Busting Brackets
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Michigan Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Wolverines

By Brian Rauf

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 30: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during practice before the 2018 Men's NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome on March 30, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 30: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during practice before the 2018 Men's NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome on March 30, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Isaiah Livers #4 and Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Isaiah Livers #4 and Jordan Poole #2 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Projected starters

Zavier Simpson

Simpson is not a great shooter but is someone who can control a game through his playmaking and his defense. The key to Michigan’s defensive scheme, Simpson puts relentless pressure on opposing point guards and makes it difficult for opponents to get into and run their offenses effectively. His passing is also underrated and, in his second full year as a starter, should increase his 3.7 assists per game average.

Charles Matthews

Matthews used over 25 percent of Michigan’s possessions when he was on the court last year – meaning a fourth of all of those possessions ended via either him shooting the ball or turning it over. That was the highest rate of any Michigan player (higher than Wagner’s 24.5 percent). That rate should only increase with Wagner now playing for the Lakers and Matthews looks ready for the role, as he showed during the Wolverines’ tournament run. There’s a good chance the athletic Kentucky transfer averages close to 20 points per game.

Jordan Poole

You know Poole for being the guy that saved Michigan’s season with his iconic buzzer-beater against Houston in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are expecting him to step right in and become one of their biggest impact players in his sophomore season and will see a much bigger role. I break down Poole’s game and why he’ll have a breakout season here.

Isaiah Livers

Livers ended up starting a lot of games at power forward for Michigan but would be replaced quickly by Robinson. In total, Livers averaged just 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game as a freshman, but the athletic 6-7, 230-pounder showed he can provide more. He has range that extends all the way out to the three-point line and, should he improve on the fundamentals, has the potential to be a dominant rebounder because of his strength and athleticism.

Jon Teske

The 7-1 big man played well in stretches last season but was unable to be consistently productive outside of the two double-doubles he posted. Teske won’t be a star, but he knows his role and plays it well. Michigan will rely on him to be a rebounder and to anchor the defense as a rim protector. He blocked two shots against both Montana and Houston in the NCAA Tournament and had six other games with multiple blocks during the regular season. Teske won’t have any plays run for him but will still make a significant impact defensively.

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