DETROIT – I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to New York for tomorrow's Big East Media Day. It's always entertaining when you have the likes of Jim Calhoun, Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim, Bob Huggins and Jay Wright.
I caught Michigan's practice – my seventh in the last five days – this morning, so let's break down the Wolverines before I board the plane.
THOUGHTS ON MICHIGAN
1. This team will have as many quality shooters as any team in the nation. You've got guys like Stu Douglass, Zack Novak and freshman Matt Vogrich. Manny Harris has really improved his proficiency from long distance, and Laval Lucas-Perry and DeShawn Sims are more than capable from beyond the arc.
2. I'm still concerned about the lack of another big man to help out Sims. The 6-foot-8 Sims has established himself as one of the top frontcourt players in the Big Ten, but he needs someone with size to step up so that the 6-foot-3 Novak doesn't have to check guys like UConn's Jeff Adrien at the power forward spot.
3. Freshman Darius Morris should get the brunt of the minutes at the point as the season goes along. He's the only natural floor leader, and his competition is from Douglass, who is more comfortable at the two-guard spot. Morris defends and can set his teammates up. He doesn't need to score. Defense is more important for this team.
4. Manny Harris is a legitimate first-team All-American candidate. However, it depends on the success of the Wolverines. If Michigan can compete for the top few spots in the league and have success in the non-conference slate, Harris should show he's one of the elite wings in the nation. He may not be as prolific a scorer as Oklahoma's Willie Warren this season, but he's a more-rounded overall player.
5. Novak and Douglass don't look the part. The pair of 6-foot-3 guards aren't just one-dimensional shooters. They are both extremely athletic and know how to play. If you don't believe me, check this video of Novak here from Friday night's Midnight Madness event.
You better not lay down some more BS about how Seton Hall's chemistry sucks. If you pick the Pirates high, come March you'll look like a seriously smart guy. Or you could keep talking about nonexistent chemistry issues. Which is what you'll probably do, but whatever...
devilsfan08210:43 PM