College Basketball Countdown: Michigan Wolverines - #5

College basketball is right around the corner. Games will be starting before you know it, and practices are just right around the corner.

Here at Roundballchat I will release my top 100 teams for the 2012-13 college basketball season. I will start at 100 and count my way down. I will rank all the 75 programs in the six major conferences, as well as 25 mid majors in my top 100 countdown.

Along with my top 100 countdown I will also feature a ton of previews. Like the top players at each position, All Conference teams, top players by class, top games, previewing the early season tournaments and much more.

Who will put at number 1? Louisville or Indiana or maybe a surprise stay tuned to Roundballchat for the next month to find out.

# 5 Michigan Wolverines

Coach: John Beilein (5 seasons at Michigan 91-77) Overall 642-395, 34 years

2011-12: Record 24-10 overall, 13-5 in Big Ten (Tie/1st)

Starters Returning (3) Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Morgan, Trey Burke

Preseason Tournament: Preseason NIT

Top Non-Conference Games: vs. NC State, vs. West Virginia, vs. Arkansas

Transfer Out: Evan Smotrycz (Maryland), Carlton Brundidge (Detroit), Colton Christian (Florida International)

Sat Out: Jon Horford (injury), Max Bielfeldt (redshirt)

Last season was a big success for the Wolverines. They won a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 1986. However, they were upset in the 2nd round in the NCAA tournament by Ohio. However the success of last season has given big expectations for this season. The Wolverines return their top 2 leading scorers and bring in a very highly waited recruiting class. John Beilein is one of the best X and O coaches in the country.

Leading the way for the Wolverines will be point guard Trey Burke (14. 8ppg), who flirted with the NBA but decided to come back to school. Burke was the Big Ten Co- Freshman of the Year last season. What makes Burke tough to guard is that he can score in a multiple of ways. Burke made the threes on the team last year and he can use his speed to drive to the rim. He also led Michigan in steals in assists. Joining him in the backcourt is Tim Hardaway Jr. (14.6 ppg). Hardaway is just a flat out scorer. He excels at attacking the rim and he also has a great mid-range game. He made 53 threes last season but he needs to make a better percentage. He is also a great rebounder and defender with his length. The top option off the bench will be Matt Vogrich (2.3 ppg). There freshman will add depth in Caris LeVert, Spike Albrecht, and Nik Stauskas. Stauskas is was of the top incoming shooters in the country. Veterans Corey Person (1.1 ppg) and Eso Akunne (1.7 ppg) add more depth.

In the frontcourt the Wolverines will get the boost with two big impact freshman. At small forward will be Glenn Robinson III, the son of former Purdue star. Robinson is very strong and athletic and score attacking the rim or shooting the three. He will need to improve his ballhandling. At power forward will be star freshman Mitch McGary. McGary will fit right in with the Big Ten style of play. He is a strong hardnosed player and plays with ton of energy. He is a dominant rebounder and he runs the floor well. McGary also has a pretty solid mid-range. He will remind people of Tyler Hansbrough in certain ways. At center will be Jordan Morgan (7.3 ppg). He led Michigan in rebounds last season. He should have a great year if he can stay in shape and out of foul trouble. The top option off the bench will be John Horford (2.7 ppg), who missed most of last season with injuries. Adding more depth will be Blake McLimans (.8 ppg) and freshman Max Bielfeldt.

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