John Beilein is off to the NBA, along with three keys players from last season’s Michigan Basketball squad. Can Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske keep the momentum going?
The Michigan Basketball program took things to another level the last two seasons, earning a two and three seed and reaching the national championship game in 2018. Led by John Beilein and assistant coach (and defensive whiz) Luke Yaklich, the Wolverines turned into a defensive powerhouse, ranking 2nd and 3rd in defensive efficiency per KenPom.
(Credit to KenPom and sports-reference for statistics and Big Ten Network for GIFS)
This upcoming season brings a lot of uncertainty, however. Beilein took the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Yaklich joined Shaka Smart at Texas, and three key players from last season’s team (Charles Matthews, Ignas Brazdeikis, Jordan Poole) left to pursue their NBA dreams.
New Michigan coach Juwan Howard should be able to bring talent into the program going forward, but many view 2019-20 as a slight transition season. But although only one of the below preseason rankings included the Wolverines, Michigan should still be very competitive.
Barttorvik has the team ranked 30th, and Joe Lunardi’s early Bracketology lists Michigan as a 9-seed. If a few things go their way, Juwan Howard’s squad could definitely elevate itself into a bonafide Top-25 team.