Michigan Wolverines assistant coach and general manager Kyle Church discussed a bevy of notable topics on the latest episode of the Defend the Block podcast. From winning the national championship to turning the page to the transfer portal, Church reflected on Michigan’s recent additions to the roster and what he expects the team to look like next season.
First off, Church looked back on the Wolverines winning the national championship for the second time ever.
“It’s just such an incredible accomplishment.
It’s so, so difficult,” Church said. “It can’t be undersold how many great teams have unbelievable years but don’t win the whole thing. So to be able to put a bow on what was a historic, incredible year was just so special, and to know these guys are going to go down in the history of the University of Michigan athletics.”
The Wolverines claimed the program’s first national championship in nearly four decades just over a month ago, but the coaching staff didn’t have much time to celebrate because the transfer portal officially opened moments after raising the trophy. Church emphasized the importance of the portal and how it led to winning the national championship.
“There’s so many different factors that go into these portal windows — ‘Chaotic’ is definitely a good word to describe it,” Church said. “All the admiration and respect that you have of those players was unbelievable, but we had to quickly turn the page. We wouldn’t have accomplished that unless it was for the great and diligent work that we did the previous spring.”
Despite losing four starters in Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr. and Nimari Burnett, Michigan reloaded in the portal and is hoping to remain in national contention. The Wolverines have added three transfers so far in Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam, Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella and LSU forward Jalen Reed.
Church went on to discuss the acquisitions of Thiam and Estrella and what they bring to Michigan – detailing the transition from Mara to Thiam and drawing comparisons between the play styles of Estrella and Johnson.
“I thought Thiam was the best center in the portal,” Church said. “I don’t know exactly where he ranks but I didn’t see a name that was a true center like him, that had the talent, motor, character and upside. I could go on and on, but his size, mobility and physicality is going to stand out. He’s a different player than Aday, but I can’t think of a more seamless transition.
“We saw JP up close, got to scout him live and watched a ton of film. His size and mobility jumped out. There’s a lot of similarities to Morez. He’s a really good player, is tough and has a motor. He’s going to be a good jump shooter, just like we saw Morez develop into. We were fired up about it because he’s going to be a big piece in the front court.”
In addition to bringing in a highly rated recruiting class, Michigan is also bringing back backcourt tandem Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. Church believes they could be the best backcourt in the country next season.
“I think they have become the faces of this program, especially during this transition and what they did in Indianapolis,” Church said. “There was no question we wanted those guys back. As soon as they reciprocated the interest, it was very seamless. We knew we could build a roster around what I think is going to be one of the best backcourts in the country next year.”
Just days before the portal got started, Michigan received a commitment from five-star guard Brandon McCoy Jr. McCoy is one of the top freshmen in the nation and will be an instant contributor, according to Church.
“Brandon McCoy is a high school player, but he almost feels like a portal addition,” Church said. “Given his talent and ability to impact right away, but also the timing of his commitment felt like a bonus. He’s super long, rangy, athletic and exactly what a two-way guard should look like. He’s excited to be here. It was a heck of a boost before the portal even opened.”
Even though the team will look a lot differently next season, Church expressed a lot of confidence and excitement in the revamped roster, and he fully believes the Wolverines have what it takes to remain among the nation’s top programs.
“I think we have 14 really good players that we’re excited about. We have a very, very competitive roster,” Church said. “We still have a spot or two left, so if some things break our way, maybe we could be one of the best in the country. We’ll just see how it plays out but no matter who joins us or doesn’t join us, we’re really excited about the position that we’re in.”
