5 Takeaways on Michigan Basketball’s top-ranked recruiting class
A perfect blend of talent and need
If you crafted an ideal 2021 recruiting class for Michigan basketball, it would look a lot like the group the Wolverines officially announced Friday when Isaiah Barnes became the last to sign.
Five-star prospects Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan signed on Wednesday, as did Kobe Bufkin, Frankie Collins and Will Tschetter. That completed a really stellar cycle for the Wolverines who filled needs in the backcourt, the wings and in the frontcourt.
Collins is a really exciting edition as a point guard and as the No. 59 player in the 247 composite rankings, he’s still the third-best player in this class. He’s dynamic off the dribble and will excel in Howard’s offense that relies heavily on ball screens.
While Collins is a match made in heaven for Howard, Bufkin was another really good get and he’s the fourth-ranked player in the class at 65th overall.
That ranking could rise and he could be the ideal two guard down the road. He has the ability to handle the ball and create for others, but he can shoot the heck out of it too.
And then in Houstan, you are getting quite possibly the best shooter in this class and someone who can slide right into Isaiah Livers old spot, as well as Diabate, who has freakish ability and could really excel under Howard’s tutelage.
Howard needed shooting too and he is getting that in Tschetter, a big man with a very good shot and Barnes is another prospect with oodles of potential and the ability to play multiple positions. His 3-point shot is also better than most people realize.
The best part about this class is that is has legit NBA talent. Houstan and Diabate will likely be gone after a year or two and they may not be alone, but Collins, Bufkin, Tschetter and Barnes all have the look of multi-year Big Ten contributors, which is what you need to build a championship program year in and year out.
But you need the elite talent too and just like the team in East Lansing, Howard is getting it.