The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/510942
F ormer heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson proved profound decades ago when he said: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." For John Beilein's 2014‑15 Michigan basketball team, that right to the jaw was more like a furi‑ ous combination. The unanticipated losses of Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary to the NBA were the first one‑two. Another — sophomore point guard Derrick Wal‑ ton's foot injury, one that would sideline him for the last 12 games of the year, and junior Caris LeVert's own broken foot that cost him the last 14 — left U‑M stunned and bloodied. To their credit, the young Wolver‑ ines played above their heads the rest of the season and battled to the end. Their NCAA Tournament hopes, though, were down for the count. The rematch is upon them, how‑ ever, and the training has already begun. Nearly all (if not all) of the re‑ turnees are staying in Ann Arbor for both the spring and summer semes‑ ters to work with strength coach Jon Sanderson — a.k.a. Camp Sanderson — to prepare for the upcoming sea‑ son. A few analysts, most notably ES‑ PN's Jeff Goodman, have Michigan in their top 10 with LeVert's return, but others have left the Wolverines out of their top 25 altogether. Former Michigan point guard Da‑ vid Merritt, who practiced with the team at times last year when they needed an extra body, knows better than to count Beilein out. "Not being biased here — I really think this team has Final Four potential," Merritt said. "I say that in large part go‑ ing back to the experience the young guys got this year. Guys are staying throughout the summer and are very motivated. They want to prove some‑ thing they felt like last year was kind of lost. "I marvel at the chemistry last year with everything going on. These are guys that enjoy each other on and off the court, and that's going to be help‑ ful when they get into the Big Ten season and some of the minutes are cut short. They are going to have a chip on their shoulder to prove to the rest of the Big Ten that if these things INSIDE MICHIGAN CHRIS BALAS Opponents Should Fear U-M In 2015-16 Head coach John Beilein boasts an experienced and talented roster that goes 12 deep and is motivated to return to prominence next season. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN