The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/751827
46 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2016 MICHIGAN BASKETBALL bounds] we got out of [redshirt sophomore forward] D.J. Wilson and [redshirt junior forward] Mark Don- nal. That's what we needed last year … who was going to be [players] six and seven and come off [the bench] and really give us something? They really did a good job." Wilson scored nine points and added eight rebounds, showing off his newfound aggressiveness on the glass. Donnal added 12 points and six rebounds in only 23 minutes. Senior point guard Derrick Walton Jr. led all scorers with 20 points, making four of his seven triples. MUHAMMAD-ALI ABDUR- RAHKMAN COMFORTABLE WITH HANDLING THE OFFENSE Head coach John Beilein doesn't mind allowing junior guard Muham- mad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman to handle the ball at times. Down the stretch last season, Abdur-Rahkman might have been Michigan's most proficient weapon, in terms of taking the ball to the basket. The third-year Wolverine can allow senior guard Derrick Walton Jr. to play off the ball at times, and says he's per- fectly comfortable with that role. "The experience the first two years, playing a lot, definitely helps," Abdur- Rahkman said. "I feel more comfort- able out there calling the offense." The junior guard played 36 minutes in the game against IUPUI. A year ago, he averaged 27.8 for the Wolver- ines, growing into a much bigger role as a sophomore. He's ready for whatever is afforded him this season, Abdur-Rahkman as- sured. "It depends on the game," he said. "I guess coach wanted us to play more tonight, but it depends on the game. Different games will bring different situations, and I will play less." Physically, Abdur-Rahkman noted he's ready to handle the load. An early season ankle injury is behind him, and he was in it for the long haul against IUPUI. "It's getting better," he noted. Abdur-Rahkman also played 35 minutes in Michigan's season opener. "The nature of both games [was dif- ferent]," head coach John Beilein said. "I wanted to give him more time [off] the other day, knowing that he had a game coming back, but with all of the others getting in foul trouble, we couldn't take him out. "Today, it was more like, we're go- ing to rest tomorrow. We got him out, but clearly not enough. We're trying to message to our guys — this is the way we play." FRESHMAN CENTER JON TESKE PLAYS, FELLOW FROSH AUSTIN DAVIS LIKELY TO REDSHIRT Michigan head coach John Beilein went into the Nov. 11 opener against Howard, a 76-58 win, with an idea that one of his two freshman centers would play. Judging by his comments leading up to the game, 7-1 Jon Teske seemed most likely. He'd played seven min- utes in the exhibition opener against Armstrong State, notching four points on a smooth, step-back jumper and a put-back dunk, and had picked the offense up well. "I loved when he knocked that [jumper] in. Beautiful rotation," Beilein said. "He's a big boy. He's re- ally had a couple good weeks of prac- tice. He's going to work like crazy to get one of those spots in the rotation. The game is not too sped up for him. He's getting very coachable, as well." Redshirts don't have to be decided until later, but Beilein noted he's changed his policy. Only four years are guaranteed, and they'll try to in- form players in their second years what the plan might be. For example, forward Mark Donnal redshirted his first year on campus, but after his sec- ond season he knew that his fourth campaign would be expected to be his last at U-M. "You have to earn your fifth year," Beilein said. "They've all got a four- year scholarship. We'll be very trans- parent with that." The coach planned to talk with both Teske and Davis before U-M's game versus Howard. "We really wait to the last hour," Beilein said. "I think we may need one of them in a game … we've got to be ready for one of those guys to help us." Teske proved to be the one. He played two minutes at the end of the opener and grabbed a rebound, and he played two more minutes in a 77- 65 win over IUPUI Nov. 13. "I talked to Austin, said we can make this decision at any time as we go forward," Beilein said of Davis fol- lowing the Howard win, noting his frosh has been the Wolverines' best rebounder in practice. "But if some- Abdur-Rahkman earned last year's Rudy Tomjanovich Most Improved Player and Steve Grote Hustle awards. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL