5 reasons to be optimistic about Michigan basketball this season
Michigan basketball met with the media on Tuesday and here are five reasons to be optimistic about the Wolverines going into the 2023-24 season.
There’s a different feeling surrounding this Michigan basketball team than the feeling in previous years. With Hunter Dickinson and a bunch of other talented players on the roster, Michigan was ranked and hyped during the preseason the past two seasons.
However, the Wolverines failed to meet expectations. Two years ago, they did make the Sweet 16 but that was after barely making the NCAA tournament. We all know what happened last season and now, Hunter Dickinson is in Kansas, while Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin are in the NBA.
Olivier Nkamhoua was the big addition to Michigan basketball in the transfer portal this offseason. During Tuesday’s Media session, he said that the Wolverines didn’t care about rankings or expectations. “It’s not about proving people wrong, it’s about proving us right,” Nkamhoua said.
It’s not about proving people wrong, it’s about proving us right.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/DRghIiBLth
— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) October 17, 2023
This season is going to be fascinating. But I don’t see Michigan basketball finishing 11th in the Big Ten where they were picked in the preseason media poll. I see the Wolverines making the NCAA tournament and here are five reasons to be optimistic about the 2023-24 season.
Olivier Nkamhoua has All-Big Ten potential
Nkamhoua might not be a huge name but he can play and during his play this summer, he actually shot the ball really well from 3-point range.
Nkamhoua has shown flashes such as his outburst against Duke last year in the NCAA tournament when he scored 27 points. He made three triples that day. That was one of five 20-point games for him last season. He also had 18 total in double figures.
There’s no question that he can score in the post and will essentially be the go-to-scorer for the Wolverines. Nkamhoua is a stellar athlete and a really good defender.
Michigan basketball needs Nkamhoua to be a two-way star if they are going to make the big dance and he’s totally capable of being that player.
It will be up to Juwan Howard (when he returns) and the U-M staff to get the most out of him, but I have zero doubt he’ll flourish more in Michigan’s system than Tennessee’s.