Obviously, Michigan has very high expectations this season, and should be a contender for the title. However, it's fair to say that Michigan probably stands to suffer heavy losses. Let's assume that Caleb and Diabate live up to expectations (in Houston's case, a light out shooter who starts from day one, and Diabate a guy who comes off the bench but oozes potential). Michigan could very well lose all five starters from this team: Jones, Brooks, Houston, Johns and Dickinson, plus Diabate. Now, I think it's very possible that Johns becomes next year's Eli Brooks and returns for a fifth season unless he becomes a NBA draft pick this season.
So, it's safe to say that the 2022-2023 team will be a rebuild. Now does rebuild mean the NIT for a year? Not necessarily. The good news is Howard has recruited a lot of top 50-100 kids that will have been in the program multiple years by 2022-2023 and hopefully should be ready to contribute by that point. Here is Michigan's potential lineup in 2022-2023
Frankie Collins, soph
Kobe Bufkin, soph
Terrance Williams, junior
Brandon Johns, super-senior
GRAD TRANSFER CENTER (I'd bet good money on this).
Bench-Dug McDaniel, Zeb Jackson, Isaiah Barnes, Will Tschetter, Jace Howard. Jett Howard
This team probably isn't a national title contender. But it certainly isn't untalented by B1G standards. All four projected starters were top 100 recruits, and the center is likely a very productive mid-major big this season. The bench still has some talented pieces, and again, a lot of these guys have experience. To lose 5 of your 6 best players and still have a roster with 7 top 100 kids is impressive.
Once you move past 2022-2023, Michigan looks pretty strong. The 2021-2022 team doesn't probably have an early entrant on it, so it should return the majority of its roster. There is also a real opportunity for a 1 and done elite prospect at the stretch 5 / 4 position in next year's class to step right into a veteran lineup. But even if they don't land that type of kid, the roster will be loaded with solid prospects and competition at almost every position. Indeed, the 2021-2022 class which features McDavid, Jett and potential guys like Rodgers, etc. will be in the program another year to contribute.
The good news is by stacking the program with top 50-100 kids, while some will transfer, we are primed to avoid the scenario where you need to land elite 1 and dones constantly in order to remain a viable contender.
So, it's safe to say that the 2022-2023 team will be a rebuild. Now does rebuild mean the NIT for a year? Not necessarily. The good news is Howard has recruited a lot of top 50-100 kids that will have been in the program multiple years by 2022-2023 and hopefully should be ready to contribute by that point. Here is Michigan's potential lineup in 2022-2023
Frankie Collins, soph
Kobe Bufkin, soph
Terrance Williams, junior
Brandon Johns, super-senior
GRAD TRANSFER CENTER (I'd bet good money on this).
Bench-Dug McDaniel, Zeb Jackson, Isaiah Barnes, Will Tschetter, Jace Howard. Jett Howard
This team probably isn't a national title contender. But it certainly isn't untalented by B1G standards. All four projected starters were top 100 recruits, and the center is likely a very productive mid-major big this season. The bench still has some talented pieces, and again, a lot of these guys have experience. To lose 5 of your 6 best players and still have a roster with 7 top 100 kids is impressive.
Once you move past 2022-2023, Michigan looks pretty strong. The 2021-2022 team doesn't probably have an early entrant on it, so it should return the majority of its roster. There is also a real opportunity for a 1 and done elite prospect at the stretch 5 / 4 position in next year's class to step right into a veteran lineup. But even if they don't land that type of kid, the roster will be loaded with solid prospects and competition at almost every position. Indeed, the 2021-2022 class which features McDavid, Jett and potential guys like Rodgers, etc. will be in the program another year to contribute.
The good news is by stacking the program with top 50-100 kids, while some will transfer, we are primed to avoid the scenario where you need to land elite 1 and dones constantly in order to remain a viable contender.
