Michigan basketball: Depth chart update without Nojel Eastern

Nojel Eastern will not be joining Michigan basketball due to an academic issue. Therefore, the depth chart must be updated.

The Michigan basketball community received some sad news when Purdue transfer Nojel Eastern announced that he was no longer going to be a Wolverine due to a credit transfer issue.

“I want to start off by thanking Coach (Juwan) Howard for the opportunity he would have given me by attending the University of Michigan. I was extremely excited and grateful for him taking a chance on me,” Eastern tweeted. “But, I was not admitted to the university because of many credits that weren’t transferable because of my major. That is the only reason why I was not accepted. I want to thank Michigan and the entire staff and organization for trying to do everything in there (sic) power to get me into the University of Michigan.”

Shortly thereafter, legendary coach and broadcaster Dick Vitale attacked the Michigan basketball staff for talking about Nojel before he was formally accepted into the school.

"This is embarrassing as someone messed up . The ⁦@umichbball⁩ staff should have had his academic record evaluated before making announcement on Nojel Eastern"

In his Tweet, Dick alleges the basketball staff announced the transfer, and in reality, which apparently eludes Dick, Howard was asked questions about the transfer, and he answered them. They never said it was a done deal.

And then when he gets called out for his ignorance, Dick doubles down.

"This tweet is for all the ⁦@umichbball⁩ lovers saying they never announced Nojel Eastern was coming .There r several articles quoting Coach Howard about Eastern .My claim is that there should be ZERO said until school knows the player is accepted ."

Translation: Back in the 60’s we did things differently, and the world shouldn’t change, it should conform to the old style of basketball.

I guess we should all follow the arbitrarily constructed rules that only exist within the sound mind of Dick Vitale. In that case, there will not be an update on the depth chart until I’m certain projecting starters for 2020-21 don’t violate some sort of asinine rule that isn’t written.

I guess, under the oppressive rule of lord Vitale, here’s the starting five for 2020-21 without the guy who I can’t name because he wasn’t formally accepted and is now no longer intent on attending and there’s another guy that might be a starter, but I guess I should withold his name from consideration until he clears the very convoluted admissions process.

Just kidding, here’s the starting five with Nojel Eastern out and Chaundee Brown expected to clear the waiver process and admissions.

Point guard

Who among the candidates will become the next floor general?

Starter: Mike Smith

Backups: Zeb Jackson, Eli Brooks

Mike Smith is the obvious choice here as a grad transfer from Columbia with vast experience at the helm of the offense in college. He is a mad man on O and a more than capable defender. Very few point guards around the league can keep up with him, and he’s never backed down, no matter the competition. Smith may try to transform into an assist specialist, but it’s unlikely as he will never forget his scoring ways.

Next up is freshman Zeb Jackson, who is also a scoring specialist from all three levels. Zeb switched between SG and PG and could play either at the next level, but he’s needed at the point for depth and will be utilized more and more as the season goes on.

There’s also Eli Brooks, who drops to third in line if he’s the starter at SG. If not, Eli sits behind Smith in succession. Eli is excellent from outside the arc and efficient driving and pulling up, but he can sometimes lose the handle costing turnovers.

Don’t forget about transfer Brandon Wade. He didn’t showcase his range at Duquesne, but if he progresses and can hone in his ball-handling and shooting skills, he could become an asset with time. Don’t count him out just yet.

Shooting guard

Juwan’s men begin to take over.

Starter: Chaundee Brown

Backups: Eli Brooks, Adrien Nunez

Chaundee Brown is a professional, and if his waiver is approved (which he has a strong case for considering his head coach at Wake Forrest was fired), Chaundee will only need part of a season to make his way onto NBA draft boards. If not, look for Brown to blow up as Michigan basketball’s leading scorer on the 2021-22 squad.

If Brown doesn’t clear, Brooks will step into the position, and he could lead the team in scoring for the 2020-21 season. In 2019, Eli averaged a little over ten points-per-game, and if he can bump that up to the 15+ range, he could hear his name called next June.

Finally, there’s Adrien Nunez, one of the most frustrating characters on the team. Adrien has the talent and the outside shooting ability to become a major contributor with an Isaiah Livers type playstyle, however, he just can’t put it all together. Nunez was given so many opportunities to demonstrate he belongs on the court, but it seems he’s much better in practice than during game time. Maybe another year will be enough for Nunez to shine.

If not, there really isn’t much depth here, and there’s a possibility that Franz Wagner could move into the two if a couple of freshmen are ready for the three.

Small Forward

Franz Wagner was already relied upon heavily that will only increase in the fall.

Starter: Franz Wagner

Backups: Terrance Williams, Jace Howard

Franz went from outside of the top 100 to one of the best freshmen in the 2020 class, and if the season would have gone on as planned, he may have taken off for a massive payday. Unfortunately for him, that didn’t happen, and he’s back to take over the offense and put his lockdown defensive skills to work in the Big Ten again.

There’s always the possibility that without much depth at the two, Wagner might get moved over. He certainly has the aptitude for it. If that happens, Terrance Williams becomes the next man up.

In high school, Williams seemed to fluctuate between small forward and power forward. He’s a bruiser down low with a smooth shot from deep. He’s best described as a tweener, like Zeb Jackson, you can’t lock him into a position, and that’s one of the reasons why Howard recruited him, to fit perfectly in his positionless system.

And then there’s Jace Howard, who wasn’t ranked prior to his scholarship offer from his dad. Jace ended up a three-star, and if not for injuries, he may have been promoted to four.

Power forward

If he doesn’t come back, this depth chart looks completely different.

Starter: Isaiah Livers

Backups: Brandon Johns Jr, Terrance Williams

Isaiah Livers went from the sixth man to undeniable NBA prospect to who wants a guy that can’t create his own shot in the eyes of a loud minority of the fanbase. Isaiah was most reliable from beyond the arc and much less reliable in one-and-one situations. Will that hold Livers back enough to convince him to stick around? With the NBA draft date and combine in the air, it’s only a matter of time before we find out, but according to many, Livers won’t get drafted and that, in his words, is enough for him to stick it out in Ann Arbor one last time.

If not, Brandon Johns Jr is a suitable replacement and potentially an upgrade if he can eliminate the off days and shake off the nerves. Bradon Wade’s dad, who coached against Johns for a long time, believes Johns is a future pro.

“I have coached against B (Brandon) Johns since 5th grade,” coach Keith Wade told me, “have him stop looking over his shoulder and just play, he’s a pro.”

As the undersized contender for the position, Williams comes highly recommended from many sources, including his high school coach.

“He’s not afraid to bang in the paint but his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting is what makes him special,” Steve Turner said.

Williams hit around 37% from beyond the arc as a senior and can step into the game as an SF or PF, depending on the opposition.

Center

He didn’t leave; he’s finishing out his career as a Wolverine. Is that a sign?

Starter: Austin Davis

Backup: Hunter Dickinson

Austin Davis might, and that’s a big might, start at center for the 2020-21 Michigan Wolverines basketball team. It will be largely dependant on Hunter Dickinson. Considering the fact that Davis required offseason shoulder surgery for an injury that required him to wear a sleeve during 2019, and yet he was still a dependable backup, should be enough evidence that he’s ready to step up in his final crusade.

If Dickinson lives up to the hype, it’s highly likely he still splits time with Davis until later on in the season when the game slows down for the incoming freshman. Regardless of talent, Dickinson is a massive body at 7-foot-2, and even if he regresses from his high school days, he can at least stand under the basket and rebound.

The most fitting scenario here is Hunter slowly but surely progresses as Michigan’s next award-winning big man. After a few games of Big Country, Dickinson emerges as the starter.

Matt’s Musings

Day after day, NCAA basketball players remove their name from consideration for the draft, and it’s never Michigan’s 2019 leading scorer and three-point specialist, Isaiah Livers.

That doesn’t mean he’s not coming back; it just means he’s taking his time with his decision.

Without him, there is very little depth which doesn’t bode well when considering the postseason and the occasional undisciplined showing with several players fouling out.