Working Out With Lake Forest High School Product Matt Vogrich

The leading scorer in basketball history, , just finished up his sophomore season at Michigan.

After not playing much his freshman year, the 6-foot-5 Vogrich was a significant contributor off the bench for the Wolverines this past season, helping them make a run to the second round of the NCAA tournament in March.

Back in Lake Forest for summer break, Vogrich talks about his season, what he has to improve on for next year and his least favorite summer school class.

So what are you doing right now?

I'm training with Josh Oppenhemier, who runs Excel My Game in Deerfield. We work on ball handling and a lot of one-on-one stuff as that's what I have to work on. I can't just be a catch-and-shoot player. 

What do you have to work on to be a better one-on-one player?

Quickness and being able to dribble the ball. I didn't dribble much last year. Our offense was centered on Darius Morris (who entered the NBA draft) coming off ball screens and everybody coming off ball screens. I have to work on my handle so I can be effective coming off ball screens. I've been playing one-on-one with E'Twaun Moore (former Purdue player and projected NBA draft pick) and Oppenheimer, who is really quick, can shoot it and played pro for awhile (nine seasons U.S. and Europe). It's good competition. 

How does playing against pros or future pros make you better?

The beter the competition, the more you improve and know what you have to work on. The first few times I played against E'Twaun and some other pros who may be taken in the second round of the draft, they were eating me up. The second time I saw myself getting better and figured out how to get to the basket and stay in front of them. So it's just a process and playing against the best guys in college basketball like E'Twaun really helps.

What about your overall strength? Is that something you are working on?

I've gained 10 pounds already. I'm working out at Elite Fitness and some of the Chicago Bears are there because of the NFL lockout. That's pretty cool. They will show up after me as we go in at 9 a.m. I'm dragging sleds and running up hills, stuff like that. It helps me be more explosive and get rebounds. How high you can jump in basketball is so important, so I'm working on my vertical and my quickness and the things I'm not as good at. It's not just shooting ,which I excel at, it's other things like jumping, dribbling and putting on weight. The more I improve my strength and handle, the more floor time I'll see.

Do you feel Michigan basketball is on the upswing? 

Yeah, I mean that's how Coach (John) Beilein recruited me. You are going to be part of a foundation. We're building a foundation here, we're starting anew. We struggled for a decade and now have made the tournament two out of three years. We were right there with Duke (second round NCAA Tournament loss in 2011) and I trust Coach Beilein. I think he's putting the program in the right direction. 

How long are you in Lake Forest?

I'm here until June 13 then I have to go back early. We start summer school June 26, but my strength coach wants me back early along with four or five other guys so we can put on weight and play against each other. The rest of the team will be there June 26.

You taking any classes?

Two classes, sociology and statistics. Sociology will be OK. Stats will be rough. It's easier in the summer so I had to throw it in then.

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