Michigan Hosts Media Day at Crisler Center
10/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 22, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- With the first day of official practice nearly two weeks ago and the start of the season two weeks out, the University of Michigan men's basketball team held its annual Media Day on Thursday (Oct. 22) inside of Crisler Center.
U-M head coach John Beilein started out Media Day with a press conference highlighting the versatility of his players. With last year's depth of bench players and specifically the amount of time the freshman players saw of the floor, Beilein made it clear that deciding the starting five players was going to be difficult.
Already halfway through the preseason, the Wolverines are still competing for those starting positions. Not only are they still competing, the Maize and Blue is competing in multiple positions. Following Beilein's opening speech and question/answer session, the media got the opportunity to speak with all 15 players on the roster.
Highlights of the day were in Moritz Wagner, a freshman from Germany who spoke about his transition to American collegiate basketball, and our food.
Spike Albrecht's table was also very popular. The senior, who is still working his way up to full strength after a pair hip surgeries in April and May, was excited about his teammates' abilities and more than ready to see what the Wolverines can do this year.
Duncan Robinson looked much happier than he did compared to last year's media day considering that this season he will be able to see the court now that the NCAA's transfer restrictions have been lifted. Robinson spoke about his experience with Camp Sanderson, the muscle mass he put on and his drive to be as good of a defensive player as he is offensively. There is plenty of talent, new and familiar, to look forward to for the 2015-2016 men's basketball season.
A comedic photo session featuring the "Core Four" consisting of Albrecht, Derrick Walton Jr., Caris LeVert and Zak Irvin followed the one-on-one interviews with the players. The guys dribbled, shot and smiled for the camera. A photo opportunity for last year's recruiting class -- Ricky Doyle, Kameron Chatman, D.J. Wilson, Aubrey Dawkins and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman -- was a reminder of just how deep the bench had been last year in wake of Walton and LeVert's injuries.
The Media Day finished up with an hour of open practice where observers could see just what Coach Beilein meant when he spoke about versatility. Seeing Walton Jr. and LeVert healthy and practicing with the rest of the talented Wolverines confirmed the hope that this season is going to be a thriller.
2015 Michigan Basketball Media Day Coverage
Articles
• The same old John Beilein isn't the same old John Beilein (MLive.com)
• Spike Albrecht ages into Wolverines' wise man (Detroit Free Press)
• Germany's Wagner hungry to fit in at U-M (Detroit News)
• Everything you need to know from Michigan basketball media day (MLive.com)
• Irvin says he's 'pain-free' and will return to the floor 'sometime early in the season' (MLive.com)
• U-M's Irvin upbeat as he works way back from surgery (Detroit News)
• 'Big German' Moritz Wagner loving life as Michigan freshman (Detroit Free Press)
• Wolverines have depth, but experience still in question (Michigan Daily)
• Halfway through preseason basketball practice, excitement is building (Michigan Daily)
Photo Galleries
MLive.com | Detroit News | Detroit Free Press | UMHoops.com
