Michigan Basketball: How Wolverines' Backcourt Stacks Up vs. Rest of B1G

Ever since John Beilein took over as head coach, Michigan has continuously improved up front and in the back.

Entering 2014-15, the Wolverines stand to deliver with forwards, but they’ll also give opponents a healthy dose of their guards as well. With Derrick Walton, Caris LeVert and Zak Irvin leading the way, Beilein’s backcourt could actually end up being the program’s backbone this season.

Quick Stats (2013-14)

Keep in mind that Nik Stauskas was a large part of the offense. The numbers for Michigan's guards are somewhat deceptive, especially those for Irvin. 

LeVert: 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game

Walton: 7.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.9 APG

Irvin: 6.7 PPG, 15.4 MPG

On paper, the shooters and distributors compare favorably to the rest of the Big Ten.

But how favorably?

This slideshow will answer that question by breaking down the conference into sections, starting with the major opponents. Head-to-comparisons will be presented and used to determine just how good Michigan’s guards are when stacked against the likes of Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Indiana (the major opponents).

The Spartans and Badgers are two of the bigger guys, so it's only right to start with them. 

Michigan State

Due to a mixture from everyone, particularly guards, Michigan has won six of the past eight versus the Spartans, who are known for great guard play. 

Travis Trice will be a senior this year, and he'll most certainly be one of coach Tom Izzo's go-tos. Far from the most athletic guy on the court, the 6'0", 170-pounder is in line to be the team's next starting point guard because of leadership and effort.

But when compared to Walton, well, there's really no comparison. They're not even in the same neighborhood, actually.

Athletically, Walton, a 6'0", 185-pound sophomore, is leagues ahead of Trice, who uses his incredible hustle to even the playing field. But Walton, who is a far better scorer and, at the very least, an equal distributor, gets the nod here. If Walton can match Trice's leadership ability, he'll be one of Michigan's greats. 

Bryn Forbes, a transfer from Cleveland State, should give the Spartans an extra push this year. But the Big Ten is much different than the Horizon League, which Forbes dominated from time to time. Izzo doesn't have many proven scorers at his disposal, as Gary Harris and Keith Appling have moved onto the NBA. 

With sophomore Alvin Ellis III, frosh Lourawls Nairn and do-all Denzel Valentine, the Spartans have the element of surprise going for them, though. And that makes them interesting. But Irvin, Walton and LeVert, a Big Ten player of the year candidate, trump what's in East Lansing at the moment.

Early prediction on Michigan State's starting five --- Travis Trice, Bryn Forbes, Denzel Valentine, Branden Dawson, Matt Costello....

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) August 20, 2014

Wisconsin

Josh Gasser and Traevon Jackson have hit their share of clutch shots for coach Bo Ryan. But don't think that they'll be everything for the Badgers, who are expecting sophomore Bronson Koenig to carry the load. As a freshman, he played in 37 games as one of the top guys off the bench. 

Riley Dearring adds intrigue to the fold. Now a redshirt freshman, he has a year under his belt and, in all likelihood, a strong desire to show what he can do following a knee injury.

Riley Dearring suffers sprained left knee during practice http://t.co/6uoZXH516J

— JSOnline - Badgers (@js_badgers) February 24, 2014

But the Wolverines still look better in the backcourt, despite the fact that Wisconsin is a national title contender. But that's more due to what's up front. 

Next up: The Buckeyes and Hoosiers...

Ohio State

Aaron Craft is gone. After what seemed to be about seven years with his services, the Buckeyes will be forced to live without one of the Big Ten's best motors. Like Trice of Michigan State, Craft was all hustle, all of the time. He certainly provided entertainment. 

But there's D'Angelo Russell, so a new era of excitement is on the way. The 6'5", 180-pound McDonald's All-American was one of the top players of the 2014 recruiting class and is all but certain to have a fruitful career under coach Thad Matta. 

Shannon Scott, a 6'1", 185-pound senior, brings experience and defense. 

All-conference defense, that is. He had at least two steals in 22-of-35 games and rarely slips when facing top talent. He's not a scoring machine, but he'll likely top his junior-year average of 7.5 points per game. Minutes are to be had, and Scott is capable of capitalizing on the opportunity.

Expecting Shannon Scott to have a big senior season. For the first time in four years, Ohio State is "his team". Truly a new era at PG.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 29, 2014

Russell and Scott will be a nice tandem, but it's the addition of Kam Williams that makes the Buckeyes and Wolverines nearly even. 

Williams, a 6'2", 175-pound shooter who redshirted in 2013-14, is expected to immediately boost the offense as a starter.

A forgotten piece for Ohio State? Kam Williams. 6-2 guard red shirted last season but will add outside shooting in 14-15. More 2 than 1.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 29, 2014

Indiana

As of October, it's safe to say that the Hoosiers have the best backcourt, at least on paper, in the Big Ten. 

Yogi Ferrell is a star, and his 17.8 points per conference game ranked No. 3 in the league this past season. The 6'0", 178-pound junior should be an early favorite for Big Ten POTY honors. He recently dominated during Indiana's summer trip to Canada.

#IUBB Canada Highlights: Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell http://t.co/2BOZtMhB9Q

— IndianaMBB (@IndianaMBB) September 29, 2014

Now a sophomore, Stanford Robinson should be a better version of what he was as a freshman. That's the goal, right? He didn't quite dazzle in 2013-14, but he started nine times for coach Tom Crean and averaged 7.6 points per conference game. 

Look for Robinson to be a consistent double-digit threat this year. The Hoosiers are going to need a lot from their guards if they hope to compete in the Big Ten. 

James Blackmon enters Indiana as a true Hoosier State prep legend. The former Marion star scored 2,387 points, the eighth-most in state history. He averaged 33.4 points per outing. High school or not, that's an impressive stat that suggests even better things are around the corner for the 6'4", 190-pound freshman. 

The Hoosiers are serious. And they have more to back up their Big Three. But for comparison's sake, let's call it Indiana over Michigan. 

Now it's time for Nebraska, Illinois and Maryland (the Terps are here)...

Nebraska

The Huskers' best player, probably the best in the Big Ten, is Terran Petteway, a 6'6", 215-pound junior who could very well win POTY honors. He could be the favorite's favorite. 

But Nebraska will get some help from its guards, and that could start with Benny Parker, a 5'9" junior who's expected to continue his exceptional defense. He was the team's defensive MVP as a sophomore.

Then there's Andrew White, a 6'7", 220-pound transfer from Kansas, adding size and versatility to the mix (he's listed as a guard), along with Tarin Smith, a true freshman who averaged 15 points per game as a senior at St. Anthony (New Jersey). 

Shavon Shields is coming off an all-league honorable mention effort. As a sophomore, he scored 12.8 points per game and won the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award. But his leadership is what separates him from the rest. 

Coach Tim Miles has a good one in Shields. The Huskers are climbing the conference ladder, but Michigan still holds an edge when comparing backcourts. 

Alum Shavon Shields was selected to serve as a college counselor for this weeks adidas Nations camp in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/z7Ywm5FOKS

— MOKAN Elite (@MOKANElite) August 3, 2014

Illinois

The Illini could dance in March. But in order for that to happen, they'll need to get contributions from its nine-deep pool of guards. Needless to say, when looking at how players are listed, Illinois is one of the most guard-heavy teams in the country. 

Experience helps, too. Six of Illinois' guards are juniors or better. And there are redshirt seniors Ahmad Starks and Rayvonte Rice. 

Before transferring from Oregon State, Starks averaged 10.2 points in 97 games with the Beavers. This past season, Rice received all-conference honorable mention props and was the Big Ten's No. 8-ranked scorer with an average of 15.9 points.

Rayvonte Rice maxed out on the Bench yesterday at 325 pounds. Welcome to the 300 club @rayrice24

— Illini Update (@IlliniUpdate) July 22, 2014

There is strength in numbers, or so they say. Illinois certainly has enough bodies to rotate around Rice. As far as backcourts are concerned, the Illini are right there with the Wolverines. Of course, having more guards serves as an advantage, but overall, Rice and Starks favorably compare. 

Maryland

ICYMI: Sharpshooting #Terps freshman is lighting it up in overseas summer tournament: http://t.co/alEakckYTF pic.twitter.com/5eaUQXdijt

— Daniel Martin (@DMartinCSN) August 20, 2014

The Terps have Dion Wiley, one of the top guards of the 2014 recruiting class, to throw against the Big Ten. The 6'4", 195-pounder led Potomac High to a 3A Maryland State Championship as a senior, so playing in big-time environments won't be anything new for him. 

However, the Big Ten is the Big Ten, not high school. But Wiley is built for the spotlight; his progress will heavily influence the Terps' season, as will another hometowner, Melo Trimble, the state's top recruit and one of the smoothest scorers of the 2014 class. 

The 6'2", 175-pound McDonald's All-American gives reason to really like Maryland's guard corps, which is OK to do. With another year or two of development, the Terps could have the type of guards that Michigan has now. 

Scarlet Knights, Boilermakers, Nittany Lions and Wildcats round out this piece. Don't worry, the Gophers and Hawkeyes made it too...

Rutgers

Mack & Jack. Retweet if you believe #RHoops juniors Myles Mack & Kadeem Jack deserve All @American_MBB consideration. pic.twitter.com/EWgW9V86NF

— Rutgers Basketball (@RutgersMBB) March 4, 2014

Led by Myles Mack, a senior, Rutgers' backcourt has definite upside. At 5'10" and 175 pounds, he's slightly undersized, but he's able to play the point or 2, which is a plus for a team that doesn't have a ton of returning firepower. 

Brooklyn's Mike Williams, a freshman, could turn heads. Maybe he'll be on the end of a few assists from Mack? He was rated as one of New York City's top shooters and scored 17.3 points per game as a prep senior. 

Bishop Daniels, a JUCO transfer, averaged 18 points per game this past season. The added scoring touch certainly helps when comparing which teams have what. 

But the Scarlet Knights have a ways to go before their guards reach Michigan's level. Getting acclimated with the Big Ten is the first step. 

Purdue

Purdue's Bryson Scott, Basil Smotherman working to become better perimeter scorers in 2014-15 http://t.co/Anb5xuLS1T

— CollegeBasketbllTalk (@CBTonNBC) June 23, 2014

Sophomores could be the key for the Boilermakers, who have a pair of pretty good ones ready to run the floor this season in Bryson Scott and Kendall Stephens. 

Scott earned Big Ten Frosh of the Week honors twice in 2013-14. He also led his team with 30 steals. He's shown glimpses of scoring ability, but he hasn't proven to be a consistent producer. His defense should make up for that. 

At 6'6" and 197 pounds, Stephens has the potential be a double-digit scorer. He averaged eight points per game as a freshman. 

Youth is the word of the year for Purdue, which is also a few steps behind Michigan's guards. 

Penn State

If Penn State's D.J. Newbill played at Michigan or Ohio State, he'd regularly be mentioned as a first-team All-Big Ten player. Underrated.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 15, 2014

D.J. Newbill is the name to know. He's No. 21 in career scoring at Penn State and knows his way to the basket. He's an all-conference caliber player who leads the Nittany Lions' guards. Other than Devin Foster, a JUCO transfer, and the possibility of relative unknowns stepping forward, there isn't a lot of guard power in Happy Valley. 

Northwestern

In all likelihood, the Wildcats are hoping that freshmen Johnnie Vassar and Bryant McIntosh quickly develop into something. The backcourt isn't a strength for Northwestern, so there's no need to go any further. 

Iowa

Trey Dickerson, the No. 1-ranked JUCO player, has landed in Iowa City. Now a sophomore, he could be a great a complement to Anthony Clemmons, who, like the rest of the guards, will have to tighten up in the absence of Roy-Devyn Marble. 

Minnesota

The Gophers have a pair of all-conference honorable mentions in seniors Andre Hollins, who averaged 13.6 points per game in 2013-14, and DeAndre Mathieu, who was good for 12 points and four assists. 

They're good. But they're not enough to tip the scales in Minnesota's favor. 

Conclusion

By now, you've probably figured out that Michigan's guards are equal or better to all and inferior to none in the Big Ten. As a matter of fact, Walton, Irvin and LeVert are three of the league's best players, so it's not a difficult call to make: The Wolverines have an A1 pool of guards. 

Unless otherwise noted, all player information was pulled from official athletic department rosters and bios. 

Players in this slideshow were tabbed as guards, so those with guard/forward distinction didn't make the cut. 

Follow Bleacher Report's Michigan Wolverines basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81