The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
BASKETBALL14-15 out. They're seen as the No. 23 team overall. Sporting News pegs the Wolverines outside the top 25 and fifth in the Big Ten. LeVert makes its preseason all- conference squad, while Chatman garners notice on the "All-Newcomer Team." In this preview, the Big Ten's top seven are as follows: Wisconsin, Michigan State, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa and Maryland. LeVert gets the "Difference-maker" tag. "After spending two years in the shadows of more heralded team- mates, LeVert is ready to take a star turn," the publication opines. "His versatile offensive game should make him one of the Big Ten's top point producers." Given the personnel losses, overall doubts remain, with this summation: "Unless they can develop into a ro- tation that provides interior defense and rebounding, the Wolverines will struggle considerably against tough Big Ten teams and will have to hope they can outgun rivals on a nightly basis." Lindy's puts Michigan at No. 24 na- tionally and gives the Big Ten respect in slotting the Wolverines no better than No. 6 in the conference. It men- tions the personnel losses, while not- ing Beilein still has some experienced talent on hand. Their call: "We kinda love Walton. Late in his freshman year, he played like a senior (only nine turnovers in 10 March games) to help drive the Wolverines to the Big Ten title and an- other deep NCAA venture. He could well become the star that carries this young team while it develops." Later, the publication notes, regard- ing talent: "It might take a while to germinate, but the Maize and Blue will grow its usual excellent crop." LeVert gets second-team Big Ten mention and Walton third, while Le- Vert is regarded as the league's "Top NBA Prospect." Chatman is listed as someone who "Will take you by surprise." "With Derrick Walton in uniform, Chatman is likely to get the bulk of BEILEIN KEEPS EYES AHEAD One year ago, Michigan head coach John Beilein noted how terribly diffi- cult it would be to replace consensus National Player of the Year Trey Burke, along with fellow early NBA entrant Tim Hardaway Jr. This year, he talked about losing three players early to the pros: Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary. The Wolverines lost some veteran stal- warts to go along with them. But Beilein wasn't sounding a "poor us" tone, by any means, when practices tipped off in October. "There are five key pieces that we are replacing; the three that are in the NBA right now and the two graduates, and I'm going to call Jon Horford a gradu- ate," Beilein said. "Those are two guys who have been here four or five years, have worked so hard, and who know our culture. "That is going to be really difficult to BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK