2015 battle 4 atlantis

[File photo: Eric Upchurch]

Caris LeVert's 11 first-half points were easy to overlook during a spectacular Michigan barrage that featured 11 three-pointers.

When the barrage abated, and a persistent Texas squad nearly knottedd up the score, LeVert's eight second-half points kept the Wolverines out in front. Tasked with taking control of the offense with the Longhorns giving chace, LeVert snaked through defenders to find all manner of ways to create a layup.

The supporting cast is still setting into shape; it did just enough tonight. Duncan Robinson hit 4/5 three-pointers. Zak Irvin went 5/8 for 13 points. Derrick Walton stuffed the stat sheet (13-5-7) and drew a pivotal charge on Isaiah Taylor down the stretch. Moe Wagner looked like he may quickly become the team's best center, putting up six and four in the first half before foul trouble limited him in the second.

The team defense still wasn't good. Texas had plenty of chances to make this a real game but an 8/19 mark from the free-throw line made up the difference and then some. Big man Cameron Ridley was perfect from the field but only took five shots in 28 minutes; not to sound like Seth Davis calling a Michigan game, but he could've used a few more post touches.

Michigan is going to get in some shootouts this year. They're ready for them on one end. On the other, we'll have to wait and see.

Anyway...

Brian's preview is here. Go Blue.

THE ESSENTIALS

Right: Last time was fun.

HOW TO WATCH

One last time, here's how to find AXS TV, a channel you'll probably never watch again. For those in the area, here's a handy guide for A2/Detroit/GR provided by U-M Media Relations:

• AT&T U-verse Ch. 1106
• Charter Ch. 820 (also Ch. 770 in Detroit)
• Comcast Ch. 382
• DirecTV Ch. 340
• DISH Ch. 167
• Wyandotte Cable TV Ch. 179

For the rest of you, AXS TV has a channel finder on their site.

THE STAKES

Fifth place in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Try to contain your excitement.

THE LINEUP CARD

Projected starters are in bold. Hover over headers for stat explanations. The "Should I Be Mad If He Hits A Three" methodology: we're mad if a guy who's not good at shooting somehow hits one. Yes, you're still allowed to be unhappy if a proven shooter is left open. It's a free country.

Pos.	#	Name	Yr.	Ht./Wt.	%Min	%Poss	SIBMIHHAT
G	1	Isaiah Taylor	Jr.	6'3, 185	72	28	Yes
Same high-volume, low-efficiency slasher he was in '14. Solid passer now.
G	3	Javan Felix	Sr.	5'11, 205	43	16	No
Career 35% 3P shooter is Texas' top outside shooting threat.
G	2	Demarcus Holland	Sr.	6'3, 190	64	12	Kinda?
Tiny usage. 0/7 on threes this year; was at 42% last year and 29% the year prior.
F	21	Connor Lammert	Sr.	6'10, 235	60	11	Kinda?
Tiny usage. Solid rebounder. Career 30% 3P shooter is 6/12 this season.
C	55	Cameron Ridley	Sr.	6'10. 290	57	27	Very
Post-up/rebounding/shot-blocking force limited by fouls, FT shooting, turnovers.
G	10	Eric Davis Jr.	Fr.	6'2, 185	55	22	Not really
Freshman provides scoring spark off bench; can hit three or get to the hoop.
G	12	Kerwin Roach Jr.	Fr.	6'4, 170	43	24	Yes
Posting woeful 66.7 ORtg due to 6/21 shooting, 11 turnovers.
F	0	Tevin Mack	Fr.	6'6, 210	38	26	Yes
0/14 2P, 2/14 3P, edges out Roach in ORtg b/c he turns it over less.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the preview.]

Moe Wagner may be the #2 center. [File photo: Marc-Gregor Campredon]

Moe Wagner scored 19 points on 8/9 shooting. The German freshman hit all manner of up-and-under layups, fought through contact for and-ones, and even knocked down his only three-point attempt. His only miss came on, of all things, a botched dunk.

Yes, Michigan had a good night.

Eleven Wolverines tallied points against a hapless Charlotte squad, with Caris Levert, Zak Irvin, and Aubrey Dawkins joining Wagner in double figures. A day after Michigan couldn't find their range against UConn, they sniped 12/23 three-pointers, taking full advantage when the 49ers played a soft 2-3 zone.

By the time Mark Donnal found his way off the bench to score seven points, including a triple to get M to the century mark, Seth Davis was scolding viewers for still watching.

We'll learn much more from Michigan's consolation contest against Texas tomorrow (7 pm, AXS TV) than anything we saw tonight. The hope is Wagner's breakout is for real, Irvin continues to settle in, DJ Wilson's threes keep falling, and the Wolverines can come close to replicating this defensive performance against a team with a pulse.