Photo: Detroit News
Basketball practice begins in Ann Arbor and across the country today with the first regular season game less than a month away. Tim Hardaway Jr. is the leading returning scorer for the Wolverines. Hardaway averaged 14 points per game last season but is also the only returning player to average over 10 points per game last season which leaves Michigan searching for a number two scorer this season.
The Candidates
- Jordan Morgan: Morgan averaged nine points per game last season and is Michigan’s second leading returning scorer. However, a significant chunk of his baskets were assisted by Darius Morris. Does Morgan expand his game? Does he find similar pick-and-roll opportunities from Hardaway and Burke?
- Zack Novak: Novak has improved his year-over-year scoring output by roughly one point per game each season, continuing that trend would put him right around 10 points per game as a senior. Despite his improvement, Novak still has the feel of a shooter, not a scorer, and has used just 14 percent of Michigan’s offensive possessions throughout his career.
- Stu Douglass: Douglass seems to add more responsibilities to his plate each season. He’s a shooter first and foremost but he’s also Michigan’s primary defensive stopper on the perimeter and will have to spend more time at the point guard position this season. With that added responsibility, it’s tough to imagine his scoring output increasing significantly.
- Evan Smotrycz: Smotrycz is an intriguing choice. He gained 36 pounds and is more equipped to deal with the rigors of Big Ten play. He proved himself as a three point shooter (38 percent last season) and if he’s able to improve inside the arc (43 percent last season), he should be able to increase his scoring output significantly.
- Trey Burke: The most likely candidate to start at point guard, Burke’s greatest asset offensively is his three point shot. His shooting ability and quickness could easily allow him to pack a scoring punch.
- Carlton Brundidge: Nobody is quite sure where Brundidge will play (he declared himself a point guard at media day) but there’s no questioning his scoring ability. Brundidge put up huge point totals throughout his prep career in high school games, AAU events and at the prestigious Nike EYBL. If he’s in the game, he’ll be attacking the basket and scoring the ball.
Who do you expect to be Michigan’s number two scorer? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts in the comments.
