Michigan Basketball: OSU center commitment is good for Wolverines

A recent commitment for Ohio State is actually good news for Michigan basketball as it pursues Tarris Reed Jr.

Recruiting sometimes comes down to space when coaches are trying to fill out their rosters and address needs. That is particularly the case in basketball where coaches only have 13 scholarships to play with compared to 85 in football.

For Ohio State, addressing their frontcourt was a big need in its 2022 class as the Buckeyes were often undersized last year. Yesterday, the Buckeyes picked up a commitment from four-star center Felix Okpara. While Michigan basketball fans usually hate to see good news for the Buckeyes, Okpara’s commitment is good news for Michigan.

While Ohio State landed Okpara, Tarris Reed is a prospect they badly wanted and maybe even lead for. Michigan has had its eyes on other center prospects like Donovan Clingan and Dereck Lively II among them.

With Clingan committed to Connecticut and Lively II likely headed to Kentucky, Michigan basketball has turned up the heat on Reed of late.

Reed will announce his college decision on August 5th and with Michigan in full control of his crystal ball (4 predictions), it looks likely that he will be a Wolverine.

Reed will be a big commitment on multiple fronts. Michigan will need frontcourt help after this season with the possibility that Hunter Dickinson and Moussa Diabete both head to the NBA.

Battling Rivals for Reed

Reed will also be a big recruiting win for Michigan basketball.

Along with Michigan Reed has Ohio State, Michigan State, and Purdue, Michigan’s hated rivals and another contender for conference supremacy. With the Buckeyes landing Okpara, it is reasonable to infer that Reed will not be heading to Columbus.

Reed is currently ranked as a four-star and the 71st overall prospect in the 2022 class. However, his ranking should be on the rise after he has been one of the best performers on the AAU circuit.

The big man has impressed on both ends of the floor, scoring on the block, controlling the glass, and playing strong defense.

It would not be a surprise if Reed at least moves into the top 50 of the next rankings update. Reed would be the second commitment in Michigan’s 2022 class joining four-star point guard Dug McDaniel.