ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -Figuring out how to play for John Beilein is like learning a new language.

The Michigan basketball coach uses unique styles at both ends of the court. He asks players to launch 3-pointers in his free-flowing offense and confuses opponents with his signature 1-3-1 zone.

It was all foreign for the Wolverines two years ago when they lost a school-record 22 games in Beilein's debut season with them. They started to get it last season, rallying to earn an NCAA tournament bid for the first time since 1998.

So far in Year 3, Beilein likes what he sees.

``We have much more experience than we had in our first two years here and I saw it in the first week of practice,'' Beilein said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. ``I was just watching some film of practice and I saw a sophomore with frustrated body language toward a freshman. Last year, that sophomore was making the same mistakes.''

Michigan is expected to have another successful season, getting enough votes to rank No. 15 in The Associated Press preseason poll released Thursday.

All-Big Ten player Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims lead a team that returns its top six scorers. Harris has adapted his game well to fit Beilein's system, slashing into the lane off the dribble.

The junior guard, though, said he had no idea what he was supposed to do as a freshman for Beilein.

``Now, it's real comfortable,'' he said.

The Wolverines' first exhibition game is next week against Wayne State and the season begins Nov. 14 at home against Northern Michigan.

When Sims arrived on campus, expectations had improved to modest under Tommy Amaker. Now, the Wolverines are projected to be one of the better teams in the Big Ten.

``Coach Beilein has had a lot to do with that,'' Sims said.

Beilein, meanwhile, is praising his senior forward.

``I'm continuing to see a lot of growth in DeShawn Sims as a player and a man,'' Beilein said. ``He's really setting himself up to have a major impact this season.''

Harris has done the same, evolving into a complete player in his first two years to raise the bar for himself and the program this season.

``I'm looking forward to a lot of people expecting us to be good,'' Harris said. ``We definitely think we're a Big Ten contender if we work hard.''

If Michigan is going to build upon its breakout season, Harris and Sims will need some help.

Zack Novak, Stu Douglass and Laval Lucas-Perry each averaged six-plus points per game last season as freshman. Becoming double-digit scorers would provide a boost from the backcourt.

There's playing time available at point guard because C.J. Lee graduated and Kelvin Grady chose to play football at Michigan. Freshman Darius Morris hopes to take advantage.

``I'm a playmaker, that's what this team needs,'' Morris said. ``That's all I've been all my life, a true point guard.''

The Wolverines have many true big men, but Zack Gibson definitely is one they need to deliver. The 6-foot-10 Gibson averaged less than four points and barely two rebounds last season as he regressed statistically from the previous year.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.