The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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28 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2020 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Three Best Players 1. Senior guard Zavier Simpson He averaged an impressive stat line of 14.6 points, 6.6 as- sists and 5.3 rebounds per game in the six contests from Feb. 19 through March 8, highlighted by a career-high 32 points in the 81-74 home loss to Wisconsin Feb. 27. Simpson also shot a respectable 37.5 percent (6 of 16) from deep during the aforementioned span, while pulling down at least five boards in five of the six outings and handing out a minimum of five assists in all six. 2. Freshman guard Franz Wagner He was the club's leading scorer and rebounder during Michigan's final six games of the year, tallying 15.8 points and 6.1 boards per contest. Wagner racked up a career-high 22 points in the 71-63 win at Purdue Feb. 22, while scor- ing 15 or more points in four of the six clashes and registering at least one steal in all six. 3. Junior forward Isaiah Livers He averaged 11.6 points and 5.4 re - bounds from Feb. 19 through March 8, including an impressive 18-point, 10-re- bound performance in the 82-58 win over Nebraska March 5. Livers also made all 13 of his free throws throughout the five games he played in (he missed the Feb. 19 win at Rutgers with injury) to fin- ish 44 of 46 (95.6 percent) from the char- ity stripe on the year. Key Play With Michigan leading Rutgers 52-46 and only 3:33 remaining in the contest Feb. 19 at Piscataway, N.J., Wagner drib- bled along the left wing with 6-10 redshirt sophomore cen- ter Myles Johnson draped all over him. The freshman picked up his dribble with only six seconds remaining on the shot clock, frantically looking for someone to pass the ball to. Junior guard Eli Brooks came running over to the top of the key to reel in Wagner's pass, and attempted to create separa- tion from 6-6 freshman guard Paul Mulcahy. Unable to shake Mulcahy, Brooks fired up a contested three-pointer with only one second remaining on the shot clock and watched as it splashed home to give Michigan a 55-46 lead with 3:25 remaining in the contest. Brooks' bucket served as a dagger in the Scarlet Knights, with Michigan picking up a 60-52 victory over a Rutgers squad that had been 17-0 on its home court up to that point in the season. Best Highlight When Michigan tipped off the second half of its Senior Night showdown against Nebraska March 5, it was only leading 32-28. Livers changed that in a hurry, however, when he darted from the left wing into the paint and hauled in a rocketed pass from senior center Jon Teske just before reaching the restricted area under the basket. With only 6-2 freshman guard Charlie Easley standing be- tween Livers and the rim, the 6-7 junior easily maneuvered his way to the basket to throw down a massive one-handed dunk that went completely uncontested. Livers dunked the ball with such force and violence that it caused Easley to instinctively tuck both of his hands under his chin as if to shield himself from the play. The junior's throw-down ignited the Wolverines' offense in a big way, with Michigan outscoring Nebraska 50-30 in the second half to come away with an 82-58 victory. Surprise Performer Sophomore guard David DeJu- lius gets the nod here, thanks to his performances in the win at Rutgers Feb. 19 and the loss at Maryland March 8. The sopho- more only posted 10 points in the triumph over the Scarlet Knights, but it was when the points oc- curred that made them so crucial. All 10 came in the second half, with DeJulius putting his club on top for good (42-41) with a floater in the lane with 10:09 remaining. He then splashed home a corner three with one second left on the shot clock on the Wolverines' en- suing possession, and helped salt the 60-52 victory away by making three free throws in the final five minutes. The Detroit product had the best statistical game of his U-M tenure against the Terrapins, scoring a career-best 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting. DeJulius connected on 3 of 6 three-pointers in the 83-70 loss, and converted all five of his free throw attempts. Bold Prediction Michigan will enter next season ranked in the top 15 nationally. The Wolverines' roster could change immensely before the start of the 2020-21 campaign, but the club is still bound to contain plenty of talent nonetheless. Whether or not Livers chooses to return for his senior year or go pro will be a crucial decision to keep an eye on this offseason, with Lakewood (Calif.) Mayfair five-star shooting guard Josh Christopher's decision also being an important storyline to monitor (he is expected to sign with either Arizona State or Michigan). The Maize and Blue's 2020 re- cruiting class is ranked No. 5 nationally by Rivals.com (as of March 16), and would likely rise if Christopher joins the fold. Livers and Christopher aside, the core group of players Michigan will be returning (barring transfer) — Brooks, ris- ing junior forward Colin Castleton, rising fifth-year senior center Austin Davis, DeJulius, rising junior forward Brandon Johns Jr. and Wagner — will be paired up with the afore- mentioned recruiting class that is set to finish as one of the nation's best. — Austin Fox Superlatives For The Six Games From Feb. 19 Through March 8 Sophomore guard David DeJulius poured in a career-high 20 points in Michigan's 83-70 loss at Maryland March 8. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN