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Michigan transfer fires back at tweet questioning commitment

Anthony Broomeby:Anthony Broome05/04/23

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(Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Things have been quiet on the transfer portal front for Michigan basketball over the last few weeks, including finality for some of the commitments since the offseason began. Chief among them is North Carolina transfer guard Caleb Love, who was the subject of social media rumors on Thursday about his status with the Wolverines.

A Twitter account questioning whether or not the UNC star would ever suit up for the Maize and Blue was responded to by Love himself, who re-affirmed his commitment to the Wolverines. He originally announced his decision on April 7.

“Yes, I will play for Michigan next year! Stay tuned! Go Blue,” Love tweeted on Thursday night.

Love started 95 of 101 games played with the Tar Heels, averaging 14.6 points per game. He is a career 36% shooter (31.7% from three-point range) in 32.8 minutes per night. Michigan was not involved in Love’s original recruitment out of high school but sorely needed star power on the roster with its top three players from 2022-23 moving on.

Michigan currently has a pair of scholarship spots available for the 2023-24 season. It has been a busy offseason in the transfer portal for the Wolverines, adding Love Seton Hall forward Tray Jackson and Alabama guard Nimari Burnett. Dickinson, wing Isaiah Barnes and forward Gregg Glenn all transferred out, while Jett Howard and Kobe Bufkin went to the 2023 NBA Draft.

None of Michigan’s transfer portal additions have been officially announced by the program, nor do they appear in the school directory. As the finer points are worked out and enrollments are processed, we will soon know what the final roster looks like, social media rumors or not.

Our take on Love joining Michigan

Michigan had a laundry list of issues last season that Love alone does not fix. But what the team lacked in critical moments was someone who wanted the ball and wanted the spotlight. Love, for better or worse at times, is that guy. There was a problem with the fit and cohesiveness with former UNC teammate R.J. Davis – for, uh, a number of reasons – but Michigan point guard Dug McDaniel might be a nice fit next to Love. McDaniel is at his best when taking what a defense is giving him.

Michigan’s task with Love is to improve his efficiency and playmaking ability. It also needs him to get downhill more and not force his shot from the perimeter. He is a volume shooter and will have the green light to let it rip. It will make him polarizing, but there is no question he is U-M’s most talented scorer in the here and now.

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