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Kevin Ollie's Prediction On Who Could Make Final Four

Kevin Ollie's Prediction On Who Could Make Final Four

Miami Hurricanes Basketball And Jim Larranaga Play Baseball Before Sweet 16

Miami Hurricanes Basketball And Jim Larranaga Play Baseball Before Sweet 16

Notre Dame's Zach Auguste Doubles As Team Barber

Notre Dame's Zach Auguste Doubles As Team Barber

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NCAA Basketball • 1 year ago

Predicting Michigan Basketball’s Key Stat Leaders In 2014-15

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Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY

Predicting Michigan Basketball's Key Stat Leaders In 2014-15

Crisler Center — Michigan loses three players to the NBA, one to graduation and another to Florida. It will be difficult to replace the efficiency and swagger of Nik Stauskas as well as the leadership and grit of Jordan Morgan, but the Wolverines should have another team that contends for a Big Ten Championship and is a threat in the tournament on the back of versatile star Caris LeVert. Here are the players who will lead Michigan in the major categories.

Michigan loses three players to the NBA, one to graduation and another to Florida. It will be difficult to replace the efficiency and swagger of Nik Stauskas as well as the leadership and grit of Jordan Morgan, but the Wolverines should have another team that contends for a Big Ten Championship and is a threat in the tournament on the back of versatile star Caris LeVert. Here are the players who will lead Michigan in the major categories.

Points: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert

Points: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert — After taking a backseat to Big Ten Player of the Year Nik Stauskas last season, Caris LeVert is ready to take over the go-to-scorer role as a junior. Already one of the Big Ten’s top players in iso situations, LeVert should improve his efficiency around the basket after bulking up to 200 pounds this offseason. Zak Irvin will lead the team in three-pointers and could challenge LeVert’s scoring average.

After taking a backseat to Big Ten Player of the Year Nik Stauskas last season, Caris LeVert is ready to take over the go-to-scorer role as a junior. Already one of the Big Ten’s top players in iso situations, LeVert should improve his efficiency around the basket after bulking up to 200 pounds this offseason. Zak Irvin will lead the team in three-pointers and could challenge LeVert’s scoring average.

Rebounds: Kameron Chatman

Kameron Chatman

Rebounds: Kameron Chatman

Kameron Chatman — The biggest question mark for Michigan’s team is the young big men as their top options at the four and five are freshmen. Kameron Chatman is likely play the most minutes of the group, and the timeshare at the five will limit both Ricky Doyle and Mark Donnal’s chances. Chatman is longer than Glenn Robinson III was and should rebound better from the four.

The biggest question mark for Michigan’s team is the young big men as their top options at the four and five are freshmen. Kameron Chatman is likely play the most minutes of the group, and the timeshare at the five will limit both Ricky Doyle and Mark Donnal’s chances. Chatman is longer than Glenn Robinson III was and should rebound better from the four.

Assists: Derrick Walton

Derrick Walton

Assists: Derrick Walton

Derrick Walton — Derrick Walton stepped into Trey Burke’s spot admirably as a freshman. While Walton was mostly a role player a year ago, he will be tasked with shouldering a bigger load initiating offense this season. A sneaky good finisher and foul creator, Walton will get more attention as a threat this season, which should open up some additional passing lanes.

Derrick Walton stepped into Trey Burke’s spot admirably as a freshman. While Walton was mostly a role player a year ago, he will be tasked with shouldering a bigger load initiating offense this season. A sneaky good finisher and foul creator, Walton will get more attention as a threat this season, which should open up some additional passing lanes.

Steals: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert

Steals: Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert — Caris led Michigan in steals a year ago (outside of Mitch McGary in limited games) and figures to do so again. LeVert’s length is a weapon on defense and can create a handful of tipped passes per game. With perhaps his longest, most athletic team at Michigan, John Beilein may deploy his trademark 1-3-1 more this season, freeing LeVert for even more thefts.

Caris led Michigan in steals a year ago (outside of Mitch McGary in limited games) and figures to do so again. LeVert’s length is a weapon on defense and can create a handful of tipped passes per game. With perhaps his longest, most athletic team at Michigan, John Beilein may deploy his trademark 1-3-1 more this season, freeing LeVert for even more thefts.

Blocks: Mark Donnal

Bacari Alexander

Blocks: Mark Donnal

Bacari Alexander — The Wolverines lack a true rim protector once again. It’s difficult to project whether Donnal or Doyle will be a better shot blocker, and the Wolverines won’t expect a lot of blocked shots this season. LeVert and Chatman have the length and athleticism to come up with a special rejection every now and again. Trust assistant coach Bacari Alexander to make someone a shot-blocking threat.

The Wolverines lack a true rim protector once again. It’s difficult to project whether Donnal or Doyle will be a better shot blocker, and the Wolverines won’t expect a lot of blocked shots this season. LeVert and Chatman have the length and athleticism to come up with a special rejection every now and again. Trust assistant coach Bacari Alexander to make someone a shot-blocking threat.

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Michigan Wolverines

Sam Mattfolk is a writer for RantSports.

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NCAA Basketball• 6 days ago

2016 NCAA Tournament Round of 64 Preview: Notre Dame vs. Michigan

After a play-in game win, Michigan will face Notre Dame in a matchup of two of the country's top offenses.

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NCAA Basketball• 1 week ago

2016 NCAA Tournament First Four Preview: Michigan vs. Tulsa

Here's your preview of the final "First Four" game between the Michigan Wolverines and Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

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NCAA Basketball• Videos• 2 weeks ago

Watch Kam Chatman Beat Indiana With Clutch Shot

Kam Chatman doesn't have a big role for Michigan, but his clutch three-pointer to beat Indiana in the Big Ten tournament came at a crucial point for the Wolverines.

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NCAA Basketball• 1 month ago

Michigan vs. Ohio State CBB Preview

Ohio State could use a serious winning streak (and then some) right about now.

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NCAA Basketball• 1 month ago

Purdue vs. Michigan CBB Preview

It's time to see if Purdue can knock off two feisty Michigan squads in back-to-back contests.

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NCAA Basketball• 2 months ago

Michigan State vs. Michigan CBB Preview

Let's just say this is a bragging-rights game ... for more than one reason.

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NCAA Basketball• 2 months ago

5 Bold Predictions For Michigan State vs. Michigan

Here are some Michigan State vs. Michigan bold predictions coming right at ya.

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NCAA Basketball• 2 months ago

Maryland vs. Michigan CBB Preview

With a win against Maryland, Michigan can show that it is a Big Ten title contender ... but that's way easier said than done.

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NCAA Basketball• 3 months ago

Michigan vs. Purdue CBB Preview

Spoiler alert: The home team will rebound from a recent loss.

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NCAA Basketball• 4 months ago

Michigan vs. SMU CBB Preview

Thanks to the NCAA doing what it does best, only one of these squads can make the tourney in 2015-16.

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The NCAA men's college basketball tournament, colloquially known as March Madness, is here again. RantSports has you covered!

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