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Michigan Basketball ’08-’09 Preview Ranking: No. 72 2007-08: 10-22, 5-13, ninth (t) Newcomers Ben Cronin, C, 7’0” 265 (Syracuse, NY) Stuart Douglass, PG, 6’3” ...

Michigan Wolverines 2008-2009 Men's Basketball Preview

by Scott Rieger (Analyst)

20

1131 reads

Preview/Prediction

November 14, 2008


Michigan Basketball ’08-’09 Preview

Ranking: No. 72  

2007-08: 10-22, 5-13, ninth (t)

 

 

 

Newcomers

 

Ben Cronin, C, 7’0” 265 (Syracuse, NY)

Stuart Douglass, PG, 6’3” 175 (Carmel, IN)

Zack Novak, SG, 6’5” 210 (Chesterton, IN)

Laval Lucas-Perry, PG, 6’3” 185 (Transfer from Arizona)

Corey Person, SG, 6’4” 200 (Kalamazoo, MI) (Walk-On)

 

 

 

Departures

 

Ekpe Udoh, 6 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.9 bpg (Transfer to Baylor)

Ron Coleman, 4.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.3 apg (Graduation)

 

 

 

Key Returners

 

Manny Harris, SO, 16 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.7 apg

DeShawn Sims, JR, 12.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 spg

Kelvin Grady, SO, 5.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.8 apg

Anthony Wright, SO, 5.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg

Zach Gibson, JR, 5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

 

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20 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Jameson Fleming 7 months ago

    As you saw on my article, I was very impressed with Harris. I think if he continues to develop into the player we think he can be in the conference schedule, Michigan might actually make a run towards an NCAA bid. As a whole, I think the conference is down and pretty weak after Purdue and Michigan State.

    If they can find an inside presence like you said this team could be pretty darn good.

    Ben Cronin was a pretty big deal here around Syracuse the last few years and there were whispers about whether SU would offer him a scholarship. The Orange probably would have if they had the available spots, but all the 'ships were filled already.

    So the Wolverines are getting a player that is probably pretty capable of stepping in and giving at least ten or so minutes off the bench as a freshman.

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      Yeah, I actually read that Syracuse did offer Cronin but that he decided to go with Michigan instead, but who knows. We know there was interest my many top schools. Then again, most schools have interest in seven-footers that can shoot the rock.

      Hopefully, he'll play a role early and develop into a solid contributor by the time we get to conference play. I think they can hold their own as is, but let's say Gibson gets into foul trouble or something, they will be screwed if Cronin or Puls doesn't step up.

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  2. Michael Oleszek 7 months ago

    If they can win 60-70% of their Big 10 games, they should get an at-large tourney bid.

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  3. John Lorge 7 months ago

    I'm sorry but I think Big 10 basketball, for the most part, is weak. It's not overrated like Big 10 football, but its just not good. Mich will lose all 5 games to watch. Theres only been three things I've ever liked about Mich hoops, the fab 5, tractor trailer, and Jamal Crawford.

    Scott this is a great preview, you really did a good job, but I have nothing nice to say about Mich or Big 10 hoops.

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      That's cool John, can't please everyone...lol.

      I think that Illinois losing Jamar Smith will hurt them and teams like Ohio State, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin will be solid. They won't be on the level of the top CUSA or ACC Teams, but certainly won't be slouches either. I think Michigan will split the season series with Michigan State and Ohio State and might win both against Illinois. I think we'll lose both to Purdue.

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  4. Daniel Damico 7 months ago

    First off - good article and breakdown Scott!

    All you Big Ten haters, what are you talking about? Down from what? Last season was not great but nearly every team is better - minus Indian. Michigan State is primed to reach the final four, Purdue has a load of talent, Ohio State is a much more complete team than last season, and Minnesota had the 23rd ranked recruiting class in the nation, and there are players that will compete for All-Americans status - Manny Harris, Robbie Hummel, Raymor Morgan, BJ Mullens, etc.

    Like a lot of the big conferences, teams in the Big-Ten beat-up on each other and the middle of the pack will not appear as elite if people do not talk about them - like they do the Big East and the ACC. I am a huge ACC fan, but the middle to lower tier teams get talked-up like they are a national championship caliber teams, and they are not good. I actually think the Big-Ten could draw or win the Big-Ten/ACC Challenge.

    Duke at Purdue
    Clemson at Illinois
    Ohio State at Miami
    Virginia at Minnesota
    Iowa at Boston College

    Wednesday, Dec. 3
    North Carolina vs. Michigan State (from Ford Field)
    Indiana at Wake Forest
    Michigan at Maryland
    Florida State at Northwestern
    Penn State at Georgia Tech

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      Daniel,

      Thanks alot for your comments and insight. Good response and I agree with you. Just like in football, good teams in superior conferences are often better than their record would indicate, however, in basketball, as long as they make the tourney, they get to prove it on the court. Every year, Big Ten teams do pretty well in the tourney and every year, some of the top schools pull multiple top recruits.

      Not to say our conference is better than anyone else's, but we can certainly compete with any of them.

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  5. Ja Tonio Lewis 7 months ago

    Nice work (as always) Scott! I look for Michigan to be exciting this season, but nothing special. Maybe they will have a few upsets, but I suspect they will continue working towards building for the near future. They have tremendous pieces in place and coming up. God knows I love my Wolverines. So I will cheer regardless of a losing effort or a winning cause.

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  6. SportMonk 7 months ago

    Great read, Scott. I'm pumped for college basketball. I hope both your Wolverines and my Huskers have lots of success this year and perform well in the Road to the Final Four.

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      Thanks Monk. I hope so too! Our BBall program deserves better. We haven't ever recovered from the Fab 5 scandal and the couple of decent squads under Ellerbee never lived up to the hype either.

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  7. Corey McSweeney 7 months ago

    Wow, I just published an article on the games to watch this season, and we almost picked the same exact ones. I didn't copy, I swear, haha. Anyway, good analysis, I have a feeling they could have a good season. Here's what I had.
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/82539-michigan-basketball-08-09-games-to-watch

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      I think so too, but I still think that somebody is going to have to step up down low, whether it be Gibson or Cronin. Against the Conference foes, we'll get manhandled because they all have skilled bigs. Of course, a lot of our success will also hinge on our young guys shooting the ball well.

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  8. Brett Lissenden 7 months ago

    Nice breakdown. I think Michigan will be a bubble team for most of the year this season. I liked watching them last season because you could tell that they had some solid talent with Harris and Sims. I dunno if I am willing to say they will make the tournament this year but they are definitely headed in the right direction as a program with Beilein at coach.

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      Thanks for the comments and the pick. I completely agree with your take. I believe that it will be really important that they win most of their non-conference schedule so that they go into conference play with some momentum. Some people are down on the Big Ten this year, but I actually think they are quite solid.

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  9. Jeff Kneis 7 months ago

    Great breakdown. The non-conference schedule looks pretty tough but I expect a huge improvement this year. Michigan is going to be a very athletic team that could suprise some teams this season.

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  10. Thalmus Thomas 7 months ago

    Nice article...

    Wow you really know how to describe every nook and cranny by detail. Someone did their homework haha, but I'll def keep an eye out for Michigan this year. It'll be a bit of a challenge but we will see what happens.

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    • Scott Rieger 7 months ago

      Thanks Thalmus, I try to dig a little so that my articles bear substance, ya know? But thanks again and I'm happy you noticed my hard work.

      Thanks for the read.

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