The Michigan Wolverines are looking to stay in contention this season after winning the national title last year. There’s no doubt the starting lineup is good enough to compete at the highest level, but the depth could be a concern.
According to head coach Mike Boynton Jr., Michigan is expected to start All-Big Ten preseason backcourt Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney, returning wing Roddy Gayle Jr., and incoming transfer front court members J.P. Estrella and Moustapha Thiam.
Not many opponents will
have a starting rotation that’s significantly better than what the Wolverines put on the floor. From one of the nation’s best backcourts to a veteran two-way wing and a versatile frontcourt, the starting lineup is elite.
However, the pieces on the bench will need to improve in order for the Wolverines to reach their potential. Even though there is more than enough talent on the bench, most of Michigan’s reserves are still unproven at this level.
The Wolverines will lean on several bench players to play consistent minutes, including a pair of transfers in point guard Kenny Noland and forward Jalen Reed, freshman forward Quinn Costello, and two returners in wing Ricky Liburd and forward Oscar Goodman.
“We’re probably not as deep at this point as we were last year,” Boynton told the media on Thursday. “We have a solid core though and we can play nine players comfortably. When Jalen is fully healthy and able to play full time, then we’ll get to 10 players deep.”
Reed displayed potential in his time at LSU, averaging 10.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over the last two years. But he’s still recovering from a season-ending injury, so it’s unclear how much of an impact he’ll make at Michigan.
“Jalen is a little bit of an unknown. I don’t want to say that he’ll be better than people think, but he’s been good,” Boynton said. “He may surprise some people in terms of what he’s going to be able to do coming off an injury.”
Noland was one of the Ivy League’s top players last year, posting a career-high 17.1 points and 3.7 assists per game. The Columbia transfer adds experience and playmaking, but you never know if his production will translate to the Big Ten.
“He brings a tremendous amount of stability,” Boynton said. “Kenny has shown an ability to score and can make shots. His IQ, toughness, intelligence and desire to win and want to compete in the NCAA Tournament was very attractive to us.”
Costello was by far the most productive bench player in the preseason, scoring 10.7 points and shooting 8-for-19 from three-point range in three exhibition games. The former four-star recruit will look to keep that momentum going into his first year.
“I think that I just have to keep staying level headed. I don’t want to get too high or too low,” Costello said. “I have to trust in my work and do the things that I’ve been doing to keep performing well. I have to keep that mindset.”
Meanwhile, Liburd and Goodman are returners but weren’t contributors a year, ago so they’ll be stepping into much bigger roles this season. It will be key for both to consistently bring ball movement, energy and physicality off the bench.
“Both of those guys, in different ways, have an ability to be great connectors for us,” Boynton said. “They have a lot of knowledge of how we want to play. They both have versatile offensive games because they can drive and are good passers.”
Lastly, three freshmen in Malachi Brown, Joseph Hartman and Marcus Moller are hoping to carve out roles this year as well. Hartman appears to be the most likely to crack the rotation, but he will be out for multiple weeks with a shoulder injury to start the year.
The Wolverines certainly have no shortage of quality options off the bench, whether it be experienced transfers, familiar returners or high-upside freshmen. So we’ll see how the rotation materializes and who develops a key contributor.
Not only did Michigan have a great starting lineup last season, but its depth was pivotal to winning the national title. Now, the Wolverines will need several reserves to step up and excel in expanded roles to remain a championship contender.
