Michigan Basketball: 3 Breakout candidates for 2020-21 season

Zeb Jackson

The waiver process can be long and arduous, unless, of course, you have Tom Mars as your attorney. Since he no longer works the waiver circuit, Chaundee Brown has a 50/50 shot at playing in 2020.

If Brown is eligible, he will undoubtedly become a mainstay with the offense and limit the minutes of the incoming freshman. If he’s not available, Zeb Jackson will have an increased role. Either way, watch for Zeb to have a breakout season. Here’s why.

Zeb Jackson is a combo-guard from Maumee, Ohio, and for his class, he’s ranked 87th overall, the No. 2 SG, and No. 9 in-state, per the 247 sports composite. 247 sports internally has Zeb at 104, 15, and 9, respectively.

Rivals has him at 91st nationally and 21st positionally, and ESPN ranks Zeb at 77th for the 2020 class, the 14th best shooting guard, and No. 1 out of Ohio.

What the rankings don’t tell you is the very serious flaw with the rankings themselves. These arbitrary evaluations might be developed over one or two games, and they may not be adjusted every year with additional tape.

Even if the scouting was done during his senior year and over at least a three-game span, there are always mistakes, and with Zeb, there seems to be an error. And even if there wasn’t an error, think about how much talent you must possess to breach the top 100 athletes. Franz couldn’t do what Jackson did, and yet he’s already being discussed as a candidate for conference player of the year.

People are sleeping on Zeb Jackson. They won’t be soon.