Michigan Basketball: Way-too-early 2021 depth chart prediction

Starter: Zeb Jackson

Backups: Adrien Nunez, Kobe Bufkin

Zeb Jackson will receive significant minutes as a freshman; he might even earn a starting role. It won’t be until his sophomore year, however, until he breaks out as a legitimate star for Michigan.

Ranked within the top 100 for the 2020 class, per the 247 sports composite, Zeb has a smooth shot, and he’s deadly accurate from anywhere on the court, and he’s a mismatch as a lefty. Here’s his 247 sports scouting report:

"“Has a combo guard game at 6-2. Has room for strength gain. Solid athlete with good body control. A lefty who loves to pull up going right. Good shooter. Can get into the lane and make plays. Adequate on the boards and on defense.”"

Next on the board is Adrien Nunez, who has had ample opportunity to earn a spot on the starting five. Nunez was heralded as a sharpshooter, it just hasn’t materialized at the college level. If Adrien can improve significantly next year, he might be able to hold off Zeb Jackson as the lead man. Most likely, however, Zeb is put in charge, and Nunez slips to second or third.

Bufkin is an intriguing option here as a guy that could really help out Michigan basketball immediately. As noted earlier, Kobe was projected by Evans as a Wolverine, and late last night, another prediction came in from Rivals Zach Berry, who also believes Bufkin will go blue.

There are some other options here as well that are possibilities, but as it stands, this is the most likely combination. Should the Wolverines land five-star Trevor Keels, a former teammate of two of Michigan’s 2020 commits, he will be the starter.