Michigan Basketball: 5 key takeaways from Big Ten Media Days

A new era of basketball with positions

One of the most telling things that Howard said Thursday was his declaration that position-less basketball has arrived in Ann Arbor.

“I’m not going to tell you how we are going to play, but positionless basketball is here,” Howard said.

That is an interesting concept but it’s one that could really help this Michigan basketball team, which is sort of filled with tweeners. Colin Castleton and Teske are fives but after that, you have a ton of guys with position versatility.

Wagner could play anywhere from 2-4 and you can make an argument that Livers could too. At the very least, Howard said he has the potential to guard the two-spot, which is significant in its own right.

But more than anything, it tells me the five best players will start. Whether that ends up being Johns at the four or Eli Brooks at the two, with Wagner, Livers and Teske playing in the frontcourt.

There should be plenty of lineup versatility, and while the Wolverines aren’t incredibly deep, they are talented and using a philosophy that focuses less on positions could be just what this team needs heading into the 2019-20 season.