The Wolverine

June-July 2020

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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JUNE/JULY 2020 THE WOLVERINE 17 2 0 2 0 B A S K E T B A L L R E C R U I T I N G I S S U E cent with Michigan no matter what happens." At press time, Howard & Co. still awaited news on another poten- tially key piece of the puzzle for next year 's team. Junior forward Isaiah Livers committed to checking out the NBA route before making a decision about whether or not to return. That's a little tougher these days, with the normal NBA Draft Combine postponed due to coronavirus con- cerns. So Livers still has a decision to make. He averaged 12.9 points per game through 21 contests in an injury-rid- dled third season at Michigan. He remained one of the Wolverines' top three-point shooters, connecting on 41 of 102 attempts (40.2 percent). He also shot 95.7 percent (44 of 46) at the free throw line. But when the bright lights flickered briefly then went dark at tournament time, Livers lost a key opportunity. Michigan radio play-by-play man Brian Boesch noted that miss might become a key factor in a potential return by Livers. "I think Isaiah Livers is an NBA- quality player. I do," Boesch stressed. "I also think that even though he would come in next year as a senior, he could really improve his stock. "I heard somebody quoted — some anonymous scout, in one of those types of stories — that he doesn't have any momentum right now. He didn't get a chance to display himself in the NCAA Tournament, he was banged up last year, his best games came early in the season." Boesch is convinced — like most who have engaged Livers in con- versation — that the junior would "knock it out of the park" in in- terviews with NBA team repre- sentatives. But those aren't being conducted, due to the ongoing coro- navirus situation. Livers is thus limited in another way, regarding marketing himself to the NBA. He noted earlier this spring he would be comfortable returning to Michigan in the fall and earning his degree while playing his senior season. "Him coming back makes a lot of sense," Boesch noted. "He has the ability to return on a team that could really use his services. Obvi- ously, he's going to be one of the best players in the Big Ten next year. If he could just turn in a healthy, produc- tive season, he can find his way into what he's talked about. "He wants a g u a r a n - teed contract. T h a t ' s t h e m e a s u r i n g stick for him on staying or going. When you throw in the pandemic aspect of it, I can see both sides of the argument." On the one hand, Boesch ex- plained, Livers could be coming out to an NBA that might not be in action next year. If it did, but the season got delayed, he might be limited in his time to earn his way up a roster. Boesch mentioned undrafted U-M products Shea Patterson and La- vert Hill trying to prove themselves in an NFL that could go without a preseason schedule this year. At the same time, a college season appears more in doubt than an NBA cam- paign, he pointed out. "So if you're Isaiah Livers and you say, okay, I don't know if there is go- ing to be a college basketball season next year, why wouldn't I go now and at least try to get with some or- ganization and know where I'm at?" Boesch mused. Bottom line, Boesch expects Livers back in a Michigan uniform next win- ter. That's no guarantee, of course. "My gut is that he's going to stay, because I think there will be college basketball and I do think he'll be someone who, with some momentum gained, can really make NBA scouts look at him," Boesch said. "But with the pandemic and everything around it, I see both sides of the coin. "It's so up in the air. If you put it in the vacuum of basketball, it makes sense for Isaiah to come back. Self- ishly, as Michigan fans, that's what we want to see." He noted Livers isn't on anyone's "top-60 list," covering the number of draft slots in the event. Those aren't the final word, either. "As you know, it only takes one team to fall in love," Boesch said. "I don't think many people had Jordan Poole as a first-round pick, and that's what he ended up being. "Isaiah has that ability. He can woo a team. It's a little bit harder, consid- ering what he had to go through this past season." ROSTER SHAKEUP INVOLVES RESERVES Retaining Wagner isn't any small item, especially on a roster that wound up guard thin a year ago and had Howard scrambling this spring. The rookie out of Germany and younger brother of former Wolverine Moe Wagner made it official April 23, announcing he is returning for a sophomore year. Although he began the season sidelined with a fractured wrist, Wagner came on to tie for third on the team in scoring (11.6 average) and finish second on the squad in rebounding (5.6). Rising sophomore guard Franz Wagner, who averaged 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last year, gave Michigan a big boost when he announced his return in late April. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL "Him coming back makes a lot of sense. He has the ability to return on a team that could really use his services. Obviously, he's going to be one of the best players in the Big Ten next year." Michigan radio play-by-play man Brian Boesch on forward Isaiah Livers

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