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September
26th, 2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Michigan
Wolverines
Overall Rank:
#46
Conference
Rank: #6 Big Ten
2005-06:
22-11, 8-8, 6th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Every year it
seems that Tommy Amaker’s
Michigan squad has a lot of talent and
a lot of depth. Then that depth and much of the talent is lost
for one reason or another and the Wolverines stumble down the
stretch, only to make a nice little run in the NIT at seasons
end. Will history repeat itself…again? Or can this group
finally get to the NCAAs?
Who’s Out:
The
frontcourt senior trio of Graham Brown, Chris Hunter and Amadou
Ba didn’t put up big numbers during their senior campaigns, but
each will be missed. Brown started all 33 games and was one of
the toughest post players in the Big Ten. Hunter averaged 8.1
points and 3.8 rebounds and was a solid option off the bench.
Ba, despite only seeing action in 13 games, was a fan favorite.
Daniel Horton is the big loss on the perimeter. Horton averaged
a team high 17.6 points and 5.3 assists. While Horton’s
departure will obviously hurt the team, Wolverine fans aren’t
worried due to the young talent ready to take over in the
backcourt. Sherrod Harrell and Hayes Grooms didn’t see much
action during their senior seasons, but both earned some playing
time due to their hustle and work ethic. Seldom used Alex
Brzozowicz and Troy Sanchez won’t suit up in the maize and blue
for the 2006-2007 campaign.
Who’s In:
Nobody likes
the long athletic wings like Coach Amaker. Small forwards
Kendric Price, Deshawn Sims and Anthony Wright fit that bill.
Price, who redshirted last year to gain strength and adjust to
the better competition, has a tremendous outside shot and is
expected to contribute right away. Deshawn Sims has a nice
mid-range game, but lacks the outside shooting consistency. His
ability to work off the block means Sims could see minutes at
the three and four spots. Wright shouldn’t make much of an
impact as a freshman, but he has a nice outside shot and has
plenty of experience playing with great teammates at the famed
Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Shooting guard K’Len Morris can
rack up the points. During his senior year in high school,
Morris averaged 21.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.6
steals at Grand Blanc High School in Michigan. If things go bad
at the point, Reed Baker is ready to take over. The 6-1
freshman is a solid scorer and should see a few minutes off the
bench at both backcourt spots. The Wolverines could use a big,
tough guy in the paint to replace Brown, and the Wolverines hope
that Ekpe Udoh is the answer. The 6-10, 240 pound power forward
needs to bulk up if he wants to battle under the basket
effectively, but he can play facing the basket and can hit the
short jumper. At the least, Udoh will contribute on the glass
and in the shot blocking department.
Who to Watch:
Dion
Harris will take over the leading scorer role for his senior
year. After averaging 11.1 points per game last year, this is
Harris’ team. He’s a solid outside shooter, making 2.2 long
balls per game last year. Harris may be asked to take over the
point guard duties if sophomore Jerret Smith isn’t ready to
handle the job. Smith had his ups and downs as a freshman, but
he will get the first shot at running the point. Lester Abram
returns to Ann Arbor for what seems like his ninth year of
eligibility. After a couple years of injuries, Abram is healthy
and will be starting on the wing. Last year he averaged 10.0
points per game in 21 contests and, assuming he stays healthy,
the 6-6 Pontiac, Michigan product will get more points than
that. Ron Coleman will provide experience off the bench after
earning 13 starts last year and averaging 5.8 points per game
and sophomore Jevohn Shepherd looks to make a bigger impact
after seeing limited playing time in 2005-2006.
Final
Projection:
The frontcourt
has a couple interesting returners in Courtney Sims and Brent
Petway. Courtney Sims averaged 10.9 points and 5.7 rebounds
last year and the 6-11 senior hopes to put together a big season
this year. The problem with Sims has been a seemingly lack of
hustle and inconsistency. Petway doesn’t lack any hustle, but
is limited in his overall game. He can help out on the glass,
but offensively his game is little more than dunks, albeit
spectacular dunks. They don’t call him ‘Air Georgia’ for
nothing. The newcomers will have to provide the depth up front
and don’t be surprised if Petway or Courtney Sims don’t spend
much time in the starting role before Udoh, Price or Deshawn
Sims take over.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Jerret Smith,
Sophomore, Guard, 2.4 points per game
Dion Harris,
Senior, Guard, 11.1 points per game
Lester Abram,
Senior, Guard, 10.0 points per game
Brent Petway,
Senior, Forward, 5.5 points per game
Courtney Sims,
Senior, Center, 10.9 points per game
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