Michigan basketball hasn't made as many splashy moves as it did last offseason, but the defending national champions have still had a quality offseason.
The most important moves weren't additions; they were retentions. Michigan was able to retain Elliot Cadeau, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, along with former five-star Trey McKenney, who was dynamite in the NCAA Tournament after averaging just under 10 points per game for the season on 39 percent shooting from 3-point range.
The Wolverines had to replace their elite frontcourt. It's going to look different this season, because it will be hard to find another player like Yaxel Lendeborg. He was UAB's starting center. Last season for Michigan, he played the three and the four mostly, but at times, was essentially the backup point guard. He also guarded some point guards, too.
Guys like that don't grow on trees. They are rare. But, Michigan did a solid job replacing Morez Johnson with J.P. Estrella, a guy who is a strong low-post scorer, 6-foot-11, and dominant on the offensive glass.
Then, Dusty May added maybe the most high-upside addition of this portal cycle, in all of college basketball, with the commitment of Moustapha Thiam.
The 7-foot-2 center is a shot blocker, a dynamic scorer, and a guy who shot 39 percent from deep during his last nine games of the last season. He's just scratching the surface. Jalen Reed, a 6-foot-10 big man from LSU, is the X-factor. He could be a quality third big man who can shoot the ball from deep, as well as being an effective scorer in the post.
Reed only played in nine games last season, but averaged 10.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, two offensive rebounds, and shot 42 percent from 3-point range. It was a small sample size. However, it shows how effective Reed can be when healthy.
Michigan basketball fans have been hoping the Wolverines make another move. It's possible. There will be options after the NBA draft withdrawal deadline. Allen Graves is a name fans have been clamoring for, however, the Wolverines have repeatedly said they "feel good" about their roster.
What's the ceiling for Michigan basketball in 2026-27?
On top of three solid additions from the transfer portal, the Wolverines landed five-star guard Brandon McCoy. He can play 1-3, and Kyle Church, the Michigan basketball general manager, said he was almost like landing another player from the portal. He should start and be effective right away.
Michigan also has McDonald's All-American, Quinn Costello, coming in. The 6-foot-10 recruit should be able to contribute, maybe even at the three with his dynamic shooting ability. He's been described as a "unicorn."
Putting all those pieces together, along with guys like Oscar Goodman and Ricky Liburd, who are also set to contribute more, this roster is Final-Four good.
That might be the ceiling for now, but if Thiam becomes a star, and Trey McKenney does, too, like Big Ten Player of the Year caliber, which they both have in them, and Cadeau makes another jump, and McCoy is ready from day one, this roster still has national championship upside.
Especially with Dusty May as the head coach.
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