The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
2015-16 BASKETBALL PREVIEW normal part of college basketball now. 3. How much better can this team be defensively? The Wolverines finished 13th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (teams shot 44.9% against U-M) and 10th in three-point field goal defense (34.3% accuracy allowed). They also fin- ished 10th in rebounding defense (34.1 boards per game) and dead last in re- bounding margin (-3.9). This is nothing new, however — they also finished last in field goal percentage defense and defensive rebounding in 2013-14 and still won the Big Ten by three games in a runaway. Beilein wins with offense — it's who he is. His teams led the nation in of- fensive efficiency the two years prior to last season, and they'll probably be up there again this year. Beilein and big man coach Bacari Alexander have more length to work with than they've had since they've been in Ann Arbor, and this could be a team that disrupts pass- ing lanes and rebounds as well as any they've had. A few more possessions per game caused by defense, and this team could be a contender. 4. Is this team tough enough to com- pete for a title? The Big Ten is no place for the meek and mild, and the Wolverines have proven recently they can play toe to toe with the toughest and adapt to different playing styles. It's taken some big per- sonalities to carry them, however, both mentally and physically. Former captain Zack Novak helped change the culture in terms of tough- ness, while point guard Darius ("get off my court!") Morris, point guard Trey Burke, shooting guard Nik Stauskas and even big man Mitch McGary — despite his limited time at U-M — took mental toughness to the next level. This group of Wolverines is extremely respectful off the court, as fine a bunch of young men as the coaches could have assembled. Doyle should be able to bang with anyone physically at 250 pounds, but a big voice or two — and some swagger — needs to emerge to pull out some critical road wins in the Big Ten. Walton showed some of it as a fresh- man in a win at Michigan State, and the moment has never seemed too big for LeVert. Those two would be the best bets, though Abdur-Rahkman could spark with his defensive intensity. 5. How much small ball will the Wol- verines play? U-M has more larger options at the power forward spot than ever, with Ir- vin proving he could play there last year while guarding the position well at times. A starting five of Walton, Le- Vert, Dawkins, Irvin and Doyle will be ex- tremely intriguing to Beilein, who loves mismatches on offense. Michigan, though, is more equipped than ever to go big at the four, as well. Wilson, Wagner and Chatman can put it on the floor and create mismatches, too, and you can be sure Beilein and staff will experiment with that this fall. Come crunch time — and against teams that like to go with four guards (a growing list) — Beilein won't hesitate to go with his smaller lineup.