Michigan Basketball: 5 takeaways from the Wolverines 2018-19 season

Iggy and Poole need to develop more

A big theme for Michigan basketball the next couple of months is going to be about who is staying and who is going.

Beilein already said that Matthews was graduating and that the coaching staff expected him to go to the NBA. That’s not a surprise and Isaiah Livers is more than ready to step into his position. It will hurt, but UM is prepared.

What would be more difficult to overcome is the loss of either Ignas Brazdeikis or Jordan Poole. Early in the year, both were getting buzz as potential first-round picks or high second-round guys. Now, it’s kind of all over the map.

Brazdeikis has an NBA body and he has the strength to be able to defend at the next level, as well as rebound and do those things, but his skills need work. He doesn’t have a mid-range game to speak of and he doesn’t create for others. He can drive straight to the hoop and get a shot for himself. He also shoots a lot of step-back 3’s.

Poole also has a lot of work to do. He needs to get stronger, work on his shot selection and find his mid-range game. He is too talented to average 12.8 points per game and both would benefit from another year in college.