I would think Franz will play here more than one year.
I would also think he probably plays the 2/3, with Bajema and Wilson also working at those spots. Not unlike the Stauskas/Levert/Robinson wing situation we had in 2014. Wilson is probably best suited to be the small four of those three. And Johns will be part of the mix there, too, as well as Livers.
I would think this year, you would start Z, Brooks, Wagner, Livers, and Teske, with Wilson being the first wing off the bench (at the 2/3), and Johns being the first four off the bench. We’ll see whether Bajema is ready to contribute. Hopefully.
Beilein is comfortable playing an 8-man rotation, so 12 scholarship athletes is enough to generate that type of rotation, especially with 9 returning scholarships and at least 2 incoming freshmen who can compete for immediate playing time.
Personally, I’d still like to see a Grad Transfer added to provide competition to the freshmen and a higher floor for next season’s squad. But if the correct fit isn’t there…
Looking at the Big 10, there’s not a ton of 2 guards creating at a high level, I wouldn’t really worry a ton about playing 3 small forwards between Z and Teske, as long as one of the guys can chase through screens okay (big if), except for Langford at MSU and Dosunmu at Ilinois
Maryland - Ayala isn’t a big dribbler
OSU - If it’s Walker we can just play a PG and if it isn’t, it won’t really be a ballhandler, though I could see Muhammad losing our wings off screen action a couple times and hurting us
Purdue - The transfer kid? I don’t know much about him
Iowa - Moss is transferring, so if the coach’s kid starts he’s no quicker than our 3s.
Indiana - Not sure but shouldn’t be a big scorer
I’ve heard Alba is going to sweeten the pot substantially to get him to stay. I kinda feel like this award is another feather in the cap to get him to stay in Germany. Any feelings on how likely he is to come here? I feel like it’s well below 50% with the things I’ve heard regarding his personality (quiet, shy, introvert). Also if he were to come any idea what kind of impact he’d have next year?
Seems like he would be a good fit for UM’s roster next season. Would be fun to see how Beilein would use his skills and interesting to see how minutes & roles would be delegated.
And, unless he’s a prodigy like Doncic or Porzingis, his NBA development would be better served with a season or two of college ball in the US versus remaining in Europe. Of course, that’s presuming NBA is his primary goal.
sorry to disappoint but I am not.
