The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan basketball Impact Freshman: Freshman center Mitch McGary started slowly, but became the nation's revelation during the NCAA Tournament. Michigan knew what it had in the mobile big man from Chesterton, Ind., but McGary got a chance to show it on the biggest stage in college basketball — and delivered in incredible fashion. During the six NCAA Tournament games, McGary averaged 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per contest. He led the Wolverines with 25 points and 14 rebounds in the crucial overtime win against Kansas, after piling up 21 points and 14 rebounds against VCU. McGary became the talk of the nation in March, and the X-factor Michigan sought to take it to the national title contest. Game To Watch: Every single one from the opening tipoff next year, as returnees and newcomers look to build on the emotion and attention garnered from Michigan's NCAA Tournament run. — John Borton Five Questions With U-M Freshman Mitch McGary Freshman big man Mitch McGary drew the eyes of the nation during the NCAA Tournament. His 25-point, 14-rebound performance against Kansas helped propel the Wolverines on their way to the Final Four. McGary went from coming off the bench in the non-conference schedule to going through the process for a potential early exit to the NBA in the season's aftermath. What made the difference for you in the late-season emergence? McGary: "As soon as we got out of the Big Ten, I felt a little bit more comfortable. People didn't know our tendencies. Just going into the NCAA Tournament, I knew I needed to step up. "My confidence was building, going into the Big Ten Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament. My teammates picked me up. We try to pick each other up, no matter what … "I'm just feeling more comfortable out there. This is the game we love to play." How would you describe yourself on the court? McGary: "I'm just out there having fun. I don't even know what's going through my mind. It's playing based off instincts you have after playing for a long time. It's going out there with a warrior's mentality and a relentlessness and will to win. "I love to have fun. If it's not fun, I don't like doing it. "I've always been an emotional kid. I like to bring the energy, and I know my teammates feed off of that. I know it's important for me to bring the energy every day, and the intensity. That's what I do."