Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 16
Next
Mar 18, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) drives to the basket against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) in the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) drives to the basket against Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) in the first half in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Michigan Wolverines

2015-16 record: 23-13 overall, 10-8 in Big Ten, reached NCAA Tournament first round

Head coach: John Beilein

Notable departures: Caris LeVert, Aubrey Dawkins (transferred to UCF), Ricky Doyle (transferred to FGCU), Spike Albrecht (transferred to Purdue), Kameron Chatman (transferred to Detroit)

Notable returnees: Derrick Walton Jr., Zak Irvin, Duncan Robinson, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Mark Donnal, Moritz Wagner, D.J. Wilson

Notable newcomers: Four-star PG Xavier Simpson, three-star SG Ibi Watson, three-star C Austin Davis, four-star C Jon Teske

I wrote a case for the Wolverines to be a Big Ten sleeper a month ago, as this team is an intriguing one. Last year’s squad dealt with the Caris LeVert soap opera, but had some talented pieces like guards Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. and emerging players like guard/forward Duncan Robinson and guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman.

More from Big Ten

All of those players return this season, along with forward Mark Donnal, for a talented and tailor-made John Beilein starting five.

However, front court depth and play still is a huge concern. Behind Donnal is a mix of unknowns. Beilein’s system values front court players with skill and shooting ability, but Michigan got burned in the post last season and really struggled rebounding the basketball.

It still will not be a strength for the Wolverines, but their shooting ability will keep them in many games. Expect another tournament berth this season in Ann Arbor.

Home/Big Ten