NCAA Basketball: LSU, Michigan, and Nebraska among finalists for Bryce McGowens

Michigan Wolverines

Once again, head coach Juwan Howard is enjoying a Fall where multiple five-star prospects have shown a real interest. This time, it’s both McGowens and Caleb Houstan, a five-star power forward recruit that has the Wolverines among his final five.

If McGowens does join Michigan, he would be joining an already quality 2021 recruiting class. Four-star wing Isaiah Barnes would be there, along with top-100 guards Kobe Bufkin and Frankie Collins. It would be an interesting dynamic because although McGowens would have the edge on paper, it would essentially be a wide-open battle for minutes among them.

That’s because Michigan could very well lose almost everyone on the perimeter rotation. Eli Brooks and Columbia grad transfer Mike Smith will be the potential starting lead guards but both are also seniors. Same as wing Isaiah Livers, along with Wake Forest transfer Chaundee Brown, who is still looking for a waiver to play this upcoming season.

However, what if Brown doesn’t get a waiver and has to wait until next season to play? And there’s also top-60 freshman guard Zeb Jackson that hasn’t been mentioned yet. The shooting guard position could be fairly stacked for McGowens to compete as a freshman for playing time. Compare that to the other teams on the list, it may make Michigan less appealing.