Michigan Basketball: Bryce Aiken pursuit shows roster size isn’t an issue

Michigan basketball isn’t worried about scholarship limits or anything like that as head coach Juwan Howard has been in touch with Bryce Aiken.

One of the constant topics surrounding the Michigan basketball team heading into next season is the roster and exactly what it will look like.

There are a number of talented players coming to Ann Arbor next season and the full extent of the talent influx is still to be determined. Joshua Christopher appears to be leaning towards Michigan basketball but hasn’t made a decision yet. Isaiah Todd, another five-star recruit is already committed but hasn’t signed.

If both of those guys sign and Jace Howard takes a scholarship next season, Michigan will be over the limit. Some Michigan fans thought Austin Davis would leave as a graduate transfer but he’s going to stay but with the news that head coach Juwan Howard has contacted Bryce Aiken, which is via 247 sports Evan Daniels, a potential graduate transfer from Harvard, it doesn’t appear that roster size is a concern.

Here’s what Aiken told Daniels about the schools he has been in touch with:

"“So far Maryland, Marquette, Seton Hall a little bit. I’ve spoken to Juwan Howard over at Michigan, the head coach of Iowa State, Kansas has reached out, but not to me personally yet and Gonzaga.”"

This is the second graduate transfer in a week that’s considering Michigan basketball, which isn’t a bad thing. Aiken could be a real weapon too and could help fill the void left by Zavier Simpson. The other is Seth Towns, another Harvard graduate transfer that could fit with the Wolverines on the wing.

Aiken only played in seven games last season for Harvard but averaged more than 22 points per game as a junior and as a college basketball player, he’s a career 34.7 percent shooter from beyond the arc with 2.1 3-point field goals per game.

The Wolverines could definitely use a scoring guard like that to run the point. Some think David DeJulius could be that guy, but depth is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to having a ball-handling guard that can shoot the basketball.

The biggest takeaway is that while many fans might be worried about roster size, Howard isn’t. Either because Isaiah Livers is going pro or because there will be other departures. Either way, Howard is assembling the most talented roster and he can and I’m all for it.