Michigan Basketball: Early look at the starting five for 2020-21

For those living under a rock, you must know Michigan basketball’s head coach, Juwan Howard has incredible recruiting skills, and he will have a rock star roster next year.

Where does this Michigan basketball program go from here?

Before that question is answered, let’s start with a brief history.

After Steve Fisher left in 1997, there was a fall from grace for the Wolverines. Tommy Amaker and his predecessor Brian Ellerbe did what they could, but five of the combined ten years they led the university, they posted losing seasons and only two of those featured UM in the rankings.

It was a dark era until John Beilein salvaged Michigan basketball and brought it back to its former glory. Year-after-year of National Championship appearances and deep tournament runs along with top ten rankings and rosters filled with future NBA players.

John’s unexpected departure created a ripple in the Michigan basketball program. A ripple that caused commit Jalen Wilson to seek out other suitors and eventually landed in Kansas. A ripple that left the supporters feeling hopeless for the future.

And then Juwan Howard happened.

His resume was impressive, as is his list of friends, and when he arrived for his first opportunity as a head coach, he did all the right things. To keep continuity, Saddi Washington remained on staff. To learn the ropes, St. Joe’s long-time head coach Phil Martelli was brought in. And finally, the player whisperer, Howard Eisley, joined the team.

“Coach Eisley, he’s played ball for a long time,” center Jon Teske said. “And so that’s one thing that X (Simpson) wants to do. So just picking his brain on how to be a better point guard. How to read the floor. X is only going to get better.”

Howard, Martelli, Washington, and Eisley conspired in their short time this offseason to bring about havoc during the 2019-20 college basketball season. As it stands today, the Wolverines are the only team to have beaten top-ranked Gonzaga, and they toppled a North Carolina squad before their star freshman Cole Anthony made his way to the injured list.

Things are looking up for UM, especially on the recruiting trail. Here’s a look at who the starters will be next year with two deep.

This will contain players on the current roster, those committed even if they didn’t sign, and prospects who are not committed to Michigan…yet.