Michigan didn’t just lose its starting point guard with Zavier Simpson’s departure. The team lost a key piece of its identity, its loudest voice and, most importantly, its undisputed leader.
Just like coach Juwan Howard will be relying on multiple players to replace Simpson’s production, the Wolverines are taking a similar approach to fill the leadership role.
Over the past month of preseason practices, three names have surfaced the most: senior forward Isaiah Livers, senior guard Eli Brooks and fifth-year senior center Austin Davis.
“Eli’s IQ is off the charts and he is willing to share,” assistant coach Phil Martelli said this week.