Michigan Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Wolverines

Key reserves for Michigan Basketball

It seems like every fan in the country believes in the offseason that their team can go 9-10 deep.  Realistically, Michigan will likely settle on a 9 player rotation next year, so I’ll focus on the top four candidates for minutes.

Forward/Center: Moussa Diabate, 1st year

Diabate seems to be getting overlooked a bit in the “preseason hype” train, partially because of how much Dickinson deservingly is the focus.  Diabate is a highly touted player in his own right and would be the starting frontcourt player on 90% of teams in the country.  He can guard all five positions, will be an elite rim protector and lob catcher, and even shows signs of making shots from the perimeter immediately.

There are shades of a more raw Jaren Jackson in Moussa Diabate’s frame, and I predict that by March, Diabate will make a dent in Johns’ role in the frontcourt rotation.

Guard/Wing: Kobe Bufkin, 1st year

Prior to the offseason, Bufkin was in line for a major role in a backcourt that was set to lose two seniors who played 30+ minutes.  Then Devante Jones announced he was transferring in and Eli Brooks announced his intention to stay.  Suddenly, Bufkin’s talents aren’t immediately needed as anticipated.  But the important word there is “talents” – Bufkin has plenty of them.

There may not be a player on the roster who is as gifted navigating pick and rolls as a ballhandler than him.  He can shoot, handle, and pass at a high level.  He’ll need to show the ability to play both the two and the three to carve out a major role, but it’s only a matter of time until he forces his way onto the court.

Forward: Terrance Williams, 2nd year

Williams wasn’t bashful in spot minutes last season, and while showing signs of a player who can do a bit of everything, he was also a bit erratic and didn’t do any one thing particularly great.  He will serve as security at the three and the four this season, and could even work his way onto the court as a small-ball five.  His shot needs to come along (1 for 14 from deep last season), but his tenacity as a cutter and a finisher will give him a chance to be productive no matter what his role ends up looking like.

Guard: Frankie Collins, 1st year

In a typical John Beilein recruiting class, Collins would be the crown jewel.  Under Howard, he’s the fourth-most heralded newcomer.  Collins is a freak athlete at the point guard spot, with the ability to rise and finish over bigs at a moment’s notice.  He projects as a plus passer, and in time he will be given the keys to the Michigan offense.  His shot is a question mark, and it’s likely he won’t be attempting many (any?) threes this season.

With Jones, Brooks, and Bufkin ahead of him, he may not be an every-game rotation player, but Howard would be wise to get him reps before next season when Jones and Brooks depart.