Michigan Basketball: Franz Wagner will be catalyst for successful season

If Michigan basketball loses Isaiah Livers, the Wolverines must refocus the offense to give Franz Wagner a bigger piece of the pie.

Michigan basketball knew what it was getting when Franz Wagner signed to play for coach Juwan Howard.

As a member of the German squad Alba Berlin, Franz shined at such a young age, averaging 12.4 minutes, 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and shooting 53% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. His unwavering dedication and determination earned him the 2019 BBL Best Young Player Award and some serious attention from college coaches.

But it was always Michigan or nothing. Franz was following in his brothers footsteps. Ann Arbor is the destination and the story of a Wagner in southern Michigan isn’t quite over yet.

He’s back for year two. His time in college would not be stolen by a virus.

Looking back, Franz’s inauguration to the NCAA didn’t quite begin as advertised. He reached double digits in the scoring column and rebounded effectively; however, Wagner hadn’t fully adjusted to the college game and he wasn’t playing to his fullest potential. Not until much later on in the season did he began to flourish as the go-to guy when they needed a basket, or as the lockdown defender when Michigan basketball required a stop.

That Franz Wagner is the one that makes the NBA scouts drool.

But without a Big Ten tournament and missing March Madness, there wasn’t enough time to evaluate Franz. He could have continued his 15 points-per-game and 5+ rebounds a night and he would be waiting to hear his name called in the draft. Unfortunately for him, that didn’t happen and it might not be such a bad thing.

Wagner would have been picked up somewhere in the second round had they finished out their schedule, maybe, although, a return to Ann Arbor presents opportunity and a team in dire need of someone of his skill set.

They need a leader and a player that can get going in the biggest games. Wagner did just that when No. 10 Oregon came to town. That night, Franz dropped a career-high 21 points.

Franz Wagner, the catalyst for success

A year ago, I wrote Isaiah Livers will be the catalyst for a successful 2019-20 season. It wasn’t exactly a hot take considering the sixth man proved he belongs in the Big Ten as a major contributor before his breakout season. If Livers returns, he will still be one of the most important players on the court, just no longer the catalyst.

That will fall on the shoulder of Franz Wagner. As a sophomore gunning for awards, recognition, and a spot on an NBA roster, Franz will take over as the leading scorer, top defender, and catalyst for a successful 2020-21 season.