The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Alexander Working To Raise Doyle's Game Michigan assistant coach Bacari Alexander molded an NBA talent like Mitch McGary in a relatively short window. Alexander poured knowledge and effort into Jordan Morgan during his five-year stint with the Wolverines. Freshman Ricky Doyle will likely spend a more Morgan-like career in Ann Arbor, growing, learning and becoming a leader along the way. For now, Alexander has made it his mission — like he does with all U-M big men — to bring Doyle along as quickly as possible. "He has done a really nice job of picking up con- cepts, both offensively and defensively, and it's allowed the game to slow down for him," Alexan- der said. "The time he had in New York during the Legends Classic was very telling. It presented him his first true opportunity to go against formidable big men. "Whether against Oregon or Villanova, for him to be able to make an impact in a game, or compete, against guys of that caliber, it gave us an indication he would be able to help us in conference play and have something to build on." With the Big Ten season right around the corner, Doyle has strides to make before encountering the nightly bruising battles he'll face. Alexander opined that he'll be a different performer, in a number of ways, by the time the Wolverines reach the middle of the conference campaign. "Moving forward, what's going to be most important for Ricky is to be able to maintain a high motor," Alexander said. "It's his ability to be able to see plays as they develop, see rebounding opportunities as they develop, and then get into situations where he's able to grab those rebounds or make those defensive rotations early and often." Alexander expresses no surprise that Doyle has come on and carved out some time as a freshman. One, the Wolverines featured a significant need at the big man spot. Secondly, he's worked to make it happen. "He's done a tremendous job of changing his body," Alexander said. "That's the true mark of achievement for Ricky Doyle. He's hanging in with a very consis- tent focus, with regard to getting his body fat down, getting stronger. "He has a very eager growth mindset, as it relates to studying plays on his own, asking questions, coming in on his own. This young man's hunger level is atypical for an incoming freshman." — John Borton A s s i s t a n t c o a c h B a c a r i Alexander said of Doyle's progress this year, "He has done a really nice job of picking up concepts, both offensively and defensively." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN