The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL the basket. Mark [Donnal] could play, and we knew D.J. [ Wilson] could. We felt, last September, that we were going to have depth where we didn't have it before, on the wings and in the back- court, and still be three deep in the middle." "As you know, we got into the season and that excitement and the opportunity to play nine and 10, with the injuries, just didn't materialize." Injuries impacted heavily, with LeVert, Walton and Wilson out for long stretches. While the depth looks in place now, things can change dramatically from fall to winter, Meyer reminded. • Michigan's freshmen played a great deal last season, but the most heralded of them, 6-8 wing Kam Chatman, fell from the start- ing lineup to a backup role. At the Big Ten basketball meetings in Chicago, head coach John Beilein heralded Chapman's recent ef- forts. "His shooting has really im- proved," Beilein said. "His body continues to improve, like they all should at this time with another year of weightlifting and another year of quickness training. His knowledge of 'You can accomplish a lot more if you maybe try to do less' a little bit, his general understanding of the game, and his body and his ability to shoot the ball — that has all really improved." "We need all of our perimeters to make shots," Meyer added. "He's invested heavily into his gym time and his shooting this summer. That seems to be an area where he's improved. "The great thing about Kam is every day he brings a positive spirit, a smile and an attitude that gives energy, not only to his teammates but to the coaching staff. We're excited about the experiences he's learned from and what he brings to our team. He continues, every day, to bring an energy to all of us." Head coach John Beilein spent a day shadowing football coach Jim Harbaugh and said: "I want to be known as a teacher myself, and that's what I saw." PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN