Michigan’s 2021-22 roster remains in flux, and there are several moves still to come that will determine the make-up of next season’s roster.
What’s true one day might not be the next, and that’s the case with Chaundee Brown. As reported yesterday, we traded texts with him at which point he confirmed he’d have an announcement (on Social Media) Saturday.
It’s clear he has mixed emotions and loved his time in Ann Arbor, but barring another change of heart, he’ll move on. Again, watch for his official declaration tomorrow. He has yet to sign with anyone.
As we reported a week or so ago, all signs pointed to senior guard Eli Brooks returning for another season to bridge the gap between present and future and lead the 2021-22 Wolverines into battle next year. That was still the case days ago, but it’s fair to wonder whether or not Brown’s decision will impact his own. There would only be a few of his teammates left — we don’t expect big man Austin Davis back for a sixth year, though junior Brandon Johns will be back next year — and there was a time during the season he was talking about pursuing a career in Europe when the season ended.
U-M put the full-court press on, however, and he has responded positively. We should know his decision before long.
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So, the Wolverines will continue to look to the portal, and there are several options. We mentioned Rutgers guard Jacob Young, a Big Ten all-Defensive player, recently. Though he’s had some issues at Rutgers, including suspension for an alleged DWI, there is at least some interest.
A few close to the program believe he wants to play professionally ASAP, so we’ll see what happens. Young averaged 14.1 points and 3.4 assists, but also 3.0 turnovers per game.
We aren’t as bullish on this one as some.
Illinois transfer Adam Miller is a Chicagoan Howard pursued. He averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, averaged 4.9 three-point attempts per game and shot 34 percent and was supposed to be an integral part of the Illini’s 2021-22 squad.
That he’s leaving is probably a red flag in itself. DePaul, Kentucky, U-M and others have been mentioned with him, but we don’t know how seriously Michigan is pursuing him, if at all.
Opinion — they shouldn’t touch this one.
Sienna guard Jalen Pickett, a three-time first-team all-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection and league Player of the Year in 2019-20, is available. Pickett has two years of eligibility left because the NCAA has granted players an extra year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
John McCauley was Pickett's high school coach at Aquinas Institute in Rochester. Pickett went to SPIRE Institute in Ohio because he didn’t qualify out of high school, so we’re not sure about his academics.
"He's open to everything," McCauley told Times-Union.com. "Just wanted to try his hand at some tougher competition, better basketball. I'm sure all that played a factor into it. But no real plan on where he wants to go. He's just going to take it all in stride and try to figure out what's the best fit for him.”
There doesn’t seem to be much there between U-M and Florida shooting guard Noah Locke, a one-time John Beilein recruit for Michigan. Louisville and UConn are thought to be strong here.
Fordham big man Joel Soriano, a 6-11, 250-pound sophomore, averaged 27.1 minutes, 10.4 points, 9.2 rebounds per game and shot 55.8 percent from the field. He’s spoken with Pitt, but his phone has blown up. U-M has shown interest.
Several, meanwhile, are off the table. Texas Tech’s Kyler Edwards was coveted, but he decided to return to the Red Raiders. Tech’s Nimari Burnett ended up at Alabama. Michigan had recruited him, and Howard was tight with his family, but that didn’t amount to anything.
Toledo guard Marreon Jackson committed to Arizona State, and Rhode Island’s Fatts Russell ended up at Maryland.
We’ll continue to track the portal options as they pop up, but as of now, all eyes are on Brooks.
What’s true one day might not be the next, and that’s the case with Chaundee Brown. As reported yesterday, we traded texts with him at which point he confirmed he’d have an announcement (on Social Media) Saturday.
It’s clear he has mixed emotions and loved his time in Ann Arbor, but barring another change of heart, he’ll move on. Again, watch for his official declaration tomorrow. He has yet to sign with anyone.
As we reported a week or so ago, all signs pointed to senior guard Eli Brooks returning for another season to bridge the gap between present and future and lead the 2021-22 Wolverines into battle next year. That was still the case days ago, but it’s fair to wonder whether or not Brown’s decision will impact his own. There would only be a few of his teammates left — we don’t expect big man Austin Davis back for a sixth year, though junior Brandon Johns will be back next year — and there was a time during the season he was talking about pursuing a career in Europe when the season ended.
U-M put the full-court press on, however, and he has responded positively. We should know his decision before long.
****
So, the Wolverines will continue to look to the portal, and there are several options. We mentioned Rutgers guard Jacob Young, a Big Ten all-Defensive player, recently. Though he’s had some issues at Rutgers, including suspension for an alleged DWI, there is at least some interest.
A few close to the program believe he wants to play professionally ASAP, so we’ll see what happens. Young averaged 14.1 points and 3.4 assists, but also 3.0 turnovers per game.
We aren’t as bullish on this one as some.
Illinois transfer Adam Miller is a Chicagoan Howard pursued. He averaged 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game, averaged 4.9 three-point attempts per game and shot 34 percent and was supposed to be an integral part of the Illini’s 2021-22 squad.
That he’s leaving is probably a red flag in itself. DePaul, Kentucky, U-M and others have been mentioned with him, but we don’t know how seriously Michigan is pursuing him, if at all.
Opinion — they shouldn’t touch this one.
Sienna guard Jalen Pickett, a three-time first-team all-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection and league Player of the Year in 2019-20, is available. Pickett has two years of eligibility left because the NCAA has granted players an extra year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
John McCauley was Pickett's high school coach at Aquinas Institute in Rochester. Pickett went to SPIRE Institute in Ohio because he didn’t qualify out of high school, so we’re not sure about his academics.
"He's open to everything," McCauley told Times-Union.com. "Just wanted to try his hand at some tougher competition, better basketball. I'm sure all that played a factor into it. But no real plan on where he wants to go. He's just going to take it all in stride and try to figure out what's the best fit for him.”
There doesn’t seem to be much there between U-M and Florida shooting guard Noah Locke, a one-time John Beilein recruit for Michigan. Louisville and UConn are thought to be strong here.
Fordham big man Joel Soriano, a 6-11, 250-pound sophomore, averaged 27.1 minutes, 10.4 points, 9.2 rebounds per game and shot 55.8 percent from the field. He’s spoken with Pitt, but his phone has blown up. U-M has shown interest.
Several, meanwhile, are off the table. Texas Tech’s Kyler Edwards was coveted, but he decided to return to the Red Raiders. Tech’s Nimari Burnett ended up at Alabama. Michigan had recruited him, and Howard was tight with his family, but that didn’t amount to anything.
Toledo guard Marreon Jackson committed to Arizona State, and Rhode Island’s Fatts Russell ended up at Maryland.
We’ll continue to track the portal options as they pop up, but as of now, all eyes are on Brooks.
