Michigan Basketball has work to do after Caleb Houstan departure

Michigan basketball has work to do after Caleb Houstan announced he will keep his name in the NBA draft along with Moussa Diabate. 

After over a month of waiting, we finally have our answer when it comes to Moussa Diabate and Caleb Houstan. Both former five-star freshmen won’t return to Michigan basketball and will keep their names in the 2022 NBA draft.

It’s not shocking. Many fans hoped that Houstan would return and he would have been a dynamic player as a sophomore. Even as a freshman, he shot 39 percent from 3-point range and averaged more than 10 points per game.

Houstan also hit multiple 3-pointers in more than half of his games last season so fans shouldn’t be shocked that the 6-foot-9 forward is getting NBA interest.

The question now is what’s next for Michigan basketball?

Michigan is going to have to look to the transfer portal to fill some needs and there are a few good options available. 

But the Wolverines are limited in their choices. Michigan essentially needs a player that has already graduated and is in the transfer portal or a freshman.

Emoni Bates is one name that comes to mind and it will be interesting to see if Michigan basketball shows interest now that Houstan and Diabate are officially out the door.

Joey Baker and Jacob Grandison are other names that make a lot of sense. Pete Nance Jr. is the flashy name everyone wants but I don’t see that happening.

Michigan doesn’t necessarily need flash. If Bates can keep his head on straight, he would be an intriguing option. However, it’s clear that the Wolverines need more 3-point shooting and also some guys who can score the ball.

The one thing Michigan can’t do is stand pat. With Dickinson back in the fold, this team should be thinking about winning the Big Ten championship and making another deep run in the NCAA tournament.

There are still nine top-100 recruits on the roster and four former top-50 prospects too. One of them is Dickinson, who should be an All-American next year, and if Juwan Howard can get the rest to realize their potential, Michigan should be just fine.

But it has to make at least one addition in the transfer portal and Emoni Bates might be worth the risk as the most talented player U-M can realistically get.

Regardless, the next few weeks should be very interesting.