Big Ten Basketball: Key player to watch on each team for 2020-21 season

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Big Ten logo on the floor before the Big Ten Men's Basketball Final against the Wisconsin Badgers and Michigan Wolverines at the Verizon Center on March 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. The Wolverines won 71-56. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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Big Ten Basketball Franz Wagner Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan – SO Franz Wagner

This is a pretty obvious pick, but Wagner could make that jump from good freshman to star sophomore.

The brother of former Michigan great Moe Wagner, Franz had a stellar rookie season, averaging nearly 12 points per game and showing off a great 3-point shot.

Wagner will go into this season as the Wolverines’ second-best player, behind senior forward Isaiah Livers. Wagner has an NBA-ready game, a strong 6’8 with an easy feel for scoring the basketball.

His best game came against Oregon when he scored 21 points and hit four three-pointers. Wagner is a serious threat behind the arc, on top of being a threat to score the ball from anywhere. He also had an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double in a loss to Ohio State, as well as a 22-point game in a win against Purdue.

Wagner put on some muscle this offseason and looks ready to be a prime contributor for a Wolverines team that struggled in the Big Ten season. Although this is Livers’ team, it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing to hear Juwan Howard say that Wagner could be “the guy.” Wagner could be an NBA prospect after this season, but it’s only if he makes that huge second-year jump. If he does, Michigan will be fighting for a Big Ten title.

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