As much as some people think of Michigan as primarily a football school (particularly currently), the Wolverines have appeared in more Final Fours than any other school in the country. Basketball runs through its veins. This season, the issue is whether the Big Blue can restore its basketball program to its former glory.
UMich has a new look this season, led by former Fab Five member Juwan Howard. The program lost two players to the NBA (Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin), three to the transfer portal, and two to graduation, but Howard and his coaching staff haven’t let that stop them; they were also active in the transfer portal. And don’t forget about the players who stayed in Ann Arbor. This group is intriguing because of the confluence of those two factors.
In college basketball, a new “Duggie McBuckets” has emerged. We all remember Doug McDermott and the Creighton Bluejays’ phenomenal shooting touch. Dug McDaniel of the Wolverines holds that title in 2023. On the defensive end, the sophomore guard from the nation’s capital is as tough as they come. Only Bufkin averaged more steals than Michigan’s No. 1 last season. He isn’t the only player on the club who is a defensive force. Tarris Reed Jr is also capable of firing projectiles in the opposite direction.
Bill Raftery phrased it perfectly earlier this season when describing McDaniel’s ball skills: “He’s a magician.” Someone else referred to him as “The Blur.” We are here to support both. Is it possible to break an entire Rick Pitino press? Done. Step back into a challenging jumper with a right-hand dribble drive? He does it while sleeping.
The man is a potential highlight. His touch in the lane is what sets him apart. It takes a rare player to be able to stop on a dime in front of a shot blocker and float it in with either hand. With the addition of Nimari Burnett to the frontcourt, Big Blue now has another perimeter scorer to complement McDaniel. But don’t dismiss Terrance Williams II and Tray Jackson. The two upperclassmen can fill it from anyplace.
Transfers were an important element of UMich’s offseason, and none were more important than Olivier Nkamhoua. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Wait, that name sounds familiar.” Nkamhoua was out there balling against everyone, even a blue blood, nine months ago when you were sitting on your couch watching March Madness. He was hitting fadeaways over Kyle Filipowski and slamming game-winning one-hand smashes. That’s when he started wearing orange and white. The Finnish forward now wears the maize and blue. It’s a different school. The same outcomes.
Howard needed some firepower after losing the program’s top three scorers from the previous season. That is Nkamhoua. On both ends of the floor, he’s a bolt of energy. The former Volunteer, listed at 6-9, brings a lot on the floor. Rebounding is ferocious. A three-point shot that is becoming more consistent. To top things off, he has some bunnies. His cutting ability allows him to employ those jumps more than most. Nkamhoua had five dunks against UNC Asheville earlier this season.
Will Tschetter contributes even more offensive production off the bench. The sophomore forward has the ability to spread the floor while doing all of the little things that help to highlight the talents of those around him.
With all of the pieces—new and old—in place, the Wolverines are poised to make Ann Arbor proud. How far will they be able to go?
We can’t wait to find out.
