2009-2010 Michigan Predictions
2008-09 Record: (21-14, 9-9 Big 10)
Coach: John Beilein (3rd year, 31-36 at Minnesota)
Assistants: Jerry Dunn, Mike Jackson, John Mahoney
Ret. Starters/Lost: 4/1

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Overview: John Belein seems to have a program on track that has been marred by controversy over the last two decades. Last season, they beat Duke and UCLA early in the season and eventually made the second round of the NCAA Tournament. But Beilein’s work is not over as Michigan returns four players and adds a few newcomers who can help them take it to the next level. Junior guard Manny Harris (16.9ppg, 6.8rpg) is backasone of the best all-around players in the league. Harris shot just 32.7% from beyond the arc, but got to the line a lot where he was very successful (.863). Up front, senior DeShawn Sims (6-8, 235) averaged 15.4ppg and 6.8rpg, but at times, wanted to stay at the three-point line, taking away his strength. Joining Harris at the wing in this four-guard lineup is sophomore Zach Novak (6.7ppg), who regularly had to guard players three inches taller than his 6-6, but also gave big men matchup problems wit his perimeter shooting. Sophomore Stu Douglass (6.1ppg) returns at shooting guard and is a real streak shooter. The key is at the point where sophomore Lava Lucas-Perry (6-3, 185) averaged just 6.1ppg and 1.1apg, after transferring from Arizona and was very inconsistent. If he doesn’t improve. freshman Darius Morris (6-4, 180) could push him. They do have some size off the bench with the return of 7-foot Ben Cronin (4.ppg), who redshirted last season after having surgery on his hip and if healthy, should be an impact player.

Outlook: This is a very dangerous team led by two All-Conference performers in Harris and Sims, but the rest of the team is still questionable, especially the point guard spot. Beilein’s has added more three-point shooters to his system and should be a tough matchup with their 1-3-1 zone.

This Big Ten conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college basketball betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com

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