Michigan Basketball Position Preview: Guards

Jan 24, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) reacts after he makes a three point shot in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Crisler Center. Wisconsin won 69-64 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

2014 Stats:

Walton was on pace to blow out his number of field goal attempts from 2013, but he wasn’t quite as efficient last season. We saw a spike in points per game, but he was just taking more shots.

As mentioned before, this is an offense that relies heavily on fluid movement and good shooters. Walton is unquestionably a solid player, but it’d be nice to see him sharpen up his game a bit this season. He’s going to have a lot of help in the backcourt, which hopefully will take some of that pressure off him.

I’m expecting Walton to be the full-time starter at the 1 spot; I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be.

A while back I actually predicted that Walton would be NBA-bound after his sophomore season. I think he had that potential, but he wasn’t going to have the numbers even if he had been healthy for the whole season.

Just as with LeVert, it’s very possible that some extended time off the court was able to give Walton a different—maybe even renewed—perspective of what’s going on and how to become a better player.

Next: Spike Albrecht