Zavier Simpson is even better than you think

Zavier Simpson’s reputation as both an elite defender and leader is well earned. He’s used both attributes to influence John Beilein as a coach and transform Michigan into the Big Ten’s best defense.

But Simpson is more than a pit bull trope. He’s more than the best perimeter defender in the conference. He’s more than one of the best leaders that Beilein has ever coached.

While the rest of the college basketball world catches up to his defense — remember that Anthony Cowan, not Zavier Simpson, earned a spot on the Big Ten’s All-Defense team last year — Simpson has improved exponentially on the offensive end of the floor.

Simpson isn’t just one of the best defensive point guards in the country. He’s one of the best point guards. Period.