The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/480355
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL I'm still proud of our team and how resilient they were all year long, the great growth in them — spots of what could be a brilliant future for the program for them individually and, of course, Michigan basketball overall." Michigan suffered its share of adversity this year, including season- ending injuries to preseason All-Big Ten guard Caris LeVert (Jan. 17) and starting point guard Derrick Walton Jr. (Jan. 24). The Wolverines went 3-8 in their last 11 games, including a five-game losing streak in February, but thrashed Rutgers 79-69 in the regular-season finale and pummeled Illinois 73-55 in the Big Ten Tournament. Though young players such as freshman Aubrey Dawkins (7.0 points per game, including 18 against the Illini) stepped up, replacing LeVert's 14.9 points per game and Walton's 10.7 proved tough. "I knew going in it was 50/50," Beilein said of the NIT. "Sometimes you don't get that selection. I don't think I had any real feeling other than disappointment. We practiced today [March 15]; we had a great practice. Our kids were excited to have this opportunity. They don't get to have another year. I get to coach for a long time, and they don't get to have that year back. You feel bad for them. "I texted them all, a mass text to tell them the season was over and I was very proud of them. We'll take [March 16] off and talk again [March 17] about the season going forward. We change from 20 hours a week to two hours a week. We want to make sure we're on schedule. I've gotten a couple of texts from [junior point guard] Spike Albrecht who said, 'I wish next season was here tomorrow.' There were quite a few texts like that from our guys about they are all in and ready to go for Team 100." If they're healthy, that is. Albrecht might require hip surgery and use the summer to recover, while LeVert — if he chooses to come back rather than opt for the NBA — and Walton will continue to heal from their foot injuries over the next several weeks. Senior Max Bielfeldt, meanwhile, is still hoping to return for a fifth year, though Beilein hasn't yet extended the offer. AUBREY DAWKINS' BIG DAY IS ONE FOR THE BOOKS A u b re y D a w k i n s i s o n l y a freshman. The rookie forward ignored the class standing, though, on Senior Day at Crisler Center March 7, pouring in 31 points in Michigan's 79-69 win over Rutgers. DIGITAL BONUS: CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST Chris Balas and Michael Spath recap the Michigan basketball season.