It was a week filled with uncertainty surrounding the University of Michigan men’s basketball team. After a loss to Purdue in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines were not sure if they would be invited to the NCAA tournament. It was an up and down season for the team, who lost two senior starters for the season due to injury before conference play even started. Senior guard Spike Albrecht had off-season hip surgery that put him out for the season and ended his eligibility at the university. Also, on December 30th, senior forward Caris Lavert injured his foot and ankle and would not be able to return to the team. Both players had an early and sad end to their careers as Wolverines. However, they still provide energy and enthusiasm as they travel and sit curtsied with the team for every game.
Even without the two senior leaders, the Wolverines ended with a respectable 22-12 record. The team relied on leadership and smart play from junior guard Derrick Walton Jr. His leadership was most present when he dished out a Big ten Tournament record 12 assists in a thrilling win over Indiana in the quarterfinals. The game ended with a buzzer beater 3 by the Wolverines made by Kameron Chatman, The Wolverines have also enjoyed solid contributions from junior college transfer Duncan Robinson, who leads the team in three point shooting percentage. But Michigan’s greatest threat is Zak Irvin, a pure scoring junior, who really allows Michigan to stretch the floor.
On March 15, Michigan opens up ap layoff game against Tulsa, another member of the first four in. The Wolverines have made some deep runs into March in the past couple of seasons and rely on veteran coaching from their head coach John Beilien. The biggest factor for their success deep in the year will fall onto the play of their bigs. In the final game of the Big Ten Tournament Purdue dominated the game on the offensive and defensive glass. After barely making th tournament, I would definitely not count out the underrated Wolverines. They were able to upset Maryland earlier in the year and showed a very dangerous offensive attack in that game. Keep an eye out for Michigan giving a higher seed a run for their money in the upcoming weeks.
