Michigan basketball fans have been waiting for news on Juke Harris. It might finally come this week, but it doesn't feel like this one will go the Wolverines way.
You can never say never when it comes to the transfer portal. Yet, a Tennessee insider predicted that Harris would commit to the Vols this week. The NBA draft looms large, too.
Even if Harris doesn't come, five-star Brandon McCoy officially signed with the Wolverines on Monday. That's just one reminder that there are plenty of in-house options for Dusty May.
A lot has happened since our last projection of the Michigan basketball starting lineup. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson declared for the NBA draft. Moustapha Thiam committed, and Juke Harris started trending to Tennessee.
With all that in mind, here's our updated projection of Michigan's 2026-27 starting lineup.
PG: Elliot Cadeau
There are still some things to sort out in terms of backup point guard. Trey McKenney will handle some of that. McCoy could, too.
Cadeau is going to have the ball most of the time. He might need to play a few more minutes this season, but it depends on how some of these freshman develop.
SG: Trey McKenney
McKenney is going to take a huge leap in production. I wouldn't be surprised if he was over 15 points per game next season. He averaged just under 10 as a freshman, while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range.
The 6-foot-4 guard is deadly in the mid-range. His 3-point shot should only get better, and his playmaking abilities should be more pronounced next season. Michigan's hope of repeating rest on McKenney becoming a superstar.
SF: Brandon McCoy
This will be an interesting battle, especially if the roster stays as is. McCoy is ranked 14th overall by 247 Sports in the 2026 class. He's known as an elite defender. It remains to be seen how effective he will be at scoring the ball. His jump shot is the X-factor.
But McCoy should be an impact defender right away, so whether he starts or not, he will be in the rotation. If he has a freshman year like McKenney, Michigan will be really good. Ricky Liburd (6-foot-4) could also factor. He looks to have improved during his redshirt freshman season.
Lincoln Cosby (6-8) is another top-50 freshman who could be a factor there, along with Quinn Costello, a 6-foot-10 freshman. We have seen Dusty play three big lineups before.
Either way, Michigan has quite a few options. If just a couple of those freshmen can emerge next season, the Wolverines will be just fine at the three. Oscar Goodman is a name to know, too.
PF: J.P. Estrella
Unless Morez Johnson returns after entering the NBA draft, Estrella seems like a strong bet to start. Costello, Goodman, and even Cosby could see some minutes at the four. The Wolverines also landed Jalen Reed from the transfer portal, adding two bigs from the SEC. Reed is 6-foot-10. He's likely the first big off the bench, if he can get healthy, and hold off guys like Costello.
C: Moustapha Thiam
Thiam and Trey McKenney are the two most important players on this roster, at least in terms of it meeting its potential.
Cadeau should be even better, which is scary for opponents. Thiam has top-10 potential, though. He showed it during the last nine games last season, averaging 17.9 points per game, while shooting 39 percent, grabbing seven boards and blocking two shots.
Michigan will be Thiam's third program. May has thrived with these kinds of players the past two seasons, and if Thiam can become a reliable stretch five, who can also dominate around the basket, on both ends of the floor, another trip to the Final Four could be on the table.
Estrella will probably be the backup center. That's where Reed could be valuable. In an ideal world, he or Costello would play the four while Estrella spells Thiam.
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