Recentky, five-star SG Josh Christopher chose the Arizona State Sun Devils over the Wolverines despite many experts believing he was a Michigan lock.
The next morning, approximately twelve hours later, five-star PF Isaiah Todd de-committed from the university in order to pursue a pro-career overseas or in the G-League.
Almost immediately after losing Todd, experts began writing the Wolverines off for next season, I’m here to tell you that is not the case. Michigan basketball is still poised to have a great 2020-21 season and here’s why.
Although the Wolverines lost out on two top-15 players, they still have a very strong recruiting class. This includes 4-star Center Hunter Dickinson (32nd nationally), 4-star Shooting Guard Zeb Jackson (69th nationally), 4-star PF/SF Terrance Williams (85th nationally) and 3-star SF Jace Howard (350th nationally).
According to 247 sports, despite losing Todd and Christopher, Michigan has the number 8 class in the nation. All four of these guys will look to make an immediate impact next season.
Michigan returns a good amount of talent from the 2019-20 team which will be key to the success of Howard’s team next year. However, Michigan loses seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske as well as David DeJulius and Colin Castleton through the transfer portal.
This isn’t the end of the world when you take into account that Juwan Howard has held onto some key pieces such as Franz Wagner, Austin Davis, Eli Brooks, Brandon Johns Jr. and Isaiah Livers ( no word on his NBA draft status as of right now). Don’t forget graduate transfer point guard Mike Smith who averaged 22.8 PPG with Colombia last season.
I anticipate a big 2020-21 season from guard Franz Wagner who put together a solid freshman campaign despite fracturing his wrist prior to the first game of the season. If Isaiah Livers returns, the wolverines will get a significant scoring boost from him considering he averaged almost 13 PPG despite dealing with multiple injuries throughout the year that kept him out of 10 games.
Mike Smith and Eli Brooks will provide a solid scoring output from the backcourt but the real question marks remain at the center position. Will Austin Davis or Hunter Dickinson start? I believe Davis will get the start week one but Dickinson will eventually earn the spot over the course of the season and become the starter.
Michigan still has a lot of talent on the roster for the upcoming season. Although many people want to, it’s not time to count out the Wolverines yet.
Photo: Aaron J. Thornton
