Michigan Basketball: Why Wolverines should be nation’s top-ranked team

Legitimate stars

Having a quality supporting cast is nice but, as the saying goes, you’ll only go as far as your stars will take you. We knew Zavier Simpson, Isaiah Livers, and Jon Teske were good players, but all three have made a leap and been great through seven games.

Simpson has been particularly special. He has played his typical lockdown defense, yet is also playing the lead role offensively. The senior point guard has recorded 13 or more assists in three games already, including a 13-point, 13-assist performance against Gonzaga. His ability to control the game, manipulate a defense, and create shots for his teammates has elevated Michigan’s offense and made things easier for everyone else.

Teske has been the biggest beneficiary from Simpson’s playmaking wizardry, as the pick-and-roll with the two of them has been a staple of the offense under Howard. And, more often than not, the result is a layup for Teske.

But Teske is also much more than just a roll man. The 7-1 center has showcased a reliable three-pointer (4/9 from deep in Atlantis), has dominated the glass (12+ rebounds in three games), and been an elite rim protector, averaging over 2.5 blocks per game (he had four against both UNC and Gonzaga).

Meanwhile, Livers has become a go-to scorer, averaging 17 points per game. He already has three 20-point games on the season after having just one in his first two years combined. The 6-7 forward has become a knockdown shooter, making 2.7 threes per game on 48.5 percent shooting from deep. Beilein used Livers inside early on in his career and Howard has given him the green light to use all his perimeter skills – and Livers has answered by becoming a versatile scoring threat.

These three have skill sets that complement each other perfectly and have played better than any other trio in the country. It remains to be seen if they can maintain it, but they’ve already outclassed the stars UNC and Gonzaga have to offer.