6th Annual Abla Report
The 2004-2005 University of Michigan Men’s Basketball Team Scouting Report
Reviewed after exhibition game against Wayne State on November 10, 2004.
By Tim Abla
2 Lester Abram (Jr.)
slasher…scores more points under the radar than anyone…most consistent offensive player, could lead the team in scoring…underrated defensively…loves to hide in the corner then take the pass baseline
4 Daniel Horton (Jr.)
looked ready to put the poor sophomore season behind him…didn’t force things, let the game come to him more…under control again when taking threes…plays point, but seems more like a shooting guard…also underrated defensively, but too many times too aggressive and picks up weak fouls…softest touch at the line, should have a better free throw percentage than he did last year
5 Dion Harris (So.)
love this guy…can drive the lane at will…so physically strong, he delivers the blow when going to the hole, which draws the foul every time…fearless on both ends, a bulldog…probably the closest thing to a true point guard on the team, but very good at the two…plays inside a lot for a guard…can make the acrobatic shot others can’t make, especially after being fouled — again because of strength
22 Sherrod Harrell (Jr.)
only gets playing time because of a lack of backcourt depth…still treats the ball like a hot potato, gets rid of it as soon as possible…actually looked to shoot a little, not sure that’s a good thing…throws the hardest passes around, watch the over-the-head two-hander…hustles, so he’s the guy Amaker puts in when the team is lethargic
23 Brent Petway (So.)
still can just plain fly…looked like he bulked up a little…stronger defensive rebounder than last year…still gets 80% of his points off of offensive rebounds…needs to get more aggressive offensively so that it’s not four on five at that end…has a soft touch, especially at the line, but range is still quite limited…another energy guy for Amaker…the crowd pleaser, feeds off of the crowd…if you’re going to the game, get there an hour before game-time if you want to see his dunk repetoire (it’s well worth it)…great help shot blocker…will lead the team in FG percentage again this year
24 Ron Coleman (Fr.)
didn’t play much, will be eased into the rotation because of team depth…seems to be the only mid-sized guy on the team…nicest shot on the team in warmups…seems under control for the most part, doesn’t expect to shoot every time he touches the ball…Eric Snow look-alike…decent bulk for a freshman…only freshman in the 10-deep
25 Graham Brown (Jr.)
biggest hustler on the team, throws his body for every loose ball…has nice touch at the line, but still looks shaky — distance seems to be his problem…so strong, one of those guys who gets called for offensive fouls just because guys bounce off of him…Amaker seems to want to establish him offensively at the beginning of games…classic hard-working team guy
31 Chris Hunter (Jr.)
did not play (DNP) (in street clothes)…showed me some things last year in his limited time (injuries) that I think he’ll be the most improved player this year
32 J.C. Mathis (Sr.)
10th man and only senior in the 10-deep…hustle guy who commits a lot of fouls…every once in a while shows a nice offensive move, but not a go-to guy…won’t get much playing time unless there is serious foul trouble or injuries
44 Courtney Sims (So.)
added some pounds, definitely stronger…would be dominant if he was a few inches taller…working on a little jump hook, only way to stop it would be when the ball is still low, otherwise no defense for it…also working with the left hand in warmups, seems most serious about working to improve his game…ball should go through him on every offensive possession…will start getting noticed this year, first Michigan big man to get the defense’s attention in a long long time…not the fastest or higest-jumping player, but blocks a lot of shots…plays with the ball high up, like Juwan Howard
50 Amadou Ba (So.)
DNP (in street clothes)…11th man in the 10-deep rotation
Miscellaneous Team Notes
will go 10 deep…more front court depth than backcourt depth…still no true point guard, expecting to face a lot of press defense…offensive rebounding stronger than defensive rebounding…STILL can’t defend the three…sometimes come out of timeouts in a 2-3 zone, but man defense 95% of the game…need to work the ball inside more, too many three pointers…not good at running out the clock with the lead, same as last year…main offensive play is just working the ball around the perimeter until something opens up…will just plain wear some teams down because of size…if rebounding becomes a strength, we are going to be tough…need to capitalize better on free throws, especially the big men…Sims, Abram, and Horton all could average 13+ points a game…Harris will also average double digits…as long as they stay out of foul trouble, backcourt is going to be the strength of the team…three lefties in the top 10, at least five overall…team is still on the young-side, but has enough experience that better results are expected now
Predictions
20 wins + 2 wins in Big Ten Tournament
3rd or 4th place in Big Ten regular season
NCAA tournament 6-7 seed