Michigan basketball interim head coach Mike Boynton has done a spectacular job of keeping the Wolverines roster together following Dusty May's departure of the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
That was a blow for the program. Michigan is trying to figure out how to navigate it. So far, Boynton has been named the interim head coach. There is no timetable for that. Warde Manuel also hasn't announced who will coach the team for the 2026-27 season.
Boynton is pushing to have the interim tag removed. So far, he's done a great job keeping Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, and Moustapha Thiam, the Cincinnati transfer, who is 7-foot-2, and also maybe a future lottery pick.
Those were the three most important pieces to keep. Now, the Wolverines need to retain three other critical pieces moving forward, especially for the 2026-27 season.
J.P. Estrella
As we noted on Wednesday, all eyes are on the Tennessee transfer now. The 6-foot-11 big man committed to Michigan basketball because of Dusty May.
You could say the same about Thiam. Michigan was able to retain him. Estrella averaged 10 points and 5.4 rebounds last season for Tennessee, shooting 59 percent from the field, while pulling down 2.8 offensive rebounds per game. That was in just 18.3 minutes per game.
The former SEC big man converted 60.4 percent of his 2-point attempts last season, shot 63 percent from the free-throw line, and is a legit back-to-the-basket scorer. Without his size, length, rebounding, and inside scoring, Michigan will have a tough time being a top contender in the Big Ten.
Boynton has to retain him. It's a must.
Brandon McCoy
The five-star signee has been projected by some mock drafts as a first-round pick in 2027, even ahead of Trey McKenney.
That's how good Brandon McCoy is. The 6-foot-5 guard will probably play some 2/3 for the Wolverines. He's also capable of handing the ball as the point guard. The 3-point shot needs some work. McCoy needs to be a more consistent shooter, but he's a three-level scorer and probably the best perimeter defender in the 2026 class.
Some have compared him to former Michigan basketball player Charles Matthews. McCoy has more upside offensively, but that's the kind of impact defender the Wolverines are getting.
There have been positive rumblings about McCoy returning, but there also hasn't been an announcement that he will be coming back. He is expected to start as a true freshman.
Quinn Costello
Another player Mike Boynton must retain is Quinn Costello. McCoy is ranked 10th overall in the 247 Sports composite rankings for the 2026 class; Costello is 32nd. The McDonald's All-American, just like McCoy, was just outside five-star range.
The 6-foot-10 stretch four is one of the best 3-point shooters in the class. One of the best shooters, period. Michigan is going to need that scoring. Former LSU big man Jalen Reed is another name to know in the rotation; however, he's recovering from a season-ending injury.
Costello should see plenty of minutes off the bench, sort of like McKenney did last season. McCoy is expected to start. Costello could play some three and four, depending on what he can guard, but his ability to space the floor should be a real problem for defenses, assuming he is wearing the Maize and Blue next season.
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