The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
michigan basketball more vocal in those moments, to keep guys on track and keep guys where they need to be. As I grow with that, I think our team will grow as well." A year ago, McGary worked in as a raw freshman, in a talented-yetuntested class. Now, that group factors in as veterans, with the big man one of the Wolverines' old men. "It's different now," McGary said. "I've learned the ropes and know what to expect. This year, I'm going to have more of a leadership role. It's crazy, thinking I'm the third-oldest on the team, being a sophomore, but I know I'm going to have to step up, big time, in a leadership role." The physical strides are obvious. Michigan's offseason conditioning and natural growth has added to the frames. Particularly noticeable are sophomores Nik Stauskas and Caris LeVert, the former putting on good weight and the later shooting up a couple more inches. "You'll see the size and progress," Beilein said. "I like the guys on this team. It's a good bunch of young men, virtually maintenance free at this point. Now we try to develop their skills and teach them what winning basketball at Michigan is all about." So much goes into it, Beilein and his returners know. A whole new group is about to enter into that process. Michigan Ranks Highly In Preseason Magazines A 31-8 record, a 12-6 mark in the Big Ten and a run to the NCAA championship game gets everybody's at- tention. Michigan's 2013-14 efforts certainly did so, and that, combined with a ton of returning talent and some promising newcomers, has the basketball world abuzz regarding the Wolverines once again. Here are the highlights on the Wolverines, from Sporting News, Lindy's Sports and Athlon Sports. National Rankings Sporting News: Michigan stands No 7, behind Kentucky, Michigan State, Louisville, Duke, Arizona and Kansas, and ahead of Syracuse, North Carolina and Oklahoma State in the top 10. Lindy's: The Wolverines check in at No. 10, behind No. 1 Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Louisville, Florida and Oklahoma State. Athlon: Here they're out of the top 10 at No. 12, behind Kentucky, Louisville, Duke, Michigan State, Kansas, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, North Carolina and Ohio State. Big Ten Rankings Sporting News: No. 2, behind MSU, and ahead of Ohio State, Wisconsin and Iowa. Lindy's: No. 3, behind Michigan State and Ohio State, and ahead of Iowa and Indiana. Athlon: No. 3, behind Michigan State and Ohio State, and ahead of Wisconsin and Indiana. Assessments Sporting News: "We figured the Wolverines would be wiped out by the championship-game hangover that would send everyone into the NBA