Last night's LSU game was a very disappointing with the way it ended (though the Tigers are clearly much improved even if they only end up in the NIT), but most of the problems are fixable, as Michigan almost always gets better through the season, especially when the team is young like this year's team. I think they can and probably should beat VCU. It's just too bad they got stuck playing Chaminade instead of another team in the bracket.
Anyway, it's good to see Matthews finally emerging on offense. I'm not sold that he's a future pro or all-BigTen caliber player, but he's definitely better than Irvin was.
The PG situation is still uncertain, but Eli Brooks is finally getting significant minutes and looks more comfortable than Simmons or Simpson do on offense. Jordan Poole also finally got a decent amount of playing time, and looked better than Ibi Watson, if nothing else, so he should be backing up Matthews and Abdur-Rahkman. Teske is good enough as a backup center. Isaah Livers is okay as a backup forward but not ready for major minutes. Hopefully that'll change during the season since he'll be starting next year.
Overall, this team won't probably challenge for the Big Ten, but they should be a top 40 team and be dangerous enough to beat a top team when they play well.