The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2015-16 BASKETBALL PREVIEW winter this year. Beilein noted Albrecht has been cleared to play, and is being moni- tored for how he's moving in work- outs and how he's feeling afterward. He's expected to be ready to cap a career that began with a 9-of-10 effort on threes in the NCAA Tournament his freshman year. "He knows exactly what Coach is looking for and how to get guys in the right spots," Jordan assessed. "When will he feel like himself again? I don't have a timetable on that. The more you're out there, the more con- fident you get, making some cuts and doing things you've done in the past. It's getting over the mental hurdle of it as much as anything." Meanwhile, Walton is full go, fol- lowing a frustrating late winter pe- riod. "He's excited," Jordan said. "He had a good summer. He invested in his body, and he feels good right now, going into it. It's good to see him back and feeling good. "As a player, you want to feel like you can do what you're capable of. Watching him toward the end of the summer, he got his rhythm back." The biggest changes Jordan sees with the junior involve confidence and command on the court. "Derrick has had a lot of growth, leading a team vocally and being able to help guys," Jordan said. "Derrick has played a lot of minutes, and won a Big Ten championship as a starting point guard as a freshman. "He's got big-time experience. Just seeing him be more vocal now — probably due to sitting out and not having the opportunity last year — it's obvious his sense of urgency is greater. You know it can be taken away." The minutes without Walton were in part given to Muhammad-Ali Ab- dur-Rahkman, who averaged 19.0 minutes and 4.5 points per game as a true freshman. His highlight mo- ment featured him scoring 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting in a showdown against Michigan State. Abdur-Rahkman adds depth to the backcourt after his baptism by fire. " T h e e x p e r i e n c e i s t h e b e s t teacher," Jordan said. "You can coach a guy up, you can watch the film, talk to him and point out things, but there's nothing like being out there. He had an opportunity last year to be out there, to have to do it on the road in tough environments in the league against high-level competition. "He knows he's capable. We know he's capable. There's a level of trust there. He got the chance to get out there, and it was great to see him go out and have success." LeVert is also ready to go physi- cally, after a foot fracture took him out for nearly the entire Big Ten sea- son. He'd gotten off to a strong start, averaging 14.9 points per game prior to his injury. At 6-7, 205, LeVert could play any number of positions for Beilein's crew, and he's more ready than ever physically, Jordan indicated. "He weighs around 200 right