The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516256
80 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2024 ❱ MICHIGAN IN THE PROS site wrote. "He's not the burstiest player off the line but does well to drive opposing tackles back into the pocket. He took on an increased role in 2023 and improved in de- taching his hands from blockers to get after the quarterback." Moody went 21-of-25 on field goals in the regular season, with a 57-yard long. He was 60-of-61 on extra points. The former Michigan kicker finished the playoffs 5-of-7 on field goals. Thomas made 43 tackles, 1 in- terception and 7 pass breakups in 15 regular-season games with six starts. He started the two prior playoff games, tallying 11 tackles. Bell caught 6 passes for 68 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie re- ceiver with the 49ers. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NBA Through Feb. 19 • Kobe Bufkin (played at U-M from 2021-23), G, Atlanta Hawks: Appeared in five games for the 24-31 Hawks and totaled 25 minutes and 9 points. Played in 14 outings for the G League's College Park Skyhawks, averaging 23.6 points, 6 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 32 minutes per game. • Moussa Diabate (2021-22), F, Los Angeles Clip- pers: Hasn't played in an NBA clash since Jan. 1 and has appeared in 10 so far this season … Competed in six outings for the G League's Ontario Clippers, registering 12.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per night. • Tim Hardaway Jr., (2010-13), G, Dallas Maver- icks: Started 10 of 52 games for the 32-23 Mavericks … Averaging 17.3 points, 3.6 boards and 1.7 assists per tilt, while connecting on 41.4 percent of his field goal attempts and 36.5 percent of his threes. • Caleb Houstan (2021-22), G, Orlando Magic: Has recorded 4.8 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in 40 appearances with eight starts for the 30-25 Magic … Shooting 39 percent overall and 37.1 per- cent from beyond the arc. • Jett Howard (2022-23), G, Orlando Magic: Made 13 appearances off the bench, totaling 23 points in 39 minutes … Knocked down 5 of his 17 three-point tries (29.4 percent). • Caris LeVert (2012-16), G, Cleveland Cavaliers: Played in 43 games with one start for the 36-17 Cav- aliers, who are tied with the fifth-best record in the NBA at the All-Star break … Registering 14.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest, while connecting on 42.4 percent of his shots from the floor and 33.6 percent from deep. • Isaiah Livers (2017-21), F, Washington Wizards: Currently out with a hip injury and hasn't seen game action since being traded from the Detroit Pistons Jan. 14 … Appeared in 23 clashes with six starts for his previous squad, averaging 5 points, 2.1 boards and 1.1 assists per game. • Jordan Poole (2017-19), G, Washington Wizards: Second on the 9-45 Wizards with 15.6 points per game, adding 3.7 assists and 2.4 rebounds … Making 40 percent of his field goals and 30.3 percent of his shots from three- point distance. • Duncan Robinson (2013-17), F, Miami Heat: Registering 13.3 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per contest in 50 games with 19 starts for the 30-25 Heat … Shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from long range. • Franz Wagner (2019-21), F, Orlando Magic: Started all 47 games in which he's played, recording 21.1 points (second on the team), 5.6 rebounds (third) and 4.1 assists (second) per clash … Connecting on 47.7 per- cent of his shots, including 31.8 percent of his triple tries. • Moritz Wagner (2015-17), F/C, Orlando Magic: Averaging 11.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists while shooting 58.8 percent overall and 32.5 percent from three-point land in 53 outings with one start. FORMER WOLVERINES IN THE NHL: FIVE STARS OF THE MONTH Through Feb. 18 • Quinn Hughes (played at U-M from 2017-19), D, Vancouver Canucks: He was named a co-captain of "Team Hughes" for the NHL All-Star game, along with his younger brother, New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes, and celebrity Michael Bublé. That was his second All-Star game appearance. He led the league's defensemen with 66 points on 12 goals and 54 assists in 56 appearances for the 37-13-6 Canucks. • Kyle Connor (2015-16), LW, Winnipeg Jets: He was selected to his second All-Star Game, also on "Team Hughes." Connor has recorded 19 goals and 13 assists in 36 outings for the 33-14-5 Jets. • Dylan Larkin (2014-15), C, Detroit Red Wings: He was pacing the 28-20-6 Red Wings with 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 48 tilts. His 24 goals also led the squad. • Zach Hyman (2012-15), C, Edmonton Oilers: His 32 goals ranked first on the 32-18-1 Oilers, while his 60 points checked in tied for third. He had appeared in 50 contests. • Zach Werenski (2014-16), D, Columbus Blue Jackets: He had posted 29 assists, which ranked second on the 17-26-10 Blue Jackets, to go along with 1 goal in 41 games. ❏ Brian Griese • NFL In his second season as the San Francisco 49ers' quarterbacks coach, he helped his team reach the Super Bowl, where they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 25-22. Starting signal-caller Brock Purdy finished fourth in MVP voting. Franz Wagner • NBA The Orlando Magic wing poured in 30-plus points in three of four games from Feb. 4 to Feb. 10, including tying his career-best with 38 in a 111-99 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Mike Onwenu • NFL Pro Football Focus ranked the New England Patriots standout as the 25th-best available free agent this offseason, third among offensive tackles. HEADLINERS Former Michigan athletes in the news this month Franz Wagner was averaging 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game for the Orlando Magic as of the NBA All- Star break Feb. 18. PHOTO BY TONY HUYNH/ORLANDO MAGIC