Michigan Basketball: 5 Burning Questions for Remainder of Wolverines' Season

Michigan is scrapping, clawing and fighting for everything it can get right now.

However battered and wounded, the Wolverines have somehow found ways to summon the little extra push when needed, evident from Tuesday night’s 58-44 home win over Nebraska.

They're in imperfect shape and make a lot of mistakes, but they're hanging around. 

The Huskers just beat Michigan State. On Sunday, Tom Izzo’s Spartans host head coach John Beilein’s Wolverines (13-8, 6-3 Big Ten) in the first of two regular-season in-state matchups. This past Saturday, the Wolverines took No. 6-ranked Wisconsin to overtime but lost 69-64.

What does all of that mean?

It means that Michigan, despite suffering through just about everything imaginable, has a legitimate shot at downing Michigan State, which, at one point, looked to be a level or two better than Michigan. That'd be a great pick-me-up for a team looking for answers. 

This Big Ten season has been wild, and the top spot remains up for grabs. But at this point, the Wolverines are now simply trying to survive the storm and earn an NCAA tournament bid.

This slideshow will examine the five biggest concerns and questions as the Wolverines prepare to make their way through the rest of an unpredictable 2014-15.

What's It Going to Be, Ricky?

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Ricky Doyle's defensive progress is a plus for Michigan.

Pay attention to Ricky Doyle, as the freshman forward is going through the first stages of a metamorphosis.

At 6’9” and 245 pounds, Doyle, who has been called “country strong” by Beilein, is beginning to establish a reputation as a bruiser in the paint. Michigan obviously needs that, as it’s struggled mightily in the post and on the boards throughout the year.

Doyle’s held his own versus Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky and Minnesota’s Maurice Walker; he still needs work, but he is most certainly riding the developmental fast track.

Doyle must be in top form the rest of the way if the Wolverines want to do damage come tournament time—or even get in, for that matter. He’s only combined for 12 points and 10 rebounds during the past four games, but his presence in the middle is what matters most.

As it stands now, Doyle’s offensive development looks like it could speed up next season. However, he’s progressing nicely in the push-and-shove area, and that's exactly what Beilein is after. Luckily, he has time to watch Doyle grow, as the Wolverines have 10 more games to right the ship. 

Will Michigan Ever Get Healthy?!

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Key Michigan players have dealt with a wave of injuries all season.

Spike Albrecht’s been plagued by an undisclosed injury all season. The junior point guard is one of Beilein’s most dynamic assist men, evidenced by his seven helpers versus Nebraska, but he’s been rather timid on the scoring end lately, noted by a combined 22 points during his past five outings.

A healthy and confident Spike is a productive Spike, a thought recently shared by Beilein during media availability. Albrecht's unselfish play has recently cost the Wolverines points. Instead of looking to dish, he needs to look to swish. There is a dangerous scorer hidden somewhere in him. 

Michigan needs that guy to help carry the weight. 

Freshman forward Kameron Chatman has been hit by knee issues, and the same has been true for D.J. Wilson, a freshman forward who could play if another injury fell on Michigan, Beilein said.

On top of that, Derrick Walton, the Wolverines’ star sophomore point guard, has been hampered by turf toe for most of the season. He scored a team-high 17 points versus Wisconsin, including the overtime-inducing three-pointer, and has scored at least 12 in five of the past six games. 

That said, he's playing at a season-high level. His ascent is crucial to the overall game plan. 

And, of course, Caris LeVert, the team’s star junior winger, was lost Jan. 17, resulting in the most unfortunate of circumstances for Michigan. LeVert led the Wolverines in every major statistical category prior to suffering another injury to his left foot. According to Beilein, LeVert had successful surgery. 

LeVert won’t be around for March, but the Wolverines had better hope that Albrecht finds a way to ditch his pesky condition, Chatman’s knee improves and Walton’s turf toe gets the boot.

Can the Kids Help More Often with Scoring?

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Michigan needs its young guns to report for duty.

Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman—“MAAR” or “Rahk” for short—has obvious potential. The 6’4”, 175-pound guard has scored nine points thrice during his past five games and has made 14 of his past 29 field-goal attempts.

Adbur-Rahkman may not be the top scoring option for the Wolverines (that’s Zak Irvin and/or Derrick Walton), but he’s certainly capable of evolving into a strong member of the supporting cast. He’s committed just five turnovers during his past 115 minutes of playing time, including a zero-turnover affair versus Wisconsin.

Aubrey Dawkins could also help lighten the load. The 6’6”, 190-pound winger scored 13 points during 32 minutes of play versus the Badgers (L, 69-60 OT) and rang up 11 during 31 minutes versus Rutgers (W, 54-50).

It’s come down to depth for Michigan. Dawkins and Abdul-Rahkman are learning the hard way, but they’re learning.

The Need for 3

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Michigan's 3-point shooting could determine the rest of the year.

Beilein’s Wolverines have always relied on sharpshooting from the perimeter. And for better or worse, that’s been the case this season. Right now, Michigan is the Big Ten’s No. 8-ranked three-point shooting team (.356); it makes eight per game, second to Indiana's 9.2.

That said, Michigan can’t afford to dip below that watermark—especially without Caris LeVert, who led the team with a clip of .409 (No. 13 in the Big Ten). A tumble from the arc would all but doom the Wolverines.

So that brings us to the question: Who's going to make something happen? Those duties naturally fall on Albrecht and Walton. 

Can Michigan Get More Second Chances?

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Michigan's lack of offensive rebounding costs points.

Rebounding is a staple of basketball. Teams can often cover up deficiencies such as poor shooting with good to great rebounding. Sometimes even with average rebounding. Offensively, the Wolverines are the Big Ten’s No. 13-ranked team. Defensively, they’re right at the bottom, occupying the No. 14 position.

Doyle can help remedy that situation—and he has, to an extent. However, senior Max Bielfeldt and redshirt freshman Mark Donnal have to find ways to contribute.

Combined, they average just less than six rebounds per game. They’re big guys, and they absolutely need to increase their totals in the name of second-chance scoring. And really, the same goes for Doyle, who averages just three total per game but has shown flashes of improvement on the offensive end.

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

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability.