The Michigan Wolverines were already longshots to make their third straight Elite 8 appearance this year. Now with the loss of Caris LeVert, their best player, making the tournament all together could be in serious jeopardy. LeVert was not only the team's leading scorer, but he also led Michigan in rebounds, assists, steals, and minutes.
The fact that LeVert's absence leaves a gaping hole in an otherwise young and inexperienced team is ironically enough...a direct compliment to head coach John Beilein and his staff. The entire starting five from the Wolverines' 2013 Final Four team are now in the NBA. None of them were considered can't miss pro prospects when they enrolled at Michigan, and all of them left the program with eligibility remaining. On one end...a great recruiting tool for prospects with NBA talent. On the other hand...seasons like this will fall through the cracks as new talent is now forced to develop on the fly.
The gift and the curse of being a winner.
While I caution supporters of the Maize and Blue that the tournament run as we knew it may be over, I would also encourage them to look at the bigger picture.
All things considered, LeVert's injury could turn into a blessing in disguise for Michigan. It's as if coach Beilein is in a win win situation now.
LeVert's injury relieves Beilein of any pressure to repeat as Big 10 Conference Champions. His resume speaks for itself, so Wolverines fans will easily dismiss this as just "one of those seasons" if they miss the NCAA tourney. An asset for a team full of underclassmen that's learning how to win in the rugged Big 10. They will be underdogs from here on, so they can just go out there and let it fly.
And there could be other silver linings...
I remember when Rudy Gay played for the Memphis Grizzlies. Like LeVert, Gay led Memphis in just about every statistical category. After being traded, the team was forced to play together, to play within the scheme to compete. As a result, relative unknown players like Mike Conley and Marc Gasol flourished into the players you see today.
Like the Grizzlies, the Wolverines are now forced to play collectively within the system to compete. There are minutes out there to be had now, and it will be interesting to see who steps up. Under Beilein's system at Michigan, someone always has.
Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. left early, clearing the way for Nick Stauskus and Glen Robinson III to flourish. They left early, clearing the way for Caris LeVert to flourish. Caris Lever is out, clearing the way for...
I digress.
And there is still a bigger blessing in disguise. Beilein, for the first time in a few years, will have all of his major contributors back next season. LeVert will most certainly return for his senior season to get ready for the NBA. And the rest of the roster should return in tact. Win or lose...and yes there are sure to be more lumps along the way...Michigan's underclassmen will return next year Big 10 battle tested. And with a healthy veteran leader in LeVert back at the helm.
Coach Beilein is, if only through attrition, setting the foundation for a deep and experienced roster next year. With a healthy LeVert, quality depth, and the right mix of freshman talent, Michigan could be right back in the Elite 8 mix in next year's big dance.
And it's not like this season is a wash. At 5-3 in the conference (5th), the Wolverines could still go dancing with a few high profile games left on the schedule.
A win win situation now for sure.
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