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Michigan Basketball: Michigan Wolverines 2015-16 Season Preview

By Roderick Burgos

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Michigan Wolverines

2014-2015 Record: 16-16 (8-10, Big Ten)
Postseason: N/A

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The Michigan Wolverines were ravaged by injuries last season, causing them to topple from what had become a perennial spot near the top of the Big Ten standings under John Beilein. Now with a healthy and talented roster, the Wolverines look to return to national prominence with a chip on their shoulder. Trey Burke, Mitch McGary, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Glenn Robinson III are all long gone, but the Wolverines believe they have a new group of difference makers that can take the Wolverines back to the Final Four.

Newcomers

F – Moritz Wagner (#118 247Sports)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 20 vs Xavier – The Wolverines first test of the year will pit them against the rugged Musketeers. Michigan fans will be able to quickly find out about the toughness of this year’s team based on how they respond to the X’s physicality on both ends of the court. This is a game the Wolverines should win, but they’ll surely leave bruised and battered. That may not be a good sign after last year’s injury debacle.

Nov. 25-27 at Battle 4 Atlantis – The Wolverines’ first game in the Battle 4 Atlantis is a match-up against the Huskies of Connecticut. With four other non-conference games already under their belts, expect the Wolverine starters to show that they’re ready to compete with the best. If they get past UConn, a potential semifinal date with Syracuse will likely await them. Gonzaga, Texas A&M, and Texas could all be potential opponents in the final.

Dec. 1 at NC State – In a rematch of an ACC/Big Ten Challenge game from a few years back, John Beilein and the Wolverines find themselves in Raleigh, North Carolina for this years ACC/Big Ten Challenge game against North Carolina State. Expect this to be closer than people think as Michigan has been known to start slow in tough environments.

Key Players

Zak Irvin – It’s probably unfair to label Zak Irvin an underachiever at this point in his Michigan career, but the tag is catching up to the back of his jersey. The prolific high school-scorer from Indiana has shown flashes of offensive dominance, but he’s been far too inconsistent to consider his potential fulfilled. If Irvin can finally have his breakout year, the Wolverines could find themselves deep in the tournament, and Irvin could find himself in the NBA Draft.

Duncan Robinson – Hope always springs eternal from the fountains of the unknown. That’s the best way to explain the excitement over Robinson, a transfer from Division III Williams College who sat out all of last season. Robinson is a big guard (six-foot-eight) with lights out shooting capabilities, but who knows how the rest of his game will translate to the Big Ten level. All sources indicate that, at the very least, he gives his teammates fits in practice. It will be interesting to see what he’s able to under the bright lights of the Big Ten.

Season Outlook

The Michigan Wolverines have been one of the most polarizing teams for prognosticators to tab. The Wolverines have been pegged everywhere from the top ten to outside of the top 25. Opinions on the team are more undecided than the GOP presidential primary. How much of last year’s free-fall was a product of injuries, and how much of it was due to lost talent? We won’t know the answer to that question until a healthy Michigan team finally hits the floor. My money is on a fully rejuvenated Wolverines team bouncing back to battle Maryland for the Big Ten title. The Wolverines have the shooters to beat anyone in the country, and that’s why I lean towards them being a Final Four contender.

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