Evan Jacoby is an RTC columnist.
Returning nearly all of its contributing players from a 21-win team, Michigan has high hopes this season. But the one departure suffered by the Wolverines was a big one, as sophomore Darius Morris’ decision to turn pro left the team with a massive void at the point guard position. While Morris, a second-round pick, is now waiting out the NBA lockout, Michigan has found his successor much sooner than expected. Today was freshman Trey Burke’s warm welcome to the national stage.
Playing its first major opponent of the season on Monday, John Beilein’s team was led by the confident play of its young point guard in a convincing win over No. 8 Memphis in the opening game of the Maui Invitational. Burke scored 14 points with four assists while logging a team-high 35 minutes for Michigan, and he displayed impressive poise with the basketball throughout. He successfully managed a swarming Memphis full-court press and looked just as comfortable in the half-court offense, directing Michigan to shoot 53% from the field for the game. You can’t ask for much else from a freshman guard against an elite team, and it’s an exciting development for Michigan’s prospects this season.
Burke’s emergence gives Michigan a second major playmaker alongside Tim Hardaway, Jr., and suddenly the Wolverines again have one of the most dangerous backcourts in the country. Hardaway is a star and he played like one against Memphis, finishing with a 21/7/5 assts line fitting of his dominant all-around game. Fellow off-guards Stu Douglass and Zach Novak continue to fit in perfectly with Beilein’s system with their ability to make shots from deep. Burke completes the offense with his skills at the point.
As a high school senior in Columbus, Ohio, ESPN declared Burke a four-star prospect and the 15th-best point guard in his class. At 6’1”, he lacks the physical tools of the departed Morris, but he is a major talent who has quickly adapted to the college game. Especially impressive in this game against Memphis was his floor leadership and knowledge of when to slow down the pace of the game against an athletic team that wants to run. It’s now obvious that Beilein certainly believes in his command of the team and rewarded him with 35 minutes in the big win. On a team with experienced talent, the point guard’s ability to set up his teammates is his main responsibility. Being an attacking lead guard and keeping defenses honest is a major bonus.
Although he was 0-3 shooting threes in this game, Burke has shown range on his jump shot and actually came in as a recruit known for his shooting. The ability to knock down outside shots is crucial in John Beilein’s offense, and the point guard will have plenty of opportunities to do so. He also was aggressive attacking the rim against Memphis, effectively beating his man off the dribble and creating plays against the Tigers’ poor help defense. Being confident and aggressive will result in many trips to the free throw line, where Burke will have to improve. He shot 2-6 from the stripe Monday afternoon and must make teams pay for fouling on drives. Expect improvement in this area as the season goes along.
Michigan came into this game as the No. 15 team in the country and somewhat of a wild card team in the loaded Maui tournament. After one round, they move on with a signature non-conference victory and an emerging threat at the point guard position. Next, the Wolverines will match up with Duke in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament classic that ended their season. It’s another opportunity for Michigan to impress people as a developing national contender, and they’re likely to go as far as their prodigious young point guard can take them.