Trey Burke is Returning to Michigan For His Sophomore Year, and the Wolverines Are a Final 4 Contender
By Jason McIntyre
Without Burke (14.8 ppg, 4.8 apg), Beilein was looking at a sweet, street-ready vehicle with all the trimmings … except a point guard. The Wolverines lose one starter (Novak) to graduation, another guy who started 17 games and is out of eligibility (Douglass) and another to transfer (Evan Smotrycz).
How does a team that was bounced in the first round of the NCAA tournament lose three of its top six players and still warrant a Top 10 ranking and the label of Final Four contender? Easy: Burke’s back, the recruiting class is loaded, and there’s some decent basketball roots in a few of the players.
My super early guess at the top five in the Big Ten: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Minnesota. If I had to pick a deep sleeper, it’d be Iowa. The Hawkeyes return five of their top six players.
Previously: Six Potential NBA Defections That Could Significantly Impact the 2012-2013 College Basketball Season
Previously: College Basketball Top 25 For 2012-2013 [Very, Very Early Edition]