Michigan Wolverines-Big Ten Contenders?

        Michigan was not a contender in the stacked league even with offensive weapons Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims on the roster, so how can they contend without them? Answer: The Wolverines had one of the best recruiting classes that went largely unnoticed, especially by conference foes. Two of these recruits were Top 100 players in the incoming freshman class who will be counted on from Day 1. 2-guard, Tim Hardaway Jr., the son of former NBA player, Tim Hardaway, highlights the class and will be given every opportunity to lead the team in scoring as a rookie. He is a long, lanky guard with good quickness, court vision and excellent upside. Joining Hardaway will be Evan Smotrycz, a versatile forward who should start in place of Sims. He can play either forward spot, though he is won't be the inside presence Sims was (and Sims wasn't much of one) and will likely float around the perimeter and spot up like the former-Wolverine forward. They won't contend this year, especially with Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State returning tremendous talent, but in a year, they'll likely surprise and turn a few heads.


By President Corey Ruff - 10-4-10