The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN BASKETBALL like that. We also know in our league, there are a lot of really good scoring guards, and you've got to be able to defend that also. "I see Duncan being a guy that could migrate to the backcourt, and definitely play both sides of the floor at the wing position." Junior Zak Irvin, at 6-6, has played everything from shooting guard to the bigger wing spot for the Wolver- ines. Aubrey Dawkins, a 6-6 sopho- more, can move from the wing to shooting guard. Sophomore D.J. Wil- son, at 6-10, 240, and freshman Mor- tiz Wagner, at 6-10, 225, could both give minutes in the post, in addition to the wing. "When they're playing as wings, we do have the ability to post them up, and use their length and abil- ity to score inside," Meyer said of Wilson and Wagner. "Both of them have demonstrated the ability to play with their backs to the basket. Both of them pass the ball very well if they get double-teamed down in the low block. "Both of them can score down there and demand double coverage. Then they can find shooters out on the perimeter. That's one thing both those kids bring. "They can make shots from the pe- rimeter consistently. They give you an element of versatility where you can take them on the block and play through them." Assistant coach LaVall Jordan likes the look from the backcourt as well. He gave credit to Irvin for his flex- ibility last year and also sees some promise for 6-8, 215-pound sopho- more Kam Chatman. "Zak has the ability to transition into the backcourt," Jordan said. "We feel like we have a good bevy of versatility and experience. We can play different styles, with the two small guys, which you had to do a lot last year with Derrick and Spike together. "You could have a lot more length, if Zak is back there and Caris is back there. Kam or Duncan can even slide back there as well. They're smart guys, who have a high enough IQ, and it's something we're looking at in terms of shuffling and having more versatility." Jordan harkened back to the days of Zack Novak, listed at a generous 6-5, playing power forward for U-M. They're past that roster-wise, with bigger parts across the board. "A guy like Zack Novak played just about every position, except point guard," Jordan said. "Kam is one of those types of guys, where he's got the IQ to play in a lot of dif- ferent places. "Duncan does as well. Zak has moved around a lot, playing differ- ent positions on the floor. They've got to be tough enough to guard a lot of different positions, too. "You could see that at some point, where they might be in the backcourt because they can pick it up. They're smart enough, and they've been around a year now, even Duncan. It's not out of the realm of possibility." Now, it's just a matter of putting together the puzzle.