein on Twitter after attending a U-M practice in September "It'll be a strange season at times in Ann Arbor. But as long as Michigan adheres to its strong defensive identity instilled by former assistant coach Luke Yaklich over the past several years, they should have the talent to remain in the top 25 conversation and compete for an NCAA bid. And if things don't go as planned this season, Michigan fans can at least have some peace knowing that Howard has been very active with top five-star talents on the recruiting trail for the Class of 2020." — NBC Sports' Scott Phillips in a mid-October Big Ten preview article BREAKOUT CANDIDATE Anyone in Michigan's sophomore class could fit the bill here, but sophomore guard DAVID DEJULIUS gets the nod. He only averaged 3.8 minutes in 25 appearances last season, but the 6-0 Detroit native came to Ann Arbor with a reputation for being a scorer. With Ignas Brazdeikis, Charles Matthews and Jordan Poole — U-M's top three scorers last year — all off to the NBA, the Wolverines will be in search of scoring production in their backcourt. Freshman guard Franz Wagner is also likely out until December with a fractured wrist, meaning a golden opportunity has arisen for DeJu- lius, a former top-100 recruit, to play a significant role. Michigan's two-guard spot alongside senior Zavier Simpson remains a bit murky, but DeJulius appears to have the ability to play and excel at either position. "Can the likes of David DeJulius, BRANDON JOHNS and Colin Castleton — all four-star 2018 recruits who played minimal roles as freshmen — emerge as dependable options? What about incoming four-stars Franz Wagner (yes, younger brother of Moe) and Cole Bajema? They'll all play a key role in determin- ing this team's ceiling." — Sports Illustrated's Molly Geary Sophomore guard David DeJulius averaged just 3.8 minutes in 25 appearances last season, but will have an opportunity to make an impact this season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL BY AUSTIN FOX