I am sure that I am not alone when I say that this team could be crazy good and deep next year. That said, I hope that I am not wildly over-optimistic. Either way, the following are my expectations for next year's team. What do you think?
Overall: Our offense could be virtually unstoppable next season as I see four players on this team that could each contend for scoring leader in the B1G next year: Levert (if he returns), Irvin, Dawkins, and Robinson (based solely on reports of his practice prowess). Add that to our outstanding PGs (Walton and Spike) who can score with improved effectiveness. With so many potent scoring options, we will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. The UM defense will improve as: (1) the younger players become increasingly competent with the Beilein defensive approaches, (2) Doyle, Donnal and Wilson bulk up and get stronger down low and (3) due to the simple fact that we will have incredible depth next year and thus can afford to play more aggressively on defense.
PG: While I love Spike's overall play and also that of Rahkman, our PG play will be improved with the return of Walton. Based on his play from last year, my expectations for Walton coming into this year was for a stronger version of Travis Trice from MSU. He was one of our top outside shooters rivaling Stauskas in his 3 pt % but also had an outstanding dribble drive to the hoop and very good PG playmaking and passing skills. The foot injury ruined that possibility this year, but I am confident that he will step right back into it next year and will be one of the top 2 or 3 PGs in the conference. Spike has shown that he could carry the PG load very effectively when called upon and he will represent the second half of the best PG duo in the B1G next year.
SG: I realize why Levert may want to go pro (and I would not hold I against him if he did) but given his injury absence this season, I truly believe that he would significantly benefit from another year with UM and he could hone his ball skills which seem to be just barely good enough for an NBA guard at this point. Rakman can handle the ball and play PG but seems to be more of a natural SG. MAAR is really coming into his own this year and should be fantastic as the backup to Levert or filling in as spot duty at PG.
3/4: Irvin finally is playing the way that I had expected coming into the season. You may all recall that I posted that he would lead the team in scoring this season. Well, he was a bit raw earlier this year as a creator off the dribble but he is now showing the promise of greatness. He is dribble driving and dishing and hitting runners and scoops at the basket in addition to hitting important 3 pt shots. He is becoming the more complete offensive threat that could give him an eventual shot at the NBA. If so, he will be integral to this team's success next season and will be a top scorer. Dawkins seems to have incredible upside with his smooth shooting and crazy athletic ability. If he can improve his dribble drive, watch out. He could be unstoppable next year. Chatman has really improved already and should take another big step over the summer. I like his ball handling, rebounding and length to knock away passes as well as his improving defense. I have a feeling that his offensive game will be more about dribble drives with pass outs or lay-ins at the hoop with the occasional mid-range jumper and the odd 3 pt shot. Anything more will be icing on the cake.
4/3: the 6'8" Robinson was reported to be our third best player this year based on his performance in practices. I took that to mean behind Levert and Walton. Maybe, it is behind two of the healthy players this year. With his length and unparalleled shooting skills, his ability to play defense will be the only thing that limits him next year. To that I presume that we add Moritz Wagner who I see as a similar player to Uthoff of Iowa -- tall, lanky difference making scorer with very good shooting and ball skills for a man his size (6'9"). If he is that good, we will be very pleased.
Center: I expect to see much stronger interior play as Doyle, Wilson and Donnal improve both their offense and defensive games. I am expecting Doyle to be the true back to the basket offensive threat that we have not seen here in many years. I expect the rebounding and defense from this group to be much improved as well as they get stronger. I hope that Bielfeldt returns because he has proven to be an outstanding asset -- super strong, tough rebounder and opportunistic scorer. I see Wilson as an incredibly athletic big with a huge wingspan. The guy has a crazy cross over dribble for a player his size and he could eventually become a serious offensive threat but initially next year, I expect him to be a good rebounder and the defender who is most adept at defending the more athletic driving big men and as the "eraser" -- the guy who elevates to swat away shot after shot. I am expecting to see Wilson as similar to Iowa's Olesini. Again, if so, he will be an important piece to this team next season.
What do you think?
Overall: Our offense could be virtually unstoppable next season as I see four players on this team that could each contend for scoring leader in the B1G next year: Levert (if he returns), Irvin, Dawkins, and Robinson (based solely on reports of his practice prowess). Add that to our outstanding PGs (Walton and Spike) who can score with improved effectiveness. With so many potent scoring options, we will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. The UM defense will improve as: (1) the younger players become increasingly competent with the Beilein defensive approaches, (2) Doyle, Donnal and Wilson bulk up and get stronger down low and (3) due to the simple fact that we will have incredible depth next year and thus can afford to play more aggressively on defense.
PG: While I love Spike's overall play and also that of Rahkman, our PG play will be improved with the return of Walton. Based on his play from last year, my expectations for Walton coming into this year was for a stronger version of Travis Trice from MSU. He was one of our top outside shooters rivaling Stauskas in his 3 pt % but also had an outstanding dribble drive to the hoop and very good PG playmaking and passing skills. The foot injury ruined that possibility this year, but I am confident that he will step right back into it next year and will be one of the top 2 or 3 PGs in the conference. Spike has shown that he could carry the PG load very effectively when called upon and he will represent the second half of the best PG duo in the B1G next year.
SG: I realize why Levert may want to go pro (and I would not hold I against him if he did) but given his injury absence this season, I truly believe that he would significantly benefit from another year with UM and he could hone his ball skills which seem to be just barely good enough for an NBA guard at this point. Rakman can handle the ball and play PG but seems to be more of a natural SG. MAAR is really coming into his own this year and should be fantastic as the backup to Levert or filling in as spot duty at PG.
3/4: Irvin finally is playing the way that I had expected coming into the season. You may all recall that I posted that he would lead the team in scoring this season. Well, he was a bit raw earlier this year as a creator off the dribble but he is now showing the promise of greatness. He is dribble driving and dishing and hitting runners and scoops at the basket in addition to hitting important 3 pt shots. He is becoming the more complete offensive threat that could give him an eventual shot at the NBA. If so, he will be integral to this team's success next season and will be a top scorer. Dawkins seems to have incredible upside with his smooth shooting and crazy athletic ability. If he can improve his dribble drive, watch out. He could be unstoppable next year. Chatman has really improved already and should take another big step over the summer. I like his ball handling, rebounding and length to knock away passes as well as his improving defense. I have a feeling that his offensive game will be more about dribble drives with pass outs or lay-ins at the hoop with the occasional mid-range jumper and the odd 3 pt shot. Anything more will be icing on the cake.
4/3: the 6'8" Robinson was reported to be our third best player this year based on his performance in practices. I took that to mean behind Levert and Walton. Maybe, it is behind two of the healthy players this year. With his length and unparalleled shooting skills, his ability to play defense will be the only thing that limits him next year. To that I presume that we add Moritz Wagner who I see as a similar player to Uthoff of Iowa -- tall, lanky difference making scorer with very good shooting and ball skills for a man his size (6'9"). If he is that good, we will be very pleased.
Center: I expect to see much stronger interior play as Doyle, Wilson and Donnal improve both their offense and defensive games. I am expecting Doyle to be the true back to the basket offensive threat that we have not seen here in many years. I expect the rebounding and defense from this group to be much improved as well as they get stronger. I hope that Bielfeldt returns because he has proven to be an outstanding asset -- super strong, tough rebounder and opportunistic scorer. I see Wilson as an incredibly athletic big with a huge wingspan. The guy has a crazy cross over dribble for a player his size and he could eventually become a serious offensive threat but initially next year, I expect him to be a good rebounder and the defender who is most adept at defending the more athletic driving big men and as the "eraser" -- the guy who elevates to swat away shot after shot. I am expecting to see Wilson as similar to Iowa's Olesini. Again, if so, he will be an important piece to this team next season.
What do you think?
