Michigan Basketball: How Wolverines' Backcourt Will Set the Tone in 2014-15

Young teams are nothing new for John Beilein—he’s had more than a few during his seven-year reign at Michigan.

However, the 2014-15 team is one of his most inexperienced, as there are just four Wolverines returning with meaningful minutes on file—leaving nine, including four true freshmen, with a lot to learn from players such as Derrick Walton and Caris LeVert, who aren’t exactly seasoned vets.

But that doesn’t mean they haven’t played as such. Actually, their situations are the opposite of most underclassmen—they’re ahead of their time.

“I think so. I think I’ve played in a lot of big games—especially as a freshman, going all the way to the Final Four [and national championship]. And last year, playing in the Big Ten championship, tournament and regular season—I think I’ve played in a lot of big games,” said LeVert, a 6’7”, 200-pound junior guard/wing.

Like LeVert, Walton has also shone bright on the biggest stages. As a freshman, he proved that he was indeed Beilein’s next star point guard by helping the Wolverines to the Elite Eight. This year, the 6’0”, 185-pound sophomore is prepared to assume the role of student-teacher at the ripe age of 19.

“Sometimes I do,” he replied, grinning, when asked if he thought he was beyond his years. “[But I always] think team-first—and just know that you’re not just out here playing for yourself, you’re out here playing for the younger guys and just making sure they build great habits.

“Of course as a point guard you want to show a lot of responsibility, but like I said, I just want to help the younger guys gain great habits—so any way I can be a great example to them, I’m happy to [do so]…”

While Zak Irvin and Spike Albrecht are certainly part of the equation, the majority of expectations seem to fall on Walton and LeVert, a pair of all-conference contenders who happen to have the keys to the ignition.

LeVert’s Ascent

In 2012-13, LeVert entered Ann Arbor looking for a chance. Instead, he was nearly redshirted before finishing the year with a pocket-change line of 2.3 points and 10.8 minutes per game. But persistence later paid off in the form of eight points during Michigan’s 61-56 victory over Syracuse in the 2013 Final Four.

The stove was lit.

The next year, 2013-14, LeVert kicked his scoring average to 12.9 points per game while breaking the 20-point barrier seven times. For that, he’s now being viewed as one of the league’s premier scorers and a first-round NBA draft pick. 

Rebounding from foot surgery shouldn't be an issue, as LeVert insists that he's moved well past that unfortunate 11-week stretch of the summer. He regained a lot of his feel during Michigan's team trip to Italy. The next step is to return to game mode. 

Beilein says that he's seen several positive strides from LeVert during early drills and practices. However, he warns that it's far too early to really speculate about the junior's future production on the court. 

The leadership will be there, though, he says. 

Walton Wants Next

Taking over for Trey Burke, a program legend, didn’t seem to bother Walton, who held his own by scoring 10 or more points 12 times and slinging four or more assists 14 times in 2013-14.

He hasn’t missed a game since joining Michigan, playing in 37, and he’s on pace to take over in much the same way as his predecessor—meaning, like Burke, he can be as good as he wants to be.

Those prospects combined with the immense potential of those around him makes for an entertaining season. The bar’s been set; now it’s up to the next generation to prove that it can match previous highs.

“I think it’s more exciting, the fact that, if you think about it, we kind of control our fate and how quickly we grow up and start to jell as a unit. It’s very exciting,” Walton said.

Taking Root

This goes for every team in every sport: Teammates play better when they like each other. There’s no need to do any math or dig up stats; it’s fact. Chemistry, not talent or athleticism, is the key ingredient to winning.

This past year, Beilein’s team was supposed to be “down,” yet it ran to the Elite Eight—not because it was necessarily a great team, but because the players all wanted the same thing, and they enjoyed pursuing it as one.

That same philosophy applies to this season, as trust is abundant and bonds grow stronger by the day.

“We’re kind of joined at the hip, we’re always around each other,” Walton said. “Us emerging as leaders is that much easier, we can always point out each other’s faults. With us being great friends, it helps us be better leaders for the younger guys.”

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references to were obtained firsthand by the writer