Michigan Basketball Position Preview: Guards

Mar 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Spike Albrecht (2) celebrates with teammates Max Bielfeldt (44) , Zak Irvin (21) and Kameron Chatman (3) after a basket against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half in the second round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Following a season in which Michigan basketball had to scrape the bottom of the roster trying find players to fill voids, the Wolverines this season are going to have a seasoned group on the hardcourt.

That’s perhaps most evident with the guards.

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Spike Albrecht has had his moments at Michigan but was forced last season to become a more consistent, reliable player with Derrick Walton Jr. ailing with a foot injury. Albrecht averaged 7.5 points and 3.9 assists per game, both of which were well above his career average.

Walton’s numbers were also improving as he battled with health throughout the season.

Caris LeVert was another guard who had to miss significant time because of a foot injury. Stepping up in his place were Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Zak Irvin. We’ll focus on Adbur-Rahkman as we preview the guards.

When LeVert went out he was averaging 14.9 points and 4.9 redounds per game.

In stepped Abdur-Rahkman, who started 13 games, playing 19.0 minutes per game and averaging 4.5 points. Nothing terribly impressive, but he was one of many who showed very bright glimpses of things to come.

The only guard we didn’t get to see a whole lot of was Andrew Dakich, who played in 5.3 minutes per game, mostly in garbage time.

Michigan only really has one guard who hasn’t seen significant playing time. The rest are well accustomed to what it takes to play at a high level.

Besides that, we all know how much John Beilein’s offense depends on shooters, and though this group doesn’t have a monopoly on them, their success is going to reflect what Michigan is ultimately able to do this season.

Next: Caris LeVert