Happy Monday! We are officially one week into the college basketball season and Michigan basketball is 2-0. There is a lot to take away from week one, but let’s keep it to four major things before tonight’s MSG matchup against (1-0) St. John’s.
Michigan basketball takeaways from the first week
1. Dug McDaniel
Transitioning from his freshman to sophomore year, Dug McDaniel was touted as a breakout candidate. McDaniel showed flashes of great potential last year and secured the necessary experience of playing the 1 at a high level after starting 26 games. Two games into this season, it is clear that McDaniel looks the part of a breakout player.
He’s averaged 19.0 points per game (53.6 percent from the field), 6.0 assists per game, and 2.5 rebounds per game. To go along with this stellar play, McDaniel has shown a natural connection with Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua who has played at an All-Big Ten First Team caliber level so far. Most importantly, McDaniel has looked extremely comfortable with running the Michigan offense.
Against two good mid majors, he has led the team in +/-, with an average of +26.5. Of course, it isn’t the best competition, but McDaniel has held his own, becoming part of one of the top duos in the Big Ten.
2. Depth
There were a lot of question marks coming into the season of who would step up from the bench with the injuries to Jaelin Llewellyn (day-to-day, recovering from torn left ACL) and Jace Howard (3-5 weeks, stress fracture in right knee and tibia). We have already seen a plethora of guys ready to step up, especially Will Tschetter.
The redshirt sophomore is coming off a career-high 20-point (8-8 from the field) performance against Youngstown State. With the need for points off the bench, Tschetter’s early confidence and production are a great sign. He has looked the part of a glue guy for Michigan basketball, and that very claim has been backed up by co-captain Olivier Nkamhoua.
On the other end, Michigan needs someone off the bench that can run the 1 when Dug needs rest until Jaelin gets back. George Washington III has been given an average of 15 minutes per game and can be that guy. The freshman has been thrown to the wolves and has struggled a bit with shooting (2-8). Last game though, he shot 50 percent from the field and has also been widely regarded as one of the best shooters on the team. Hopefully, that can build some comfort as the Wolverines begin a tough stretch of competition.
3. Happiness
After a rough start last year, the Michigan basketball team was definitely not regarded as the happiest campers. Despite only being 2 games into the new season, there is a different aura about this team. The addition of Olivier Nkamhoua seems to be one of the main factors.
Quickly earning the respect of his teammates, the Tennessee transfer was voted as a co-captain prior to the season. In the press conferences, he has joked along with and about his teammates, always with a smile on his face. Those smiles have been contagious.
Last year, 3 players averaged double-digit points, none of which are still on the team. This season the ball has been spread at a much higher rate, and 5 players have eclipsed double-digit points in the first 2 games. Sharing is caring seems like the motto this year, as 3 players are averaging at least 3.5 assists per game. The assist-per-game leader last year (Dug McDaniel) averaged 3.6 apg.
4. Khani Rooths
Last but not least, the week was capped off with some great news for the future. On Sunday, 24/7 Sports Composite 5 star (25th overall) Khani Rooths committed to Michigan. This boosts Juwan Howard’s 2024 recruiting class to 17th in the country. Rooths is Michigan basketball’s 3rd best recruit since 2000 according to 24/7 Sports.
Michigan basketball gameday
As previously mentioned, all of the Wolverines’ success as of now has come against mid-major teams. The first true test for Michigan basketball comes tonight. So, put on your most superstitious article of clothing and cancel all of your plans for this evening. Michigan basketball’s test will be proctored by legendary head coach Rick Pitino and his new St. John’s squad. Find out if it will pass tonight at 6:30 pm EST on FS1.
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