The 2019-20 college basketball season is set to get underway with a jam-packed first day of action. Michigan partake in the day one festivities as they play host to the Appalachian State Mountaineers. It is a new look Wolverines team with a new coach in Juwan Howard, three new starters set to take the court, and a season full of exciting new questions. The Mountaineers will come to town to present the first non-exhibition test for the Wolverines. Here is a rundown on the first opponents of the season.
Appalachian State -- An Overview:
This is the start of the Dustin Kearns era for the Mountaineers as this will be a clash of two programs seeing head coaches coaching their first games at the head of their new programs. Kearns was a long-time associate head coach at Wofford and was influential in sparking their offensively-minded attack. Kearns then took over at Presbyterian College and, after a 5-25 year the season before he took the job, he guided the Blue Hose to a CIT Quarterfinals trip and 20-16 record in his second year. The Mountaineers decided to hire him after letting go of Jim Fox after an 11-21 2018-19 season and 56-99 tenure. They will be without Ronshad Shabazz, team leader, after his graduation.
Kearns will likely bring his offense of shooting a copious amount of threes along with him to App. State. The Blue Hose shot over 1000 three-points and made the second-most in the country (only behind Auburn). Their 38.1% from three was good for 25th in the country as well. Last year's App. State team took 814 (91st in NCAA D1) so they will not be total strangers to shooting from long range. In losing Shabazz, though, they will also lose his team-high 210 threes and 37.6% 3P%. As will be seen in the player breakdown, though, the loss of Shabazz represents just one player -- albeit an important one. The Mountaineers were picked to finish ninth in the twelve-team Sun Belt in the preseason coaches' poll.
Starting Five:
The Mountaineers' main man will almost certainly figure to be junior Justin Forrest (#1). The 6'2" guard is the Mountaineers' leading returning scorer, having averaged 16.2 points per game last season. Named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team, Forrest took 177 shots from three (second-most) and got to the free-throw line a team-high 170 times. He shot from distance at a 36.2% clip, though his 44.8% mark on twos highlights an area of improvement. Forrest also led the team in assists per game (2.5) and steals per game (1.2) highlighting his ability to threaten in all facets of the game. That said, he also averaged 2.7 turnovers per game, which was highlighted by head coach Kearns in App. State's media day as something to improve on. Kearns told the Blue Ribbon Yearbook that he sees him as a Kyle Lowry type of player that can score in all three levels and would figure to play some point guard during the season as well. His usage was highest on the team last year (28.7% of possessions) and I could see that elevating this year given, a, his skill set the likelihood of offseason improvements, b, a new coach who may want to rely on his proven players in his first season, and, c, his fit in the offense that Kearns will likely implement. I am going to be watching to see whether it is Eli Brooks or Zavier Simpson guarding him in the game and if that switches at all during the game.
The second of two preseason All-Sun Belt honorees is senior Isaac Johnson (#0). The 6'9" forward hails from Charlotte and was given the honor of Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team. Johnson was the third double-figure scorer on the team last season (joining Shabazz and Forrest) as he averaged an even ten points per game. He did serious damage on the glass, though, as he grabbed 8.6 rebounds per game -- second-highest in the Sun Belt. In talking to Blue Ribbons, Kearns gave an interesting quote on Johnson saying, "He's capable of stretching the floor and making a three. He's got enough perimeter skills to play in some isolation opportunities." Forrest struggled from three last year going 5-for-33 (15.2%) on the season. That said, watching his game tape led me to be struck by his versatility. He is a lanky forward who gets to the hoop really well and can play out on the perimeter without a ton of problems. He gets to the hoop well and also runs the floor smartly with and without the ball. With his size and rebounding, though, he can also post up or bang down low in the post with some of the tougher forwards he will see this season. I am confident in saying this is Isaiah Livers's match-up, not Jon Teske's. He is almost guaranteed to be stepping out to the three-point line and trying to drive. The question of how much Juwan Howard's defense will help on drives will be answered with Johnson, I would imagine.
Adrian Delph (#20) is a 6'3" sophomore guard who will figure to return to his starting role this season. Delph started nineteen of the 32 games last season and took 106 shots from three last season. His 106 shots will be second-highest of returning players on the team and his 36.8% clip is the highest of returnees as well. Delph is not just a strong shooter but also a strong athlete that would hope to build off a very strong freshman season. He averaged 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game but would figure to be a strong contender for a breakout season. A spotlight was shone on him both at media day and in Blue Ribbon as someone who impressed over the offseason and as someone who could take up more ball-handling duties as well. He is still just a true sophomore, but his 32 free throw attempts are quite low. He took 79 shots from two and as he drives more, the next step in his game is possibly going to be helping him find the contact, get to the line, and ideally for the Mountaineers, finish through that contact.
The second of the two Mountaineer forwards is senior Hunter Seacat (#50). Seacat is a 6'9" bruising forward who is a solid post presence. Seacat took all 127 of his shots from two and has an array of post moves he could go to on the block. He was also incredibly consistent last season, appearing in all 32 games and missing the start in only one -- the last regular-season game. A transfer from William and Mary, he had twelve games of eight or more points this season and logged his career-high in early-March against Louisiana with sixteen points to go with eight rebounds. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds and has seen improvement in each of the major per-game stat categories from year one to year two within the App. State program. He will be key to watch on the block and could also factor in the gameplan as a screener in the pick-and-roll for the likes of Forrest and Delph as they handle the ball and look to drive to the rim.
The fifth starter is cause for some guesswork, but the likely fifth man will be sophomore James Lewis Jr. (#21). The 6'8" forward is a transfer from Chattanooga who spent a successful freshman season there before sitting out last season while going through the transfer process. Lewis averaged 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman while also shooting 50.8% from the field. His 132 attempts, though, were entirely from two. In Blue Ribbon, Kearns made a comparison that Lewis, like Johnson, could step out and shoot from three. I would figure that this will be a somewhat gradual process, perhaps like Michigan fans saw with Jon Teske in his expanding of range last season. He shot 95 free throws at a 66.3% mark as a freshman as well, which is very impressive for a forward getting accustomed to the collegiate game. He is able to hang out in the post and play tough and physical, but also seems to be learning and expanding in the new system.
Bench Rundown:
The first man off the bench would figure to be senior O'Showen Williams (#4). The 5'11" guard is also a strong contender for the fifth starting spot as he saw the fourth-highest total minutes through last season -- playing in all 32 games, albeit, as a sixth man. You also could see Lewis coming off the bench to offer a bit more height to this Mountaineers team with just two true forwards, both freshmen, on the bench. Playing in over 50% of total minutes last season, Williams saw a fairly steep drop-off in per-game stats, aided greatly by a drop in usage by just over 5%. After transferring from South Georgia State College, Williams took 115 threes en route to a 38.3% clip from deep as a sophomore. He averaged 7.8 points, but that fell to 3.8 points per game and a 29.2% three-point mark (72 attempts) as a junior. He has shown the ability to score and is going to be counted on for scoring -- especially when considering his experience with the team and ability to shoot the three. Expect Williams to see substantial minutes on Tuesday whether or not he starts or comes off the bench.
Michael Bibby (#10) is the lone other returning piece for Dustin Kearns to turn to if he needs some experience off the bench. The son of former NBA star Mike Bibby, Michael is a 6'3" junior guard who saw action in 21 games and averaged 2.9 points. Bibby offers another option when looking for a ball-handler, but could see a jump in production as a result of his ability to shoot the ball. He went 14-for-29 from three (48.3%) last season which is a strong mark even given the limited opportunity. He also has ample experience at the college level having transferred from USF where he started fourteen games as a freshman. He shot 39% from three (100 attempts) while averaging 6.6 points per game. Delph would figure to be the breakout candidate in terms of starters, but Bibby could get to see a huge increase in minutes and production if Kearns is looking for a good shooter off the bench.
Finally, you have a couple of three-star freshmen being welcomed into the Appalachian State program with the potential to see minutes. Kendall Lewis (#2) could be the most likely to get regular minutes as a 6'7" forward. Lewis is a lanky player who defends well, but at 180 pounds is also probably looking to bulk up a bit more. He can do a bit of everything, rebound, shoot, slash and cut, and would figure to be a natural small forward. You also have Donovan Gregory (#11), a 6'5" guard/forward who Kearns feels has massive potential both as an "elite" defender and "high level" scorer. He has a 40-inch vertical jump and is a very high-ceiling player. He fits into the mold of Forrest as a strong guard who can attack the rim. Like all freshmen, though, it will be a bit of 'wait-and-see' to see how each will take to the collegiate game.
Pre-Game Thoughts:
This is a fun first game for Michigan as they welcome a team also going through a coaching change to Crisler. Kearns noted in his media day presser that he is not married to his system, and that may be evident in the first couple of games. He has two players who have not taken a three in their college careers and one who struggled with them. He also has a surplus, as he also noted, of guards who are skilled drivers to the rim. This will be an interesting team to watch throughout the season as they develop within a new system. They do, though, also return five of their top seven scorers and have two preseason All-Sun Belt players. Where they may live or die is their depth. If they choose to go with three forwards on the court as starters, it is likely that one (probably Seacat, judging from last season's rotation) will split time regardless of this with Williams. From there, the hope is going to be that at least one of the other players (Bibby, Lewis, Gregory, or another freshman) can also carve out a strong 15-20 minute per game role.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more college basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
Appalachian State -- An Overview:
This is the start of the Dustin Kearns era for the Mountaineers as this will be a clash of two programs seeing head coaches coaching their first games at the head of their new programs. Kearns was a long-time associate head coach at Wofford and was influential in sparking their offensively-minded attack. Kearns then took over at Presbyterian College and, after a 5-25 year the season before he took the job, he guided the Blue Hose to a CIT Quarterfinals trip and 20-16 record in his second year. The Mountaineers decided to hire him after letting go of Jim Fox after an 11-21 2018-19 season and 56-99 tenure. They will be without Ronshad Shabazz, team leader, after his graduation.
Kearns will likely bring his offense of shooting a copious amount of threes along with him to App. State. The Blue Hose shot over 1000 three-points and made the second-most in the country (only behind Auburn). Their 38.1% from three was good for 25th in the country as well. Last year's App. State team took 814 (91st in NCAA D1) so they will not be total strangers to shooting from long range. In losing Shabazz, though, they will also lose his team-high 210 threes and 37.6% 3P%. As will be seen in the player breakdown, though, the loss of Shabazz represents just one player -- albeit an important one. The Mountaineers were picked to finish ninth in the twelve-team Sun Belt in the preseason coaches' poll.
Starting Five:
The Mountaineers' main man will almost certainly figure to be junior Justin Forrest (#1). The 6'2" guard is the Mountaineers' leading returning scorer, having averaged 16.2 points per game last season. Named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team, Forrest took 177 shots from three (second-most) and got to the free-throw line a team-high 170 times. He shot from distance at a 36.2% clip, though his 44.8% mark on twos highlights an area of improvement. Forrest also led the team in assists per game (2.5) and steals per game (1.2) highlighting his ability to threaten in all facets of the game. That said, he also averaged 2.7 turnovers per game, which was highlighted by head coach Kearns in App. State's media day as something to improve on. Kearns told the Blue Ribbon Yearbook that he sees him as a Kyle Lowry type of player that can score in all three levels and would figure to play some point guard during the season as well. His usage was highest on the team last year (28.7% of possessions) and I could see that elevating this year given, a, his skill set the likelihood of offseason improvements, b, a new coach who may want to rely on his proven players in his first season, and, c, his fit in the offense that Kearns will likely implement. I am going to be watching to see whether it is Eli Brooks or Zavier Simpson guarding him in the game and if that switches at all during the game.
The second of two preseason All-Sun Belt honorees is senior Isaac Johnson (#0). The 6'9" forward hails from Charlotte and was given the honor of Preseason All-Sun Belt Third Team. Johnson was the third double-figure scorer on the team last season (joining Shabazz and Forrest) as he averaged an even ten points per game. He did serious damage on the glass, though, as he grabbed 8.6 rebounds per game -- second-highest in the Sun Belt. In talking to Blue Ribbons, Kearns gave an interesting quote on Johnson saying, "He's capable of stretching the floor and making a three. He's got enough perimeter skills to play in some isolation opportunities." Forrest struggled from three last year going 5-for-33 (15.2%) on the season. That said, watching his game tape led me to be struck by his versatility. He is a lanky forward who gets to the hoop really well and can play out on the perimeter without a ton of problems. He gets to the hoop well and also runs the floor smartly with and without the ball. With his size and rebounding, though, he can also post up or bang down low in the post with some of the tougher forwards he will see this season. I am confident in saying this is Isaiah Livers's match-up, not Jon Teske's. He is almost guaranteed to be stepping out to the three-point line and trying to drive. The question of how much Juwan Howard's defense will help on drives will be answered with Johnson, I would imagine.
Adrian Delph (#20) is a 6'3" sophomore guard who will figure to return to his starting role this season. Delph started nineteen of the 32 games last season and took 106 shots from three last season. His 106 shots will be second-highest of returning players on the team and his 36.8% clip is the highest of returnees as well. Delph is not just a strong shooter but also a strong athlete that would hope to build off a very strong freshman season. He averaged 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game but would figure to be a strong contender for a breakout season. A spotlight was shone on him both at media day and in Blue Ribbon as someone who impressed over the offseason and as someone who could take up more ball-handling duties as well. He is still just a true sophomore, but his 32 free throw attempts are quite low. He took 79 shots from two and as he drives more, the next step in his game is possibly going to be helping him find the contact, get to the line, and ideally for the Mountaineers, finish through that contact.
The second of the two Mountaineer forwards is senior Hunter Seacat (#50). Seacat is a 6'9" bruising forward who is a solid post presence. Seacat took all 127 of his shots from two and has an array of post moves he could go to on the block. He was also incredibly consistent last season, appearing in all 32 games and missing the start in only one -- the last regular-season game. A transfer from William and Mary, he had twelve games of eight or more points this season and logged his career-high in early-March against Louisiana with sixteen points to go with eight rebounds. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds and has seen improvement in each of the major per-game stat categories from year one to year two within the App. State program. He will be key to watch on the block and could also factor in the gameplan as a screener in the pick-and-roll for the likes of Forrest and Delph as they handle the ball and look to drive to the rim.
The fifth starter is cause for some guesswork, but the likely fifth man will be sophomore James Lewis Jr. (#21). The 6'8" forward is a transfer from Chattanooga who spent a successful freshman season there before sitting out last season while going through the transfer process. Lewis averaged 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds as a freshman while also shooting 50.8% from the field. His 132 attempts, though, were entirely from two. In Blue Ribbon, Kearns made a comparison that Lewis, like Johnson, could step out and shoot from three. I would figure that this will be a somewhat gradual process, perhaps like Michigan fans saw with Jon Teske in his expanding of range last season. He shot 95 free throws at a 66.3% mark as a freshman as well, which is very impressive for a forward getting accustomed to the collegiate game. He is able to hang out in the post and play tough and physical, but also seems to be learning and expanding in the new system.
Bench Rundown:
The first man off the bench would figure to be senior O'Showen Williams (#4). The 5'11" guard is also a strong contender for the fifth starting spot as he saw the fourth-highest total minutes through last season -- playing in all 32 games, albeit, as a sixth man. You also could see Lewis coming off the bench to offer a bit more height to this Mountaineers team with just two true forwards, both freshmen, on the bench. Playing in over 50% of total minutes last season, Williams saw a fairly steep drop-off in per-game stats, aided greatly by a drop in usage by just over 5%. After transferring from South Georgia State College, Williams took 115 threes en route to a 38.3% clip from deep as a sophomore. He averaged 7.8 points, but that fell to 3.8 points per game and a 29.2% three-point mark (72 attempts) as a junior. He has shown the ability to score and is going to be counted on for scoring -- especially when considering his experience with the team and ability to shoot the three. Expect Williams to see substantial minutes on Tuesday whether or not he starts or comes off the bench.
Michael Bibby (#10) is the lone other returning piece for Dustin Kearns to turn to if he needs some experience off the bench. The son of former NBA star Mike Bibby, Michael is a 6'3" junior guard who saw action in 21 games and averaged 2.9 points. Bibby offers another option when looking for a ball-handler, but could see a jump in production as a result of his ability to shoot the ball. He went 14-for-29 from three (48.3%) last season which is a strong mark even given the limited opportunity. He also has ample experience at the college level having transferred from USF where he started fourteen games as a freshman. He shot 39% from three (100 attempts) while averaging 6.6 points per game. Delph would figure to be the breakout candidate in terms of starters, but Bibby could get to see a huge increase in minutes and production if Kearns is looking for a good shooter off the bench.
Finally, you have a couple of three-star freshmen being welcomed into the Appalachian State program with the potential to see minutes. Kendall Lewis (#2) could be the most likely to get regular minutes as a 6'7" forward. Lewis is a lanky player who defends well, but at 180 pounds is also probably looking to bulk up a bit more. He can do a bit of everything, rebound, shoot, slash and cut, and would figure to be a natural small forward. You also have Donovan Gregory (#11), a 6'5" guard/forward who Kearns feels has massive potential both as an "elite" defender and "high level" scorer. He has a 40-inch vertical jump and is a very high-ceiling player. He fits into the mold of Forrest as a strong guard who can attack the rim. Like all freshmen, though, it will be a bit of 'wait-and-see' to see how each will take to the collegiate game.
Pre-Game Thoughts:
This is a fun first game for Michigan as they welcome a team also going through a coaching change to Crisler. Kearns noted in his media day presser that he is not married to his system, and that may be evident in the first couple of games. He has two players who have not taken a three in their college careers and one who struggled with them. He also has a surplus, as he also noted, of guards who are skilled drivers to the rim. This will be an interesting team to watch throughout the season as they develop within a new system. They do, though, also return five of their top seven scorers and have two preseason All-Sun Belt players. Where they may live or die is their depth. If they choose to go with three forwards on the court as starters, it is likely that one (probably Seacat, judging from last season's rotation) will split time regardless of this with Williams. From there, the hope is going to be that at least one of the other players (Bibby, Lewis, Gregory, or another freshman) can also carve out a strong 15-20 minute per game role.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more college basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
Comments
Post a Comment