Dug McDaniel explains emotions of having a bigger role for Michigan

Dug McDaniel wasn’t supposed to be the starting point guard for Michigan in 2022-23. The true freshman was set to play a rotational role behind graduate transfer Jaelin Llewellyn.

But when Llewellyn tore his ACL in December, McDaniel was thrust into the full-time starting point guard role. It’s one the true freshman has grown into over the second half of the season, and a job he’s taken the reins of now.

“I definitely play with more freedom, knowing that I have nobody coming out for me,” McDaniel said after scoring 20 in an overtime win against Wisconsin on Sunday. “So my game has matured a lot, based off that. But, high school I used to play the same amount, so I’m used to playing a lot of minutes. And the team really embraced me in that role, so that’s made it an easy transition for me.”

McDaniel averages 29 minutes per game, fourth most on the Wolverines squad. He is behind only Kobe Bufkin, Hunter Dickinson and Jett Howard — Michigan’s three best players — in minutes per game. Plus, he’s started 21 games to 26 for Howard and the 29 for Dickinson and Bufkin, respectively.

It might’ve been a big ask for McDaniel to run the show as a true freshman, but by this point, he’s shown he’s an adept orchestrator.

Dug McDaniel shares Michigan’s mindset entering overtime vs. Wisconsin

After a Dickinson heave at the buzzer sent Michigan to an overtime against Wisconsin on Sunday, freshman point guard McDaniel knew his teammates were locked in. After getting an unexpected chance to win the game, the Wolverines didn’t want to squander it.

And they didn’t, pulling off an improbable 87-79 win in overtime, aiding Michigan’s NCAA Tournament resume and picking up a win in the final home game of 2023. McDaniel was certain the Wolverines were ready to take advantage of the fresh chance.

“We were really fired up. Because we knew, you know, once you give us more life we were going to take advantage of it. So we were just more so fired up, and let’s take our opportunity, don’t take it for granted. Let’s win this overtime,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel scored 20 points in the win, playing 43 minutes. It’s been an impressive back half to the season for McDaniel, a true freshman who has been thrust into the full-time point guard role due to injuries. He’s been sterling in his last three games, scoring in double figures in all three — all Michigan wins — while shooting over 50% from the field.