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 this season influences the Wolverines in a positive manner — his energy and expanding offensive repertoire helped fuel U-M’s recent turnaround — he received a lesson in cunning from Ohio State’s star E.