ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — For about three weeks, Michigan fans wondered whether Trey Burke was going to turn pro.
If he did, the Wolverines would enter
this season with a major hole to fill. If Burke stayed, Michigan would
be among the favorites for the Big Ten title -- and possibly an extended
NCAA tournament run.
There didn't seem to be any middle ground.
Burke decided to put off the NBA and
remain with the Wolverines, and sure enough, his team enters the season
with high expectations. With Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jordan Morgan also
back -- and a highly touted recruiting class arriving -- Michigan looks
ready to contend for another conference crown after sharing the title
last season.
"I'm pumped," Burke said. "I'm really excited. The level of talent we have, I'm excited to see how far we can go."
When Burke arrived last season, the
Wolverines were trying to replace another star point guard after Darius
Morris left for the NBA. Michigan didn't miss a beat. Burke was
Michigan's scoring leader and provided an additional threat from 3-point
range.
He looked comfortable in coach John
Beilein's offense from the start, and his quickness made him a candidate
to turn pro after only one season in college.
But after weighing his options, Burke
announced he was staying -- and suddenly the Wolverines looked like they
could be loaded for this coming season.
"It was a hectic process, but I've been
settled for a couple months now," Burke said Wednesday at Michigan's
media day. "We're ready for practice to start."
Michigan finished tied for first in the
Big Ten, and although the Wolverines need to replace Zack Novak, Stu
Douglass and Evan Smotrycz from last season's team, there's talk they
could be even better now.
Burke says he worked on strengthening his lower body in the offseason. He's now listed at 6 feet, 190 pounds.
"I haven't put on that much weight,"
Burke said. "I probably put on about two or three pounds, but I
definitely can feel the difference."
Burke averaged over 36 minutes a game
last season, which indicates how hard he would have been to replace.
He's indispensable in Beilein's system, which has been perimeter
oriented over the years and involves plenty of 3-point attempts.
"He's involved in so many ball screens,
and he's got the ball so much," Beilein said. "The point guard has to
be in a similar kind of shape I guess to a middle linebacker ... a
running back who's running it 40 times a game."
There weren't many weaknesses in
Burke's game in 2011-12, and with another year of experience he might
look even more comfortable when he takes the court this season.
The Wolverines may have a slightly
different look. Freshman Mitch McGary gives Michigan another option
inside, and the team as a whole may be able to do more damage in
transition now.
"Last year, we weren't really as
athletic as we are this year," Burke said. "I think we're going to be a
half-court team, but I think we're going to be able to get out and run
more."
Burke is impressive in transition, and
Hardaway can also get out on the break. At 6-foot-8, forward Jordan
Morgan runs very well for a big man.
Burke's return gives the Wolverines all
sorts of options, and if he can build on his impressive freshman
season, Michigan could have its best team in quite some time. Now a
savvy sophomore, Burke has been working hard to prepare -- and his
teammates have noticed.
"Just being a smarter player," Morgan
said. "I know he's definitely put a focus on just trying to find his
teammates, and I think just having a deeper understanding of the
offense."
