Michigan Basketball: Setting Pass/Fail Marks for Key Players in 2014-15

For Michigan to have a successful basketball season in 2014-15, several players will have to play up to or exceed expectations. Whether they pass or fail those expectations should determine how the season is defined.

The Wolverines return just two starters (Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr.) and only two other players who received more than 10 minutes a game last season (Zak Irvin and Spike Albrecht). So, head coach John Beilein will have to do yeoman’s work to get the team back to the lofty perch it has sat upon for the last two years—where it reached the title game and Elite Eight.

However, Beilein is a master motivator and molder of talent, and he has some weapons to work with. And while the personnel loss is significant, Michigan does boast a nice recruiting class to offset it. So, clearly the talent is not lacking in Ann Arbor.

Here are five players (ranked in order of significance) and what each should accomplish to receive a passing mark in 2014-15. If they don't hit on the following key stats, you can say they failed to live up to expectations.

Pass/Fail Stats: 16 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3 assists

As the de facto leader of the team, a lot of responsibility falls on the shoulders of 6'7” junior guard Caris LeVert.

LeVert is the Wolverines' leading returning scorer (12.9 points per game) and rebounder (4.3 rebounds per game), and he will be looked upon to improve on those numbers.

A lot of people are expecting LeVert to contend for All-American status, and for him to get there, he'll likely have to be a 15-20 point scorer while also contributing in other key categories. With a lot of inexperience surrounding him, LeVert has to take the bull by the horns this year and be more assertive.

If Michigan is to contend for a Big Ten title and another deep tournament run, it begins with LeVert fully breaking out. Look for him to exceed expectations and rise to the occasion.

Pass/Fail Stats: 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists

If LeVert is Michigan's version of Batman, then Zak Irvin has to be considered Robin.

With the loss of guys like Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III, someone has to step up and make up for some of the scoring loss, and Irvin is the ideal candidate. Blessed with a great touch from the perimeter (.425 three-point shooting percentage last season), Irvin has to be more than a one-trick pony and attack the basket more this year.

Well, if Michigan's trip to Italy was any indication, he'll be ready. On the Italy trip, he averaged 20.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting a scorching 68.8 percent from the field and drilling 12 of his 16 of three-point field goals. Look for Irvin to come close to at least doubling his point totals while becoming an all-around factor on both ends of the floor in his sophomore campaign.

Pass/Fail Stats: 10 points, 4.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds

As the point guard of the team, Derrick Walton Jr. is a leader by nature, and if he just even slightly improves, the Wolverines will be in good shape.

Walton Jr. is coming off a fine freshman season where he averaged 7.9 points, 2.9 assists and 3.0 rebounds and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. The assumption here is he is headed for bigger and better things this year and beyond.

If Walton Jr. can up his assist totals close to five or six a game, he will have done his job. On the other hand, Walton Jr. is a good scorer, too, so he'll likely take on more of a scoring load as well. If he can average double figures in points while also being a better passer, Michigan will be much better off for it.

It appears Walton Jr. is on his way toward having a very productive career, and he'll likely be the glue that keeps the Wolverines together in 2014-15.

Pass/Fail Stats: 7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists

With the loss of Mitch McGary, Jordan Morgan and Jon Horford, Beilein will need someone to step up in the frontcourt, and one guy who can make Beilein's job a lot easier is redshirt freshman Mark Donnal.

While lean on experience, Donnal did practice with last year's squad, and he is expected to make an impact. Although he is a gifted scorer, Donnal will have an effective year if he can learn to crash the boards and play some solid defense down low. Consider his scoring a bonus.

Like Irvin, Donnal had a fine trip to Italy. On the four-game trip overseas, Donnal averaged a respectable 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while also shooting a fantastic 69.5 percent from the floor. If Donnal can come somewhat close to those numbers—especially when it comes to rebounding—then he'll be on his way toward a fine freshman season.

Pass/Fail Stats: 8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2 assists

As the crown jewel of Michigan's 2014 recruiting class—247Sports ranks him as the No. 27 player in the country—Kameron Chatman is expected to come in and make an immediate impact.

Chatman has a wide array of skills, and he'll prove to be a great complementary player in his freshman season. At 6'7”, 210 pounds, Chatman has a body ready-made for the rigors of the Big Ten, and he is adept at both passing the ball and crashing the boards.

It would be nice if Chatman could contribute a little bit across the board while occasionally having some breakout games here and there.

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