Michigan basketball beat writer Michael Rothstein breaks down the 2010-11 Michigan roster:

0 - Zack Novak Junior guard | 6-4, 210 pounds Strengths: Novak is a natural leader, evidenced by his selection as a captain as a sophomore and again as a junior. If he is playing well, he is the type of guy who can get a team to rally around him and feed off of his energy. What makes him good is his ability to do the small things. His hustle is infectious. He also has improved his shot and, according to Michigan coach John Beilein, is Michigan’s most consistent player in practice. For his size, he is a good rebounder and has a reputation as a good shooter. Weaknesses: Novak missed a lot of shots last year - often dictated on whether or not his first shot went in. He frequently played out of position, forcing him to face players 5 and 6 inches taller. Now that he’s back at guard he needs to improve his ball handling and passing. As the starter at the two, he needs to make sure his shot is more consistent than it was a season ago, when he made 30.6 percent of his 3-point shots. Has decent athleticism but will struggle against quicker defenders, which he’ll now face moving to guard.

1- Stu Douglass Junior guard | 6-03, 190 pounds Strengths: An underrated defender and passer. His long arms can create havoc for opponents and he has better-than-average speed. Showed flashes of being the dominant outside shooter Beilein expected. Understanding his role better - something he struggled with early last season - will help him. Is a smart player. Weaknesses: Douglass went into an early-season funk last year that he never really shot his way out of. When his role was undefined - especially when he came off the bench - he seemed lost. He needs to be more consistent with his shooting.

2 - Jordan Dumars Sophomore guard | 6-5, 220 pounds Strengths: Not much is known about Dumars’ game. He transferred from South Florida and sat out the second half of last season. He was unable to attend the Wolverines’ European tour because he won’t be eligible until after the fall semester. Was a good free-throw shooter in high school and is supposed to be a good 3-point shooter. Weaknesses: Speed could be an issue as is cracking a rotation full of guards. He did not play much at South Florida before his transfer.

4- Darius Morris Sophomore guard | 6-4, 190 pounds Strengths: Michigan’s best passer and his long arms make him a good on-ball defender. He has the ability to drive through the lane and either dish the ball, finish around the basket or draw the foul. Has often been the flashiest player on Michigan’s team. Also has good vertical jump. Weaknesses: Sometimes he gets too creative without making sure either he or his teammate finishes. He worked hard on his shot over the summer, but his shot was non-existent last year. His free throw shooting is improving, and if he is going to get to the line more than last year, it needs to be better.

5- Eso Akunne Sophomore guard | 6-3, 220 pounds Strengths: Smart and can make a shot when necessary. Has good vertical jump and could end up as a rotation player despite being a walk-on. He is a good passer and will serve as a backup guard. Weaknesses: Needs to improve defensively and work on his game more if he is going to steal any minutes from Douglass, Novak or Morris. As with every Michigan player, his shot needs to improve.

10 - Tim Hardaway Jr. Freshman guard/forward | 6-5, 185 pounds Strengths: A confident player. Is the best athlete on Michigan’s roster and has good slashing and cutting abilities. The instincts in his game are at a high level from working out with his father, former NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway. Has above-average ball skills and is a good shooter. Also has good vertical leap and can make plays through traffic. Has the makings of a star. Weaknesses: Still needs to learn part of the college game and achieve better strength and conditioning. Shot selection needs to improve as he learns the plays in Michigan’s offense and defense. But for the most part, he is the most ready-to-play freshman Michigan has had in a while.

13- Matt Vogrich Sophomore guard | 6-4, 190 pounds Strengths: Added 15 pounds in the off-season to hold up under a tough Big Ten schedule. Is a good shooter who can score in bunches and has the potential to be Michigan’s best perimeter threat. When confident, he is a good rebounder for his size and his position and is deceptively athletic. Weaknesses: Needs to work on defense and grow into his role off the bench, something that confused him at times last year. Also could add some more weight as his frame isn’t always conducive to the rough-and-tumble Big Ten.

15 - Jon Horford Freshman forward | 6-9, 220 pounds Strengths: Has great raw defensive and rebounding ability and possibly the best shooting stroke of all three big men. Has a knack for blocking shots and runs the floor well. Weaknesses: Needs to put on weight to be an effective big man on the college level. Has the frame for it, though. Some of his offensive skills are raw.

20 - Josh Bartelstein Sophomore guard | 6-2, 205 pounds Strengths: Good shooter and decent ball-handler. Provides a good look for Michigan’s scout team. Weaknesses: Might not have the speed to play consistently in the Big Ten.

22 - Blake McLimans Redshirt freshman forward | 6-10, 240 pounds Strengths: Has good, raw offensive skills and a good three-point shot. Fits in well in John Beilein’s system as a center who can also stick shots from the outside. Weaknesses: Needs to become a better rebounder and stronger to compete against some of the Big Ten’s better big men. Conditioning could also improve.

23 - Evan Smotrycz Freshman forward | 6-9, 225 pounds Strengths: Good athleticism and strength for a freshman and understands what it takes to win. Good instincts. Good form on his shot and doesn’t lack confidence to shoot. Good rebounder and slasher. Weaknesses: Needs to improve on defense. Shot selection also needs improvement.

32 - Corey Person Redshirt sophomore guard | 6-3, 200 pounds Strengths: Is a good locker room guy. Good emotional presence for Michigan. Weaknesses: Hasn’t played meaningful minutes in a game for Michigan.

45 - Colton Christian Freshman forward | 6-6, 215 pounds Strengths: Blessed with a long wingspan and good athleticism. Makes the most of his body type. Relentless defender. Good understanding of rebounding concepts and floor spacing for rebounds. Has the speed and athleticism to play in the Big Ten. A good late find for Beilein. Weaknesses: Offensive skills need polish. His height at the four spot for Michigan could prove a liability but he makes up for it with his wingspan and presence.

52 - Jordan Morgan Redshirt freshman forward | 6-8, 240 pounds Strengths: Good defensive presence. Has good rebounding skills and good positioning on rebounds. Understands rebounding concepts well. Good low post game. Dropped weight and added strength during his redshirt year to be competitive early. Won starting center job convincingly beating out Blake McLimans and Jon Horford. Can hit a mid-range jump shot if needed. Weaknesses: Doesn’t have great range. Won’t be asked to shoot from outside, which is a rarity in Beilein’s offense. Could still use strength and more size.