Michigan Basketball: The Biggest Strides Wolverines Have Made Early in 2014-15

Michigan showed its extra gear during Tuesday night’s 68-65 ACC—Big Ten Challenge victory over Syracuse.

Although it took them a few miles to engage, the Wolverines reached another level of intensity when Spike Albrecht dropped a Magic-like dime to Ricky Doyle, who followed the dish with a raucous dunk. Albrecht also hit a three that pushed Michigan to a 66-63 edge with 26.7 seconds to play, further proving that he was far from a one-hit wonder in the 2013 Final Four.

The Wolverines crossed another developmental plane when Caris LeVert took matters into his own hands, drawing contact from Orange frosh Kaleb Joseph and hitting a pair of free throws with 4.5 seconds remaining to ice the deal for coach John Beilein, who got his second career win (2-9) over Jim Boeheim.

Nonetheless, the Wolverines made a strong impression on the legendary Syracuse coach.

“I thought we played the best game we played all year,” he said. “Michigan’s a good team, and it moves the ball as well as anyone. Overall, we played pretty well—defensively, we forced them to take some tough shots. We let them get inside a couple of times, and they got some baskets under the basket that we shouldn’t have let happen.

“But you know, they’re a good offensive team.”

For a relatively young and “good offensive team,” topping the Orange (5-2) was a step in the right direction—the widespread involvement from contributor to starter certainly bodes well, as the Wolverines prepare for the road ahead.

“Our bench really stepped up when we needed it to," LeVert said. “It was a great atmosphere (here tonight), and we got a big win."

Ranked No. 17 in the land, Michigan (6-1) continues to prove that it’s capable of running with anyone on any court. Despite losing 60-55 to Villanova, the Wolverines learned a lot about playing tough—ask D.J. Wilson and Zak Irvin, who were met with hearty blocks during the Legends Classic title game in Brooklyn.

Their 70-63 win over Oregon the game prior was also a test, which the Wolverines passed without much issue. The tune-ups with Detroit-Mercy, Hillsdale, Bucknell and Nicholls State also served a purpose. The picture is becoming more clear: Beilein’s got a nice group on his hands this season.

Physicality

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Doyle and Kam Chatman, who scored 10 points and had nine boards versus Syracuse, are getting on board with the game plan—they're throwing around their weight and learning to produce in big-time environments.

Acclimating the youth to the rough-and-tumble ways of Division I hoops, and ultimately the Big Ten, as early as possible should be one of Beilein's main objectives.  So far, he's doing just fine. Michigan is the No. 4-ranked defensive rebounding team in the Big Ten (31.1 RPG), but it's No. 14 with 236 total offensive boards. 

Long-Distance Calling

After sinking a long-range dagger Tuesday night, Irvin called himself on the 3-phone. Albrecht made three of five attempts. After drilling one in the second half, he kissed the three middle fingers on his shooting (right) hand. 

These guys are hitting them from everywhere, and they know it. Beilein's done well with shooting teams, and the 2014-15 Wolverines are making 42.1 percent of their tries, the third-best percentage in the Big Ten. 

Of course, league play will be the real test. But converting better than 40 percent as a team has to be a beautiful thing for the Wolverines. Albrecht, Irvin and LeVert are at 40 or slightly better, while Derrick Walton rings up 39 percent from Three Land. 

Michigan's 152 attempts are tied with Michigan State for most in the league. The Wolverines made 11 of 33 on Tuesday night, which is a trademark of a high-risk, even-higher-reward offense. 

If the Wolverines continue shooting like there's no tomorrow, and making those shots, it'll be a long haul for opponents. Michigan's fast and accurate, and that combination is blowout-friendly. 

LeVert’s on the Verge

Stars possess takeover qualities. LeVert, a Naismith candidate, demonstrated that ability versus the Orange, but he’s flashed it several times since last year—a season in which he scored 20 or more seven times. He’s off to an incredible start this year, averaging 16.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.

And he’s already hit 20 thrice.

After Tuesday’s win over Syracuse, the 6’7”, 200-pound junior agreed with the suggestion that his team is learning as it goes but seems to be gaining momentum. He went on to praise Albrecht’s spark and said that he was impressed by Irvin, who is averaging 17.7 points and 3.1 assists per outing.

Get Some Zzzs

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Beilein can relax because he has a pair of go-to, takeover threats—LeVert, of course, is option A, and Irvin is option B.

Or is it the other way around?

Irvin, a 6’6”, 215-pound sophomore, appears to be in the midst of the patented Beilein freshman-to-sophomore leap year; the same leap LeVert experienced in 2013-14 as a sophomore.

If the trend continues, Irvin could join LeVert as a draft selection this spring. That’s been the case for underclassmen such as Nik Stauskas, Trey Burke, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary.

Earlier this week, Beilein said that Irvin and LeVert “have been terrific right now.” He propped Irvin’s athletic development and said that LeVert had one of his finest collegiate games versus Villanova—16 points, six rebounds, three steals and an assist.

Those are good signs, especially for early in the year. Michigan has already played a trio of March-like games, and the same was true Tuesday night versus the Orange.

“That was a heck of a basketball game for December,” said Beilein, who is correct.

Don't look now, but it looks like Michigan is going to continue its ascent and be a real player in the race for the Big Ten title. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBigger81.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand by the writer.