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Big Ten: Michigan Wolverines Offseason Update

By AJ King

Mar 20, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) throws a pass to guard Caris LeVert (23) during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Wofford Terriers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Derrick Walton Jr. (10) throws a pass to guard Caris LeVert (23) during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Wofford Terriers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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The defending Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines left Friday for a 10-day, four-game trip to Italy on their quest to improve over the offseason.

They are likely going to go into the 2014-15 season as favorites to win the conference again, despite losing standouts Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, and Big Ten Player of the Year Nik Stauskas. This season may prove to be the year of Caris LeVert, a junior guard from Pickerington, Ohio, with tremendous athleticism and length.

The offseason has been critical for LeVert because he needed to build strength back up in his surgically repaired ankle. The 6-foot-7 wing player missed three months recovering from the May surgery, but he has returned to the practice floor and will be available on the Wolverines’ European trip.

Mar 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) drives against Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan McRae (52) in the second half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Caris LeVert (23) drives against Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan McRae (52) in the second half in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Head coach John Beilein said Wednesday that LeVert is still not fully healthy, however.

"“Caris started playing last week, but he’s not himself yet,” said Beilein. “It’s just a matter of getting him back into game shape.”"

LeVert will be joined by a standout freshman in the upcoming season that could give the Wolverines another scary combination on the wings. Kameron Chatman, a 6-foot-7 guard from Portland’s Columbia Christian High School, is by all accounts a very impressive prospect and possible starter right away in Ann Arbor.

Mlive.com’s Brenden F. Quinn called Chatman “college-ready” and said he looked comfortable playing on the perimeter and on the block offensively. In addition, it appears the gifted guard can defend positions 2-through-4, which would give the Wolverines a lot of versatility on both ends of the floor.

Two of the lone veterans on the roster are guards Spike Albrecht and Derrick Walton, who have some serious game experience under their belts in big NCAA tournament spots. The perimeter game will stay strong for Michigan, and Beilein will likely continue to run an offense predicated on the 3-point shot.

The Wolverines led the Big Ten in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting a whopping 40. 2 percent from downtown. If they can find any production from a young front court, the Wolverines will once again be playing late into March as they try to advance past the Sweet 16 for a third consecutive season.

The regular season action kicks off for Michigan Nov. 17 against Bucknell.