The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/629217
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Michigan coaches reclassified red- shirt sophomore center Mark Donnal as a junior at the beginning of the year, perhaps hoping it would light a fire under the 6-9, 240-pounder. Donnal looked to be the same player he's been in the non-conference season, but he has picked it up in Big Ten play, starting with a 26-point, nine-rebound effort in the opener with Illinois Dec. 30, a Michigan win. He was averaging 13.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in five conference tilts as of Jan. 18. Donnal answers a handful of ques- tions in this Q&A: The Wolverine: Head coach John Beilein has been pushing you to find that extra gear — what's been the dif- ference since you started Big Ten play? Donnal: "I'm just going out there and having fun now. I'm playing the game I love with more confidence. I'm feeding off my teammates and bringing them energy, too. I think I've shown that. "I've gotten a few key offensive re- bounds and some stops defensively. I Junior big man Mark Donnal started off the Big Ten season by establishing career highs in points (26), rebounds (nine), blocks (three) and minutes played (28) in the win over Illinois Dec. 30. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Sitting Down With Junior Center Mark Donnal