The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ 2023-24 BASKETBALL PREVIEW ] 40 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2023 BREAKOUT PLAYER SOPHOMORE GUARD DUG McDANIEL Michigan needs scoring from its backcourt, and McDaniel has a chance to be the team's lead dog. Despite size limitations, he proved he could play in the Big Ten and handle point guard duties after being thrown into the fire as a true freshman. McDaniel shoots the ball well and could take a big step forward if he is able to finish better at the rim. MOST IMPROVED RETURNEE SOPHOMORE FORWARD YOUSSEF KHAYAT The Lebanese product played in only nine games last season, but he is expected to be a more fea- tured player after taking a year to adjust to the rigors of college basketball. Khayat is still raw but has the potential to be a plus defender given his length and athleticism. Some believe he could push for a role in the starting lineup at the three. UNSUNG HERO JUNIOR GUARD/FORWARD JACE HOWARD A true lunch-pail guy and tone-setter, the U-M captain is going to be counted on for key minutes with some inexperience and question marks at forward. Howard is a vocal leader and often serves as an extension of his father on the court. Michigan wants to defend better this year, and Howard is a guy who can be at the forefront of that. SURPRISE IMPACT FRESHMAN GUARD GEORGE WASHINGTON III U-M isn't particularly deep in its guard rotation, which is going to create opportunities for Wash- ington (No. 128 overall, On3 Industry Ranking) to make an impact. He's an athletic guard who shoots the ball well and is savvy for a younger player. De- pending on how Jaelin Llewellyn returns from ACL surgery, he might also be expected to handle some on-ball duties for the Wolverines. THREE TOUGHEST NONCONFERENCE CHALLENGES 1. NOV. 13 VS. ST JOHN'S (NEW YORK CITY) Multiple outlets have St. John's as the only U-M nonconference opponent that is in the top 25 (un- less the Wolverines meet Arkansas in the Battle 4 Atlantis). The Red Storm completely revamped their roster after coach Rick Pitino arrived, pro- jecting to start as many as four players out of the transfer portal in addition to returning star center Joel Soriano, who averaged 15.2 points per game last year. 2. DEC. 2 AT OREGON (EUGENE, ORE.) U-M makes its long-awaited return to Oregon after playing the first game of a home-and- home series in 2019, a 71-70 win for the Ducks at Crisler Center. The Ducks bring back star big man N'Faly Dante and will feature a trio of top-40 freshmen in Kwame Evans Jr., Jackson Shelstad and Mookie Cook. 3. NOV. 22 VS. MEMPHIS (PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS) Head coach Penny Hardaway has a lot of new faces and as many as four new starters head- ing into this season, and there are numerous paral- lels between the Tigers and Wolverines. Whoever wins this one likely draws a tough top-25 matchup with Arkansas, assuming the Razorbacks beat Stan- ford in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. LIKELY ROTATION POINT GUARD: Dug McDaniel, So. (8.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 38.4 FG%) SHOOTING GUARD: Nimari Burnett, Gr. (5.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 34.3% at Alabama) SMALL FORWARD: Tray Jackson, Sr. (6.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.2 apg, 46.8% at Seton Hall) POWER FORWARD: Olivier Nkamhoua (6.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 apg, 51.8% at Tennessee) CENTER: Tarris Reed Jr., So. (3.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.1 apg, 51.7%) Khayat, a 6-foot-9 forward from Lebanon, is looking to make a move into the Wolverines' rotation as a sophomore after limited playing time a year ago. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL BASKETBALL QUICK QUICK GUIDE GUIDE BY ANTHONY BROOME