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Michigan Basketball: 5 Wolverines who thrived during 2018 exhibition trip

By Daniel Benjamin

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts as time expires to defeat the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Michigan defeated Loyola 69-57. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 31: Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts as time expires to defeat the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. Michigan defeated Loyola 69-57. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Jordan Poole

Poole will be counted on to be an offensive bigger factor this upcoming season. The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard definitely has the talent to succeed. He is a confident shooter and can score at all three levels.

Poole tallied double figures in 10 of his 39 appearances and averaged 6.0 points a game over 12 minutes a contest last year. His best game came against Indiana (Dec. 2) as he sank 7 of 12 shots from the field and 5 of 10 from long-range. However, his dramatic last-second shot that sent the Wolverines past Houston in the second round of the NCAA Tournament was his most important.

In Spain, Poole was aggressive getting to the basket and demonstrated his shot-creating ability off the dribble on several occasions. Shot creation was one of the Milwaukee native’s weaknesses last season.

Poole scored in double figures in two of the three games on the trip. He finished with 35 points through the three games, including a team-high 16 against KK Bemax. He also contributed 10 points in the opener.

Austin Davis

Davis showed enormous growth from last season during the trip. The 6-foot-10 redshirt sophomore scored 12 points in both the first and third games. He manned the boards for UM during the exhibition tour, grabbing several offensive caroms in traffic. In addition, the big man was effective in pick-n-roll situations.

In the first half against Joventut, Davis scored nine points on four buckets with three coming off offensive put-backs. He also had an impressive block on a dunk attempt after rotating over to help in the game.

The Onsted (MI) native saw sparse action last season. He appeared averaged 3.1 minutes in 16 games. Davis did block a career-high six shots against UNC in the ACC/Big Ten challenge.

Isaiah Livers

Livers is an athletic 6-foot-7 forward who is very active. He brings experience, defense and rebounding to the team in 2018-19.

During the Spain trip, Livers also showed some good feel around the basket and was able to convert a good percentage of his shots. He also showed improved marksmanship from beyond the arc. But the Kalamazoo (MI) native still needs to work on his footwork.

Livers pumped in 12 points in game one and led the team with 15 points. The sophomore knocked down three triples versus Joventut.

Livers is expected to start alongside center John Teske in the Wolverines frontcourt this season.  He started 22 times out of his 40 appearances last year, averaging 3.4 points and 2.3 caroms in a little over 15 minutes a game.

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