The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2021 THE WOLVERINE 43 2021-22 BASKETBALL PREVIEW though, he projects to step right in and start at the '3' position, where he mod- els his game after Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton and Boston Celtics guard/forward Jayson Tatum. "I try to take little things from each of their games and try to watch a lot of film on them and see what I can take to make me better," he said. Houstan added that he's working on his ball handling and ability to create his own shot off the bounce in preparation for the season. While senior forward Brandon Johns, who started the final five games last year after Livers went down with a season- ending injury, is the likely starter at the '4,' Diabate has a big opportunity to play both there and as the backup to Dickinson at center. Howard hasn't often used lineups with two big men who aren't known for outside shooting, but he's certainly going to have Dickinson and Diabate in the game at the same time this season based on the way the Wolverines are talking. Dickinson is in favor of the combination, too, noting that he played and had success alongside 6-10 North Carolina big man Armando Bacot with Team Takeover on the AAU circuit. "That was really fun for me," he said. "I feel like I'm able to complement another big man. I'm a really good passer, so in high-low situations, that's really good for me. I feel like I'm able to give them space to operate if I'm not down low." Howard said Diabate's progression has been accelerated due to his willingness to learn and be coached. "His transition has been as smooth as it comes, because he has accepted and isn't afraid to ask for help," the coach noted. The Paris, France, native averaged 14.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and shot 64 per- cent from the field while helping Braden- ton (Fla.) IMG Academy to a 21-3 record last season. He was Rivals.com's No. 25 overall player in the haul. At 6-4, 175 pounds, Bufkin has the op- portunity to be an impact freshman in the backcourt, with U-M looking to fill the void left behind by Chaundee Brown, a former Wake Forest transfer who served as the team's sixth man last season and is now a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. "Kobe's really impressed me," Brooks said of Rivals.com's No. 51 overall recruit, who averaged 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists per clash as a senior. "I like his game and the way he plays." In an appearance on the "Defend The Block" podcast, associate head coach Phil Martelli made a lofty comparison for Bufkin, who the staff believes can play both guard spots, to one of Howard's for- mer teammates at U-M. "He has that lefty swagger," Martelli said. "I don't want to be sacrilegious, but when people think of Jalen Rose, they think of his swagger. Kobe Bufkin is not Jalen Rose, but he certainly has that left- handed pace of carrying himself." Tabbed as the No. 52 prospect in 2021, Collins will more than likely see time at point guard behind Jones, with it being a steep learning curve to command the Wolverines' offense while guarding elite- level opposition in the Big Ten. Martelli has loved Collins' willingness to learn from the coaches and veterans, a sign that his future is bright. "He really welcomes growth on many different occasions," the former St. Jo- seph's head man said. "He has reached out to me and says, 'What could I have done better,' or, 'What did you see?' The next time he'll hit me and say, 'Was I better?' He's not looking for me to blow smoke." Barnes and Tschetter are probably a year or two away from taking on a sig- nificant role, but the possibility of one or both surprising as a first-year player hasn't been ruled out. For example, Tschetter's ranking means nothing now that he's in Ann Arbor, with the No. 130 overall prospect in 2021 hav- ing turned some heads early on. "They're in college, and they now have to prove their game," Martelli said. "Will never ran from his ranking, nor did we run from his ranking, nor did he feel he had to justify the opportunity at Michigan. The dude just lights you up when you walk in the gym. He's just so excited and he's so versatile." Martelli compared Tschetter to soph- omore forward Terrance Williams II, who played sparingly last year but seized the moment when he did see the floor. "Terrance, when he got his oppor- tunities, he made the most of them," Martelli explained. "Will is going to be the same way. I can't tell you he's defi- nitely going to play in the opening game against Buffalo and be an 18-minute guy. I don't know any of that." A Chicago native like U-M's head coach, Barnes has a special connection with Howard, and he was the first in the class to pledge. "This kid is pretty special," Howard said. "He has an amazing skill set. After talking to him more and more, seeing what he wanted from his college future, I just felt Michigan was the best place for him, which is why I went after him. I'm happy he's a part of our family." Overall, the Wolverines should have a nice blend of familiar faces with veteran expertise and an influx of fresh talent, enough to contend for championships once again. Hanging banners, of course, is the aim, no matter how much production the Maize and Blue lost from last season. "The goal is always to win the Big Ten conference play, win the Big Ten con- ference [tournament] and also to win the NCAA championship," Howard said. "That goal will never, ever stop here while I'm the coach of the University of Michigan. "Last year was last year. It was a good way to learn and see where you can grow as a coach and also as a team. We're go- ing to try to do whatever we can to help accomplish those goals." ❏ Caleb Houstan, a five- star prospect and Rivals.com's No. 8 player in the 2021 class, helped lead Team Canada to the bronze medal in the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in Latvia over the summer. PHOTO COURTESY HOUSTAN FAMILY