The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2015-16 BASKETBALL PREVIEW growth after returning to the practice squad in February and March last year and, according to early reports, has fit in extremely well during early practices. He'll bring another dimension to the lineup with his 7-3 wingspan, junior point guard Derrick Walton said. "D.J. Wilson is going to be really good for us," Walton noted. "He can guard multiple positions, and he's re- ally like a hybrid athlete. His impact is going to be big." His versatility is big for a staff whose mantra is, "You are who you can guard." The year in the system has helped him learn the offense, Al- exander explained. "For all these guys, but D.J. spe- cifically, familiarity with the offense allows him to tap a little more into what we're doing," he said. "It's go- ing to provide us more depth. "What happens for veteran players is the game slows down for them, and with D.J. it will be no different. If he embraces all the film sessions, really hones in on the film study on his own, he can be a multi-positional guy. He can put it on the floor more than a little and has been impressive. "He's s guy similar to Mitch Mc- Gary, who should be able to bust out on rebounds and make sound deci- sions in transition on the break." Wilson missed his only three-point attempt last year, but he's shown the ability to hit the shot consistently. "Last year he needed a little time to get his shot off," Alexander said. "He's getting the three off quicker now, and it's a great benefit to his game. It would have been great to have another role player like him last year, especially when Mark was struggling to maintain his health, but at least we were able to redshirt him. Now we'll get him for another year." Wagner, who played for club Alba Berlin in Germany, is still getting used to the terminology and learning to speak better English, but he's come a long way in the few months he's been on campus. He came to Ann Arbor measuring 6-10, 210 pounds, 5. Spike Albrecht — People have made a habit of underestimating Michi- gan's senior captain and point guard, but he's been one of the keys to the Wolverines' continued success. His leadership has been invaluable, and he's much more than serviceable as one of three playmakers, along with LeVert and Walton, that fully understand the offense and how it works. And now he's fully healthy after two offseason hip surgeries. 6. Aubrey Dawkins — The sophomore became more explosive this offseason and was already Michigan's most athletic player last year. He was also U-M's best shooter, though he'll now have competition from redshirt sophomore Duncan Robinson. Head coach John Beilein called him the Wolverines' most improved player following the offseason.