UM’s Beilein disputes frustration toward LeVert

Michigan coach John Beilein on Tuesday dispelled any notion that he’s frustrated with Caris LeVert, even though it’s LeVert’s decision when he wants to return to the court.

“No, no, absolutely not,” Beilein said, sternly, ahead of Wednesday’s game at Minnesota. “If anything, I’m saying don’t do it until you’re ready, if anything.

“The frustration with me, I’ve just never gone through this.

“Three years now where we’ve got really good players who are missing from our lineup for the year or almost the year.”

Levert has missed 10 games in a row — all the Big Ten games but the opener — with a lower-left leg injury, and his absence has been most notable the last two games, waxings by Indiana and Michigan State.

The guard, who came back for his senior year rather than leave early for the NBA draft, practiced for an hour straight Monday with no pain.

That’s the most he’s done since the injury, Beilein said.

“This is his call,” Beilein said. “This is not my call.”

Beilein said LeVert was to go through practice again Tuesday and travel to Minnesota, where he’ll be a participant in a midday walkthrough.

Whether he returns is a “game-time decision.”

“Possible game-time decision,” Beilein said. “How about that?”

LeVert was averaging 17.4 points a game when he was injured late in the Big Ten opener at Illinois.

Since, Beilein has been very mum on his status or the exact nature of the injury — “If Caris wants to divulge that someday, that’s up to Caris,” Beilein said — but on Tuesday, he talked as much about LeVert’s status as he has in weeks.

And he did so without a hint of frustration, which hasn’t been the case as he’s been peppered with questions about LeVert for the last several weeks.

Beilein said he would handle the situation the same if it were any other player, but acknowledged Levert is a special case, because he has his NBA future to think about. Despite the injury, he remains high up in most mock NBA drafts, even ahead of Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine in some.

“Some great opportunities waiting him in just a few months,” Beilein said. “It just adds to it.

“We try to guide him, but it’s his call. You’ve either gotta jump in the water or you don’t jump in the water. Can you swim or can’t you swim?

“I want him to feel really comfortable.

“It’s extremely important than he plays when he is ready to play, and he’s not risking any futher injury. It’s a puzzle.”

Michigan could use LeVert as soon as possible, given its NCAA Tournament hopes are hanging by a thread — with a tough schedule (Purdue, at Ohio State, at Maryland, at Wisconsin, Iowa) awaiting the Wolverines.

Upbeat Wolverines

Beilein said practice this week has been really positive and upbeat, despite the shellackings last week at home against Indiana and Michigan State.

“There’s nobody hanging their head,” Beilein said. “I’m sure they’re not looking at their Twitter accounts a lot.”

Beilein said he’s tried to provide motivation to certain players, especially the struggling Duncan Robinson and Derrick Walton Jr.

On Robinson: “The only way you’re getting in trouble, son, is when you don’t shoot when you’re open.”

On Walton: “We’re not taking you out. We want him to shoot it more. It’s part of the growth.”

Slam dunks

As Beilein continues to search for depth at the back end of the rotation, he has been impressed lately with the play of D.J. Wilson and Kameron Chatman, though most of their minutes were in garbage time.

... Beilein, asked about the development of freshman Mo Wagner, said: “It’s difficult for him to guard on the perimeter right now. Equally as difficult is for him to play good post players.” Wagner also has a bad habit of drawing quick fouls.

... Beilein continued to rave about the emotionally fueled speech by Zak Irvin late in the Michigan State loss, but was quick to point out about his players, “Nobody’s lazy.”

tpaul@detroitnews.com

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Michigan at Minnesota

Tip-off: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Williams Arena, Minneapolis

TV/radio: BTN/WWJ

Records: Michigan 17-7, 7-4 Big Ten; Minnesota 6-17, 0-11

Outlook: Minnesota gave Michigan a scare at Crisler Center on Jan. 20, before Michigan won, 74-69. ... Minnesota may remain winless in the Big Ten, but it’s given scares to Michigan State, Indiana (twice) and Purdue. ... The Gophers are limiting conference opponents to just 32.6 percent from 3-point range, which could be a concern for the Wolverines.