The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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to be fine." Robinson leaned on his father, the first over- all pick in the 1994 NBA Draft Glenn Robinson Jr., before making his decision. "He said, 'I've seen what you can do, and you're ready,'" Robinson III said. "He said, 'I'm leaving the decision up to you. Either way, you'll be in great shape, whichever way you want to go.'" So he followed his dad's lead, and ESPN.com's Chad Ford now projects him as a late first- round pick. Ford has Stauskas going from 15 to 20. Those left behind will have big shoes to fill. "We've got a great nucleus of kids coming back that have experience," assistant coach Jeff Meyer said. "We've had more than one op- posing coach say, 'When your kids step on the floor, they expect to win.' That's the kind of the legacy that Trey [Burke], Tim [Hardaway], Nik and Glenn have really left us. When we step on the floor, we have kids that are going to compete, and they expect to win. A lot of that has to do with the leadership of Coach [John] Beilein, a lot has to do with our preparation and a lot has to do with our culture." Next year's potential starting lineup: Derrick Walton Jr., So., PG: Walton averaged 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in his first year and shot 41 percent from three-point range. Caris LeVert, Jr., SG: LeVert's 12.9 points per game ranked third on the team, and he finished second with 109 assists. He'll be an early entry candidate next year. Zak Irvin, So., SF: Irvin, the team's sixth man of the year, shot 42.5 percent from three-point range, second only to Stauskas. He averaged 6.7 points per game. Kameron Chatman, Fr., PF: Chatman can play any of four positions, but he'll likely spend some time at the four position to provide offensive mismatches. Mitch McGary, Jr., C: Should he return, McGary would likely be a preseason All- America candidate for the second straight year and a candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year. The Wolverines would also be a Big Ten and Final Four contender. Or Mark Donnal, Fr.-R, C: The 6-9 freshman is up to 230 pounds and provides a shooting element the other big men don't have. He's got three-point range and has impressed with his rebounding ability in practice. — Chris Balas Point guard Derrick Walton Jr. started in 36 of Michigan's 37 games, and averaged 7.9 points and 2.9 assists per outing as a freshman this season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL