It was clear that Michigan basketball was looking for more playmaking, and they certainly got it with the addition of Elliot Cadeau from the transfer portal.
North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau has committed to Michigan, per his IG page.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 31, 2025
Cadeau is a former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American. He averaged 9.4 points per game last season in addition to 6.2 assists. He also shot 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from 3-point range after starting 68 games the past two seasons for the Tar Heels.
It's an interesting pickup for the Wolverines and here are three thoughts.
Addressing the need for playmaking
It was clear that Dusty May wanted to add some playmaking to the Michigan basketball roster. The Wolverines didn't have enough last season and are likely going to lose Danny Wolf, their second-leading assist guy last season, to the NBA.
Cadeau averaged 6.2 assists. He had 12 in the Tar Heels' play-in round win over San Diego State. Beyond his ability to create shots, he improved as a 3-point shooter last season, can get to the rim, and can score in ball-screen actions and isolations.
Dusty May prefers a more guard-heavy lineup. He wants players who can create, knock down 3-pointers, and get to the paint. Cadeau can do all that. He needs to be more efficient shooting the ball though. That's one weakness, but the dynamic playmaking ability is hard to overlook.
What does it mean for Tre Donaldson?
I don't know that it means anything. May has a history of playing more than one point guard and I see no reason why Cadeau and Donaldson couldn't play together.
Maybe this is a sign that someone in the backcourt is leaving. Maybe Nimari Burnett isn't coming back, or maybe another player will hit the portal.
You just never know. However, a guy who started 68 games for the Tar Heels probably isn't going to come off the bench. Based on the current roster, a lineup of Donaldson, Cadeau, and Roddy Gayle would make sense, but that depends on who else is added.
We'll see if this causes more dominoes to fall, such as Donaldson or another guard leaving, but there's reason to believe the point guards could share the court, although L.J. Cason will be expecting more minutes next season, too.
I like the addition though and we'll see how it all shakes out. The guard play wasn't quite good enough in the NCAA tournament though and this move could address that.
Betting on the future
Cadeau didn't necessarily live up to expectations after signing as a five-star recruit coming out of high school. The 6-foot-2 guard turns the ball over too much, needs to be more efficient, and had a 107.9 defensive rating last season.
Cadeau turned it over 3.4 times per game last season but also had five games with double-digit assists. He'll need to reduce the turnovers, but you can see the upside.
This is the kind of player Michigan could have used on Friday night. It doesn't always look great but you hope with experience and a new coaching staff, his best days are ahead of him.