The Michigan Wolverines are a balanced team without a true star. Talent runs deep with this group, and it thrives because they have versatile talent across the board. But that doesn’t mean that nobody in maize and blue is capable of taking over a game.
If there’s one player to spotlight for their upcoming matchup(s), though, it would be center Moritz Wagner. It has been a weird ride for Wagner to get to the Final Four. The German-born athlete didn’t even see the initial email from head coach John Beilein because it was in a spam folder, according to NBC Sports. Oops. But once he was able to locate the message, he became the perfect big for a program that has historically stacked its frontcourt with athletic players.
Wagner is 6’10, and can really move as an inside-out player. He can step outside and hit a shot from deep, or use all his 245 pounds to finish in the paint. He’s a two-way threat, and few in all of college hoops can compare.
Wagner is an NBA-type center
Wagner’s versatility will give him first-round looks in the NBA Draft if he chooses to forgo his final year of eligibility. He’s shooting 61 percent from two-point range this year, and 40 percent from three-point range. That’s what makes him special.
Along with his 14 points per game, he’s also bringing down seven boards, and 1.5 blocks and steals combined. The big man does a little of everything, as well light up the court with an unmatched wide-mouthed smile.
Wagner will be especially important against Loyola-Chicago
The junior has the opportunity to show why the NBA is coveting bigs whose game contains more than back-to-the-basket moves. In the Final Four, he’ll be pitted against 6’9 Cameron Krutwig, a 260-pound center known to disrupt the paint with his size. Krutwig isn’t quick on his feet, rather remaining a brick wall for anyone who tries to blow past him.
If Wagner steps out to the three-point line — where he’s hitting shots as accurately as guards — Krutwig will have to chase him. If he’s a step slow, Wagner will have a clean look. If he catches up, that’ll free room inside the paint for his Wolverines teammates to drive the lane without the presence of Krutwig to bother them. It’s a win-win.
This strategy could work in the title game too (if applicable)
Villanova has a modern NBA center-type like Wagner in Omari Spellman, but Kansas does not. If the Jayhawks are able to knock off the Wildcats, Wagner will see 7’, 280-pound Udoka Azuibuike.
The same mismatch will apply.
Wagner has been erratic early on in the tournament. That can’t happen in San Antonio.
Through four games, Wagner has scored 5, 12, 21 and 12 points respectively as the Wolverines have advanced. In an easy win over Montana in the opening round, Wagner wasn’t tasked with much, which accounts for his low output. But against Houston in the Round of 32 and Florida State in the Elite Eight, Michigan hardly survived his 12-point nights.
The Wolverines are better the more Wagner has the ball in his hands, but foul trouble has held him out of games. That can’t happen again. He played just 23 minutes against Houston and 25 against Florida State.
He’ll need to be smarter for the Wolverines to hang on. They can’t win without their biggest mismatch.
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