Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series: Michigan Roster Depleted By NBA Draft, Transfer Portal

After losing its top three players – Hunter Dickinson, Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard – Michigan enters what looks like a rebuilding season in year five under coach Juwan Howard. In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Jack Ankony | Jul 7, 2023

Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series: Michigan Roster Depleted By NBA Draft, Transfer Portal /

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Michigan Wolverines

Michigan's roster was full of talent in 2022-23, but the Wolverines failed to reach the NCAA Tournament in year four under coach Juwan Howard. And with a major chunk of production heading to the NBA and transfer portal, next season is filled with question marks in Ann Arbor.

In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Let's take a look at the Wolverines.

(rankings per On3 Industry Average)

What they lost

Pro/no eligibility: G Jett Howard, G Kobe Bufkin, G Joey Baker
Transfer portal: C Hunter Dickinson (Kansas), G Isaiah Barnes (Tulsa), F Gregg Glenn (Tulane)
By the numbers: Michigan lost 64 percent of its scoring when Howard and Bufkin left for the NBA and Dickinson transferred to Kansas. The trio also accounted for 56 percent of Michigan's made 3-pointers, and each played over 30 minutes per game.

What they gained

Transfer portal: G Nimari Burnett (5.6 ppg at Alabama), F Tray Jackson (6.5 ppg at Seton Hall), F Olivier Nkamhoua (10.8 ppg at Tennessee)
Freshmen: G George Washington III (No. 126)

Roster

Jaelin Llewellyn, 6-foot-2 senior guard
Tray Jackson, 6-foot-9 senior forward
Olivier Nkamhoua, 6-foot-8 senior forward
Terrance Williams II, 6-foot-7 junior forward
Jace Howard, 6-foot-7 junior guard
Nimari Burnett, 6-foot-4 junior guard
Tarris Reed Jr., 6-foot-10 sophomore forward
Dug McDaniel, 5-foot-11 sophomore guard
Will Tschetter, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward
Youssef Khayat, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward
George Washington II, 6-foot-2 freshman guard
Scholarships available: 2

Michigan's head coach Juwan Howard calls out to players during the first half in the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. — Michigan's head coach Juwan Howard calls out to players during the first half in the game against Michigan State on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing :: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Biggest concerns

Michigan was incredibly reliant on the trio of Kobe Bufkin, Jett Howard and Hunter Dickinson, but they're all gone now and the replacements come with plenty of questions. Michigan originally landed North Carolina transfer Caleb Love out of the portal, but an admissions issue forced him to decommit and transfer to Arizona instead. As a result, Michigan will likely rely on Dug McDaniel, Nimari Burnett, Jaelin Llewellyn and George Washington III to handle back court duties, barring a late-cycle transfer. McDaniel had a solid freshman season, averaging 8.6 points in 30.7 minutes per game, but his size creates some concern. Burnett was a top-40 recruit, but he's on his third school in three years after having inconsistent seasons at Texas Tech and Alabama. Llewellyn averaged double-digit points in all three seasons at Princeton, but he's coming off a torn ACL and has just eight games of Big Ten experience. Washington III, the No. 126 recruit in 2024, will likely play a solid role right away out of necessity.

With the loss of Dickinson, Michigan's front court comes with its fair share of questions, too. Howard hit the transfer portal to add two potential starters, highlighted by Tennessee transfer Olivier Nkamhoua, who averaged 10.8 points and 5.0 rebounds last season. Tray Jackson has impressive versatility at 6-foot-9, but he never quite reached expectations at Missouri and Seton Hall. Michigan's returning front court experience includes Tarris Reed Jr., Will Tschetter and Terrance Williams, each of whom have a ways to go to becoming above average Big Ten players. Life without Bufkin, Howard and Dickinson will be difficult.

Reasons for optimism

After deferring to Michigan's trio of Bufkin, Howard and Dickinson as a freshman, McDaniel will get a shot to run the show in Ann Arbor. What he lacks in height, he makes up for with speed, quickness and defensive intensity. He shot 35.5 percent from 3-point range last year, which is promising for any freshman in the Big Ten moving forward.

Nkamhoua's senior season at Tennessee came with plenty of ups and downs, but he and McDaniel could be a solid duo if the 6-foot-8 forward is able to find more consistency. This was best displayed during Tennessee's Elite Eight run last year, when Nkamhoua scored 27 points in a win over Duke, but followed that up with a six-point dud against Florida Atlantic. He had a concerning drop off in 3-point shooting, 44.8 to 33.3 percent from his junior to senior seasons, as well as blocks, 1.1 to 0.6, but he's an All-Big Ten caliber forward when he's at his best.

The bottom line

Michigan was unable to make the NCAA Tournament with All-American center Hunter Dickinson, plus two first-round picks in Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard. With that trio gone and not much talent to replace them, it looks like Juwan Howard's fifth season at Michigan will come with another missed NCAA Tournament.

On Saturday, look forward to the next part of our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, featuring the Michigan State Spartans.