The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2012-13 BASKETBALL PREVIEW and an efficiency player, with a low volume of shots and a high level of makes." problem for 6-7, 245-pound Max Biel- feldt. The redshirt freshman's bone- crushing practice picks became the stuff of legend last year, to the point that Beilein singled him out in Bielf- eldt's first season as one of the more physical players he has coached. Knee tendonitis limited the Illinois native's progress last year, but he's progressed to the point that defenses will have to know where he is on the floor now. "We know Max Bielfeldt is only about 6-8, but if he's not a mini-me version of Bill Laimbeer, I don't know what to call him," Alexander said in comparing Bielfeldt to the former Detroit Pistons great. "He is shooting the ball on the pick and pop at a very high clip. It's to the point now where Coach Beilein stopped practice to make a breaking news announcement to our other bigs that were having trouble defending him on the perimeter — 'Hey, Max Biel- feldt can shoot!' He's done a really nice job with that." Guarding on the perimeter is an YOUTH COULD BE SERVED Seeking contact has never been a Senior Blake McLimans, who measures 6-10, 240 pounds, shot 47.6 percent from the floor last season, including 41.7 percent from three-point range. producing similar offensive produc- tion in the post, whether it be back to the basket or face up among catches. His confidence is at a level that has been tough to deny." Horford's primary goal is to stay healthy, he admitted. He's ready to contribute after a season of watch- ing his teammates win a Big Ten title, though a reported knee injury in practice had him in limbo as of Oct. 25. "Whatever the coaches need me to do," he said. "My goal is with the team. Wherever they go, that's where I am. I've been working on things the coaches have asked for — mid-range shots, finishing, just basically all the stuff I've been working on earlier." The same can be said for senior Blake McLimans, though long-range 60 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2012 PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN shooting is more his thing. McLi- mans shot 47.6 percent from the floor in limited action a year ago (41.7 per- cent from three-point range), but hopes to expand his role this year. The 6-10, 240-pounder has been hot and cold in the early going, Alex- ander said, but his confidence hasn't waned. He's also made strides in other areas. rebounds he used to miss last sea- son. That's encouraging," Alexan- der said. "We noticed he's tending to slow down a bit in the release on his shots, whether it be from three or in the post. Blake just seemed so rushed. "I've noticed he's getting traffic "The goal for him career-wise is to get him to ultimately become a con- tact seeker versus a contact avoider area in which he'll have to improve, given that he's more in his comfort zone banging in the post, but he's coming along. He's shown an ability on ball screens to hedge properly, however, and a great ability off the ball to take charges, Alexander said. "He may be able to bring some Zack Novak off the ball defensively and be able to feel that void a bit," he said. Freshman big man Mitch McGary, too, has some of the high-energy qual- ities Novak possessed and could also help in that role. The 6-10, 250-pound Parade All-American averaged 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game for a Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy team that finished 33-1 and ranked No. 1 nationally. He rose as high as No. 3 in Rivals.com's national rank- ings before settling at No. 30. McGary's motor never stops, Alex- ander said, but he'll need to get into better shape to stay on the floor. "His conditioning is okay at best right now," he said. "His ability to play hard for longer stretches is