The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2024 2024-25 BASKETBALL PREVIEW the ball well but also starting to put it on the deck. Given the importance of the three-ball in today's game, it seems clear he'll have a pronounced role on May's first Michigan team. He averaged 5.4 points at Alabama last year but shot 39.4 percent from long range in showing his primary skill. "The biggest way Sam can impact the game is shooting the basketball. He's got unlimited range," May praised. "When he walks in the gym, he's in range. He gets it off quick, and he is confident. If he can see the rim, he's letting it fly. And if he squeezed off 10 threes in a couple of games this year, we would have a very, very happy coach, assuming they're the right types of threes. "He just gives you a different dimension being 6-10 with the ability to space the floor. When you have guys that space the floor like that, you get layups and dunks." If Goldin were playing with a "normal player," May noted, his layups and dunks become seven- or eight-foot finishes be- cause teams are able to load the paint. "With Sam, you almost have to play four versus four because he's that lethal and deadly when he's on," May continued. "He's getting better defensively. "We're expanding his game. We expect him to be a better offensive rebounder than he is today, but he continues to improve, and we're gradually expanding his role. He'll be a big part of our success this year." Veteran Jace Howard has been banged up this summer, but he's had some game experience, too. And don't forget about redshirt senior forward Will Tschetter. Though the 6-8, 230-pounder had his ups and downs in his career, May tabbed him the "pleasant surprise" of the team when the coach first arrived in Ann Arbor. "Will Tschetter brings as much to the team from an intangible standpoint as anyone on our roster," he said of the for- ward (6.8 points per game, 51.9 percent from three last year). "To me, he's the definition of a winner. Even though the team won eight games last year, he brings a lot of winning traits to the team." NEW BACKCOURT ADDITIONS READY TO CONTRIBUTE Tschetter isn't alone as one of May's surprises — the backcourt, too, has im- pressed Michigan's new coach. Asked specifically about a few in that category, May brought up two from the portal. "[North Texas transfer] Rubin Jones has been a pleasant surprise for us, and Tre Donaldson [out of Auburn]," May said. "They've won a lot of basketball games, and we're excited to see how they mesh together with the bigger guys up front. "[Jones] has shot the ball really well, and his percentage has always been good on low volume. His defensive instincts … his hands, his anticipation are elite." Michigan head coach Dusty May got off to a strong start on the recruiting trail, bringing in three guards to go with an impressive group of portal trans- fers. Durral "Phat Phat" Brooks was the lone holdover, a Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catholic Central graduate who initially signed with Juwan Howard last year. The 6-2 combo guard led his high school team in points (27.1), rebounds (7.8), assists (4.9) and steals (2.8) despite drawing multiple double teams his senior year and playing through a patellar tendon tear. He was the AP's Division 2 player of the year, "Mr. Basketball" in the state of Michigan, and a defensive stopper, something May noticed about him immediately. "I think in a former life they were probably defensive backs the way they have instincts about playing the basketball," the Michigan coach said of Brooks and portal transfer Rubin Jones. "The growth of Phat Phat in the last couple weeks has been exponential. He went from a guy that was maybe even a redshirt can- didate to impacting practice every single day and looking more and more like a guy that could have a role this year." Justin Pippen, son of Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, was a late bloomer out of Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon. He moved up into the On3. com composite 100 (No. 69 nationally) after averaging 16.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, helping his team finish 26-4 overall and advance to the CIF Open Division Playoff's first round. Though the frosh has been banged up, May had good things to say about him this summer. "Pip, he's missed a good portion of summer with a minor injury, but he's a poised, steady player for a freshman," he said, noting he'd have a chance to fight his way into the rotation. But the one who almost assuredly will have a role is Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian's L.J. Cason. Practice onlookers, teammates, and coaches have been telling us about him since he arrived this summer, specifically his scoring ability and strength. Cason might have been one of the most underrated players in the '24 prep recruiting class when it's all said and done, No. 252 and a three-star. "I knew we signed a really good player. I don't think I realized how good of a player," May said. "He's adapted really well to this level. I think he's already surpassed all expectations. "When you sign freshmen, and they're not in the McDonald's [All-Star] game or playing with USA Basketball, you anticipate it to be a slower process. He's been pretty impactful from Day 1. Obviously, he has to do it on the biggest stage under the bright lights, but it doesn't seem like anything fazes him. He's won a lot of big games in high school on the AAU circuit, and he's just a young guy that is unflappable." Cason averaged 24.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists in leading Victory Christian to a 25-5 record. His team captured the Florida District 8 title and advanced to the Class 2A Playoff's Region 2 championship. "Right now, he's a scoring combo guard. He has to refine some skills to be a guard who's just as good at distributing and playmaking as he is scoring and cre- ating shots," May said. "But he's made a jump. He has ability to get to where he needs to get to at the ball, and he's shot it incredibly well. I think his percentages might be the highest on our team off catch-and-shoot threes and off the bounce from summer and the early fall. "Hopefully, this can continue. It's tough to be a freshman in this league, but he's changed his body, and he's a competitor." — Chris Balas One Standing Out Among Talented Freshman Class Freshman guard L.J. Cason (in yellow) averaged 24.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists at Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian last season. In early U-M practices, he has surpassed all expectations and looks ready to make an impact in his first college season. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS