The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/495628
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS game to match up with No. 6 seed Florida. Among the numerous media outlets putting out early top-25 polls, only one — SBNation.com — ranks Michigan, slotting the Maize and Blue at No. 16. USA Today includes U-M among its teams considered, ranking Big Ten foes Maryland No. 5, Indiana No. 20, Michigan State No. 21 and Wisconsin No, 24. "A slew of injuries never gave Michigan a chance this season, but the Wol- verines never got down, and wound up pulling off a handful of memorable upsets down the stretch," SBNation.com wrote. "Unless Caris LeVert makes the surprising decision to go pro, John Beilein figures to have things rolling again in Ann Arbor next winter." In Las Vegas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia are the favorites to win the 2016 national title, opening up with 10:1 odds while the Terrapins are the top Big Ten team with 12:1 odds. Michigan sits 15th nationally at 40:1 odds, sharing that spot with Michigan State. U-M head coach John Beilein announced that LeVert is still considering his options ahead of the April 26 NBA Draft early entry deadline (though a player has until June 15 to withdraw his name from consideration as long as he has not signed with an agent). The junior guard was Michigan's leading scorer (14.9 points per game), top rebounder (4.9 per game) and top assist man (3.7 per contest) when he suffered a season-ending foot injury against Northwestern Jan. 17, missing the Wolverines' final 14 games. Ranked as high as the No. 13 pick in DraftExpress.com's mock draft on Dec. 13 and Jan. 6, LeVert has watched his draft stock fall considerably over the past few months, and was projected No. 25 overall in DraftExpress. com's most recent mock entry on April 7. ESPN.com's Chad Ford lists LeVert No. 33 on his draft board of the top 50 prospects, down from No. 31. Still, there is a lot to like, and LeVert could impress in workouts. "As a 6-7 guard who can essentially play all three backcourt positions, LeVert certainly has his strong points as a pro prospect," DraftExpress.com wrote. "He's a highly skilled offensive player, showing the ability to handle the ball, operate smoothly at different speeds, find the open man in a variety of situations, and finish plays with a soft touch. "LeVert could be viewed by teams as a sort of poor man's Dante Exum, a big, versatile guard who is unselfish and smart and can be used alongside a variety of different types of players, be it on or off the ball. "His ability to handle the ball in transition, as well as in pick and roll and isolation situations is very intriguing at his size, and unlike many big guards, he has very good mechanics on his jumper and is consistent in catch and shoot situations."