The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/888498
42 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2017 2017-18 BASKETBALL PREVIEW "I'd like to see him be more aggres- sive, and he's starting to show that. It always takes some time with fresh- men. He's going to be able to come in and help. "He's got great athleticism and body control. I definitely like what he brings to the table." SHOOTING GUARDS AND BEYOND Senior guard Muhammad-Ali Ab- dur-Rahkman is another performer who knows every position on the court. He's been around and knows what it takes, according to Beilein. Abdur-Rahkman has played in 103 games for U-M, and last year he averaged 9.1 points per game over- all while shooting 48.9 percent from three-point range in Big Ten contests, good for second-best in the league. Beilein likes his senior's preparation for a final stab at college basketball. "He brings a maturity," Beilein said. "He has watched the other guys — Derrick Walton is a great example — finish their careers going [up], be- cause of the work they did before the season. He has put in one of his better, if not his best, offseasons. "He's shooting the ball really well. He's all in with both feet, all the way, to have a great, great senior year. We can't take back his freshman year, where he had to play early. But if he can go to three NCAA Tournaments, win another Big Ten championship … those are big things, things to hang your hat on. "To have two Big Ten championship by him would be an amazing accom- plishment. He reminds me a little bit of [former Wolverine] Jordan Morgan. You saw the slow progression, the slow progression, then all of a sud- den, he really becomes an excellent player in your program." Haynes seconds the notion about Abdur-Rahkman's preparation. It didn't take long for the new coach to witness the senior's dedication. "He's been in the gym relentlessly," Haynes said. "He shot the ball really well last year, he's shooting it well now. Right now, he's working on his ball handling — he's strong with his right and working on the left. "He's pounding, pounding, until he gets better." Abdur-Rahkman should remain one of Michigan's top penetrators, Haynes assured. "Aw man, he's super fast," Haynes said. "We're running sprints, and guys are going and he's already done. He's really fast, a really strong driver, a really smart player. "I love working with all our guards. They all do a great job. All of them will be ready once we start." Transfer Charles Matthews (6-6, 200) is listed as a guard, and can play Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman is poised to wrap up his career with the Maize and Blue on a high note, following a strong finish last year and a productive offseason. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN