Dusty May's departure could have blown up a roster that is built to repeat. Fortunately, Michigan basketball was ready for the transition. The projected starting five is back and is shaping up into an even better rotation than last season's championship one. This group looks more like a superteam than it did when it began its championship journey a year ago.
Analyzing the lineup
For starters, Michigan basketball had the best frontcourt in the nation with three first-round picks. Next season, the Wolverines will feature two guys in the backcourt who are on the same path to the NBA. Elliot Cadeau is a year better and can easily be one of the best point guards in the country, while Trey McKenney is an upgrade to Nimari Burnett in the starting lineup. Together, they make up a very stout backcourt.
Moustapha Thiam is more prepared to contribute than Aday Mara was when he transferred to Michigan. JP Estrella comes in averaging more points at Tennessee than Morez Johnson Jr. did at Illinois. There should be no drop-off in production from either two and both should be more developed to impact games more consistently. They could blossom into lottery picks for 2027.
Then there's the x-factor, Brandon McCoy Jr. He's not a known product like Yaxel Lendeborg was, nor does he possess his height, but he may be better in the long run and was measured to have a seven foot wingspan. Unless someone with more experience comes along in the portal, McCoy will be penciled in to start on day one. And he doesn't have to be the go-to-guy like Lendeborg was either.
With Roddy Gayle and Will Tschetter gone, LJ Cason becomes the sixth man when healthy and assuming he returns too. Jalen Reed assumes the Tschetter role and Michigan boasts more depth with guys like Oscar Goodman and Quinn Costello, who has been getting rave reviews for his workout videos.
Sophomore Ricky Liburd is being hyped up as a guy who can break out. Lincoln Cosby would have definitely made an impact. He is in line to start in 2028 if he sticks around. Put it all together, and this version of the lineup has more depth, is more experienced, but misses its coach. Mike Boynton has everything he needs to earn the permanent job, but he's not Dusty May. He's got no excuses to win a ton and a realistic chance to repeat if he follows May's footprints.
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