NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2022-23 season

Michigan lost a lot of talent from last season. They lost four starters, including a pair of former five-star prospects (Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate), along with a trio of outgoing transfers. But why they’re still in the top-25 is the one key player they did bring back.

Hunter Dickinson was an All-American last season, leading the Wolverines with 18.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg. He had numerous 25+point games, as well as a career-high 33 points against arch-rival Michigan State. The junior center was the real why Michigan not only made the NCAA Tournament but made another Sweet 16 run as well.

Surrounding Dickinson on the roster includes Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn, coming off a season of producing 15.7 ppg and 2.5 apg, including shooting 39% from three-point range. He can play on and off the ball and that position will likely be determined by whether sophomore shooting guard Kobe Bufkin or freshman ball-handler Dug McDaniel breaks out to become a potential starter as well.

The other transfer to watch is Joey Baker, a 6’7 5th-year transfer from Duke. He’s been largely a role player there but he’s a near 40% shooter from deep and will serve as a reliable spacing option when on the court. His minutes will likely depend on how well incoming freshmen forwards, Jett Howard and Youssef Khayat play in their respective roles.

There are a lot of former top-100 underclassmen players on this roster that could be breakout candidates alongside veterans Dickinson and Llewellyn. The 3rd and 4th options will have to be established early on in the season but as long as the big man is around, Michigan will always have a high floor.