Michigan Basketball: Zavier Simpson is growing into an elite point guard
Zavier Simpson has thrived as the starting point guard for Michigan basketball this season and now, he has turned into one of the best in the Big Ten.
There was a really interesting piece in the Detroit Free Press about the way John Beilein has coached, recruited and built Michigan basketball. One of the fascinating parts was how the Wolverines desperately wanted Cassius Winstron, but had to settle for Zavier Simpson.
Turns out, Michigan basketball didn’t settle for anything, as Simpson was an essential part of the Wolverines Big Ten Tournament championship. Without him, they wouldn’t have won. They wouldn’t be one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
In four games at Madison Square Garden, Simpson stood out. Not only did he dominate defensively, he also scored 12 points per game, while also dishing out four assists, grabbing nearly five rebounds and getting one steal per game. He shot 47 percent from the field and turned it over only nine times compared to16 assists.
More importantly, Simpson ignited a stellar defensive effort for the Wolverines, holding Purdue and Michigan State, two of the best offensive teams in the country, to an average of 65 points. Neither reached 70. Purdue has the third-ranked adjusted offense according to Kenpom, Michigan State is 10th.
Relating back to the article by the Detroit Free Press, Simpson was a driving force behind both upsets over Michigan State and a huge part of it, was him outplaying Winston, plain and simple.
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In the first meeting, Simpson scored 16 points, had five assists, four rebounds and two steals, while also holding Winston to just 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting and forcing him into two turnovers. Advantage Simpson.
Fast forward to the Big Ten Tournament. The Spartans had been openly talking about wanting to play Michigan, believing they were the better team and would min the rematch. But again, Winston wasn’t equal to Simpson.
The sophomore guard for Michigan basketball rattled Winston, limiting him to 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting. Simpson also held him without a 3-point field goal in that game and to just one in the previous meeting.
The numbers tell one side of the story, but if you watched the games, you would realize the battle between point guards wasn’t close. Simpson was better on both ends of the floor in both games. He had more points, more rebounds, more assists, fewer turnovers and it’s a big reason why UM got two wins.
Yet, Simpson hasn’t just been doing that against Michigan State, he has been doing it throughout the Big Ten schedule. In 22 Big Ten games, Simpson scored in double figures 15 times. For the season he is averaging 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals.
But again, Simpson can’t be judge solely based off numbers. He has been a huge part of Michigan’s defensive success. According to Kenpom, Michigan ranks sixth in adjusted defense. And in terms of points allowed, the Wolverines are also ninth, in the NCAA.
Michigan basketball also ranks 10th in the country in fewest turnovers. With Simpson as one of the primary ball handlers, the Wolverines turned the ball over just 9.14 times per game.
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Obviously, Simpson still has room to improve, especially at the free throw line. But he’s been and will be an essential part of the Wolverines postseason run. He also gives the team a bright future at the point guard position.