The Michigan Wolverines used the transfer portal to build a national championship-winning roster this past season. Now, they are looking to reload through the portal again and remain atop college basketball.
With the portal opening just minutes after the National Championship Game, Dusty May’s coaching staff wasted no time — expressing interest in several players in recent days and acquiring former Tennessee center J.P. Estrella on Thursday.
But there’s still more work to be done. Here are five players Michigan should go all out for.
1. Juke Harris (Wake Forest G/F)
In his second season at Wake Forest, Juke Harris emerged as one of the ACC’s most productive wings — recording 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game — and now he’s the No. 6 transfer according to 247Sports and No. 3 according to On3.
After earning ACC Most Improved Player, Harris opted to enter the portal and is reportedly set to visit Ann Arbor during the championship celebration on Saturday. He would be a massive addition — and would be a great Yaxel Lendeborg replacement — if the Wolverines find a way to land him.
2. Flory Bidunga (Kansas center)
Flory Bidunga was strongly considering Michigan coming out of high school. Two years later, could we see him re-route to Ann Arbor? According to Jeff Goodman, the Wolverines are among Bidunga’s top suitors alongside Duke, Louisville and St. John’s.
In addition to being an elite rim protector (posted a Big 12-best 2.6 blocks per game), the former five-star recruit has a non-stop motor, is a consistent lob threat and improved as a post scorer. That all helped him become the No. 1 rated transfer on 247Sports and On3.
3. Aiden Sherrell (Alabama center)
It appears Michigan is prepared to revamp the entire front court if necessary, as Lendeborg is off to the NBA, and Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. could be right behind him. If that’s the case, the Wolverines should prioritize Alabama center Aiden Sherrell.
Not only is he a physically-imposing big man, but the 6-foot-10 and 255-pounder has a ton of potential, recording 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game this season. The Detroit native is the No. 10 transfer via 247Sports and No. 13 on On3.
4. Neoklis Avdalas (Virginia Tech guard)
In the second game as a freshman, Avdalas made a name for himself by exploding for 33 points and six assists in an overtime win over Providence. Even though he struggled with consistency this season, the Greece native has no shortage of talent.
It will be interesting to see how Michigan replaces Nimari Burnett and Roddy Gayle Jr. on the wing, but Avdalas could be an option. The 6-foot-9 and 215-pounder is the No. 20 ranked player in the portal on 247Sports and No. 15 on On3.
5. Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati center)
Another potential replacement for Mara could be former Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam. He is coming off a solid season — averaging 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — and has displayed an ability to play at the rim and on the perimeter.
The 7-foot-2 and 250-pounder is the No. 11 transfer on 247Sports and No. 12 on On3, and will be one of the most highly-sought after big men in the nation. Michigan is certainly an attractive destination for Thiam, but we’ll see if there’s mutual interest.
Wisconsin guard John Blackwell (No. 2 transfer), TCU forward David Punch (No. 7), Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson (No. 12), Kansas forward Bryson Tiller (No. 32) and Saint Mary’s center Andrew McKeever (No. 94) are other possible targets as well.
Blackwell is simply too good of a player to not show some interest in, but his fit alongside Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney doesn’t make a ton of sense. Meanwhile, Punch, Tiller and McKeever are very intriguing post-players with versatile skillsets.
