Michigan Basketball projected as No. 5 seed in 2021 bracket projection

We are months away from the start of the Michigan basketball season but here’s an NCAA tournament projection.

Few college hoops experts are as well respected as Andy Katz. So when he put together his bracket projection for the 2021 NCAA tournament, it’ was worth giving it a look.

Katz seems to be higher on Michigan basketball this season than some others and in his first projection, he has the Wolverines as a No. 5 seed.

For the most part, I have absolutely no issue with that. I do believe Michigan basketball has a bit more upside, especially depending on the Chaundee Brown waiver, which has been submitted.

Even without Brown, Michigan will return two of the top performers in the Big Ten in sophomore Franz Wagner and also senior Isaiah Livers.

Both players have NBA potential, particularly Wagner who is viewed as having more upside but both are capable of being the Big Ten Player of the Year or at least contending for it.

Beyond that, you really have to like the Wolverines rotation. If Brown is eligible this season, Juwan Howard will have a bunch of different lineup options available.

Last season was up and down in Howard’s first year, but many of the struggles came while Livers was battling injury. As one of the Big Ten’s best 3-point shooters, he teams with Wagner to form arguably the best wing duo in the conference.

Transfer Mike Smith should also make an immediate impact and will give Michigan a legit shooting threat on ball screens. And Eli Brooks is a upper-level defender who should excel as a combo guard this season.

On top of the veterans highlighting the roster, Michigan brings in a very good recruiting class and one of the highest rated freshman in the Big Ten in Hunter Dickinson, not to mention point guard Zeb Jackson.

Austin Davis and Brandon Johns also add depth inside. Johns also turned into a reliable 3-point shooter last season, which could, at times, make him a very real stretch five.

Yet, its clear from his projection that Katz is high on the Big Ten. Illinois got a No. 1 seed, while Iowa and Wisconsin were projected as No. 2’s.  Michigan State was given as three seed.

Rutgers was also given a four seed; Indiana joined Michigan as a five. Purdue also made the projected field.