The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2021 2021-22 BASKETBALL PREVIEW doesn't really affect me because I can use my body really well," Jones contin- ued. "I've gotten comparisons to [To- ronto Raptors guard] Fred VanVleet, so I just try to emulate his game, use my floater, be crafty. I can't always get to the rim to shoot layups, so I'm working on my three-ball. "Just understanding the game, a lot of studying, watching a lot of film. It's not really as hard as people think, but it's also knowing that you've got to under- stand what the defense gives you, and how to take advantage of that." He's more than met expectations in the early going, Martelli raved. "More," Martelli said emphatically. "Until you're right there with him, watching him on film … I didn't realize how big he was, how wide. How he's absolutely dominant getting to the lane [with his strength]. "His shooting, his stroke has clearly improved. He deserves a lot of credit for how hard he's worked on his stroke … and he fit right in. You don't look at him and say he's a fifth-year kid. Some fifth-year kids could say, 'I've got this. I've had these experiences; I know col- lege basketball.' DeVante' really has great appreciation for the opportunity that's been presented." He'll get what he earns and deserves when it comes to playing time and starting, he said, but Jones is on track to lead with the ball in his hands from day one. "Juwan Howard and his staff giving me this chance and giving me the keys to come in and take over this program and try to lead to a national champion- ship — that's an amazing feeling," Jones said. THE BOOK OF ELI But it starts with Brooks, whose re t u r n — a l o n g w i t h D i c k i n so n 's — might have been the most im- p o r ta n t o f f s e a s o n d e ve l o p m e n t . Don't get us wrong: having a 7-1 All- America center back is huge. But Brooks was one of the Big Ten's most unher- alded players last year simply because he didn't put up huge numbers. Without him, though, the Wolver- ines wouldn't have gotten where they did. The team never recovered when he left the Michigan State game early with an ankle injury suffered in the first five minutes, and he was huge in a second- round NCAA win over LSU when his teammates were struggling, scoring 21 points on 5-of-9 three-point shooting. Brooks has a knack for making big buckets, and he also happens to be the Wolverines' best defender. He'll be the leader of the 2021-22 squad, and the coaches are excited to see what he can do. "What's so special about Eli is he doesn't just mentor one individual; he mentors them all," Howard said. "That's the beauty of having a senior like Eli returning." The fifth-year senior admitted telling his teammates all last year he wasn't going to return. He changed his tune after the heartbreaking loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight, one in which he missed a reverse layup put-back late that could have gotten U-M over the top. "I've seen a lot in college," he said. "I have a lot of experience and I've done pretty much everything I have wanted to do besides win a national champion- ship. That's what brought me back — to win a national championship. We had a good chance of doing it last year, but unfortunately we came up short. "[Assistant] Coach [Howard] Eisley was always in my ear. He was like, 'We could really use you next year.' Conver- sations over time led me to this deci- sion." Brooks averaged 9.5 points per game last year, but he has the potential for more. He shot 39.6 percent from three- point range and has consistently got- ten better behind the arc each year on campus. Martelli insists any increase in scor- ing will come naturally. "Juwan uses this term all the time — he needs to be the best version of Eli and has to be that every day," Martelli said. "I don't think you can overvalue Michigan's Best Transfers Of The Last 15 Years Michigan guard and Coastal Carolina transfer DeVante' Jones will get a chance to lead the backcourt at the point this year. Here are U-M's most impactful trans- fers over the last 15 years: 4. Chaundee Brown (2020-21): The Wake Forest transfer started 75 games for a losing program and became an instant winner in Ann Arbor. He averaged 20.6 minutes off the bench as a backup guard and wing, and shot an outstanding 41.9 percent from beyond the arc while he averaged 8.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. He also blossomed into a defensive stopper and 'energy guy,' an outstanding teammate. He signed an offseason contract with the Los Angeles Lakers but was waived Oct. 15; he is expected to sign with the G-League South Bay Lakers. 3. Mike Williams (2020-21): The Columbia transfer was the answer at the point last year, averaging 9.0 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 41.8 percent from long range. He played with the Milwaukee Bucks in summer league NBA action. 2. Charles Matthews (2017-19): Matthews averaged 13 points in 2017-18 and 12.2 the following year, all while being a lockdown defender. He led the Wolverines to the national title game as the West Region MVP his first season. The wing tore his ACL working out for the Boston Celtics in 2019, and played NBA summer league with the Philadelphia 76ers after spending last season with the G-League's Canton Charge. 1. Duncan Robinson (2015-18): Who would have guessed the Williams Col- lege (Division III) transfer would become one of the NBA's top shooters? The 6-8 forward helped lead the Wolverines to the 2018 national title game, averaging 9.2 points off the bench to earn the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Award, and then parlayed that into a two-way contract with the Miami Heat. He recently signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the club. — Chris Balas Head coach Juwan Howard on Eli Brooks "What's so special about Eli is he doesn't just mentor one in- dividual; he mentors them all. That's the beauty of having a senior like Eli returning."