PREVIEW
MICHIGAN
BASKETBALL
TIP OFF 2015-16
Friday, November 13, 2015 // Tip Off
2B
23-8
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan
Melo Trimble, Maryland
Mark Turgeon, Maryland
Northwestern
LeVert
Wiltjer
Simmons
Elite Eight
Valparaiso
North Carolina
Kentucky
Kansas
Virginia
Simon
Kaufman
Lev
Facher
Kelly
Hall
Jacob
Gase
23-8
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Maryland
Trimble
Turgeon
Illinois
LeVert
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky
Simmons
Elite Eight
Marquette
North Carolina
Maryland
Virginia
Kentucky
The Daily basketball
writers do their best
to predict what will
happen in the world of
college basketball this
season.
STAFF PICKS
22-9
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State
Maryland
Melo Trimble, Maryland
Eddie Jordan, Rutgers
Rutgers
LeVert
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Jaylen Brown, California
Elite Eight
Northeastern
North Carolina
Maryland
Virginia
Villanova
24-7
Maryland
Michigan State
Michigan
Michigan State
Caris LeVert, Michigan
Tim Miles, Nebraska
Nebraska
LeVert
Ben Simmons, LSU
Simmons
Sweet 16
Colorado
Maryland
North Carolina
Iowa State
Kentucky
Michigan regular-season record
Big Ten champion
Big Ten second place
Big Ten third place
Big Ten Tournament champion
Big Ten MVP
Big Ten Coach of the Year
Big Ten suprise team
Michigan MVP
National Player of the Year
National Freshman of the year
Michigan’s season ends here
NCAA “Bracket Buster”
NCAA Final Four
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MICHIGAN’S MULLIGAN: The Wolverines suffered
devastating injuries in 2014-15, forcing several young players
into action. That prepared them well for this season.
LIKE SPIKE: Michigan’s senior co-captain was passed over
time after time. But when John Beilein gave Spike Albrecht a
chance, it paid off for both of them.
3
4
8
POSITION BY POSITION: Michigan’s deep backcourt, led
by Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr., is the strength of the
team, while the frontcourt gained experience last season.
No.
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wt.
Year
Hometown
0
Brent Hibbitts
F
6-8
205
Fr.
Hudsonville, Mich.
2
Spike Albrecht
G
5-11
175
Sr.
Crown Point, Ind.
3
Kameron Chatman
G/F
6-8
215
So.
Portland, Ore.
5
D.J. Wilson
F
6-10
240
RS Fr.
Sacramento, Calif.
10
Derrick Walton Jr.
G
6-1
190
Jr.
Detroit, Mich.
11
Andrew Dakich
G
6-2
190
Jr.
Zionsville, Ind.
12
M. Abdur-Rahkman
G
6-4
185
So.
Allentown, Pa.
13
Moritz Wagner
F
6-10
225
Fr.
Berlin, Germany
20
Sean Lonergan
F
6-5
210
Jr.
Fishers, Ind.
21
Zak Irvin
G/F
6-6
215
Jr.
Fishers, Ind.
22
Duncan Robinson
G/F
6-8
210
RS So.
New Castle, N.H.
23
Caris LeVert
G
6-7
205
Sr.
Pickerington, Ohio
24
Aubrey Dawkins
G/F
6-6
205
So.
Palo Alto, Calif.
32
Ricky Doyle
F
6-9
250
So.
Cape Coral, Fla.
34
Mark Donnal
F
6-9
240
Jr.
Monclova, Ohio
Cover illustration by Allison Farrand, Design by Levi Kipke
Daily Men’s Basketball Beat
Lev Facher, Jacob Gase,
Kelly Hall, Simon Kaufman
Follow Daily Sports on Twitter: @theblockm
At this time last year, the Michigan men’s basketball team looked
poised for another run at a Big Ten title. Instead, the injury-riddled
Wolverines missed postseason play altogether. This season,
Michigan returns 11 of 12 scholarship players. Senior co-captains
Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht have a chance to relive the glory of
their 2013 Final Four run, and Michigan’s size, depth and backcourt
talent make a trip deep into March a distinct possibility. But as last
year shows, the Wolverines can afford to take nothing for granted.