20th Annual Abla Report
The 2018-2019 University of Michigan Men’s Basketball Team Scouting Report
Reviewed after game against Holy Cross on November 10, 2018.
By Tim Abla
0 David Dejulius (Fr.)
only played in the last possession or two…basically just to run out the clock…really wanted to evaluate him…alas maybe next Abla Report…stocky for a PG…looks really strong…even makes Zavier look slight…looked like a soft touch from the FT line in warmups
1 Charles Matthews (Sr.)
started…looks the same as junior Mathews…which isn’t a bad thing…not much new to say though…maybe a better FT shooter?…made 4 of 5 tonight…but they weren’t exactly clean makes…such a smooth athlete…14 ppg player…he or Ignas will lead the team in scoring…just not a great shooter…looked more comfortable from the corner though…doesn’t mean I want him taking a lot of 3s…better off when he’s aggressive and active with the ball…as opposed to settling for spot up 3s…the Shea Patterson of the football team in that everyone talks about him like he’s a definite pro, but I’m not as sure as everyone else…no doubt a critical part of this team though…and a guy who will define if Michigan goes deep in the tourney or not
2 Jordan Poole (So.)
started…looked passive…didn’t assert himself very much in the first half…saw a little more in the second half…still, didn’t feel like a breakout player yet…hopefully will see more as he gets more comfortable with bigger minutes…feel like expectations are a little too high heading into the year…not to say he won’t be good-to-very-good…still rockin’ the short shorts…could stand to get a little stronger on the defensive end…stronger players can give him trouble there…played PG for a possession or two when we mistakenly took out both PGs in a moment of confusion…you could see it wasn’t intended…called a time out to fix that situation…has as much potential as anyone on this team offensively…has a nice touch at the FT line…but still missed his first FT as required by law
3 Zavier Simpson (Jr.)
started…definitely the starting PG…but mainly because of his defense…never going to be a plus shooter…his strength on offense is when he gets to the hole…which sometimes results in a shot or a nice dump-off to a big for an easy bucket…showed a pretty good ability to do that last year…we’ll see if it remains a part of his game…didn’t see much of it tonight…has an ability to get odd shots off near the rim…and make them…partially because of his strength…no FT attempts tonight, so can’t say if that aspect improved…really fun to watch on defense…so tough on opposing PGs…3-pt shots just aren’t very pretty…I don’t see a lot of confidence on his long range shots…9 ppg player…gets some tough rebounds for a PG
4 Isaiah Livers (So.)
first guy off the bench…plays starter minutes…because he deserves them…definitely one of the key players on the team this year…really impressive athlete….seems like he can cover almost anyone defensively…except maybe taller centers…when he switched onto small guys he stayed right with them…very active feet…good rebounder…decent FT…big and strong…but still pretty quick…likes that corner 3…best warmups dunker on the team…had some pretty impressive throw-downs early during warmups…feels like one of the leaders of the team…can get up for tough rebounds…8 ppg player
5 Adrien Nunez (Fr)
didn’t play until the final minute…shot really well in pre-game warmups…not as well during halftime warmups…always had C.J. Baird put a hand in his face during warmups…I liked that, felt more like in-game shots than standard over-casual warmup shots…nice looking shot…a little thin maybe…probably won’t play much this year
11 Colin Castleton (Fr.)
definitely could use some weight gain…not expecting much this year…long…emergency center only this season
13 Ignas Brazdeikis (Fr.)
started…lefty…but has nice touch with his right hand as well from close range…strong and athletic…very good at driving the lane for a bigger guy…and punishes people on the way…seriously, wouldn’t want to be in the way as he drives to the hole…he or Matthews will be the leading scorer just based on shot volume…not timid, that’s for sure…active defensively…manufactured a nice steal and fast break all on his own…this year’s guy who always looks like he’s having fun…can’t remember the last big bodied guy for Michigan who had a similar ability to get to the basket…14 ppg player…looks like a future pro…just a matter of how many years until he leaves for the NBA…will lead the team in FT attempts…maybe by a lot…great at drawing contact and still getting a decent shot off…impressed with how he can use both hands when he gets close to the rim…while much shorter hair than Winovich, has good “flow” like Chase does
15 Jon Teske (Jr.)
started…wow did he ever block some shots tonight…doesn’t look like he’ll be able to get to a shot…then swats it anyway…so long…makes most players look small…didn’t show much offensively…but sneaky athletic defensively…not a bad looking FT shot…didn’t play a ton for a starter…wasn’t in foul trouble…Livers takes some of his minutes when other teams go small…will be a key on this defense-oriented team…often doesn’t even leave his feet to block shots…or if he does, it’s leaving his feet like Bill Laimbeer “left” his feet…where did that saying (leave his feet) come from anyway…showed a soft 12-foot jumper last year…will be interesting to see if that develops…his one 3-pt shot tonight was, uh, bad…it was a bit rushed/forced…will very much not be Moe Wagner when it comes to 3-pt shooting from a big man…pretty good at avoiding fouls…8 ppg…3 block per game would be nice…affects so many shots he doesn’t block…can’t undervalue that
23 Brandon Johns Jr. (Fr.)
looks like an interesting player…down the road though…could get some minutes here and there…but not a main rotation player this year probably…looks like plenty of potential…didn’t get in until the final minute…appears to have decent athleticism for a big guy
24 C.J. Baird (So.)
Did not play/will not play (DNP/WNP)
32 Luke Wilson (So.)
DNP/WNP
44 Jaron Faulds (So.)
DNP/WNP
51 Austin Davis (Jr.)
got in late only…wanted to see more of him to see if he’s going to contribute or not…he’ll get some minutes…but not consistently game-to-game I think…would probably be the guy to go to if Teske got in foul trouble…probably like a 5 minute per game player
55 Eli Brooks (So.)
backup PG…looked a little more confident…will be interesting to see how much he contributes…doesn’t overwhelm athletically…made a couple of nice plays on the defensive end…wouldn’t call him a top defender though…wanted to see more offensively…got some good minutes…can play the 1 or 2 I think
Miscellaneous Team Notes
certainly a defense-oriented team…going to have some ugly ugly games from the 3-pt line…like tonight…and from the FT line probably…although shot pretty well from the FT line tonight…a lot of the makes weren’t very clean though…I expect lots of 55-49 type games from this team…like Virginia scores from recent seasons…certainly not a typical Beilein team…offense should revolve around activity and getting to the rim more than bombing 3’s in my opinion…expect more fouls from this team than recent teams…hopefully can keep up the trend of low turnovers…team had some nice long passes to start fast breaks…going to be some major scoring droughts on offense…thankfully will also cause major droughts from other teams…doesn’t feel like Beilein is going deep into the rotation this year…7 guys will play significant minutes, maybe 8 if Austin Davis cracks the lineup
Coaching Notes
celebrated Beilein’s 800th win tonight…so glad he is Michigan’s coach
Most important questions for the season
1) Can’t shoot 3’s, maybe can’t shoot FTs. How is this team going to win games?
Obviously it’s going to be the defense this year. This feels like the most un-Beilein team he’s had since he arrived at Michigan (or any time for that matter). There are going to be a lot of mucky, ugly games this year, but there is still enough talent on this team that I expect it to win a lot of games. The big guys are all fairly athletic and Simpson is a shutdown defender, so the defense is really going to cause problems. The pretty games of yesteryear are a thing of the past, though.
2) 8 seconds left in the shot clock, who should get the ball?
None other than freshman Ignas Brazdeikis in my opinion. He’s ok with the outside shot, but excellent at getting to the hole for a big guy and always seems to draw a foul. Really, really powerful as he drives to the hole. Appears to have a soft touch when he gets around the rim — again, with either hand — but a lot seem to rim out (at least in warmups). Regardless, he’s the guy who can create and get to the line better than anyone else on this team. Matthews did a good job of this last year, so he’s a backup option.
3) Who’s the best shooter on this weak-shooting team?
I didn’t see a lot of great shooting tonight, even in warmups. The only guy who really felt like a plus shooter was none other than Adrien Nunez. Unfortunately I don’t see him playing a whole lot this year, but keep it in mind for down the road. Feels more like a traditional Beilein player. But this isn’t a traditional Beilein team, and he’s somewhat buried on this roster. As for the guys who play…I’m just not sure. Matthews is streaky, has his moments. Ignas has some potential. Wanted to see if Brooks would be that guy but I didn’t see it tonight. Hopefully it’s Poole who emerges as the best shooter and guy who gets hot on a consistent basis.
4) Best athlete on the team?
Matthews is a great athlete, Ignas is pretty solid as well. But I’m going with Livers on this one. He’s tall, he’s big and strong, he has great (quick and active) feet, and can jump high. I really liked his work ethic on the defensive end, his athletic ability really showed off on switches. Didn’t matter if he took on a PG, he could stay with him and make him pass the ball. Looked good against bigger guys as well. I thought he looked really confident tonight, I expect him to be critical for this team this year.
5) Better FT shooters on this team — guys 6’7″ and above or 6’6″ and below?
I’m taking the over even though big guys traditionally struggle more than little guys. But on this team the big guys look like better, more confident FT shooters. Will Zavier and Matthews continue to struggle? We’ll see. Will be interesting to see if the 6’7″ guys win this “battle”.
Predictions
26-11 overall
8-3 in non-conference
14-6 in the Big Ten (plus 2 wins in the Big Ten tourney)
5 seed in the NCAA Tournament (with 2 tourney wins)