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Michigan Basketball Predictions 2009-10

Written November 10, 2009 by Kyle Hunter

The Michigan Wolverines have the best one-two punch in the Big 10 in Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims and they have a great coach in John Beilein. Beilein took the Wolverines to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, their best result in a number of years. This year expectations are even higher at Michigan as many of the faithful believe they could be a top 15 team if the team buys into the successful system of Coach Beilein. According to the latest NCAA basketball lines, the odds of Michigan winning the NCAA tournament sit at +10,000 or 100-to-1.

Both DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris are terrific talents that are real matchup problems for just about every team in the conference. Sims is a player that excels with back to the basket but can also step out and hit the long range shot when needed. Manny Harris is a tall and lanky point guard that possesses a great first step and can get to the hoop against even the best of the defensive point guards. Harris also has an impressive outside shot and has improved his decision making to fit into Beilein’s system. Those two great talents will be there again this year, but for Michigan to step up into the next echelon of teams they will likely need one or two players to step up and be that third and fourth scoring option.

The candidates to step up and be the next scoring options are probably Zack Novak and Stu Douglass. Both of these players are gritty players that have a terrific outside shot. The outside shot is definitely important in Beilein’s system, as all of those who have watched Michigan and West Virginia over the last few years could tell you. Freshman Darius Morris is expected to step in this year and provide another great penetrator who can dish to wide open shooters, which could help get more open looks for guys like Novak, Douglas, and Laval Lucas-Perry, who is also a real scoring threat off the bench.

The Wolverines return all of their top scorers except Kelvin Grady, who averaged just 6 points per game last season. The third year of the Beilein’s system and an experienced group of players should certainly make opponents worry about the Wolverines this season. Get a $20 free play that you can use to bet NCAA basketball this season when you open a new account with Sportsbook.com.

What is the main weakness for Michigan? Clearly the thing that stands out as the biggest weakness is rebounding and size down low outside of DeShawn Sims. The system the Wolverines run often has four guards on the floor along with Sims, but with no one else taller than 6’5 most of the time they could struggle mightily on the glass. It will be important that some of the young big men step up and provide some key minutes for this team. DeShawn Sims also must stay out of foul trouble if the Wolverines are going to contend with the size of most of the teams they play this season.

The Wolverines are definitely going to be tough to beat this season. Look for them to improve on the defensive end of the court and improve their efficiency on offense. If this team stays healthy they have a real chance to be contenders for a top three finish in the Big 10 and a sweet sixteen berth in March.

Check back all season long for expert basketball picks from the top cappers at Betfirms. You won’t find a better site for NCAA basketball predictions, period.

Tags: michigan

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1 Comment

Comments

One Response to “Michigan Basketball Predictions 2009-10”

David on November 10th, 2009 1:15 PM

Yeah, im really excited for Michigan basketball this year. This will be their best team since the fab five. Hopefully a trip to the sweet sixteen or elite eight can eleviate sum of the pain the football team has caused me and the rest of Wolverine nation.

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