Michigan Wolverines 2008-2009 Men's Basketball Preview

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

Coming off a season in which the team lost 22 games, the most in school history, John Beilein and company look to make serious progress this season. Last season was one of youth and inexperience, flashes of potential with extended periods of ineffectiveness and frustration.

Beilein knows the growing pains involved in turning a program around, as he’s built winners at all levels of college basketball, including stops at West Virginia, Richmond, Canisius, LeMoyne, Nazareth, and a community college.

“In the programs we’ve turned around, it was the third or fourth year before we had results,” Beilein said, stressing patience but also intimating that the team is improving and headed in the right direction.

“You notice it in practice when the returning players know so much more than the freshmen,” Beilein said. “That learning curve should shorten the gap between us and some of the premier teams, hopefully putting us in a position to win more games."

The team's schedule is tough as they play in a Big Ten conference with Michigan State, Purdue, and Wisconsin all ranked in the preseason Top 25. Ohio State and Illinois might also find themselves in the rankings as the season progresses, as each have very good incoming classes.

The Wolverines also have a tough non-conference schedule (ninth in the NCAA) with games against Maryland, No. 5 Duke, and No. 2 Connecticut, as well as kicking off the season in the 2KSports Coaches vs. Cancer tournament that could potentially see them playing UCLA, and if they win, probably Duke in the Finals. 

(Update: At time of press, Michigan is now 2-0, with wins in the first two contests of Coaches vs. Cancer. They take on UCLA next Thursday at Madison Square Garden.)

The team will be competitive and should be noticeably better with a full season in Beilein’s system. Manny Harris, an All-Big Ten performer as a freshman, will be the leader of the team and will be counted on in many ways. He’s a supremely talented combo-guard that is tremendous off the dribble, a great penetrator, and capable jump shooter.

If Harris continues to grow in his role and works to make his teammates better, Michigan could surprise.

Laval Lucas-Perry, a transfer from Arizona, leads a talented incoming class of backcourt players, along with Stu Douglass and Zack Novak. Douglass is a sharpshooter with almost unlimited range and will see time early and often. Novak is another sharpshooting Indiana product who is built well and does a good job getting to the basket. Both will be a big part of the rotation for Michigan this year.

Lucas-Perry will be eligible to join the team after the fall semester and is expected to make an immediate impact. He has been practicing with the team since late last year and has received high praise from coaches and teammates alike.

The frontcourt is a bit of a question mark due to the transfer of Ekpe Udoh, one of the best defensive players in the nation and the Big Ten blocks leader. His presence inside will be tough to replace, but Michigan will try with junior center Zach Gibson, freshman seven-footer Ben Cronin, and 6’10” Eric Puls.

Gibson is a good player with room to improve and seems to make an impact when he’s on the floor. He doesn’t rebound the ball particularly well though, which is surprising for a player his size. Cronin is raw but talented and may be asked to play quite a bit this season, particularly in conference play.

DeShawn Sims is a player who made tremendous strides last year, significantly improving all of his statistical areas from his freshman year. He has a great body, at a chiseled 6’8”, 225, and can be a force on the wing and under the basket.

Sims' development, along with Harris, Gibson, speedy sophomore point guard Kelvin Grady, and the freshmen, will determine how much progress the Wolverines can make this year. 

Expectations are tempered, and Beilein continues to stress patience, but you can’t help but get excited about the improving talent of this team. To illustrate, Michigan just inked four quality players for next year's class, signing highly touted point guard Darius Morris from Los Angeles, CA, PF Jordan Morgan from Detroit, sharpshooting wing Matt Vogrich from Illinois, and Massachusetts forward Blake McLimans.

I expect a much improved team and a winning record that could have them on the bubble come tourney time. There are some games that they won’t be favored in but will end up taking.

Last season, they were 5-5 in their last 10 conference games and actually held leads late into all 10 contests, a testament to their improvement. If you factor in the newcomers, Michigan might have the depth and talent to hold some of those leads.

Games to Watch

Nov. 20 vs. UCLA (Madison Square Garden)

Michigan will be double-digit underdogs to the Bruins but could surprise a UCLA team coming off a scare from Miami-Ohio.

Dec. 6 vs. Duke

This could be the second time they play Duke if they get past the aforementioned UCLA game. They don’t match up particularly well with Duke, but then again, not many teams do. To win this game, Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims, and Zach Gibson will have to come up big. The freshmen will also have to hit their threes to keep Duke’s defense spread out.

Jan. 4 vs. Illinois

One-time Michigan commit and Detroit High School star Alex Legion will play his first game against the maize and blue. Illinois may be down a bit this year after the dismissal of Jamar Smith, but make no mistake, the Maize Rage will be out in full effect for this one.

Jan. 17 vs. Ohio State

Michigan pulled off a stunning win against Ohio State last year and will look to do so again this year. Just as in football, beating Ohio State is oh so sweet for Michigan, and the atmosphere for this one will be crazy.

Feb. 10 vs. Michigan State

The fierce in-state rivalry with Michigan State (little brother in football) is fun, but the reality is that their basketball team has been significantly better than Michigan in recent history. They again return a talented squad with big-name freshmen and seasoned veterans, but Michigan gets up for this game and could surprise. Even if they don’t, it is compelling to watch.