Michigan hoops: A potential surprise, an improved shooter
Michigan basketball has started workouts in preparation for the 2023-24 season. The Wolverines are a huge question mark with so many new players, but many have made significant improvements in different areas during the offseason — including a few surprises.
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Will Tschetter was thrown into the fire last year in his redshirt frosh season, and there were times it appeared he was in over his head. Michigan associate head coach Phil Martelli, however, has always been a big believer in the Minnesota native, and he still is. He believes Tschetter has it in him to take a major step forward this season.
“The guy that jumps out is Will Tschetter,” he told Michigan play by play man Brian Boesch on the recent Defend the Block podcast. “It’s just amazing. He puts the ball in the basket. You have to go back and say, he had that chance, six or seven games at the end of the year where he was the starter. Let’s call it what it was. Was it stage fright? Maybe.
“Now, that seems to no longer be there. He’s been playing some backup big. He has the most energy … he’s the most vocal on the defensive end of the floor. There are a lot of good things … and you hope not just for good things, but great things.”
Michigan redshirt junior Jace Howard remains very vocal, too, Martelli said, and his body has changed. He can be a “glue guy” and bring some versatility, and there may be times they’ll need him given the roster numbers. He’s a captain, and his leadership will be key on a team with several new faces.
Terrance Williams II, too, returns as one of the leaders, and he has the potential to help this team more than he did a year ago. He struggled with his confidence at times, but he showed during his sophomore year he could be the jack of all trades who could score inside and out, shooting 38 percent from long range. That would be a huge help this season on a Michigan team that needs shooters.
“The first thing that jumps out is that he changed his jumper. It’s not as long,” Martelli said. “His foul shot is not as long. He’s had success this July and August, so he’s got to continue, and we do need him.
“When you look around and say who has the most experience, he has the most experience. And it’s different experience than Dug McDaniel and Tarris Reed, because he won and played in really big games. He won the Tennessee game in the NCAA Tournament. So, T-Will has had a really good summer.”
Taking it into the season is the key. They’ll know soon enough what they’ve got when they put them together with the other returnees and the newcomers for the 2023-24 season.
