Michigan Wolverines point guard Trey Burke swept all the college basketball national player of the year awards last year. He led UM to the national title game where they came close, but fell to the Louisville Cardinals. Burke would later become the ninth overall player taken in the NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves before being dealt to the Utah Jazz.
Mitch McGary seems to think Trey Burke was a bit of a ball hog last season.
โLast year, Trey did have the ball in his hands and if he didnโt, then he would call for the ball and get kind of mad,” McGary said at Big Ten Media Day with a bit of a chuckle on his face.
“I think this year coach is trying to trust us all a little more so we all can make those decisions.โ
McGary wasn’t totally calling out Trey burke, but having to be second banana, actually third banana, behind Tim Hardaway Jr. too, played a major factor in McGary deciding to return to Michigan for his sophomore season rather than declaring for the NBA Draft.
(related: Michigan basketball comprehensive season preview)
McGary, a tremendous talent, in a very shallow draft class, likely would have been a lottery pick.
โI just want to show people what I can do and showcase my skillset.ย Last year I couldnโt because I had to step back a little bit and do what the coaches needed me to do,โ he said.
Understandably so, Burke and Hardaway Jr. combined for 1040 of the 2260 shots Michigan attempted last season since the Wolverines were a young team that played six freshmen.
McGary: โI think they took 40% of our shots which was fine with me.ย Some of the games were out hand but they did step, they did apologize.ย This year itโs going to be a lot more balanced.โ
So while Michigan was more of a star-driven team (like your stereotypical NBAย squad) last season. Look for them to spread the ball around a lot more this year.
โThis year weโre going to be more team-oriented.ย Last year, we relied a lot on Tim and Trey but this year we have guys who are a lot more mature.ย Our sophomore class including me and Glenn are going to step up real big and be some of the main guys on the team.โ
Glenn Robinson III: โWe have a number of guys who can step up including myself.ย Iโll have to make some of those plays, knocking down some big shots. ย Thatโs something Iโm looking forward to showcasing this season; who I am, what I can do as a player.โ
This is a David Kmiecik and Paul M. Banks collaboration. Follow them on Twitter: @paulmbanks and @David_Kmiecik
