Kornacki: Michigan's Swiss Army Knife Revels in His Sixth Man Role
12/22/2018 9:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Features
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Both of John Beilein's Final Four teams at the University of Michigan have had a "sixth man" who primarily came off the bench to spark the team.
It was Mitch McGary in 2012-13 and Duncan Robinson in 2017-18, and both were in the NBA soon after that. This year, Isaiah Livers was handed that role and enthusiastically accepted it. Not starting is not easy for a high-profile player, and Livers was Michigan's Mr. Basketball in 2017 at Kalamazoo Central High. But he's taken on the assignment and is flourishing.
"I took to my role as soon as I found out I was going to be the sixth man off the bench," said Livers, who started 22 games last season as a freshman. "I was like, 'OK, somebody's got to be the 'energy' guy to come off the bench, play different positions, knock down shots, make plays, get to the basket. I'm trying to get every rebound possible, too, and I just love my role now.
"Some people would love to start and have all of that. But my time's coming, and I'm just going to help my team win. I'm in the same position Duncan was in, and I learned from him just to stay positive all the time. Stay positive, and positive will come back to you. It's a lot like karma. Duncan played the role to the best of his ability and signed an NBA contract (with the Miami Heat) and is doing big things."
Livers is a big reason why the No. 4-ranked Wolverines (12-0, 2-0 Big Ten) are undefeated after a dozen games for only the third time in the program's 103 seasons.
He had 11 points, six rebounds and two steals with zero turnovers in 22 minutes Saturday (Dec. 22) in a 71-50 win over Air Force before a sellout crowd at Crisler Center. Livers matched Jordan Poole and Ignas Brazdeikis with a game-high three three-pointers and was one off the team lead in rebounds and second in steals.
"He's given us good spark off the bench," said Beilein, "and he can play several positions -- which really helps us."
Livers (6-foot-7, 245 pounds) is most natural at the power forward position, but he's quick enough to guard most small forwards and big and tough enough to play most centers.
"Him playing the five man was really key for us," Beilein said of Livers' early substitution for center Jon Teske against the Falcons. "We could switch every screen when he was in there, and then pop their big man and hit the threes. He's a Swiss Army Knife for us, and we've got to keep him focused on this different role that guys like Duncan Robinson have been in for us before.
"Hey, Mitch McGary was like a sixth man most of the (2012-13) season, playing and not starting. Crazy things happen, but you've got to be all in for the team."
Livers has the versatility to play three positions because his all-around game has improved noticeably since last season.
He was 3-for-6 from behind the arc against the Falcons, and his .463 shooting percentage (19-for-41) on those deep shots is second on the team among players with more than one attempt. That's a 10 percent jump from his .362 (21-of-58) last season thanks to the three-point shooting competitions he's had after practices beginning in the summer with roommate Poole, the best on the team on treys at .483.
"It feels great back there," said Livers.
Big enough to play inside, the versatile Livers can also knock down perimeter shots.
He was 1-for-6 on three-pointers in the previous game against Western Michigan, but he didn't hesitate to take the same number in this game after making adjustments to his shot.
"Last game, it was just a little something I was doing that was messed up," said Livers. "I was jumping too high, playing with my hands. It's an easy correction. Today, I was more calm and looked to shoot the ball."
Livers also dribbled the ball all the way down court after several rebounds against Air Force.
"Last year, I brought the ball up court like two times," he said. "I've probably brought it up 15 times already. Every time I get the rebound, I just try to push it and find an open man."
Beilein added, "On the break, we want him to bust out. We don't necessarily want him to make plays, but don't outlet (pass) it, just go and find 'X' (point guard Zavier Simpson) or find Eli (Brooks) or Jordan on the break. That's very helpful."
Livers has scored in double figures four times, had a career-high 10 rebounds against Holy Cross, and is averaging 7.2 points and 4.1 rebounds. Robinson averaged 9.2 points and 2.4 rebounds last season and was voted the Big Ten's Sixth Man of the Year.
And the defense Livers is playing is crucial, too, on a team that was ranked No. 3 in scoring defense with a 64.8 average before making the Falcons the fifth opponent to score 50 or fewer against them. Michigan forced 20 turnovers while limiting them to 2-for-11 on treys, and Livers was in the middle of all of it.
"Our defense is crazy," said Livers. "We just try to shut down everything as much as possible, do our jobs."
Defense has been the strong suit on a team that's also had some strong offensive performances. And so these Wolverines have started the season with more wins without a blemish than all but two teams in school history.
That 2012-13 team McGary sparked started 16-0 and made it to the NCAA championship game. The other 16-0 start came in 1985-86, when Michigan went 28-5 and won the Big Ten championship.
Beilein was pleased with the effort from his Wolverines against Air Force, and they all dispersed after the game for travel to their hometowns for Christmas. They'll return for practice Thursday (Dec. 27) before hosting Binghamton three days later in the final non-conference game.
"I'm going right back to the 'Zoo now," said Livers of his Kalamazoo hometown. "I go to my dad's Christmas Eve and love to see my dad, my mom and my grandma. On Christmas, my mom makes a great ham (dinner). I go to my grandma's the day after. I just enjoy going home."
There's sure to be plenty of good family conversation about the success the Wolverines have had, and then it will be back to school and the pursuit of another special season. Livers is hoping the good "karma" keeps coming for the Michigan sixth man.
