Michigan Basketball: Starting lineup predictions for season opener

Small forward: Franz Wagner

This one is a no-brainer as Wagner received first-team All-Big Ten honors in a recent poll and is viewed widely as the Wolverines player with the most potential.

Last season, as a freshman, he was up and down at times, but finished averaging 11.6 points and 5.6 rebounds. He also shot just 31 percent from 3-point range which was lower than expected.

Part of that had to due with some injury issues early in the season and finding his form after missing some time. Over this last seven games last year, he averaged 15.8 points per game and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc.

This year, Wagner is bigger and stronger and if he can shoot close to 40 percent for the season from deep or even around 37-38 percent, he’s going to be First-Team All Big-Ten and maybe a first-round draft pick next summer.

Brown should also see minutes at the three when Franz is sitting on the bench, along with Williams and Jace Howard. Livers could play there some too when Michigan decides to go big.