ANN ARBOR -- A season off the grid led Michigan's Mark Donnal into a redshirt freshman year of expectations and preordained status.
After sitting out the 2013-14 campaign -- while Michigan was busy winning the Big Ten and reaching the Elite Eight -- Donnal was supposed to step in as the Wolverines' starting five man in 2014-15 and serve as a reliable post player with a trusty jump shot. This was all based on reliable information.
Throughout Donnal's redshirt season, players and coaches alike raved about his shinning play in U-M's closed-door practices.
It was assured, not expected, that the 6-foot-9 forward would make an instant impact after Jordan Morgan graduated, Jon Horford transferred and Mitch McGary declared for the NBA draft.