3 Michigan Basketball sophomores that need to take a leap
Michigan basketball needs to add some talent in the transfer portal, but the Wolverines also need these three guys to take big leaps in 2023-24.
It’s been a rough offseason for Michigan basketball. The Wolverines lost their three best players to the NBA draft and the transfer portal while losing their top transfer due to admissions.
As frustrating as all that has been for Michigan basketball, hope isn’t lost just yet in terms of next season. The Wolverines are in the mix for some key transfers and they still have time to upgrade the roster before next season.
However, the options are somewhat limited. And regardless of who is added and even if Caleb Love was still in the cards for next season, Michigan basketball is going to need some young guys to step up if this team is going to make the tournament again.
Here are the three and they are all sophomores.
Dug McDaniel
As it stands right now, Dug McDaniel is the top scorer slated to return for Michigan basketball after averaging 8.6 points and 3.6 assists per game last season.
McDaniel shot 38.4 percent from the field, 39.9 on 2-point attempts, and 35 percent from 3-point range. He actually had some really good games and at times, looked like a future All-Big Ten point guard.
There were also some times when he looked lost. His defensive intensity also wasn’t quite as good once he became the full-time starter and he definitely played more minutes than expected last season.
However, Michigan basketball and McDaniel will be better off because of it. The Wolverines know who their point guard is. Dug is a creator and he took a lot of tough shots last season. Still, he shot 76 percent from the line and over the course of his career, I think he’ll develop into a reliable shooter.
The 5-foot-11 point guard already had a floater and should only improve his ball-screen efficiency next season. With the way the roster looks now, he’s going to need to average 12-13 points a game and that might not be that far-fetched.
McDaniel will need to improve around the rim and also shoot a higher percentage on 2s and 3s, but that all seems doable. At the very least, he needs to score in double figures next season and continue to grow as the primary playmaker.