With a top 5 recruiting class in hand for 2021, Michigan is looking to put icing on the cake with a blue chip big and a 5star perimeter prospect to close out the class. All the latest in this week’s roundup below.

Harrison Ingram Closing In On A Decision

Brian Snow of 247 reports that 5star wing/forward Harrison Ingram could make a decision within days:

“We definitely won’t have to wait too much longer for a decision out of five-star Harrison Ingram. The versatile and skilled forward hasn’t officially set his announcement date, but it should be happening this week.”

I checked in with a source close to Ingram yesterday and was told that a decision should be coming within the next two weeks. So while an announcement may not come this week, its clear this recruitment will likely end within the next 10 days or so.

Nothing has changed in terms of Michigan’s standing. The Wolverines are still firmly in the mix along with Purdue, Stanford and North Carolina. While Harrison has essentially shut down communication with the respective programs recently, the Michigan staff does intend to get in touch with him in the coming days to gain clarity, make a final push and address any potential concerns.

I’ll reiterate that a source close to the recruitment indicates the program that sells Ingram on having the ball in his hands as a playmaker will best position themselves to land his commitment.

Harrison has kept things close to the vest, and not even the coaches at the four realistic options have a firm grip on what Ingram will do at this point. Mom loves the academic component at Stanford, but another well-positioned source doesn’t believe that will be the deciding factor if he doesn’t end up in Ann Arbor. Michigan’s academics are strong enough in tandem with the basketball component to overcome it, assuming we can convince him of being a focal point in the offense as a playmaker. Purdue is going all in on the “you will be a true PG here” pitch. While that’s probably not true, it sounds good and resonates with Ingram.

Thing are simply too close to project right now, but I will continue digging with multiple sources over the next few days. Hopefully the curse ends soon.

[After THE JUMP: the latest on 2021 bigs, new 2022 targets]

Position of Need

Michigan’s most pressing need is undoubtedly a legit center with Hunter Dickinson projected to be the only true 5 on the roster in 2021-2022. I’ve been a bit skeptical on the Wolverines’ chances with top 30 big Charles Bediako, but a reliable source says Michigan is in solid position.

Bediako rarely does interviews and his recruitment hasn’t been discussed much recently. Alabama and Duke have been consistently mentioned here, but my source believes Michigan is right up there with the aforementioned programs.

Normally a transfer to IMG would translate to the Wolverines fading out of contention, but we must remember that 2022 Jett Howard is now attending IMG. Perhaps the Howard family has ramped things up in this recruitment? This is one that I plan to monitor a bit closer over the next month.

4star big Efton Reid has been rumored to have Michigan at, or the near the top of his list, along with Pitt and Ohio State for quite some time.

A source tells me the Wolverines are in a functional top 3, but not necessarily in pole position. Reid is going to remain a 2021, so that bodes well for Michigan in terms of selling playing time.

In any event, I’m told the Wolverines may elect to hit the transfer portal if we strike out on both Bediako and Reid. Juwan Howard and crew did a great job using the portal to re-shape the roster with instant impact players this year, so I have confidence in that option should it come to that.

Expanding The 2022 Field

The Wolverines have been in contact with 2022 wing Noah Batchelor. Michigan has been building a relationship here for a few months, so he may be an offer candidate down the road. After viewing him live at the Summer Finale in August, I like Batchelor as a top 50-75 wing that is a good shooter with plus athleticism. He’s from the DMV, so no doubt this is a Phil Martelli connection.

Keeping it in the DMV, the staff has been keeping tabs on 2022 Christian Watson out of St. John’s Catholic (D.C.) as well. Much like Batchelor, Watson is a wing with solid positional size and a smooth stroke from distance.

The most recent prospect to be contacted is 2022 wing Cam Whitmore of Archbishop Spaliding (MD). I have yet to view him live, but Whitmore has the look of a severely underrated prospect. That combination of size/explosiveness/shotmaking has the look of a top 50 level prospect.

Finally, Michigan conducted a call with 2022 target Javaughn Hannah on Monday evening. The Ypsi Prep Academy junior is a favorite of your author that certainly has legit interest in the Wolverines. While I’d love to see an offer extended here, Jett Howard is going to be in the class and perhaps Hannah is viewed as redundant.

Happy Trails

5star guard Trevor Keels eliminated Michigan when he released a final 3 of Duke, Villanova and Virginia. I never really viewed Keels as a 5star caliber prospect, but he would’ve been an instant impact shotmaker despite being undersized and limited athletically.

In passing, I’m hearing that 4star forward Bryce Hopkins will be transferring to a school out West, followed by a commitment to Kentucky.