andre casey

Michigan solidified the frontcourt by adding a big piece (literally) last month with the verbal commitment of top-40 center Tarris Reed. And while Tarris figures to be the starting center for the Wolverines at some point in the not-so-distant future,  Juwan Howard still needs another big with Hunter Dickinson a lock to leave and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential. Let's take a look at the 2022 frontcourt options in addition to news elsewhere.

Making The Cut

5-star Yohan Traore released a top ten last week that included Michigan. Narrowing things to ten options indicates that Traore is still in the early stages of his recruitment as opposed to coming down the stretch. Yohan's comments to 247 last week support that sentiment:

"I am really going to think long-term with my decision. It will probably be made around April. I want to take my time, be patient, and take all the information to the drawing board."

As it relates to the Wolverines specifically, Assistant coach Saddi Washington has made the versatile big an absolute priority since July and that diligence in tandem with Juwan Howard's NBA experience has Michigan in the mix.

"Juwan Howard has so much of a basketball legacy over there, even with him playing and coaching in the NBA. He can give insight on what they are looking for and what it takes to play on that level. The coaching staff has been amazing. Saddi Washington has been an amazing recruiter in how he keeps things transparent and trying to help out as much as possible."

In speaking with Yohan, he did inform me that he tentatively plans to visit Ann Arbor, but has yet to lock in any visits and doesn't appear to be in any rush to make a decision. As a newcomer to the United States, Traore has a few people in his inner-circle that will aid in the process and that may complicate things here. What I can say is that Yohan has been receptive to the staff since contact was initially made and the interest so far has been mutual. 

I'll reiterate that his preference is to play the power-forward spot rather than center. Michigan is making that pitch to Yohan and it is a legitimate one with Tarris Reed now in the mix. Getting him on campus is key. Until that happens, nothing can be considered serious here, particularly with professional options being considered. 

[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown]

With travel ball now in the rear-view mirror and my evaluations complete, I've finalized my rankings for 2022 prospects. It's time to over-analyze the quantification of over 200 kids that I viewed this spring/summer, so let's get right to it. 

We'll start with the commits, move on to likely additions and finish with offers/targets. We'll go a bit deeper with the commits and likely additions for obvious reasons. 

Tarris Reed

EM Ranking: #38 Overall/#8 Center

Current 247 Composite Ranking: #69 Overall

Conventional Assessment Prior to Travel-Ball: Wide-bodied bruiser with budding skill as a shooter/face-up option that might not big enough or athletic enough to warrant a top-50ish profile. 

Travel-Ball Performance/Ranking Logic: 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and nearly a block per game on 70% from the field during eight games in Peach Jam. One of the biggest stockrisers of the summer for me based on ability to be a bully-ball scorer with his back-to-the-basket while really impressing as a face-up option on the perimeter. Reed projects as a versatile mismatch problem at the college level that has the strength/mass to overpower smaller bigs in the B10, while having just enough handle/agility to blow-by more traditional centers. The jumpshot mechanics look good and there is some promise there despite only 4 attempts from distance during EYBL play. Doesn't have the combination of size (closer to 6'9 that 7'0) or athleticism (not a quick-twitch athlete by any means) to rise much in the rankings going forward. 

Dug McDaniel

EM Ranking: #106 Overall/#22 PG

Current 247 Composite Ranking: #59 Overall

Conventional Assessment Prior to Travel-Ball: Small PG with outstanding playmaking ability/vision, good acceleration + straight line speed and a questionable jumper. 

Travel-Ball Performance/Ranking Logic: 12.1 points, 3.4 assists per game on 40% from the field overall and 31% from three (42 attempts) during eight games at Peach Jam. The spring/summer functionally confirmed the accepted assessment heading into travel-ball. McDaniel is a small guard at a legit 5'8 - 5'9, that is electric as a playmaker while being a bit below average as a shooter. My 106 ranking of Dug doesn't really speak to him having a sub-par spring/summer (he is what I thought he was), but more a result of relative unknowns at his position outplaying him. Guys like Collin Chandler, Rowan Brumbaugh, Riley Kugel, Koren Johnson and Zakai Zeigler were basically unheard of prior to April based on the pandemic, but that is no longer the case. A lot to like about McDaniel as pass-first playmaker for others that is a supplemental piece as a scorer, particularly on a team that projects to have great bigs + wings.

[After THE JUMP: a VERY likely addition and offers/targets]

During the last two recruiting cycles, Juwan Howard's affinity for wing type prospects is becoming increasingly clear. He covets a certain type of player that generally goes 6'6+, has plus athleticism and a physically developed frame. That profile has bore out in terms of 2022 offers, with the Wolverines offering six prospects that fit the aforementioned criteria. 

I hit the over the weekend, making stops in Augusta and Indianapolis for the Nike EYBL and Under Armour shoe-circuit events. I now have a firm grip on pecking order with the wings after gathering the latest intel and will cover each option in order of staff preference (as opposed to most likely).

In-State Option

4-star Ty Rodgers is a high-motor athlete and versatile defender capable of checking three positions at the next level. Offensively, he's a bit limited in that he's a non-shooter at this stage of development, but figures to be productive in transition while providing putbacks on the offensive glass. He finished up EYBL play averaging 8.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists and received praise for his motor and passing at Peach Jam.

In early June it felt as if a Michigan/Rodgers marriage was inevitable, as he took an OV to Ann Arbor on the earliest possible date. Fast-forward a nearly two months and things don't look so certain here.

The coaching staff is still making a push here, taking in his games at Peach Jam over the weekend when time/resources are limited. But I get the feeling that time is running thin for Ty to make a commitment or give Coach Howard assurances regarding the same.

And Then There Were Five

Top-100 wing Gregg Glenn is out injured, so there isn't much to say in terms of his on-court progress. On the recruiting front, he released a final 5 last Wednesday that consists of Michigan, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Iona and USF.

I checked in on things last weekend and was told this is a recruitment Michigan has in its "back pocket". It appears the staff isn't making a real effort to land him right now, but moreso keeping the option open so if that he becomes a take down the road there isn't much work to be done. If Juwan Howard really wants Glenn, he will end up in Ann Arbor.

[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown]