Before the nets were even fully cut down in Indianapolis, as Michigan basketball won its second national championship in school history, the question quickly became: could the Wolverines do it again? After all, Dusty May put on a master class of taking players many hadn’t seen as being elite and turning them into not only top-of-the-line players, but excellent teammates, as well.
But with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., Nimari Burnett, and Will Tschetter (four of the five being starters) leaving the program, it will be a bit of an overhaul for the maize and blue. Even so, May continued to be aggressive both in the transfer portal as well as on the recruiting trail. Three transfers arrive in Ann Arbor this summer, as top-flight center Moustapha Thiam comes from Cincinnati, Jalen Reed from LSU, and JP Estrella from Tennessee. They join incoming freshmen such as five-star guard Brandon McCoy, power forward Quinn Costello, and emerging guard Joseph Hartman.
And that’s not even mentioning returning point guard Elliot Cadeau, former five-star guard Trey McKenney, and potential sixth man, forward Oscar Goodman, or unmentioned guard Ricky Liburd.
In an attempt to look forward, The Athletic came up with a too-early 2026-27 power ranking, and May’s new-look Michigan basketball team comes in at No. 5 overall.
5. Michigan
Starters: Elliot Cadeau, Brandon McCoy Jr. (No. 10 freshman, 6-5 PG), Trey McKenney, J.P. Estrella (No. 25 transfer, 6-11 C), Moustapha Thiam (No. 13 transfer, 7-2 C)Other notable returners: Oscar GoodmanNewcomers: Jalen Reed (unranked transfer, 6-10 PF), Quinn Costello (No. 45 freshman, 6-10 PF), Lincoln Cosby (No. 47 freshman, 6-8 SF), Joseph Hartman (No. 96 freshman, 6-6 SG), Malachi Brown (No. 147 freshman, 6-5 SF), Marcus Moller (international, 7-3 C)
Michigan is right on UConn’s heels for the title of best returning backcourt, and its three-man perimeter could end up better if Brandon McCoy Jr. thrives. A few years ago, McCoy was in the conversation with Tyran Stokes as the best player in the 2026 class. His stock seemed to cool in the last year, but he looked like a very good two-way player at the Nike Hoops Summit and he’s heading to play for a coach who seems to get the best out of his players.
The frontcourt is not nearly as talented as it was last year, but it could be a while before we see any college frontcourt that good again. I really liked the fit for JP Estrella, who I think will excel playing for Dusty May. I’ve never loved Moustapha Thiam’s shot diet, but he landed in an optimal spot. I don’t think he can be Aday Mara, but Mara Lite would work. May once again has a ton of size and depth, plus a point guard in Elliot Cadeau who should make everyone around him look better.
The assertion that the frontcourt isn’t as talented as last year certainly feels true on its face, but that was the same argument made coming out of 2024-25, when Michigan lost the dual centers who often shared the floor in Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin. There were no expectations that Mara and Johnson would be able to fill their shoes — but there was excitement surrounding Lendeborg.
Michigan can be ranked where it will be for now as it is, but May might not be done adding to the roster. With Johnson having decided to remain in the NBA draft, there is a chance that the Wolverines add another name via the transfer portal — someone like Cal Poly forward Hamad Mousa, who reportedly has interest in the maize and blue. What will be interesting to see is if May and company stand pat with who they have or if they add another name who could step in and potentially be a starter or big-time role player.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan basketball ranked top 5 for next season
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
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