First Round Recap: Michigan/Oklahoma St

Michigan

Derrick Walton
6-0, PG, Senior
26 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 7-13 FG, 6-9 3FG


Walton has been on fire down the stretch of the season and he carried it over to this game.  It was a career game for Walton, and he got the best of the star studded matchup with Jawun Evans.  Walton made life miserable for Evans bringing the ball up the floor and showed great poise on the other end handling the pressure from Evans.  He has an edge and toughness about him when he plays and despite being only 6-0, he isn't afraid of contact.


Walton has exploded as a three point shooter this season, shooting 41.2% from 3 on 6 attempts per game. His shot is quick and gets good rotation behind it.  He hit some really tough shots in this game, including a few big ones down the stretch.  Offensively, he did great running the team, getting Michigan into their offense, and finding the shooters all over the floor. Every year, there are one or two point guards who claw their way onto a roster either in training camp or through a call up during the season.  Throw Walton into that mix of guys capable of doing that.

Muhammad Abdur-Rahkman
6-4, SG, Junior
16 points, 4 assists, 6-11 FG, 3-6 3FG


Abdur-Rahkman is a bucket getter and tough shot maker. That was on display against Oklahoma State, hitting shots from everywhere on the floor. Michigan does a good job spreading the floor and players like Abdur-Rahkman can shine because of the shot making.  He had 4 assists in this game as well, showing some promise as a ball mover and not just a ball stopper.

His physical tools are just average, making you wonder what his defense projects to be at the next level. At this point, it's safe to say that Abdur-Rahkman has a better chance at being a Europe guy rather than an NBA player.

Zak Irvin
6-6, SF, Senior
16 points, 6-11 FG, 4-6 3FG


Irvin is a gunner, and he made sure to get his shots up in this game. He's a mid range killer, able to pull up off one dribble and hit tough shots regularly.  He shot well from three this game, but unfortunately, that hasn't been a huge part of his game in his career. His three point percentage has deteriorated every year at Michigan, and he's basically become a one trick pony with his jump shooting. His 51.2% from 2 shows that he hits mid range shots at a high level, but other than that, he doesn't have much. A player who showed a lot of promise early on in his career, it's hard to see what Irvin's role as a pro is going to be without the three point shooting, defense, and playmaking for others.

DJ Wilson
6-10, PF, Junior
19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, 6-12 FG


Wilson is an intriguing prospect due to his physical profile and potential skill set. At 6-10, Wilson moves really well and competes with a high motor. A few of his four blocks came from sheer hustle and effort to chase down guys in transition. His length is solid and with his ability to move along the perimeter like he can, he shows the potential to switch out and guard across multiple positions.

He's shooting 36.5% from three on the year, and if that proves to be legit, there might be something there as a prospect.  With the amount of minutes and time he gets at the four and five spot, you'd like to see more than 5.4 rebounds per game.  That's a solid number for a wing, but for a big it needs to be higher. He is also limited when it comes to shot creation and moving the ball, things that are needed now as a power forward at the next level. Most of his buckets come from someone else creating it for him. Wilson is a player who I could see having a monster senior year and rising up draft boards next season.

Moritz Wagner
6-10, C, Sophomore
6 points, 3 rebounds


Wagner didn't have the best game by his standards. He was one of the few Michigan players who didn't hit a three, although his stroke looks fine from deep (40.7% from deep).  He looks to have decent length, but he doesn't really use it on the glass or protecting the rim. His feet are a step slow guarding actions and getting to help side. He was pretty soft on the boards and fighting down low. For a guy who plays center and with his size, it is a little concerning that he only averages 4.2 rebounds per game. We'll get to see more of him in the tournament and with his size and shooting capability, it's always good to keep an eye on guys like that.

Oklahoma St

Jawun Evans
6-1, PG, Sophomore
23 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers, 10-26 FG


This was a pretty up and down game for Evans, struggling at times and then also showing flashes of why he's one of the best point guards in the country.  Evans started out 3-11 from the field in the first half, throwing up some wild layups and floaters and generally forcing the issue when he didn't need to. He went 7-15 from the floor in the second with more success navigating the floor and picking his spots.

Evans has always been crafty and intelligent in the pick and roll. He is top ten in assists per game (6.3) in the entire country. We know that he will be able to be put into an NBA offense and run a team right away.  He loves snaking the pick and roll, getting guys in jail, then either hitting a pull up or finding guys around the perimeter. The biggest question is going to be his size. At just 6-1 and with not a lot to work with vertically, Evans struggled finished around the rim in this game, and Michigan doesn't have a monster shot blocker. His touch from the outside looks nice, and he'll be able to hit that pull up jumper when NBA teams zone up ball screens. If he can't finish at the rim and hang around with the trees in the paint, he's going to be limited.

Defensively, Evans competes and using his quickness to hound the ball handler.  Even Walton had a big game, a lot of those were tough shots and Evans did his best to make life miserable for him. He has a 6-4 winspan that helps him disrupt and recover in front if he gets beat.  Evans has a shot to be a decent NBA point guard with a reduced role.  Right now, he projects to be a backup point guard who can run the team and play elite defense with his motor.

Davon Dillard
6-5, SF, Freshman
12 points, 5-7 FG


It's hard not to notice Dillard, who stands out due to his physical profile and athletic ability. Dillard has wowed college basketball fans with his high flying dunks this season, but there is more there to like.  He has a thick 6-5, 215 pound frame that could help him potentially guard bigger wings. With his athleticism, he might also be able to guard 1-4 in time. His shooting stroke looks nice and fluid. Even though his release point is low, he gets good elevation and shoots a nice ball in general.

In order for Dillard to become a serious prospect, we'll have to see improvements in shot creation and playmaking. Right now, he's really raw and doesn't have the necessary production to consider him as a draft pick, but the framework is there for a stock riser down the road.