The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Sports
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 — 7A

Wagner seeks breakout year

The 
Michigan 
men’s 

basketball team hopes it can look 
back at summer 2016 as not only 
one of the healthiest summers in 
recent memory, but also as “The 
Summer of Mo.”

By the end of the 2015-16 

season, 
sophomore 
forward 

Moritz Wagner was beginning 
to break through and make 
an impact for the Wolverines. 
His eight-rebound, four-block 
performance against Tulsa in 
the NCAA First Four helped 
Michigan into the next round of 
the NCAA Tournament.

In the win over the Golden 

Hurricane, Wagner displayed 
he had the talent to lead the 
Wolverines at the post for 
seasons to come. But there was 
still much he had to work on.

Wagner showed he was having 

a tough time adjusting to the 
physicality of college basketball 
compared to what he experienced 
playing in Germany. The forward 
was getting into foul trouble too 
often and knew he needed to be 
stronger to find any sort of success 
in the college game.

So, Wagner decided it was 

essential for him to spend his 
summer months in Ann Arbor, 
focusing on strengthening himself 
and all aspects of his game.

And on Friday, in Michigan’s 

exhibition against Armstrong 
State, Wagner began delivering 
the fruits of his labor.

In 25 minutes, the sophomore 

was 7-for-9 from the floor, 
scoring 15 points while grabbing 
two rebounds. It didn’t matter 
that the Pirates were a lowly 
Division II team — Wagner 
was still making intelligent and 
confident plays.

He wasn’t perfect in the 

exhibition, still struggling in 
some areas of rebounding, but it 
seems Wagner has come out of 
the summer as the Wolverines’ 
most improved player and will 

likely open up Michigan to 
more options offensively as the 
season begins.

“(Wagner’s) going to have to 

get out there,” said Michigan 
coach 
John 
Beilein. 
“His 

defense is better, and he stayed 
out of foul trouble. He really 
understands 
that. 
The 
big 

thing is right now, we think he 
can take a lot of guys his size 
off the bounce. … You can play 
through him.”

In past seasons, several of 

Beilein’s most prolific players 
have made huge leaps between 
their freshman and sophomore 
years. After spending hours 
in the gym like Wagner, past 
guards Trey Burke and Nik 
Stauskas 
went 
from 
above-

average Big Ten talents to NBA 
lottery picks.

But Beilein’s greatest hits have 

always been in the backcourt.

Former Michigan forwards 

Glenn 
Robinson 
III 
and 

Jordan Morgan saw decreased 

production in rebounds and 
points per game, respectively, 
between their first and second 
seasons, while Mitch McGary’s 
sophomore year was cut short 
due to an injury.

But some changes may lead to 

Wagner breaking the trend.

Changes on Beilein’s staff may 

create the right conditions for a 
frontcourt player to finally break 
through. New assistant coaches 
Saddi Washington and Billy 
Donlon bring expertise in post 
and defensive play that Michigan 
hasn’t had in years past.

Wagner 
also 
brings 
a 

mentality completely different 
from 
the 
Wolverines’ 
past 

forward 
talents. 
Coming 

from Germany, Wagner had 
to simultaneously adjust to 
playing 
American 
college 

basketball 
and 
living 
an 

American college life. He also 
had the extra hurdle last year of 
overcoming cultural and even 
language gaps that no other 

player under Beilein has gone 
through. For Wagner, spending 
the summer in Ann Arbor was 
as much about learning more 
about Michigan culture as it 
was about Michigan basketball.

“I didn’t realize it last year,” 

Wagner said. “But now that I’m 
here, I realize it’s easier to focus 
if you know what to expect and 
don’t ask yourself what’s coming 
and what’s next.”

Despite his struggles last 

season, 
Wagner 
still 
had 

flashes of his true ability that 
broke through, including the 
tournament game against Tulsa 
and a 19-point outing versus 
Charlotte. He’s hoping his work 
over the summer can lead to 
more consistency in being able 
to perform at that level.

“I feel very good right now,” 

Wagner said. “I wasn’t confident 
there when I didn’t play a lot, 
but in practice I always try and 
keep it as high as possible. That 
doesn’t really change a lot.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Freshmen adjust well 
in first career game

A high school gym is much 

different than Crisler Center. 
Understandably, 
the 
TV 

coverage, brighter lights and 
sizable crowd induce nerves into 
freshmen who are gearing up for 
their first season.

But for seasoned players like 

junior guard Jillian Dunston, 
Crisler is the norm.

“I didn’t say anything to (the 

freshmen) 
before 
the 
game 

because 
their 
nerves 
were 

inevitable,” Dunston said. “But 
afterwards I just said, ‘Welcome 
to college basketball.’ ”

The goal of the upperclassmen’s 

relationship with the new players, 
according to sophomore guard 
Nicole Munger, is to keep them 
positive. Especially for Munger 
and the rest of the sophomore 
class, they’re well aware of how 
intimidating freshman year is. 

When the freshmen on the 

Michigan women’s basketball 
team returned to their locker 
room 
after 
the 
Wolverines’ 

exhibition game against Wayne 
State on Thursday, they were able 
to finally know what it’s like to 
play for the Wolverines. 

The freshman class consists of 

guards Kysre Gondrezick, Kayla 
Robbins and Akienreh Johnson, 
as well as forward KeAsja Peace. 
In the 93-41 domination of the 
Warriors, all four were able to see 
some playing time, with Johnson 
making a definite statement in 
just eight minutes on the court. 

Johnson, who committed to 

Michigan almost four years ago 
— a Wolverine longer than some 
upperclassmen — scored a total of 
three points and garnered three 
rebounds. Her rebounds in the 
second half helped her teammates 
erase a somewhat disappointing 
first half in which Wayne State 
and Michigan were neck and neck. 

Gondrezick, on the other hand, 

didn’t perform her free throws 
like she had been in practices, but 
the Wolverines aren’t concerned.

“She’s played pretty consistently 

up to this point,” said Michigan 
coach Kim Barnes Arico. “I think 
she pressed a bit (on Thursday) and 
I think that’s probably a common 
thing for a freshman when they 
get an opportunity to get out on 
the court.

“Kysre is going to be a special 

player for us. But I think any 
time you have a local kid that’s a 
superstar, there’s a tremendous 
amount of pressure. She’s a far 
better player than everybody saw 
(on Thursday). I’m not worried 
about her. She just needs to let the 
game come to her sometimes. I’m 
confident that she will.” 

Robbins scored two points for 

Michigan in field goals, but like 
Gondrezick, 
underperformed 

in her free throws. Peace went 
1-for-4 in free throws to round 
out the freshmen’s contributions. 

Part of the nerves — and 

excitement — for the freshmen 
came from being able to put 
on the Michigan uniform and 
compete in it. In her pre-game 
speech, Barnes Arico made sure 
to emphasize the honor of being 
able to defend the block ‘M’. 

Though the freshmen may 

not have played up to their own 
expectations, 
Barnes 
Arico 

wanted them to know that the 
Wayne State exhibition game was 
just the beginning. 

“(Their 
performance) 
was 

unbelievable,” Barnes Arico said. 
“There are local kids and they 
had their family and their fan 
section here tonight and they’ve 
been waiting to just get out there 
to get on that court. 

“They’ve been watching for 

years other players come and play 
before them. For them to get out 
there was an exciting opportunity 
to get in and contribute.”

WOMEN’S GOLF
Wolverines win rain-
shortened tournament

The 
tournament 
didn’t 

play out exactly the way it 
anticipated, but the Michigan 
women’s golf team took home 
the victory at the Trinity Forest 
Invitational in Dallas in its last 
tournament of the fall season.

The 
14-team 
tournament, 

which was hosted by Southern 
Methodist 
University, 
was 

originally a 54-hole competition 
set to be played on Monday and 
Tuesday. But due to heavy rain, 
the tournament ended up being 
cut short after just 18 holes.

In Monday’s first round, the 

Wolverines made it to the 11th 
hole before the rain forced them 
into the clubhouse. Two hours 
later, they were back on the 
course, and by the end of the 
round, they found themselves 
with a score of 304 and a one-
stroke lead over Texas A&M.

Rain canceled the second 

round that was also scheduled 
to be played that day, and in the 
morning, the Wolverines found 
out the final round would be 
called off as well, giving them 
their first team title since 2012.

While the Wolverines were 

disappointed that they weren’t 
able to play a full tournament, 
coach Jan Dowling was quick 
to point out the positives from 
their performance.

“We put ourselves in a great 

position going into the final 
round,” Dowling said. “It would 
have been a really fun and really 
competitive 
experience 
for 

our program, but at the same 
time, we have to give credit to 
our round that was played. We 
played well in tough conditions, 
and we beat a lot of good teams.”

Michigan was powered by 

sophomore Elodie Van Dievoet 
and junior Emily White, both of 
whom posted scores of 75 (plus-
3) to finish tied for sixth place, 

four strokes back of the winner. 
Juniors Megan Kim and Kathy 
Lim were two strokes behind 
them, tying for 20th.

The weather wasn’t the only 

factor that had a substantial 
impact 
on 
the 
Wolverines’ 

performance on Monday. Trinity 
Forest Country Club, a newly 
built seaside links-style course 
with no trees, was already one 
of the most challenging courses 
the Wolverines had experienced 
all year. In particular, Dowling 
mentioned the greens, which 
despite the rain remained hard 
and fast.

“They’re huge greens, and 

because it’s a very new course, 
they were really, really firm,” 
Dowling said. “You’re landing 
your ball on a flat area or a 
downslope, and the ball almost 
100 percent of the time rolls to 
the back of the green.”

However, Dowling believes 

that this apparent disadvantage 
actually 
worked 
in 
the 

Wolverines’ favor, as it allowed 
them to strategize more and 
rely more on mental attributes.

“You really had to plot your 

way around the golf course, 
almost like you had to think one 
or two shots ahead,” Dowling 
said. “It became a chess game, 
which played into our favor.”

With the fall season over, 

Michigan has a three-month 
break before its next tournament, 
the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in 
February. During this time away 
from competition, the Wolverines 
will be motivated to build on the 
momentum from their victory as 
they prepare for the second half 
of their campaign.

“The 
players 
have 
some 

individual things they need 
to work on, and we’re excited 
to attack them at the right 
time,” Dowling said. “It’s a 
great confidence booster and 
motivator for us heading into 
the spring.”

Marody putting in extra work during absence

He 
may 
not 
be 
making 

an impact on the ice during 
games because of an academic 
suspension, but Cooper Marody 
still manages to contribute for 
the No. 17 Michigan hockey team.

While the stat sheet was once 

filled with his own scores in the 
goal column, the sophomore 
center now keeps tabs of his 
teammates’ chances as he sits 
on the bench with the coaching 
staff during games.

“Particularly 
during 
the 

games, in the weekend, we’ll 
give him something to do and 
then he can get back to us in 
between periods as to what he 
sees,” said Michigan coach Red 
Berenson. “Because he’s a center, 
I want him to be dialed in on 
faceoffs. We’ve had him critique 
our power play as well. We try 
to keep his head into the games, 
especially the home games.”

This 
weekend, 
as 
the 

Wolverines take on No. 4 
Boston University, Marody will 
have the chance to spend time 
with his teammates on game 
day again — something he was 
unable to do the past two weeks 
because he is prohibited from 
traveling. He will resume his 
typical duties of stat-tracking at 
Yost Ice Arena, though.

Last week, he took advantage of 

the team’s early departure. While 
his team prepared its gameplan 
in Tempe, Ariz., Marody skated 
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 
Saturday mornings.

Six weeks remain before 

Marody can put on the new 
Nike maize-and-blue sweater 
for the first time. For now, 
though, he continues to push 
himself in practices. Mornings 
when he doesn’t have class, 
he will work out in the weight 
room, oftentimes by himself 
— something that Berenson 
and Marody’s fellow players 
recognize.

“The only thing he can do 

right now is work hard in 
practice,” said senior goaltender 
Zach Nagelvoort. “He can make 
the guys better in practice by 
playing his hardest, working 

hard every single rep. That’s 
where he’s going to be able to 
make a difference to this team 
right now.”

Added junior forward Tony 

Calderone: “He knows he can’t 
play. But, he’s in the gym every 
day, being a positive influence, 
trying to make everyone better. 
Playing against a guy like that 
in practice will make you better 
(because) you’re playing against 
guys like that all the time in 
games. I think he’s making 
everyone 
better 
out 
there. 

(Marody’s a) very skilled player, 
and it’s very cool to watch him 
out there.”

When Marody practices, his 

physical skills on the ice become 
obvious. He shows his ability to 
shoot the puck from all across 
the ice and continues to improve 
his 
skate 
speed. 
According 

to 
Berenson, 
Marody’s 

skills separate him from his 
teammates, as he focuses on 
developing his skating, puck 
touches and strength.

“Certain 
times, 
he’ll 
get 

the puck and he’ll score from 
anywhere,” Berenson said. “He 
knows how to score. He can be 
a special player with the puck. 
We all wish he was playing, (but 
he’s) taking advantage of the 
practices, (and putting in) extra 
work in the weight room.”

The time off the ice during 

games 
allowed 
Marody 
to 

focus on becoming a mentor for 
the younger players. He may 
be just a sophomore, but on a 
young Michigan 
team, his year 
of 
experience 

could 
prove 

invaluable.

Marody 

endured 
some 

highs last year 
— like scoring 
a goal in four 
straight games, 
including 
the 

game-winner 
against Niagara last November 
— and some unfortunate lows, 
like missing six games due to 
mononucleosis.

“He played a big role last 

year,” Calderone said. “He can 
give all his advice to those guys, 

the younger guys. Spreading 
(his) knowledge and experience 
that he had will be helpful to the 
younger guys.”

Added Berenson: “(His role 

is) to be a good teammate. To 
be a good mentor for the young 
players, especially. For our team 
as a whole, push other guys 

in 
practice 
so 

that he’s trying 
to make them 
better 
so 
our 

team 
will 
be 

better.”

It is unclear 

which 
line 

Marody 
will 

join 
once 
he 

returns in late 
December 
for 

the Great Lakes 

Invitational. 
In 
practices, 

Marody pairs up with players 
who are not normally a part of 
the regular line chart, like junior 
forward Alex Talcott and — 
before he returned from his own 
suspension — freshman forward 

Adam Winborg. Marody has 
not yet played with first-line 
players like senior Alex Kile 
and freshman Will Lockwood, 
or even his former line partner 
Calderone. This will happen 
in the week before he returns, 
according to Berenson. 

When Marody returns for 

the puck drop against Michigan 
Tech on Dec. 29, he is sure to 
have an instant effect.

“He has a chance to make 

an impact on our team when 
he comes back,” Berenson said. 
“He’s had a chance to watch 
games, but he hasn’t played 
them. It’s one thing to watch, 
another thing to play, but I still 
think he’s got the pulse of the 
team and he knows what he has 
to do to be an impact player. 
He’ll get the chance, and all this 
work should pay off the minute 
that he plays his first game.”

And maybe the next time he 

looks at a stat sheet, he’ll see his 
name alongside his teammates 
in the goal column again.

SAM MOUSIGIAN/Daily

Cooper Marody has not played all season, but he has still proven to be an asset.

AVI SHOLKOFF
Daily Sports Writer

“He’s in the 

gym every day, 
being a positive 

influence.”

SYLVANNA GROSS

Daily Sports Writer

AMELIA CACCHIONE/Daily

Forward Moritz Wagner’s start Friday went a long way toward advancing his status as a breakout sophomore.

BRANDON CARNEY

Daily Sports Writer

JACOB SHAMES

For the Daily

Weather ends event in Dallas after one 
round; Michigan paces 14-team field

