Michigan basketball: 2019-20 season review and 2020-2021 first-look preview

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 01: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines brings the ball up the court in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Value City Arena on March 01, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Players

As noted, Michigan had an unusually balanced attack on offense, resulting in five players with scoring averages at 10.6 points or higher. They were all starters, and three of them were outside the lineup or not with the team in 2018-19.

Point guard, Zavier Simpson was the Wolverines’ standard-bearer, having a career year in his senior season, with 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game on 47.6 percent shooting and 36 percent on 3-pointers. By far his best season, stepping up in a larger role while becoming a more efficient player. That included five double-doubles.

The cancellations ended Simpson’s season early, however, to play off his best season. Michigan was never in a position to make a significant run, but he could have contributed towards a win in the Big Ten Tournament.

Franz Wagner was another successful contributor for Michigan and as a freshman. He didn’t perform like his brother Moritz, who is now an NBA player, but 11.6 points in a starting role flashed enough potential to be excited in his future at Ann Arbor.

Filling out the backcourt, Eli Brooks was the biggest surprise. He jumped from back-end role player to full-time starter as a junior, featuring 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

No one had a spectacular season, but the contributions were spread around enough to have multiple players stand out.