The OTHER former West Virginia coach has a team in Ann Arbor too!

Michigan basketball is starting up soon, so get ready for lots of three-point shooting and even more zone defense. Beilein's Bunch should be much improved. 

Michigan is picked to be in the middle of the Big Ten, which is about where I think they will finish. The potential is certainly there for Michigan to turn some heads this year. The backcourt duo of Manny Harris and Kelvin Grady impressed last year. Granted, it was hit or miss with most of the team the whole year, but I am expecting some more consistency this year. 

Three Guys to watch:

Manny Harris returns after a year in which he led the team in scoring, and he perhaps may of led planet earth in turnovers. When he gets that under control, he will take the next step towards becoming a star in the Big Ten. Kelvin Grady can be equally as frustrating as Harris, but what I love about both of them, Grady especially, is that they play hard. Grady is one of those guys that every coach would love to have, and every opponent hates to play against. He needs to be the catalyst for the Wolverines this year, the proverbial "engine" that makes Michigan go. If Grady plays well, that means everyone is involved, he is penetrating into the lane, and kicking it out to open shooters. Shooters like Stu Douglass, the freshman from Indiana. Guy can stroke, Douglass is going to shooting mostly three-pointers, and is a perfect fit it Beilein's offense. 

If these three backcourt guys play well early and often, it will give Michigan a lot of momentum throughout the season. Hopefully these guys play well, and that opens up shooting lanes for our big men, Zack Gibson, DeShawn Sims (sorta big), and freshman Ben Cronin. I envision someone stepping into and holding down, the Kevin Pittsnogle role at some point in the year. At this point though, no one has distanced themselves from the competition. 

Excited for the 2008-2009 hoops season. Quick prediction on Michigan after looking at the schedule, I think 17ish wins is very realistic. 

****Side note: If UNC doesn't win the National Championship...all Tar Heel fans should be hugely disappointed. UNC is, in a word, LOADED.****