The Michigan Wolverines had a season for the ages in 2025-26, winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, winning a program-record 37 games, and winning their first national championship since 1989. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. have respective decisions to make regarding their future, but regardless of what they do, Dusty May and the Wolverines sit in a great spot to make some noise next season as well.
Over the past week, national media outlets have published their way-too-early rankings
for next season, and they are very high on the Wolverines heading into the offseason. Here is where Michigan sits in some of the way-too-early college basketball rankings for 2026-27:
Gary Parrish, CBS Sports: No. 1
What they said: “This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr. and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.”
Editor’s note: Parrish is clearly unaware that Cason will miss all of next season as he recovers from his torn ACL, while Johnson may not come back.
Jeff Borzello, ESPN: No. 1
What they said: “The reigning national champions have a legitimate chance to go back-to-back depending on the NBA draft decisions of frontcourt stalwarts Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. Entering the NCAA tournament, both players were projected in the late first round. After high-level performances in the tournament, though, both could justifiably leave. Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney are expected to return, though, while incoming five-star recruit Brandon McCoy should join them on the perimeter.“
Projected starting lineup
Elliot Cadeau (10.1 PPG)
Brandon McCoy (No. 18 in SC Next 100)
Trey McKenney (9.5 PPG)
Morez Johnson Jr. (13.4 PPG)
Aday Mara (12.0 PPG)
Jason Owens, Yahoo Sports: No. 1
What they said: “All things are coming up Michigan. Yaxel Lendeborg is gone and Morez Johnson Jr. could follow him to the NBA Draft. But the Wolverines have the potential to return several rotation players, including starting point guard and NCAA tournament MOP Elliot Cadeau, who projects as the senior leader on next season’s team. Add in a top recruiting class featuring 5-star guard Brandon McCoy and Dusty May’s track record of portal success, and Michigan could be in prime position to compete for another title.”
James Fletcher III, On3: No. 1
What they said: “Michigan looks likely to stay near the top of college basketball next season, with key pieces currently projected to return at guard and center. There is plenty to fill out in the rotation, but a strong recruiting class has given them a platform to build in the transfer portal.”
Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated: No. 1
What they said: “Michigan’s program is in amazing shape as long as Dusty May stays the head coach in Ann Arbor. It will be a tall order for the Wolverines to keep potential first-rounders Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, but even keeping one would make the Wolverines a serious title threat on paper. Even if not, the Wolverines can then allocate resources accordingly around a pair of backcourt stars in Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney along with elite freshman guard Brandon McCoy. The proof of concept of turning Danny Wolf and now Mara and Johnson into NBA prospects out of the portal should help make Michigan an extremely attractive sell to this year’s class of transfers.”
CJ Moore, The Athletic: No. 2
What they said: “The Wolverines’ ability to repeat could depend on what happens with Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. Both could leave for the NBA. If one of the two returns — and I’m betting on Mara — then the Wolverines will be a title favorite again, especially if coach Dusty May can find another elite big in the portal.
“Brandon McCoy Jr. has slid in recruiting rankings over the last year but at one point he was considered one of the best talents in this class. If May can get that out of him, it raises Michigan’s ceiling. But a backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney gives this team a pretty high floor, assuming a solid frontcourt comes together.”
Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg, USA Today: No. 3
What they said: “The Wolverines will lose Yaxel Lendeborg and should also see forward Morez Johnson Jr. and center Aday Mara enter the NBA draft. The focus of the team’s production will shift to a backcourt built around Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. Michigan coach Dusty May has signed an elite recruiting class headlined by forwards Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby and will again hit the transfer portal aggressively.”
Casey Jacobson, Fox Sports: No. 3
What they said: “Assuming that either Aday Mara or Morez Johnson Jr. return, I think Michigan is a top-3 team. If both head to the NBA, then incoming five-star Brandon McCoy must deliver immediately. The backcourt of Elliot Cadeau, L.J. Cason, and Trey McKinney will be excellent.”
Where would you rank the Wolverines heading into the offseason? Let me know down in the comments below!
