Michigan basketball: Picks for breakout player, most improved and more
The Michigan Wolverines have several new faces on the roster this year in the reboot under first year coach Dusty May. Almost all of them will have big roles on the team.
As part of ou Michigan basketball preview in our magazine, we broke down who we think breaks out, who improves from who is back from last year and more. Here are our picks below.
Breakout Player
Junior center Danny Wolf
Success in the first season under Dusty May might depend on winning a way that he has not had to in his career with a two-big lineup leading the charge. Wolf, a transfer from Yale, is set to slide in next to the consistent Vlad Goldin, an FAU transfer as someone who can stretch the floor with his size and shot-making ability.
Most Improved Returnee
Redshirt junior forward Will Tschetter
The candidate pool is limited given the amount of roster turnover, but Tschetter has established himself early as a favorite of May’s. Last year, U-M got good energy off the bench from him and his best shooting season yet at 52.8% and 51.9% from three. He should have a role as one of the first players off the bench, at least early.
Michigan’s Unsung Hero
Graduate guard Rubin Jones
One of the team’s best leaders and most undervalued pieces might actually be a new face in the form of the former North Texas guard. Known as a defensive stopper, U-M will also count on Jones to play point guard in addition to off the ball duties. He might be the top candidate to lead the team’s second unit and could wind up being one of their best five players when it is all said and done.
Surprise Impact
Freshman guard LJ Cason
The former Florida Atlantic signee was a three-star prospect coming out of high school, but early reports out of camp suggest he is further along than expected and could make a push for legitimate playing time as a scoring combo guard. Look for him to impact both backcourt spots early in his U-M career.
Top 10
- 1
CFP contenders
31 teams remain in contention
- 2
Hunter Heisman
Colorado star becomes betting favorite
- 3New
Klatt predicts CFP
FOX analyst has a new 12-team field
- 4Hot
Michigan loses QB
Carter Smith decommits from Wolverines
- 5
Kurtis Rourke returns
Indiana QB set to play vs. Michigan State
Likely Rotation
Point guard: Junior Tre Donaldson (4.7 ppg, 1.9 reb, 2.3 ast, 44.7% FG at Auburn)
Shooting guard: Graduate Nimari Burnett (9.6 ppg, 4.1 reb, 2.4 ast, 39.9% FG)
Small forward: Junior Roddy Gayle Jr. (13.5 ppg, 4.6 reb, 3.1 ast, 44.9% FG at Ohio State)
Power forward: Junior Danny Wolf (14.1 ppg, 9.7 reb, 2.4 ast, 47.2% FG at Yale)
Center: Graduate Vlad Goldin (15.7 ppg, 6.9 reb, 0.7 ast, 67.3% FG at Florida Atlantic)
Michigan’s Three Toughest Non-conference Challenges
1. vs. Arkansas (New York City, NY), Dec. 10
There are storylines galore for the Jimmy V Classic matchup at Madison Square Garden. Former Kentucky head coach John Calipari now leads the Arkansas program – stepping in for Eric Musselman, now at USC – and has flipped the roster, headlined by the addition of one of May’s former Florida Atlantic stars in guard Johnell Davis.
2. at Wake Forest (Greensboro, N.C.), Nov. 10
The Demon Deacons went 21-14 last season finishing as KenPom’s No. 28 team in the country and returning a solid core this season. Wake Forest is led by Hunter Sallis, who was a breakout player in 2023-24 and was named the ACC Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-ACC selection.
3. vs. Oklahoma (Charlotte, N.C.), Dec. 18
Fourth-year coach Porter Moser will lead his team into the Jumpman Invitational between Jordan Brand schools, the third season of the event held at Spectrum Center. The Sooners are led by forward Jalon Moore, who averaged 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and one block per game in 25.6 minutes each night.
