Last Year
I don't recall anything significant happening except Dusty May was so tired of the operation that he fled the state. Incoming is new coach Mike Boynton, last seen leading Oklahoma State to seven pretty meh years. He got the job by being in the building when Dusty May left, just as he got the Oklahoma State job by being around when Brad Underwood left. Like they say, showing up is a big part of success.
Happy Trails
- A trio of draftees as Yaxel Lendeborg went to the Warriors, Aday Mara to the Thunder, and Morez Johnson to the Mavs
- The eligibility goblin came for Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter
- Winters Grady and Malick Kordel portaled to Minnesota, while L.J. Cason headed to Miami(FL).
Starters
- PG Elliot Cadeau, 6'1'' Senior: When in doubt, a senior point guard can help a lot. Cadeau probably is what he is at this point, but what he is is a great passer and competent at everything else. That is great when you are surrounded by NBA players to pass to, so we'll see what this year's surrounding cast looks like.
- SG Trey McKenney, 6'4'' Sophomore: Lots of hype for McKenney, who showed some real offensive chops as a freshman. A near 40% three point shooter who can also get to the basket, he might be stirring the drink this year.
- SF Roddy Gayle, 6'5'' Senior: Maybe, at least. Gayle is in Fifth Year Eligibility Purgatory and is waiting on various court orders to determine if he can play this year. He mostly gave up trying to be a shooter and instead attacks the basket and plays defense.
- PF J.P. Estrella, 6'11' Senior: Estrella comes up from Tennessee and could play the four or the five. He is pretty skilled near the basket, but isn't going to shoot much from outside. That could be important if three of the five starters can't shoot threes.
- C Moustapha Thiam, 7'2'' Junior: Thiam comes over from Cincinnati, and as you might guess he is a great shot blocker and rebounder. He's also pretty efficient with the ball in his hands near the basket. He did try to take some threes last season, but only shot less than 29% so not sure if that is part of his game or his coach was wishcasting.
Bench
- SF Ricky Liburd, 6'4'' Sophomore: I've seen a couple projections saying Liburd might start, so there you go. He redshirted last year so he's a complete mystery, though people say he's a good shooter.
- PF Jalen Reed, 6'10'' Senior: Reed is also a bit of a mystery. He was at LSU for four years and his first two he showed some talent as a stretch four. But then he tore his ACL in Year 3 and his Achilles in Year 4, so we'll see how the legs are holding up this season.
- CG Kenny Noland, 6'4'' Senior: Noland is fighting for a fifth year after four strong seasons at Columbia. We would ideally be a backup at both guard spots and he can definitely shoot the ball and make some plays.
- Six freshmen to carry everyone's equipment. Five star guard Brandon McCoy was probably going to play a lot, but he tore his ACL so won't be doing that this year. They also have top fifty forwards Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby, as well as guard Joseph Hartman and four star forward Malachi Brown. One Euroballer in center Marcus Moller.
Outlook
MaximumSam: Tough to say. The starting backcourt is very good, and Estrella and Thiam should at least be solid. But man, a lot of question marks after that, though if the eligibility purgatory clears up they would at least have Gayle as a veteran. Plus they are changing coaches, and Mike Boynton hasn't ever done much to suggest he's going to make a difference. So a top three finish feels unlikely.
glass: “I don't understand the question and I won't respond to it.”
BoilerUp89: Happy Trails Dusty May. Don't ever come back to college. Enjoy the NBA.
Michigan has a major downgrade in the coaching department and while there is still plenty of talent, some of it is hurt and out for the year and it wasn't as good as last year's roster anyway. Defense takes a step back. Don't be shocked if Michigan is competing for another Big Ten title. A repeat natty seems out of the question though.
