Michigan would likely have been a contender with forward D.J. Wilson on the roster, and the Wolverines might still be. They’ll have to find someone to replace Wilson at the stretch four position, however, and they’ll have options.
Just not the one they hoped to have. Finding the right fit at the position hasn’t been easy, and Wilson was finally the guy many were waiting to see. He leaves before fulfilling his potential, however, leaving a void and plenty of question marks.
Michigan will look to its roster and beyond for a replacement, and it will likely be a by-committee approach. Head coach John Beilein has always said, ‘you are who you can guard,’ and that’s what made Wilson unique — he was athletic enough to guard fours and recover to (often) block shots when he was beaten off the dribble.
It would be wonderful if someone like incoming frosh Isaiah Livers could come in and provide significant, good minutes at the four, and he’ll get a good look. The 6-8 standout is athletic, though not as long as Wilson, and he can shoot it. He’ll be a true freshman, however, and it’s not realistic to imagine him being a full-time starter on a contender.
Many have asked why junior Moritz Wagner couldn’t play the four with highly acclaimed redshirt freshman Austin Davis at the five. Simply put, the offense as Beilein wants to run it is better with Wagner at the five. What made last year’s lineup so dangerous for some teams was contending with two big men who could shoot it, do some things off the dribble … ask Purdue’s Matt Painter last year, who took his chances with Wagner while concentrating on Wilson in a loss in Ann Arbor, only to get burned by a 21-point, first half blitzkrieg. He switched it up in the Big Ten Tournament, only to have Wilson go off.
The Wolverines will experiment with Wagner at the four, but it's not ideal.
Fifth-year senior Duncan Robinson, meanwhile, can play the four on offense, but he can’t guard it (or, really, any other position). Redshirt sophomore Charles Matthews is more slasher than shooter, and while Zak Irvin guarded fours quite a bit in his career, that's also not ideal. Irvin expended a ton of energy checking Purdue’s Biggie Swanigan, for example, and some would argue that hindered his offensive game.
As for potential options not yet on the roster, we’ll start with Canadian Ignas Brazdeikis. The 6-7 four-star would be a top 35 prospect if he were to enroll in 2017, and he has left that door open (even though he’s currently a 2018 recruit).
Brazdeikis is a priority, and the lefty is extremely talented, adept off the dribble and from long range. He told us yesterday Michigan is still one of his favorites.
“They are high on my list, for sure,” he said.
He added he hadn’t given the thought of fall enrollment at Michigan too much attention … yet.
I’m not sure,” he said. “I haven’t really thought about that yet, and I haven’t talked to Coach [Beilein] too much about that.”
Expect that to change, and for Brazdeikis to give it serious consideration. He’s tight with Nik Stauskas, loves the program and believes he’s a great fit. He’s averaging 24.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game on the AAU circuit this spring.
Pitt’s Cam Johnson, a two-year graduate transfer … still not likely. U-M was an early leader, but the Wolverines needed a point guard and took Jaaron Simmons from Ohio U. Johnson moved on and wants to go to North Carolina, though Pitt is blocking that. Some close to it believe Johnson will still end up there … and if not, then either Kentucky or Arizona.
U-M will kick the tires, but it’s a long shot.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is the leader in the clubhouse for grad transfer MiKyle McIntosh of Illinois State, and it’s more likely the Wolverines will stick with a four-year guy than add another one-year player. Beilein is careful when it comes to chemistry, and one grad transfer might be enough.
We’ll continue to monitor Brazdeikis and others throughout the summer, including any new names that might pop up.
Just not the one they hoped to have. Finding the right fit at the position hasn’t been easy, and Wilson was finally the guy many were waiting to see. He leaves before fulfilling his potential, however, leaving a void and plenty of question marks.
Michigan will look to its roster and beyond for a replacement, and it will likely be a by-committee approach. Head coach John Beilein has always said, ‘you are who you can guard,’ and that’s what made Wilson unique — he was athletic enough to guard fours and recover to (often) block shots when he was beaten off the dribble.
It would be wonderful if someone like incoming frosh Isaiah Livers could come in and provide significant, good minutes at the four, and he’ll get a good look. The 6-8 standout is athletic, though not as long as Wilson, and he can shoot it. He’ll be a true freshman, however, and it’s not realistic to imagine him being a full-time starter on a contender.
Many have asked why junior Moritz Wagner couldn’t play the four with highly acclaimed redshirt freshman Austin Davis at the five. Simply put, the offense as Beilein wants to run it is better with Wagner at the five. What made last year’s lineup so dangerous for some teams was contending with two big men who could shoot it, do some things off the dribble … ask Purdue’s Matt Painter last year, who took his chances with Wagner while concentrating on Wilson in a loss in Ann Arbor, only to get burned by a 21-point, first half blitzkrieg. He switched it up in the Big Ten Tournament, only to have Wilson go off.
The Wolverines will experiment with Wagner at the four, but it's not ideal.
Fifth-year senior Duncan Robinson, meanwhile, can play the four on offense, but he can’t guard it (or, really, any other position). Redshirt sophomore Charles Matthews is more slasher than shooter, and while Zak Irvin guarded fours quite a bit in his career, that's also not ideal. Irvin expended a ton of energy checking Purdue’s Biggie Swanigan, for example, and some would argue that hindered his offensive game.
As for potential options not yet on the roster, we’ll start with Canadian Ignas Brazdeikis. The 6-7 four-star would be a top 35 prospect if he were to enroll in 2017, and he has left that door open (even though he’s currently a 2018 recruit).
Brazdeikis is a priority, and the lefty is extremely talented, adept off the dribble and from long range. He told us yesterday Michigan is still one of his favorites.
“They are high on my list, for sure,” he said.
He added he hadn’t given the thought of fall enrollment at Michigan too much attention … yet.
I’m not sure,” he said. “I haven’t really thought about that yet, and I haven’t talked to Coach [Beilein] too much about that.”
Expect that to change, and for Brazdeikis to give it serious consideration. He’s tight with Nik Stauskas, loves the program and believes he’s a great fit. He’s averaging 24.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game on the AAU circuit this spring.
Pitt’s Cam Johnson, a two-year graduate transfer … still not likely. U-M was an early leader, but the Wolverines needed a point guard and took Jaaron Simmons from Ohio U. Johnson moved on and wants to go to North Carolina, though Pitt is blocking that. Some close to it believe Johnson will still end up there … and if not, then either Kentucky or Arizona.
U-M will kick the tires, but it’s a long shot.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is the leader in the clubhouse for grad transfer MiKyle McIntosh of Illinois State, and it’s more likely the Wolverines will stick with a four-year guy than add another one-year player. Beilein is careful when it comes to chemistry, and one grad transfer might be enough.
We’ll continue to monitor Brazdeikis and others throughout the summer, including any new names that might pop up.
