The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Vert said. "I hadn't played in about six weeks. I was a little nervous getting back out there. And just game flow — I really don't have a great rhythm right now. It's coming, though. "Duncan [Robinson] got in a little bit of foul trouble, so I was out there a little bit longer than I expected. My wind is not all the way back. But it felt good being out there. It's nor- mal to have a lit- tle bit of soreness, after not playing for that long. But I feel good." LeVert admit- t e d h e h e a r d some rumbles of criticism while he was on the mend. He shrugged it off, acknowledging that he knew every- one was interested in a timeline that had to remain uncertain. He credited Michigan athletic trainer Alex Wong for keeping him on a schedule to improve and thanked everyone who respected his privacy in the process. "I did [hear criticism], but I know it was tough not getting all the informa- tion," LeVert said. "We still have the greatest fans in the country. I'm not really worried about that. As a fan, you want to see everybody out there playing. I respect the fans." He did admit a future NBA career crossed his mind, but he tried to keep his focus on the here and now. "It was a small percentage," he said, regarding his thoughts drifting toward a professional career. "I tried to focus on this year, focus on how I could get better. I came back my senior year to play in games. I didn't really think too much about what if, or my future, or anything like that. I was trying to get better and see what happens." S e e i n g w h a t happened the first week of February proved particu- larly difficult, he admitted. Home blowout losses to Indiana and Michigan State marked the low point of his time away from the court. "I didn't get to play in those games last year, and that played a huge role in me coming back to school," he said. "Not being able to play in those games, that hurt a little bit." Now, he said, it's about getting bet- ter as quickly as he can. "We're trying to work it out right now," he said. "There's enough time left where I'll hopefully be back to my normal self before the end of the season." MIXED REVIEWS ON RULES CHANGES Hypothetically, the rules changes implemented by the NCAA this year to lessen clutching and grabbing, and ensure teams were able to move on the court, would play into Michigan head coach John Beilein's hands. And BONUS PODCAST: John Borton and Chris Balas talk about Caris LeVert's return. [CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP]