Michigan Basketball: Highs and Lows of Wolverines' 2014-15 Season

A lesser team would have completely folded by now, but Michigan continues to endure its roller coaster season, one twist and turn at a time.

Coach John Beilein has essentially piecemealed his way past injuries, a string of tough breaks, several gut-wrenching losses and constant inconsistency. Despite the setbacks, he’s somehow managed to throw a competitive and feisty group on the floor nearly every game.

Losing Caris LeVert and Derrick Walton Jr. were the big blows, but, unfortunately, injuries happen like clockwork; however, suffering home losses to Eastern Michigan and New Jersey Institute of Technology really hurt. Deeply hurt, actually. They were a pair of demoralizing scenarios that no one could have predicted.

The final go of the regular season is Saturday versus Rutgers, and Beilein’s Wolverines (14-15, 7-10 Big Ten) are in need of a morale boost as they prepare for the Big Ten tournament. This slideshow will break down the peaks and valleys that have defined 2014-15 for Michigan basketball.

If not for Spike Albrecht, Michigan would have sunk to the murky depths long ago. The junior guard has been the driving force behind the Wolverines’ gutsy—possibly even borderline heroic—efforts throughout the past six weeks.

He’s scored no fewer than 10 points during each of his past eight games, topping out at 18 during the game that started the streak—a 76-66 overtime road loss to Michigan State on Feb. 1. On paper, Albrecht’s production may not impress—sure he’s filling up the basket, but his team isn’t winning. The Wolverines have posted a 1-7 record since the Albrecht takeover.

But take a closer look: Three of those games were pushed into overtime, which wouldn’t have been possible without Albrecht. Beating Ohio State, the lone victory during the eight-game ride, wouldn’t have been, either. Albrecht’s 16 points and exemplary play versus Buckeyes freshman superhero D’Angelo Russell made all the difference.

The score doesn’t always tell the story. The Wolverines’ 66-56 road loss Feb. 28 to Maryland could have been 86-56 without Albrecht’s nerve.

He has been Michigan’s undisputed MVP for 2014-15—there is no arguing against that—and the will-be-senior could share the title of “most important” with Walton next season.

LeVert was on his way to an All-Big Ten-caliber season before reinjuring his previously broken left foot during a 56-54 home win Jan. 17 over Northwestern. There was no other choice, so the Wolverines forged ahead for the next three games, posting a 2-1 record—which was only slightly blemished by a 69-64 overtime home loss to then No. 6-ranked Wisconsin.

That game also happened to be Walton’s final of the regular season. The star sophomore point guard had been plagued by turf toe/ankle issues for the entire year and was promptly shut down prior to the team’s next game versus Nebraska.

Ricky Doyle, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Aubrey Dawkins are destined for productive collegiate careers. Doyle’s earned his stripes in the paint. MAAR and Dawkins have earned theirs above the rim and beyond the three-point line.

Michigan’s future is bright, and it’ll have a trio of go-to sophomores in 2015-16. Next year’s potential doesn’t do much for winning this year, but Beilein has to feel good knowing that Doyle, MAAR and Dawkins have made noteworthy strides while facing daunting odds.

Doyle, a 6’9”, 245-pound forward, has drawn comparisons to former Michigan big man Mitch McGary. Beilein said that he hasn’t had a player—other than McGary—welcome pushing and shoving with open arms as much as Doyle.

MAAR, a 6’4”, 175-pound guard, has developed on both sides of the ball. His defense on Russell helped the Wolverines beat Ohio State. Dawkins should evolve into a dynamic scorer. Just take a look at his 21-point effort during this past Tuesday’s 82-78 overtime road loss to Northwestern if you need a refresher.

Once plagued by a lid on the basket, Kam Chatman has shown glimpses of fluid moves to the rim, a smooth shot and better understanding of the collegiate pace. He didn't shine as brightly as anticipated this season, but he played the best 20 minutes of his young career versus rival Ohio State. 

It's always refreshing when the light turns on for a frosh against a big rival. 

Step by step, guys are progressing. 

“The growth is happening—it is happening,” Beilein recently said in reference to Dawkins and MAAR.

But he's conveyed similar thoughts while addressing the rest of the freshmen. “I liken it to, they don’t maybe see it, but when you have children you don’t see them growing every day. All of the sudden, they’re five inches taller after a year or so. It’s those types of things that we are trying to get them to embrace.”

As mentioned earlier, there wasn’t one college basketball analyst, writer, know-all or guru who predicted NJIT winning at the Crisler Center. But led by Damon Lynn and Daquan Holiday, the Highlanders did the unthinkable by stunning the Wolverines 72-70.

The victory wasn’t only NJIT’s first over a ranked opponent; it was the school’s first against a major DI opponent.

Three days later on Dec. 9, Eastern Michigan left Crisler with a 45-42 victory.

Being swept by Michigan State for the first time since 2009-10 was a low point, but being knocked off by two of the little guys of college basketball was, well, reminiscent of the past four years of football in a way. Teams such as Eastern Michigan and NJIT shouldn’t ever have a chance against Michigan—right?!

The spirit of Austin Hatch’s miraculous recovery has been at the emotional epicenter this season. A survivor of two plane crashes, Hatch, a freshman, has served as an inspirational figure in the locker room and on the practice court.

He’s conquered insurmountable odds and lived to tell about it.

His free throw during a 92-68 exhibition win over Hillsdale was one of the most important of the Beilein era. It was a true testament to the idea of a team being a family—not just saying so. Hatch has compared Beilein to a father figure, and the coach has all but called Hatch his son.

Andrew Dakich, a walk-on sophomore, has clocked valuable learning minutes. So has sophomore Sean Lonergan. They haven’t been stars by any means, but they’ve done their jobs. They were never intended to be go-to guys in the rotation,

Max Bielfeldt, a redshirt junior, earned a scholarship this year. He actually turned out to be one of the more valuable players during the late stretch. He even showcased improved range and accuracy, as evidenced by his 46.3 field goal percentage.

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

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability.