Big Ten Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

10. Michigan Wolverines

2023-24 season record: 8-24 (3-17 Big Ten)

There’s no other way to describe Michigan this past season other than a “disaster”, finishing last in the Big Ten Basketball standings. The result was a complete program turnover, including parting ways with former “Fab 5” legend and head coach, Juwan Howard. Replacing him is Dusty May, who made the historical Final Four run at FAU not too long ago.

Olivier Nkamhoua graduated from the team, while Dug McDaniel, Terrance Williams, and Tarris Reed transferred out. The two main guys coming back are guard Nimari Burnett (9.6 ppg and 2.4 apg) and Will Tschetter (6.8 ppg), who is joined by five pickups from the portal.

The biggest name of the group is Roddy Gayle Jr., who averaged 13.5 ppg and 3.1 apg at Ohio State as a sophomore, shooting 45% from the field. As a proven Big Ten player, Gayle is projected to be the go-to option for the team unless they get someone better. Auburn transfer Tre Donaldson and former North Texas guard Rubin Jones will share the ball-handling duties.

Alabama transfer and former top-100 prospect Sam Walters could be a breakout candidate to watch, while Danny Wolf is a skilled forward transfer from Yale, who averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.7 rpg as a sophomore. With a couple of spots to fill, Michigan has a good floor with its group. They’ll need another all-league caliber player to feel better about getting back in the NCAA Tournament mix.