Freshmen arrive on campus today. Dakich will be joined by Cole McConnell as a preferred walk on.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's basketball head coach John Beilein announced today (Saturday, June 22) the additions of walk-on guards Andrew Dakich (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community HS) and Cole McConnell (Atherton, Calif./New Hampton School [N.H.]).“Our recent success has a lot to do with the outstanding contributions we have received from our non-scholarship players Josh Bartelstein, Corey Person and Eso Akunne,” said Beilein. “Andrew and Cole fit that same mold. They are talented and hardworking student-athletes and should be able to come in and help us in many ways both on and off the court.”
Dakich, a 6-2 guard, played three varsity seasons at Zionsville Community High School under Coach Shaun Busick. A 2013 IBCA/Subway Senior All-State honorable mention selection, Dakich was also a two-time Hoosier Crossroad Conference first team member, team MVP and team Complete Player Award. During his senior season, he averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists, leading Zionsville to an 11-11 record. Dakich is the son of current ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich, who also played four years at Indiana (1982-85).
McConnell, a 6-5 guard, spent a post-graduate year at the New Hampton School playing under Coach Peter Hutchins. Prior to his year in prep school, McConnell earned three varsity letters at Sacred Heart Prep under Tony Martinelli. In 2012, he averaged 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists, while making 98 three-point field goals, which was the second most by a high school player in California. He was named the Mateo County Player of the Year, a California All-State Division IV team member and a West Bay Athletic League first team selection. During his high school career, he helped Sacred Heart to three California Central Coast Section Division IV championships and two West Bay Athletic League titles. McConnell has twin brothers, Reed, who is on the UC Irvine basketball team, and Will, who played two seasons at Dartmouth.