There are a lot of changes this year for Michigan Men’s Basketball, but the team is excited to start the 2019-20 season.
The obvious change is a new head coach as Juwan Howard takes over for John Beilein after Beilein went to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Howard, of course, played basketball at Michigan in the early ’90s as a member of the Fab Five. Howard brought in assistants Phil Martelli who was the former St Joseph’s Head Coach along with Howard Easley, who was an assistant with the New York Knicks for the last three seasons. Howard also retains Saddi Washington, who was retained from the John Beilein staff.
Returning for the Wolverines are seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske, who are expected to have more significant roles this season. Simpson has not missed a game in his three years at Michigan. John Teske returns as the center for Michigan for this season.
One name to watch is Franz Wagner, who comes from Germany. Wagner is, of course, the younger brother of former Michigan star Mo Wagner. He played with Alba Berlin and SSV Lok Bernau last season.
Other players to watch for the Wolverines are junior guard Eli Brooks, junior forward Isiah Livers, sophomore guard David DeJulius, sophomore forward Brandon Johns, and sophomore forward Colin Castleton. Look for significant contributions from all these players this season.
Michigan will start the season with an exhibition game against Saginaw Valley State on Friday, November 1st. They will begin the regular season on Tuesday, November 5th, against Appalachian State.