Michigan's McGary elects to have surgery; Wolverines must move on without him

Michigan center Mitch McGary has elected to have surgery to correct a "lower back problem", pretty much ending the season for the sophomore center.

"I’ve done research and stuff, but it’s kind of personal and whatnot. I really don’t know the timetable (for a return to the court)," McGary said, later adding, "I just have a lower back condition. That’s about as much as I can say right now. It’s kind of personal."

McGary said the surgery will occur "next week, sometime."

This isn't what Wolverines fans envisioned once the season started. The team was ranked No.7 and was expected to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. Instead the team has stumbled to a 7-4 start and is still searching for someone to fill the go to void left by Trey Burke.

With McGary out it's time for Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III to turn it up a notch. Stauskas has shown signs but teams have started to hone in on him defensively. I believe Stauskas will take it upon himself to put the team on his back. Robinson will have to really kick it into high gear. He's a better athlete than his father but doesn't possess the will to take over a game like the Big Dog did at Purdue. GR III's time is now and he must realize that for the Wolverines to salvage their season he must play like the Big Dog.

Role players have to step up as well. Jordan Morgan (who's seemingly been there forever) and Jon Horford have to play better defense, rebound and make the hustle plays. Spike Albrecht has looks like he's picked up where he left off last season. Derrick Walton Jr. must take advantage of the open looks he's going to get wit teams trying to take away Robinson and Stauskas.

The loss of McGary is a big one, but that doesn't mean the Wolverines have to go in the tank. More than likely McGary will be back for next season and if the team stays together the Wolverines could have what it takes to make another run to the Final Four.    

Michigan's Mitch McGary: "We're soft right now"

After a humbling 79-69 loss to Duke in the Big Ten/ACC challenge, Michigan's Mitch McGary said the team was frustrated with their performance at Cameron Indoor Stadium after being beaten by an undersized Duke team.  

McGary then told ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman that the Wolverines were "soft right now".

“We’re soft,” McGary said following the 79-69 loss that wasn’t quite as close as the score indicated. “We’re soft right now. That’s it.” 

The Wolverines dropped their third game this season and maybe frustration is starting to mount early in the season. They were outrebounded and out hustled by a Duke team that has been rather mediocre on the glass despite the team's star power. Also the disappearance of Glenn Robinson III didn't help matters either. GRIII scored 8 points, looked out of sync, and was a non factor against the Blue Devils. McGary finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds, but most of his damage was done with the outcome decided.

Sharp shooter Nik Stauskas had four points all from the free throw line as Duke concentrated their defensive effort on taking Stauskas out of the game. Sophomore Caris LeVert had 24 points in the losing effort but he showed toughness and heart throughout the night.

The problem is that the team is still looking for the guy to take over games like Trey Burke did last season. Burke was the unquestioned go to guy when the team needed someone to step up. They can't replicate what Burke was but others need to step up.

Stauskas is trying become that guy and LeVert to a certain extent. McGary is still trying to play himself into shape so I'll give him a mulligan. The biggest culprit to the team's 5-3 start might be Robinson. I thought he would be the one to try and take over when the team needed a scoring presence. Instead it looks like he has NBA dreams in his head and is content to take a backseat to Stauskas, LeVert, or McGary in crunch time. If Michigan is to be successful, Robinson needs to take it up a few notches.

“We were rattled and didn’t have the same poise we had last year,” McGary said.

That's true. While the team is young, they are battle tested and should respond better when the heat is on.

 “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” McGary said.

Rome wasn't built in a day and I look for John Beilein to get this team back on track. It better happen fast because second ranked Arizona is coming to Ann Arbor in two weeks. If the Wolverines can't get it together things could get a little ugly.

Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III returning to Michigan

University of Michigan basketball fans can breathe a little easier today after freshman Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III both pledged to stay another year at Michigan. Guards Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. recently gave up their remaining eligibility to go to the NBA.


Both players sought evaluations of the NBA stock with the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee and had until April 28 to make their decisions. ESPN.com's Chad Ford had Robinson and McGary both going in the first round.


"After gathering all the information and sitting down with my family, I've decided to continue my career here at Michigan," McGary said. "There's still plenty for me to work on and get better as a player and a person. I'm excited for what lies ahead."


"We feel like this university has a lot to offer us and we're excited to come back for another season, and hopefully competing in another national championship and take this university for a ride we haven't been on yet," Robinson said.

Their return eases the sting out of Burke's and Hardaway's departure. With incoming freshman Derrick Walton Jr., Zak Irvin and Mark Donnal, also the return of sharpshooter Nik Stauskas, the Wolverines should be formidable in the Big Ten.

Incoming Michigan basketball recruit, Derrick Walton Jr., sets the bar high for himself

Trey Burke is expected to leave Michigan for the NBA. It would be a major surprise if he doesn't. Cult hero, Spike Albrecht will be expected to pick up some of the slack. Which means that once again in John Beilein's tenure at Michigan he might have to hand the reins of the team to a freshman point guard.

That freshman would be Michigan Mr. Basketball runner up Derrick Walton Jr. Walton is up to the task of keeping Michigan basketball among the elite next season. Walton has been looked at as Burke's replacement for two years.


"I expect to play big minutes my freshman year," he said Wednesday. "Either way, if he stays or goes to the league, I'm excited. If he does go, it gives me more of an opportunity to play more minutes. I'll count on Spike a lot. With him there, it'll help with the transition.

"I know I'll make freshman mistakes. People will expect me to step in for Trey. My thing is not to get caught up in that. I can't be Trey. I've got to be me."

Walton averaged 25.6 points and 10.2 assists in his senior year at Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy, so the kid can play. With a high probability of stepping in for Burke, much will be expected of Walton and he will need those skills he displayed in high school. If Walton can step in and be a complement to Albrecht the Wolverines can keep this machine going for a few more years.

My top 10 NBA Draft prospects

I'm giving my top 10 NBA Draft Prospects, based off of my immense excitement for the upcoming draft on June 21st. Many changes happened within the ranks with injuries and players stepping up. The list is subject to change.

10. PG/SG Michael Carter-Williams, Syraucse

Great size for his position, and such a solid defender who plays a solid 35+ Minutes Per Game with Syracuse. Averaging an impressive 7.9 Assists and 2.9 Steals Per Game. My problem is that he can fold under pressure and can throw up unnecessary shots. A young guy with good upside overall, just not immediate upside.

9. C Alex Len, Maryland

Averaging 8.1 Rebounds and 2 Blocks Per Game, and is very active under the boards. Lacks some skills on the offensive end on the low block, though.

8. PG Trey Burke, Michigan

Many of draft sites don't even have him on their top 15, but I think the stats really speak for itself. Averaging 18.9 Points, 6.9 Assists and 1.6 Steals Per Game in a Conference which many of people think is the best in the country (Big 10). A tad undersized, but not that it's stopped anybody before.

7. SF/PF Anthony Bennett, UNLV

Another efficient player who has solid size. Averaging 14.6 Points, 8.3 Rebounds Per Game and he's extremely athletic. My question is the type of competition he's been going up though, being in the Mountain West Conference.

6. SG Victor Oladipo, Indiana

Averaging 14 Points, 6 Rebounds and 2.3 Steals Per Game and plays solid defense. Not enough of a scoring threat for the NBA though, but can make an impact for any team this coming year for sure.

5. PG Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State

Has been a proven clutch player this year, and has good size for a PG at a strong 6'4", 225 LB. Averaging 14.6 Points, 5.6 Rebounds and 4.3 Assists Per Game. Some say he's a Shooting Guard, but I think he's going to be better at the Point. Has struggled at shooting over 15 feet, much more of a slasher.

4. SF Otto Porter, Georgetown

A guy who's moved up so many mock drafts in the last couple of weeks, and he's moved up on mine as well. Averaging 16.6 Points, 7.6 Rebounds, 2.0 Steals Per Game while shooting at a ridiculous .469  3PT% this season. He's a really underrated defender too, and could move all the way up to #1 on many charts if he keeps this run up.

3. SG/SF Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA

A gifted scorer with great range. Averaging 18.3 Points, 5.1 Rebounds while shooting at a solid .446 3PT%. I think he could be the best offensive threat in this draft. His only problem is character, as he tends to get mad when he's passed up for the final shot of the game. Other people may look at it as a good thing though, viewing it as confidence in himself.

2. C Cody Zeller, Indiana

Now with Nerlens Noel done for the year, Zeller will be by far the best Center in this draft. He's averaging 16.5 Points, 8.1 Rebounds and 1.4 Blocks Per Game. Has tremendous size and fairly solid moves down low for an NBA prospect.

1. SG Ben McLemore, Kansas

A tremendous talent and can hit most shots from the outside. Has a Ray Allen type of stroke, and hits on .425 of his 3PT shots. Averaging 16.5 Points, 5.4 Rebounds and shooting .868% FT which is usually the one best sign of a good shooter. He has an incredible story that you can read up on which I wrote about the other day.