Michigan basketball: Predicting the depth chart with Franz Wagner

Guards

Some continuity of care will remain at point guard and there’s a clear successor, but what about shooting guard?

PG

Starter: Zavier Simpson

Backup: David DeJulius, Eli Brooks

No question here who starts at the one for Michigan basketball. Simpson will be going into his final season without three of the five starters from last season and yet I don’t think it will be much of a letdown year. Zavier is a fierce competitor who will do everything in his power to make his senior year his most successful. If he can increase his outside shooting ability, opponents will begin to respect his shot and give him more driving opportunities.

His successor is David DeJulius who is moving into his second year. Although his time was limited, he’s a promising talent going forward.

Eli Brooks was his worst enemy last year with his inconsistency and he controls his own future, meaning, if he keeps his game steady and hits the outside shots, he could see significant minutes this year.

SG

Starter: Franz Wagner

Backup: Eli Brooks, Adrien Nunez

While Franz is a prototypical wingman, his ability to drive the ball and finish while also being accurate from beyond the arc will allow him to slide in at two. Eli is an option but a much shorter one and Nunez could be the most likely backup if he can show Juwan Howard that he belongs in the game. His poor shooting last year (1-13, all from three) doesn’t bode well for him; however, he’s getting a fresh chance with a new coach.

This position will come down to ball handling. We know Franz can shoot but can he protect the ball against faster and shorter opponents, same goes for Nunez. While Brooks has shown the ability to handle the rock, he will have a significant size disadvantage once Michigan basketball gets into Big Ten play and being frazzled by a much larger opponent – hands always in his face, unable to beat with speed – could raddle his cage and lead to turnovers.