Michigan Basketball: 5 things we learned against Wayne State

Final Thoughts

I didn’t really mention Devante Jones, Eli Brooks, or Brandon Johns Jr., but that’s because those guys played really solid games.

We can always rely on Eli to post a quiet 12+ points a night (he shot 4/4 on threes, with 12 points), but I was pleasantly surprised to see Brandon Johns Jr. play so well.

He looked extremely comfortable on the court and even made a couple of open three-point shots, which is not something he has shown the ability to do at all the last few seasons.

The power forward position will be the key deciding factor this year for the Wolverines if they truly want to make a Final Four or more. Johns needs to keep being his assertive and aggressive self, and it would be nice (like he showed yesterday) if he had the ability to be a stretch-4.

I’m not so sure about Moussa Diabate’s three-point shot, but if either of those guys can at least be respectable from 3-point range (33% or above) it will only stretch the floor for Michigan even more and just make them that much more dangerous as a team.

Frankie Collins and Zeb Jackson did not suit up because Zeb has an illness and Frankie is nursing a groin injury. The Frankie Collins thing isn’t too concerning but will definitely be something to monitor in the coming days.

Lastly, there are a few things to clean up, as Michigan allowed (somehow) 17 offensive rebounds and had 17 turnovers. Both of those things, you would think, are an easy fix.

The majority of teams Michigan will face this year, will have more size, and will be more physical than. Rebounding is honestly just attention to detail and hustle. Those things aren’t really coachable (except for boxing out) it just has to come from the players themselves.

In terms of the turnovers thing, again, there are new faces and players are still getting used to one another.

The growing pains will only get worse before they get better, but the “issue” should be lessened by the time Big Ten play starts or sooner. I don’t foresee Michigan averaging 17 turnovers a game for the entire season.

A lot to be excited about folks! Let’s all enjoy this basketball season because March will be here before we know it!