We are living through a crazy time right now with all of the coronavirus concerns that have been raised over the past month. Following suit is the Michigan basketball program, which has had a roller coaster of a ride the last 30 days, with plenty of changes coming with the team’s roster. With that being said, let’s get all caught up and make sure you didn’t miss anything (and hopefully I won’t) as we trudge through what has happened to Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines in the last month.
- Thursday, March 12: The Wolverines were taken off the basketball court in Indianapolis just moment before tipping off at the Big Ten Tournament. The NCAA then canceled the men’s basketball tournament and all winter and spring sports.
- Monday, March 16: The Wolverines said goodbye to seniors Zavier Simpson and Jon Teske, but were still lefty in a sticky situation for the 2020-21 team roster. The team had 14 scholarship players with only 13 spots available. Eventually, it would turn into a good problem to have.
- Wednesday, March 18: The Wolverines express interest in transfer point guard Mike Smith from Columbia. This was a perplexing move at the time due to the already overfilled roster.
- Friday, March 27: Sophomore guard Adrien Nunez announced he would be returning to the team in 2020-21 amid rumors he was considering a transfer.
- Monday, March 30: Isaiah Livers announced he would be test NBA waters by declaring for the NBA Draft and signing with an agent. He has until June 3 to make his decision to go pro or return to Ann Arbor.
- Wednesday, April 1: One of the top transfers on the market, Harvard point guard Bryce Aiken, put Michigan in his top four, sparking further concern with the current roster and raising more question with who could be on their way out of Ann Arbor.
- Monday, April 6: Sophomore point guard David DeJulius announced he would be entering the transfer portal. He was the first player in the Howard era to move on from Michigan and clarity was brought as to why the program was targeting transfer guards.
- Wednesday, April 8: It was reported that Howard’s son and incoming freshman Jace Howard would be coming into Ann Arbor as a walk-on, freeing a scholarship spot. The Wolverines now had an open scholarship for the coming season.
- Thursday, April 9: Sophomore center Colin Castleton entered the transfer portal becoming the second player on the roster to depart. Later, Harvard point guard Bryce Aiken chose Seton Hall over Michigan as he announced his commitment. Michigan now had two open scholarships.
- Friday, April 10: Columbia point guard Mike Smith commits to Michigan. The point guard position now includes Smith, Eli Brooks and incoming freshman Zeb Jackson. Michigan had only one more scholarship spot to fill, and it was intended for a big fish they were trying to pull in.
- Saturday, April 11: Five-star and top 10 recruit Josh Christopher says he will commit on Monday the 13. Eleven crystal balls were in on 247Sports. with each one saying he would be headed to Michigan.
- Monday, April 13: After a long and seemingly endless day of waiting for a commitment, Michigan fans were left shocked as Christopher committed to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
- Tuesday, April 14: Five-star forward Isaiah Todd. who committed to Michigan back in October, decommitted and instead will play professional ball overseas. It was rumored to happen for a long time, and it seemed Christopher’s decision to go elsewhere played a role. There are now two open scholarship spots on the roster if we assume Livers will return.
DeJulius pens farewell to U-M
Thank you and Love you A2! pic.twitter.com/W7d7YBq4S5
— David DeJulius (@DavidDejulius) April 14, 2020
DeJulius will be headed elsewhere next season as he announced he would transfer earlier this month. He will commit Thursday to either Marquette, Iowa State, Cincinnati, or Missouri.
Michigan Football offers four scholarships on Tuesday
The Wolverines stay hungry in recruiting season offering 2021 three-star offensive tackle Will Reed Sammamish, Washington. He is the No. 779 recruit in the nation and No. 72 offensive tackle according to 247Sports composite rankings.
Then, Jim Harbaugh and his staff looked toward the future offering two 2022’s: defensive end Keon Wylie from Philly who is ranked a three-star, and wide receiver Andre Greene who is not yet ranked. Greene also holds offers for Georgia, Maryland and UNC.
Finally, Michigan reached into 2023 offering offensive tackle Clay Wedin out of Tampa. Wedin also already holds offers from Florida State, Kentucky and Arizona State.
National Brews
- The MLB announced it will assist in coronavirus testing of 10,000 people for COVID-19 research. The goal is to find a better result into the infection rate around the country and players, front office members, and concession workers will all take place in the study.
- The C-USA, AAC, MAC, Sun Belt and Mountain West Conference all requested the NCAA relieve some financial aid and average football attendance requirements. Under today’s guidelines, Division I schools must offer a minimum of 200 athletic grants or spend over 4-million on athletes and have an average attendance of 15,000 at football games.