When freshman power forward Moussa Diabate arrived on campus to join Michigan basketball after a well-traveled upbringing that stretched from France to Florida, the defensive versatility he would offer the Wolverines became one of the hottest topics of conversation.
At 6 feett 11 and 210 pounds, Diabate possesses the mobility of a much smaller man. He shuffles his feet, changes direction and covers ground like a hyper-athletic gazelle. His coach, Juwan Howard, said Diabate could defend all five positions from point guard to center.
And while nearly everything Diabate has done has been positive — his energy and expanding offensive repertoire is helping to fuel U-M’s recent turnaround — he received a lesson in cunning from Ohio State star E.