Michigan Basketball: Biggest Things We've Learned About Wolverines in 2014-15

Regardless of results, statistics and the like, Michigan’s fight can’t be questioned—not after this year.

Back in the preseason, the Wolverines (13-11, 6-6 Big Ten) were pegged by the AP Top 25 poll as contenders capable of finishing among the top three or four in the Big Ten—or, for lack of a better description, finding a spot in the tier just below Wisconsin.

Things haven't gone as planned, but not even nonconference home losses to the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Eastern Michigan were enough to completely write off John Beilein’s bunch.

Not in December. 

Shadowed by a cloud of public skepticism, the Wolverines somehow maintained composure and went on to win five of their first seven conference games.

Things weren’t perfect by any means, but head coach John Beilein managed.

Just as long as his regulars continued to carry their usual load, the rest would follow their lead—that was the popular thought, anyway.

But then disaster hit. Shortly after beating Northwestern 56-54, Michigan announced that Caris LeVert, the team’s star junior wing, would miss the rest of the season due to another injury to his left foot.

The 6’7”, 200-pounder led the Wolverines in every pertinent category, but they found a way to take two of their next three games in spite of the circumstances.

The absence of LeVert, who had a successful surgery shortly thereafter, meant that Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. would have to step up their games.

Hampered by a flat jumper earlier in the year, Irvin has recently come around, but he has yet to find his stride. He’s topped out at 23 points twice, most recently versus Indiana, and averages nearly 14 points per game.

But then there are other examples, such as the seven-point effort during a 72-54 road loss to Iowa, not to mention the 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting—compounded by a scoreless extra session—during a 76-66 overtime road setback to Michigan State.

Lethal at best and a mere afterthought at worst, Irvin, a 6'6", 215-pound sophomore, is most certainly the offensive key for the Wolverines.

Now that Walton’s out with a foot injury, the fate of Michigan is anything but certain. According to Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press, Beilein hopes Walton can return this season.

Beilein’s Mastery Keeps UM Going

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Thin doesn’t even begin to describe Michigan’s lack of depth. Sure, freshmen Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Aubrey Dawkins have shown spurts—which will be covered later—but a team won’t win many games when it has to rely upon walk-on talent.

The Big Ten just doesn’t work that way.

That’s not a slam on Andrew Dakich or Sean Lonergan. It’s just a simple truth of life in the big leagues. Wisconsin’s not dominating with practice squad guys. Neither is Maryland.

Nevertheless, the Wolverines aren’t mathematically eliminated from reaching the top four—oddly enough, they’re just one game behind Indiana in the win column for fourth place. And they’re there without LeVert, Walton and D.J. Wilson, a 6’9”, 220-pound freshman who was deactivated after playing five games.

They also lost three underclassmen—Nik Stauskas, Glenn Robinson III and Mitch McGary—to the 2014 NBA draft. On top of that, power forward Jon Horford transferred to Florida.

How has Michigan survived? Beilein. That’s how.

Throughout the year, he has often talked about the importance of remaining patient and carefully approaching each hurdle. His methods make Michigan hoops go round. Stating his case for B1G Coach of the Year would be a huge stretch, but an honorable mention may soon be in order.

Coaches vote, too. They know what he’s dealing with.

Kids Can Play

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Abdur-Rahkman and Dawkins have been two of the lone bright spots. Their development has been one of the more enjoyable aspects of Wolverines basketball this season, especially lately.

With the exception of Sunday’s 70-67 loss to Indiana, Adbur-Rahkman has emerged as a quality scorer. Don’t be fooled by his 1-for-7 showing versus the Hoosiers, which also included missing the game-tying three as time expired. At least he wanted that shot.

Prior to the loss, the 6’4”, 175-pounder had an impressive four-game stretch, scoring nine, nine, 11 and 18 points, respectively.

At 6’6” and 190 pounds, Dawkins possesses it all: the ability to fly, finish and quickly flood the scoring column.

He only scored seven versus Indiana, but don’t judge him on that one game. He scored a career-high 20 during a 73-65 overtime win over Illinois, scored 11 much-needed points at Rutgers (54-50 win) and scored 19 and 16 during his past two home games.

Despite a down year, Dawkins and Abdur-Rahkman are turning into two classic cases of Beilein Development 101.

And so is Ricky Doyle, who scored 15 points—one shy of tying a season-high—in addition to grabbing six boards and blocking two shots during Sunday’s loss in Bloomington.  

The 6’9”, 245-pounder is learning, but he’s certainly come a long way since the beginning of the year. He’s learning how to better position himself against stronger opponents. Conversely, he’s learning not to commit needless push-and-shove fouls against lighter work.

He’s a freshman. He makes mistakes. Just remember 2013-14 when talking about Doyle, the junior.

Spike Is the Heart

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Through it all, trial and tribulation, Spike Albrecht has been the glue that binds the Wolverines. The 5’11”, 175-pound junior point guard averages slightly less than six points and 30 minutes per game, but his management skills are what make him invaluable.

And his incredible motor—can’t forget that motor.

Refusing to roll over, Albrecht hit a couple of big three-pointers that helped take the Spartans into overtime. He scored eight of 12 points and blocked a shot during the final four minutes of the loss to Indiana. His presence isn’t only welcome—it’s necessary.

Tournament hopes are bleak. Irvin, Abdur-Rahkman and Dawkins are high-value components, but Albrecht could end up being Michigan’s season MVP when it’s all said and done.

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.