2 weeks Ago
Michigan basketball is preparing for a fresh start under new head coach Dusty May with familiar early season foe Cleveland State out of the Mid-American Conference on the schedule for tonight's season opener. May led the Florida Atlantic Owls to records of 25-9 and 35-4, respectively, over the past two seasons giving Michigan fans hope for a dramatic turnaround this season. Here are three players to watch as Michigan prepares to take on the Vikings at 8 p.
m. ET tonight at Crisler Arena who could be the difference between an NCAA Tournament berth and another losing season: 1. L.
J. Cason- A 6-foot-2, 190 pound freshman from Lakeland, Florida, Cason is a former three-star recruit who averaged 24.5 points, 7.
2 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game in high school last season.
Cason showed his game could translate quite well to the Division-I level during the exhibition season. He's a heads-up, wiry strong guard with the awareness, physical and mental toughness to contribute early. 2.
Will Tschetter- One of few holdovers from the Juwan Howard regime, Tschetter looks like a new player judging by his performances during the exhibition season. Tschetter has slimmed down and is flying around the court with an effort and presence he has only showed glimpses of throughout much of his Michigan career. The Stewartville, Minnesota native has what it takes to form a potent one-two combination of spot-up shooters along with newcomer Sam Walters, which could help ease a potential scoring burden caused by a lack of All-Big Ten caliber lead offensive players this year.
3. Vladislav Goldin- The Florida Atlantic transfer is a powerful pivot man in the middle of coach May's offensive and defensive schemes who could could form a bridge between the Howard and May eras. The 7-foot-1, 250 pound native of Nalchick, Russia averaged nearly 16 points and nearly 7 rebounds last season on over 67 percent shooting.
Those are fine numbers for the American Athletic Conference, but they will be tough to duplicate in the rugged Big Ten Conference. Expect Goldin's numbers to drop this season but not his standard of play as he is one of the most talented centers in the league. Related: Michigan Basketball 2024-25 Schedule: In-Depth Previews for Every Regular Season Game.
