Although Michigan is just seven games into the young 2017-2018 season, the preparation to win huge contests such as Wednesday night’s showdown at North Carolina began a long time ago, junior forward Moe Wagner explained.
“It starts in October,” he said. “Every practice is a big practice, and every lift is a big lift. If you go to North Carolina and win, it’s a big deal, but if you lose to Central Michigan, it might be an even bigger deal. That’s something the coaches stress to us — everyone knows who you are.”
One player who has improved tremendously from the start of practice to present day is redshirt sophomore guard Charles Matthews.
The 6-6 Chicago native sat out last season after transferring in from Kentucky, and Wagner explained what has impressed him most during their year-plus together.
“His competitive and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win,” the junior said. “You’ll tell him before a game what he can improve on, and then he goes out and gives you 12 assists [in Sunday's 87-42 win over UC Riverside] — that’s pretty cool. The way he passed that game was incredible. He just does whatever the coaches ask him to do in a very competitive way.
“Nothing has surprised me about him though. We guarded him for an entire year in practice and he gave us enough trouble. He’s definitely come a long way in terms of passing abilities. He was looking to score a little more when he first got here, but he’ll always get his points.”
North Carolina’s frontcourt will present an entirely different challenge for Wagner on Wednesday night though.
The Tar Heels are once again an outstanding rebounding team, and the 6-11 junior talked about what makes them so tough.
“They’re very athletic, and they run the break so well,” he explained. “They’re a great rebounding team too, as always — they won the national championship last year because they rebound so well.
“Their wings are very aggressive and athletic, and they’re so solid defensively, as you saw against Michigan State [on Nov. 26] — they forced 24 turnovers.”
Wagner is obviously not a typical big man, as he has the ability to play on the perimeter and knock down threes at a respectable rate [37 percent].
However, he said he has no problem guarding traditional big men as well.
“Whatever the coaches want me to do,” Wagner insisted. “I’m getting more comfortable switching screens as well. Coach and I always talk about how every day presents a new challenge — no day should go by without a challenge.
“[North Carolina junior big man] Luke Maye, for example, is a very good shooter, but he can also put it on the floor. With him, you can’t just say you’re going to contest his shots because he can also beat you off the dribble.”
Wagner mentioned how he faces a new challenge every day — Maye, who is averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds so far this season — will be his biggest challenge yet.
For more of The Wolverine's coverage of Wednesday's Michigan/North Carolina game, click below:
Michigan Basketball Video: John Beilein's pre-North Carolina Presser
Michigan Basketball: Eli Brooks, Moe Wagner and Duncan Robinson Preview UNC
Michigan Basketball: Eli Brooks Ready for Challenge as Starting Point Guard
Michigan Basketball News and Views: John Beilein on UNC, More
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