Michigan Basketball: Updated starting lineup projection for Wolverines

Starting two guard: Chaundee Brown

The biggest question when it comes to Brown is whether or not he will be able to play right away next season? Brown did enter the transfer portal before previous Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning was fired, but it was well known that Manning was on his way out.

There was some talk that Brown may be able to get enough credits to graduate, but if not, he could apply for a waiver and even though it’s not guaranteed, he has a much better case than Eastern and is more likely to be eligible.

If Brown is eligible, he will absolutely be in the starting lineup. As good as Mike Smith might be, he’s not Brown and that’s essentially what the choice comes down to. Brooks is starting at the one or the two, that much I’m sure of. So the only guard spot comes down to Brown, a proven 70-game starter in the ACC or Smith, a talented scorer from the IVY league.

Unlike Smith, Brown is a 6-foot-5. He can defend, shoot the ball, and scored over 11 a game in each of the last two seasons. He’s not Josh Christopher, but Michigan basketball will look for him to take over the two spot and he will with ease.

Brown’s presence will also allow Franz Wagner to avoid minutes at the two. He will still likely play there some, but without the addition of Brown, he would have needed more minutes there than is ideal due to defensive issues guarding quicker players. I’d also expect to see Zeb Jackson in the backcourt rotation with Brown, Brooks and Smith.