Michigan Basketball: Eli Brooks return is huge for the Wolverines

While other teams have been adding players through the transfer portal, Michigan basketball has been waiting on one guy in particular to make a decision — Eli Brooks.

Now, he’s made it and Brooks has decided to run it back with the Wolverines for a fifth year. Michigan announced it Wednesday in a release, meaning Brooks will take advantage of the chance to play an extra year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brooks was the Wolverines fourth-leading scorer this past season but his role on the team was much bigger than that.

His defense was critical to Michigan being one of the top defensive teams in the country, as well as the Big Ten. He often guarded the other team’s best perimeter player, while also playing an important role offensively as the off-ball guard.

https://twitter.com/umichbball/status/1382433850261929987

Brooks found his confidence shooting the ball over the past two seasons and last year, he shot 39.6 percent from 3-point range. He was also second on the team in steals (1.1) and assists (3.1).

What Eli Brooks return means for Michigan

What it means, in short, is that Juwan Howard will have an easier time transitioning to a younger point guard which is likely to happen next season.

Brooks played some point guard during the 2020-21 season, mostly when Mike Smith was out of the game and that will probably be his role again next season.

https://twitter.com/JuwanHoward/status/1382445696578633729

The Wolverines have a trio of young guards that will need playing time and who have talent. Zeb Jackson is a combo guard who can shoot the ball from deep, while Kobe Bufkin and Frankie Collins are both ranked in the top 51 of the 247 sports composite rankings, meaning they are good enough to contribute right away.

To me, this means that Michigan basketball doesn’t need to add a point guard in the transfer portal. Howard should let Collins and Jackson battle it out for the job.

Brooks could even be the starting point guard, if, say, Bufkin excelled so much at the two that you just felt compelled to start him or maybe the same with Jackson.

It’s going to take some mixing and matching. The good news though is that the Wolverines won’t have to go into the NCAA Tournament without an experienced guard.

Brooks return can also potentially minimize any defensive dropoff. Michigan is bringing in some intriguing defenders such as five-star Moussa Diabate but is also losing Franz Wagner (most likely) and Chaundee Brown.

Having Eli at least ensures that U-M isn’t heading into next season having to replace its top three perimeter defenders.