Skip to main content
michigan logo

L.J. Cason practice update: Michigan guard has had recent 'breakthrough'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•about 10 hours•

CSayf23

L.J. Cason
Michigan Wolverines basketball guard L.J. Cason hasn't received consistent playing time as a freshman. (Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)

Michigan Wolverines basketball played 10 different players in a close game against Wake Forest Nov. 10, but has pared down the rotation much more since then. That means inconsistent playing time for players like freshman guard Justin Pippen and sophomore forward Sam Walters (though Pippen’s role is starting to become more defined), and others such as freshman guards L.J. Cason and Phat Phat Brooks waiting on their opportunity while watching from the bench.

In a 40-minute game with five players on the floor, there are only 200 minutes to go around, head coach Dusty May often notes. Playing a bench player more means a starter gets less time, and lack of consistent production from the depth pieces has been a bit of an issue for Michigan this season.

“Head down, work, come to practice every single day, get in the gym extra, get extra film, take care of your body,” May said of how Michigan’s players can deal with inconsistent playing time. “The character is ultimately what allows guys to bust through.

“… Fortunately, we’re on a good team. Very grateful we’re on a good team. How they stay with it is to put your head down and work. There’s no other choice if you want to be prepared and ready for when your number’s called.

“It’s a team sport. Those guys are young, and they’ve contributed to us winning big road games. But I’m more proud of their daily approach. It’s tough. Our season is long, and when it’s not happening the way you envisioned, it’s easy to lay down. But that’s part of the life lessons that these guys are learning that you don’t even realize is in motion.”

Walters and Pippen have both impacted games lately, including in the 70-67 victory at Indiana. Walters finished a second-half layup while drawing a foul, and Pippen received shifts in both halves.

“I think Sam Walters contributed to the win,” May said on the ‘Inside Michigan Basketball’ radio show. “I think Justin Pippen is getting better.”

Cason, meanwhile, hasn’t played since Jan. 27 against Penn State, and he’s totaled only 23 minutes since Jan. 1. He’s fallen out of the rotation after scoring in double figures in three of the team’s first four games of the year.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder wasn’t practicing at a high enough level back in December, May had said in a press conference, but he has been better behind the scenes of late.

“L.J. Cason, I’ve been so proud of his breakthrough in the last week or two in practice, because when those guys are practicing well and they have a good spirit and energy about them and they continue to grow and improve, then you want to get them in the game,” May said.

“He’s giving us a lot of confidence down the stretch, that each night the game needs something different.”

May had said a week earlier that he believes Cason could still have an impact in games for Michigan this season. There are only eight regular-season tilts remaining before the postseason, but there’s still time.

“L.J. has had some moments,” May noted. “He’s gonna help us win some games this year.

Cason has shown that in his short time in Ann Arbor, impacting both exhibition and regular-season non-conference contests. He has turned the ball over 6 times in his last 23 minutes of action, though, so while he’s a scorer, other parts of his game have room for improvement.

“L.J. probably is as good … he might be better than anyone on our roster at simply going and making an individual play,” the Michigan coach explained. “But there are also different layers to that, and he’s gonna be a really good basketball player.”

Michigan’s next game is Tuesday night against Purdue at Crisler Center.

You may also like