His numbers aren’t overwhelming. He’s not ultra flashy. But if there’s one person the Michigan basketball team needs to be aware of tonight when it faces Indiana for the second time in two weeks, it is Jeremiah Rivers.

Rivers, who transferred to Indiana after two seasons at Georgetown, averages just 7.0 points a game. But he’s fourth in the Big Ten in assists with 4.47 per game, 13th in rebounding at 5.6 and 15th in steals at 1.27.

“He’s very key,” Indiana coach Tom Crean said. “He’s an outstanding defender, got speed and quickness and strength. He can get to the basket, he can create for others, and he has a lot of emotion.

“He’s continuing to learn a role in a different style of play, and that’s important. I’m really pleased with his progress.”

Rivers, the son of former NBA player Doc Rivers, scored four points, grabbed nine rebounds and had two assists against Michigan on New Year’s Eve. He also had two steals and was generally a disruptive force on Michigan guard Manny Harris.

Harris spent most of New Year’s Eve in foul trouble, and if Michigan is going to win at home today (9 p.m., ESPN), it is going to be by handling Rivers and staying out of foul trouble.

“He’s very athletic. He is a point guard that will get the ball to people but has the versatility with his size and athleticism to make plays and get to the basket,” Illinois coach Bruce Weber said of Rivers. “I think he’s a great defender. I know when they played Michigan earlier he did a great job against Harris. In our game, he got into passing lanes and disrupted.

“A little bit of coach’s son, very determined. A kid you’d want on your team.”

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.