Michigan Basketball: Charles Matthews excels in exhibition opener

Michigan basketball took the floor for the first time Friday, beating Grand Valley State in an exhibition, thanks to a stellar game from Charles Matthews.

There wasn’t much hype for the exhibition game between Michigan basketball and Grand Valley State Friday night at Crisler Center. But it was our first look at the Wolverines, who rolled to a 82-50 win over the Lakers.

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Everyone on the roster saw action against Grand Valley State and Michigan basketball fans got their first look at Charles Matthews, who stood out with 23 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes.

Matthews, who is going to need to fill Zak Irvin’s role from last season, was 9-of-13 from the field and 4-of-7 from the line. So far, the former Kentucky transfer is living up to the hype.

Zavier Simpson got the start at point guard for Michigan basketball, over incoming transfer Jaaron Simmons. Simpson, Simmons and freshman Eli Brooks, all played at least 15 minutes and continued the 3-way battle for the point guard job. Head coach John Beilein indicated earlier this week, they were still fighting it out for playing time.

Simpson was solid in 18 minutes, scoring four points, getting two steals, two assists and one turnover. Simmons also was productive in 15 minutes, scoring five points, grabbing four boards and notching three assists. He made one 3-pointer and had zero turnovers.

Simmons is known as a better shooter, while Simpson is a better defender. So either way, Michigan will be in good hands at the point. I’d expect Simpson and Simmons to play some together too. Brooks also added five points, including one triple and two assists. That’s 16 points and eight assists from the three guards.

Moritz Wagner wasn’t great, but did manage a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He was 4-of-8 from the field, but had four turnovers. On the plus side, he had zero fouls. Wagner buried two triples, one shy of Duncan Robinson, who made three and scored 11.

Ibi Watson, who figures to to play significant minutes off the bench, had eight points. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman pitched in with five points and Jon Teske, the clear backup center, scored four points, grabbed four boards and had three assists.

Michigan shot 56.3 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. The Wolverines made 11 from beyond the arc.

The biggest takeaway was really about the rotation. It appears the starting five will be Simpson, Wagner, Matthews, Robinson and MAAR. Simmons, Brooks, Watson and Teske are likely the first off the bench. Then it’s Isaiah Livers and Austin Davis.

All those players but Davis played at least 12 minutes. Davis played six, no one else played more than four, including Jordan Poole.

Poole, a freshman, was the only top-100 player in the Wolverines 2017 recruiting class according to 247sports, but he was one of the last players on the floor. You wonder if he may redshirt and if not, why not?

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Michigan basketball will open the season next Saturday at home against North Florida. Tip-off is set 6:30 PM CST. UM will then play Central Michigan Nov. 13 and Southern Miss Nov. 16.