The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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That will include a talented fresh- man class with a versatile ball han- dler in Portland (Ore.) Columbia Christian's Kameron Chatman (6-7, 197, Rivals.com's No. 29 senior na- tionally), Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot power forward Ricky Doyle (6-9, 232, Rivals.com three-star pros- pect) and Sacramento (Calif.) power forward D.J. Wilson (6-8, 205, Rivals. com's No. 135 senior nationally). Redshirt freshman big man Mark Donnal has also been waiting for his chance and has shown great promise as a shooter and rebounder in prac- tices. He was No. 3 for the "most improved" award as voted on by the team, while Bielfeldt had days in which he was one of the better big men on the floor, Beilein said. "We watch them every day, and between those two and Ricky Doyle, these are three big kids. Mark Donnal might be a full 6-9, and Ricky might be 6-10," he said. "They will all have a good opportunity, but they are go- ing to have to do it when the lights go on. I do know they are anxious to try and prove themselves." MAINTAINING THEIR MOMENTUM Tasting great success the last three years — including two Big Ten titles, plus a national title game and two Elite Eight appearances — has left Michigan fans, coaches and players hungry to sustain it. Still, it won't be easy. The coach- ing staff has developed its talent so well that the program continues to churn out NBA talent well before its players' four years of eligibility have expired. "It's going to be difficult," Beilein acknowledged. "This would be four players in two years. Tim would be the only one who graduated by now according to the original plan. We just have to continue to hope that the