Big Bad Wolverines:

The CBB Darlings of November (And Maybe March?)

Before Michigan’s hoops team even christened Crisler Arena with their first action this season, the haters had lots to say:

· “Guard play is suspect.”

· “Where will the shooting come from?”

· “Two-big lineups don’t work in today’s college hoops scene.”

· “They spent all their NIL on P5 retreads.”

Nonsense! Poppycock! The Big Bad Michigan (Man) Wolverines are off to a blistering 7-0 start. It includes back-to-back-to-back 30+-point thrashings of San Diego State, Auburn, and Gonzaga.

They have silenced – rejected even – every offseason doubt lobbed their way. In November, a month usually dominated by Arizona before it’s typical March malaise, the Blue and Maize looked every bit the part of a national championship contender.

Given what I’ve witnessed, I can only say, “Hail Michigan!” and move them up to #2 in my Big Ten Power Rankings this week. That may not even be high enough.

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Watching Michigan steamroll its way through last week’s highly anticipated Player’s Era Tournament was kinda like watching a prime Derrick Henry charge toward a lone DB in the open field. Like the DB sizing up Henry, SDSU, Auburnt, and the Zags should’ve made a business decision and walked away. The carnage wasn’t pretty.

After crushing SDSU by 40 and Auburnt by 30, Michigan barreled its way through then KenPom #1 Gonzaga 101-61 for the Player’s Era Championship. The physical difference between Michigan and everyone it has faced is thusly: Men v. Boys.

In their three games, Michigan was:

· +37 on the glass.

· Had 11 more blocks.

· Allowed just a 34% 2P%.

· Shot 66% from 2.

They absolutely dominated the paint and also shot 40% from 3 on high volume (38/95). I ask you, how do you beat that?

After a couple of early-season eyebrow-raiser performances (albeit in wins that have both aged well) against Wake Forest and TCU, the Wolverines have officially put their championship potential on display.

All this after losing the three best players off last year’s roster! Michigan turned to the transfer portal this offseason to remake their team. And boy did they ever.

Coach Dusty May brought in the #1 transfer portal class in the nation, including former P5 contributors Morez Johnson (Illinois), Aday Mara (UCLA), and Elliott Cadeau (UNC) as well as the #1 overall transfer in Forward Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB).

Lendeborg’s all-around play has more than lived up to the billing. He’s absolutely filling up the box score, averaging a team-leading 16 pts per game as well as contributing 7.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks – all while boasting an astounding 61/39/82 shooting split. The kid wakes up making buckets.

Johnson got a bad rap in his messy departure from Illinois last offseason, but has proven to be a valuable 4 man in the Dusty May scheme. His per-game average is 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Plus, he adds impressive advanced analytical numbers in his rebounding and defense.

Morez Johnson Analytical Profile. Presented by CBB Analytics

For example, Cadeau still has a few throw-the-remote-at-the-TV moments a game. But his ability to make plays and create open shots for his teammates has been special. He’s averaging 5.4 assists per game and has a 33.3% assist-rate, which is in the 96th percentile of all D1 players.

The most impressive thing about Cadeau, however, is the improvement in his 3-pt. shooting. Two seasons ago at UNC, he shot a chilly 18% from 3. That is not a typo. Basically, picture Shaq pumping up 3s.

But this year he’s sitting at 37% on about 4 attempts per game – a miraculous turnaround. His release this year looks quick and smooth and he’s shooting it with significantly more confidence.

I can’t let you go without mentioning the dominant play of center Aday Mara. Mara is another transfer who had a messy exit from his last stop at UCLA. But Mara is making the most of his Michigan time.

Mara is off to a blistering start to the year, quickly becoming this season’s B1G analytical darling. Mara:

· Leads the nation in Dreb/40min at 12.4.

· Has a 12% block percentage (97th percentile).

· Has an eFG% of 64% (81st percentile).

· Is averaging 3.3 A/40min (88th percentile).

Aday Mara Analytical Profile. Presented by CBB Analytics

Mara is the rare center that will dominate the paint for you defensively and then can run your offense as a secondary playmaker on the other end.

With their recent blowout wins, Michigan has ascended to the KenPom #1 team in the nation. I expect them to be right there on Monday when we get the first release of the NET.

Michigan will likely be heavily favored in 12 of their next 13 matchups. It could give them a long runway to gear up for that first highly anticipated matchup with that other team in Michigan on Jan. 30.