Michigan Basketball: Predicting the Wolverines 2020-21 starting lineup

Shooting guard

Starter: Joshua Christopher

Backups: Eli Brooks, Cole Bajema

If you think Joshua Christopher would commit anywhere without knowing he will be the starter, you would be sadly mistaken. At Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California, Christopher is averaging 29.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.6 steals, and he is ranked No. 10 nationally, the No. 3 SG, and No. 5 out of California. He also holds a near-perfect 9969 composite rating and five-stars, and if he could enter the NBA draft today, he’d be a high first-round selection.

Eli Brooks will be a little upset having to come off the bench as a senior leader, but as a 6-foot-1 combo guard that has problems with consistency, Michigan might be his final destination. One last stand for the Wolverines, likely as a ‘sixth man’ and potentially as a captain, is in Eli’s future should he choose to stay in Michigan. Depending on his academic situation, Books could graduate early and transfer with immediate eligibility to most other Power 5 schools where he would see significantly more playing time.

Like Zeb, Cole Bajema committed to Michigan basketball under its former coach and decided to stay. He hasn’t seen the court much under the new staff; however, it is his first year,  and he may need a little time to develop before he becomes a significant contributor.

What may surprise people is that Cole was rated two spots higher than Franz Wagner and one spot higher positionally. Consider that it’s very difficult to evaluate basketball players that play outside of the United States to guys you can observe in person. While 247 sports and Rivals may have a travel budget, it probably doesn’t include international flights.