The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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BASKETBALL14-15 and now Stanford head coach Johnny Dawkins. The younger Dawkins av- eraged 9.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in Italy, and Meyer says he'll fit right in. "We knew his DNA was very good," Meyer said. "He just kind of fit the culture, with his dad having been around the game, both NBA and college, and of course, Duke and Stanford are elite-level programs with the kind of student-athletes we aspire to. Aubrey was the right fit. "We saw similar explosion in his game that we felt like Glenn gave us. Glenn gave us the ability to lob the ball, whether it was in transition or behind the defense. We really like those easy baskets. Those are fun." Plus, Beilein has worked directly with Dawkins on his shooting, and Michigan witnessed some starting results overseas. "He hit all kinds of threes, whether in transition, what we call run-away threes, step-in threes," Meyer said. "He was really, really efficient with shooting the ball." Austin Hatch, a 6-6, 215-pound freshman, is also working his way into the fabric of the team, Meyer noted. "He brings a great spirit, and a per- spective to our team and our pro- gram, that foundationally has been very impressive," Meyer said. "It is going to help us with our young kids moving forward. He's still catching up, skill-wise, but his attitude and his effort are incredible, every day." Michigan could also slot 6-7, 210-pound Kam Chatman and 6-9, 220-pound D.J. Wilson into the wing forward at times, but their help may be more needed in the front court with the present roster configuration. Either way, Michigan has built solidly around the Core Four, to the point where it's not conceding any- thing in October. ❑ Sophomore point guard Derrick Walton Jr. averaged 7.9 points per game and picked up Big Ten All-Freshman honors last season. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL