- Last Season: 33-8, Lost in National Championship Game
- Notable Losses: Moritz Wagner, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Duncan Robinson
- Notable Additions: Brandon Johns, David DeJulius
It felt as if the majority of the college basketball world was reluctant to give John Beilein and the Michigan Wolverines their due for much of last season. That didn’t bother the team at all, however, and they kept winning all the way up until the National Championship Game, which saw them fall to a juggernaut Villanova team that, coincidentally, people continued to sleep on as well.
From that Michigan team last year to this season, though, the Wolverines are going to be without some key contributors. Moritz Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman are gone from the starting lineup and sharpshooter Duncan Robinson is gone as well. For a team as offensively-minded as Michigan often is, that’s some key losses to contend with in the 2018-19 season, but the Wolverines appear primed to cope with them adequately.
Charles Matthews, Isaiah Livers and Zavier Simpson return from the starting lineup last season, bringing with them the combine 23.7 points per game that they averaged. Those guys will be expected to take a big step forward as they will be thrust into the spotlight. Also expected to step up will be the likes of Jordan Poole, the NCAA Tournament hero, who can fill it up when he’s on.
Perhaps the biggest key for Michigan will be the contributions of freshmen Brandon Johns and David DeJulius. Both top-100 recruits, this Wolverines team needs quality depth throughout the roster and these two young guys are capable of making that happen based on their talent.