The Wolverine

December 2011

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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what we do, and pride ourselves on, is being a good defensive team. It's understanding the concepts and strategies and techniques on defense until it just becomes normal." Burke isn't being asked to replicate what Morris gave to the Wolverines, at least in the finer points. At 6-4, Morris could throw over the top of defenders, post up on smaller guards and use his size when penetrating the lane. Burke is 6-1, but quick and savvy enough to get into the lane and kick the ball out. He's also a much better outside shooter than Morris, with an ability to knock down the long-range balls. He finished November connect- ing on 30.8 percent from long range (8 of 26), compared to Morris' 25.0 per- cent three-point shooting a year ago. Burke knows he has steps to take, particularly when it comes to deci- sions in the lane. He's already learned some important lessons at this level. "Coach B and Coach Val have been trying to work on me, that when I get into the paint, land on two feet, so I can avoid the charge," Burke noted. "That's the only thing I'm not confi- dent in, as much as I should be. When I get in the paint, it's looking to score. When I get in the paint, I look to pass. I notice that every time I look to score, it opens the perimeter up. "When the defense leaves me open, they tell me to take the shot. But they keep telling me to get in the paint, and that's going to open up the perimeter. Once I get better at that, we're going to be an even better ball club." Beilein's teams are generally sig- nificantly better in February than in November. That would be saying something this season, given the very solid showing in Maui. There's plenty of room for growth while Burke gets more comfortable. At the same time, he hasn't exactly proven a wallflower when it comes to asserting himself in the lineup. Through Michigan's first seven games, he'd established himself as the Wolverines' second-leading scorer (11.0 average), top assist man (4.1 av- erage) and third-most frequent per- former (31.6 minutes per game). Come February, he ought to be set- tled in nicely. "It's trying to execute what Coach Beilein wants," Jordan pointed out. "He's definitely capable of getting the job done." ❑ Five Best Michigan Freshman Point Guards Michigan has featured a few frosh ankle-breakers at the point guard position. The emergence of freshman Trey Burke reignited some discussion over the best handful, at least in terms of what they produced that initial season. Here's a look back at those who turned heads very early on, at Crisler Arena and beyond. 1. Gary Grant (1984-85) — Grant earned the nickname "The General," and he began living up to it almost immediately. Grant led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship as a freshman in 1984-85, and U-M repeated with him in charge the following year. As a freshman, he averaged 12.9 points and 4.7 assists per game. He shot 55.0 percent from the field that year, connecting on 81.7 percent of his free throws in taking the Wolverines to the top of the league. 2. Jalen Rose (1991-92) — Rose didn't direct the Wolverines to a Big Ten title as a frosh, but he very nearly pushed U-M to a national championship. The leader of the Fab Five helped Michigan to the NCAA Tournament title game, averaging 17.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He shot 48.6 percent from the field, rang up 111 three-pointers on the season and infused the lineup with a swagger that became legendary. 3. Daniel Horton (2002- 03) — Horton proved a central figure in Tommy Amaker's efforts to revive the basketball program after NCAA sanctions set in. Horton demonstrated poised leadership on the court, directing the Wolver- ines to an 18-12 finish and a tie for third place in the Big Ten at 10-6 his first year. He averaged 15.2 points that freshman season, along with 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds. A 37.2 percent three-point shooter, Hor- ton could score from out- side as well as penetrate. 4. Eric Turner (1981-82) — The Wolverines strug- gled to an 8-19 record in Turner's first year, making him one of the few bright spots on a squad that tied for seventh in the Big Ten. Turner averaged 14.7 points, 4.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds a game as a rookie, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. 5. Kevin Gaines (1999- 2000) — Gaines made his only year in a Michigan uni- form a solid one, the Wol- verines finishing 15-14 with the rookie directing the show. Gaines wound up averaging 11.7 points, 4.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game in his 29 games for the Wolverines. — John Borton As a freshman in 2002-03, Daniel Horton averaged 15.2 points per game, along with 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds, and he helped lead U-M to an overall record of 18-12 and a tie for third place in the Big Ten. FILE PHOTO DECEMBER 2011 THE WOLVERINE 53

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