The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527978
40 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2024 2024-25 BASKETBALL PREVIEW BREAKOUT PLAYER JUNIOR FORWARD DANNY WOLF Success in the first season under Dusty May might depend upon winning in a way that he has not had to in his career, with a two-big lineup lead- ing the charge. Wolf, a transfer from Yale, is set to slide in next to the consistent Vladislav Goldin, an FAU transfer, as someone who can stretch the floor with his size and shot-making ability. MOST IMPROVED RETURNEE REDSHIRT SENIOR FORWARD WILL TSCHETTER The candidate pool is limited given the amount of roster turnover, but Tschetter has established himself early as a favorite of May's. Last year, U-M got good energy off the bench from him and his best shooting season yet at 52.8 percent from the field and 51.9 percent from three. He should have a role as one of the first players off the bench, at least early. UNSUNG HERO GRADUATE GUARD RUBIN JONES One of the team's best leaders and most un- dervalued pieces might actually be a new face in the form of the former North Texas guard. Jones is known as a defensive stopper, but U-M will also count on him to play point guard in addition to off-the-ball duties. He might be the top candidate to lead the team's second unit and could wind up being one of their best five players when it is all said and done. SURPRISE IMPACT FRESHMAN GUARD LJ CASON The former Florida Atlantic signee was a three- star prospect coming out of high school, but early reports out of camp suggest he is further along than expected. He could make a push for legitimate play- ing time as a scoring combo guard. Look for him to impact both backcourt spots early in his U-M career. THREE TOUGHEST NONCONFERENCE CHALLENGES 1. DEC. 10 VS. ARKANSAS (NEW YORK) There are storylines galore for the Jimmy V Clas- sic matchup at Madison Square Garden. Former Kentucky head coach John Calipari now leads the Arkansas program — stepping in for Eric Mussel- man, now at USC — and has flipped the roster, headlined by the addition of one of May's former Florida Atlantic stars in guard Johnell Davis. 2. NOV. 10 VS. WAKE FOREST (GREENSBORO, N.C.) The Demon Deacons went 21-14 last season, fin- ishing as KenPom's No. 28 team in the country, and they return a solid core this season. Wake Forest is led by Hunter Sallis, who was a breakout player in 2023-24 and was named the ACC Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-ACC selection. 3. DEC. 18 VS. OKLAHOMA (CHARLOTTE, N.C.) Fourth-year coach Porter Moser will lead his team into the Jumpman Invitational between Jor- dan Brand schools, the third season of the event held at Spectrum Center. The Sooners are led by forward Jalon Moore, who averaged 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1 block per game in 25.6 minutes each night. Wolf, a 7-foot big man with a skilled outside game, averaged nearly a double-double at Yale last year (14.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game). PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS BASKETBALL QUICK QUICK GUIDE GUIDE BY ANTHONY BROOME LIKELY ROTATION POINT GUARD: Junior Tre Donaldson (4.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 44.7 FG% at Auburn) SHOOTING GUARD: Graduate Nimari Burnett (9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 39.9 FG%) SMALL FORWARD: Junior Roddy Gayle Jr. (13.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 44.9 FG% at Ohio State) POWER FORWARD: Junior Danny Wolf (14.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 47.2 FG% at Yale) CENTER: Graduate Vlad Goldin (15.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 67.3 FG% at Florida Atlantic)