A lot to like about this Wolverine

DETROIT - Before tip-off tonight, as Crisler Arena rocks with Michigan and Michigan State fans, MSU coach Tom Izzo probably will look over at U-M forward DeShawn Sims and ...

"He always winks at me before every game," said Sims, who was recruited heavily by Izzo. "We even tell each other we love each other."

This might surprise Michigan and Michigan State fans, but it should not surprise anybody who knows DeShawn Sims. He is likable and easygoing. His teammates say he is the funniest guy on the team. This is why they love him. This is also why he can be a frustrating player.

"Sometimes you have to be mean," Sims said. "I'm not a naturally mean guy. It's easier now. I've been playing so long ... it's not so much being mean, it's just going out and being more aggressive. I'm somewhat embracing it now."

There has been a lot of talk lately about a leadership void on the Wolverines. Sims - a senior and one of the most talented big men in the Big Ten - logically should fill that void. Yet, in the past two weeks, he has:

• Said he didn't speak up during a crucial time-out against Northwestern because he was not in the game at the time.

• Committed at least two mental errors in the final 3 minutes of a meltdown at Wisconsin. He committed a silly foul at the top of the key to help the Badgers get into the bonus. He was whistled for a charge. He also launched a three-pointer with 23 seconds left on the shot clock in those final minutes (though Sims, a 29 percent 3-point shooter this year, said he had no regrets about that shot).

• Said he is disappointed, but not angry, with his friend Manny Harris. Harris committed an unsportsmanlike act in practice last week, which led to a one-game suspension.

Is this the leader Michigan craves? No. But is it the nice guy his teammates and Tom Izzo love? Absolutely.

Sims says the losses eat at him, more than ever. He has trouble falling asleep when Michigan loses. He always blames himself, always wonders what he could have done differently.

When U-M lost to Wisconsin after leading the whole way, Sims replayed his mistakes in his mind on the flight home. The Wolverines had blown a bigger lead against Northwestern earlier in the month, but Sims said: "Northwestern was nothing like this Wisconsin loss. We've beaten Northwestern before. I've never beaten Wisconsin."

Sims knows he could help his team by being a more vocal leader, the way seniors C.J. Lee and David Merritt were last season. But how can he change who he is?

"It's not natural for me," Sims said. "I kind of like, deal with it by myself and have my own thoughts on it."

His coach, John Beilein, said Monday that the leadership is getting better. Some of it is starting to come from Sims.

Sims said: "As of late I've been saying more after losses, and even wins." Recently he has even demanded the ball in the post ... sometimes.

Some big recruits go to college, and they're all talk and no skill. Sims always had the skills. Now, as a senior, he finally is learning to talk.

Michael Rosenberg is a Detroit Free Press sports columnist.