College Basketball

Michigan Basketball: Is Moritz Wagner the Wolverines' MVP?

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:32 a.m. ET

Fansided, Brian Rosen/FanSided via Busting Brackets

Moritz Wagner has stepped up his game this season, and may be Michigan Basketball’s most valuable player.

Prior to the season, I wrote about how Moritz Wagner could be Michigan’s biggest difference maker. Whether or not he realized his potential would dictate the Wolverines’ success.

We’re 11 games into the season and Wagner is Michigan’s most valuable player.

The forward got off to a relatively slow start. Comparing his first five games to his past six is a tale of two seasons. Wagner didn’t crack 20 minutes during his first five outings, leading to just one game where he scored more than nine points.

Since the November 23 loss at South Carolina, Wagner is averaging 14.7 points to go with four rebounds. The German also has six assists, six blocks, and seven steals on the year.

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He’s shooting a ridiculous 67 percent from the field, and for a big man, a preposterous 54 percent from beyond the arc. His 62 percent from the free throw line is adequate as well, although there’s always room for improvement in that category.

His biggest downfall has continued to be his inability to stay out of foul trouble. While yet to foul out of a game, he’s had 3+ fouls in four of 11 games this season, while not cracking 26 minutes. The two form an intertwined relationship; less fouls would create more time for Wagner on the court, but as it stands, the opposite is having a greater effect.

Regardless of how “ticky-tack” the foul calls may seem, it’s an area head coach John Beilien and his staff must continue to improve on in regards to Wagner.

Despite the increased production, Wagner hasn’t changed his personality. His energy is present at all times; when he’s not on the court, there’s a noticeable difference in pace of play for the Wolverines. Despite his youth and foreign status, he serves as a de-facto leader… similar to Spike Albrecht during his days in Ann Arbor.

It would be foolish to label Wagner Michigan’s season MVP just eleven games into the season. But if there was one player I could not imagine a successful Michigan basketball team without, I wouldn’t have to think twice. Yes, Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton Jr. are veteran leaders who make major impacts. Sure, Duncan Robinson is lethal from three point range, and expanding his game.

But it’s Wagner who has made the plays when games were on the line and who has provided an inside presence the Wolverines haven’t seen in years. A continuation of his in-season development spells nothing but improvement for Michigan.