March 24th is the first day that programs can legally reach out to transfers who are entering the portal by record numbers. While the Wolverines are currently enjoying their fruits of their labor, the cycle never stops and they must reload for next season. There could be a handful of roster spots available depending upon who else transfers out or goes pro. Below are three names that have been tied to Michigan basketball so far in the early stages of the process.
1. Owen Freeman Iowa
The Iowa big man had his season cut short due to a finger injury, but he was thriving in Fran McCaffrey's offense. The soon to be junior notched double figures in every game he has played in his sophomore campaign. Multiple Big Ten schools are vying for his services. On3sports reported that he has a "do not contact" tag next to his name however.
With Vlad Goldin out of eligibility and Danny Wolf on the cusp of the NBA, Dusty May needs to find a replacement. He didn't sign a recruit at the position, so this is the most logical way to go. There are reports, by small, unverified accounts that Freeman will visit Michigan, but until a reliable source confirms it, nothing is official yet.
Freeman is listed in the top five of the transfer rankings in the early portions of things on 247sports and on3sports.
2. Jalen Jackson-Purdue Fort Wayne
Michigan basketball has already reached out to the guard, who should have a grad year of eligibility remaining. The Mastodon dominated the Horizon league. He scored in double digits in every game besides one. He almost had a career-high when he lost to Michigan in December. For his efforts, he recorded half of the team's points that night.
A backcourt of Jackson and L.J. Cason would be a formidable pairing, with or without Tre Donaldson. Jackson should expect to start in my opinion, so if he's truly interested in Michigan, he'll follow what Donaldson does in the offseason.
Jackson forged Purdue Fort Wayne to a CIT tournament championship game in March of 2024. Just by researching him on twitter, the tragic reminder of the "trouble with the snap" play and Jalen Watts-Jackson begins to circulate.
3. Treysen Eaglestaff-North Dakota
A boatload of teams have been in touch with Eaglestaff, including the Wolverines. He showed up on everyone's radar when he dropped 40 on Alabama. He backed it up with 51 against South Dakota State later in the year.
With a commitment from him and the paring with Trey McKenney, Michigan basketball would be a resounding favorite in the Big Ten to reach even further limits next year at this time. The NIL numbers could get out of control for his services though.