The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629217
INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS U-M Can Contend Without LeVert By John Borton The Jan. 12 Maryland game alone proved Michigan can contend for a Big Ten championship, even without LeVert. It wouldn't be easy, and plenty would have to fall into place. Furthermore, the Wolverines don't want to even consider the possibility that they'd have to go the rest of the year with LeVert on ice. But they could pull it off. Knocking off the No. 3 team in the nation verified that contention. Obviously, one game doesn't a season make, but some of the parts the Wolverines demonstrated versus the Terrapins make for a more encouraging whole. For one, they got Irvin back in a big way — the junior led Michigan with a season-high 22 points. He's been laboring to get back up to speed all year after a back "procedure" in the offseason. His effort against the Terps shouted that he's capable of again producing in a big way, and Walton came to play as well. The junior point guard's 10 rebounds and aggressive effort down the stretch demonstrated plenty. Abdur-Rahkman came through with a career-high 25 points at Purdue, Rob- inson continues chucking in three-pointers like he's tossing coins in a swim- ming pool and Donnal has stepped up in a big way since Big Ten play opened. Michigan has parts, and even in two conference losses — at Purdue and Iowa — the Wolverines showed they can hang with the league's top teams for long stretches. Then there's the Big Ten itself. The preseason favorite, Michigan State, logged three losses in its first six conference outings. Maryland, the other favorite, lost to the Wolverines and still has to play at Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Indiana. Plus, Michigan gets another crack at the Terps in Maryland. The Big Ten's undefeated teams, Iowa and Indiana, aren't invincible. The Hawk- eyes look awfully tough, with road wins at Purdue and Michigan State already, and a sweep versus the Spartans. But they still have to play at Maryland, at Indiana, at Ohio State and at Michigan. The Hoosiers, meanwhile, have won three Big Ten road games, but they still have to travel to Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State and Iowa, with additional challenges at home against Iowa and Maryland. No doubt, Michigan's chances to contend are far better with LeVert than without. But plenty can happen over the course of a Big Ten season and this crew can hang around. LEVERT