As we head toward the early signing period in November, Coach Howard and crew have the Wolverines in good position with several upper-tier prospects. Despite getting in the mix late for every prospect on the current board, it appears the projected recruiting chops of Juwan Howard are very real. There is some real momentum at the moment, so let’s take a look at where things stand with several elite talents.

Todd Down to 2, Sets Commitment Date

I’ll be committing on October 17th ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EzBMLHZHkS

— Isaiah Todd (@zaytodd) October 7, 2019

Consensus 5-star forward Isaiah Todd named a final two of Michigan and Kansas yesterday, with an October 17^th announcement date. In a short piece with USA Today, Todd cited relationships with Bill Self and Juwan Howard as big factors but played it close to the vest otherwise.

“It’s gonna be very tough because both schools have great coaches, great opportunity and have great programs,” Todd said. “It really comes down to the details now. I’ve got a little over a week to get my thoughts together and make my mind up.”

Setting a decision date in the immediate aftermath of the Kansas OV would seemingly not bode well for Michigan. Unless, of course, your parents get a live view of the entertainment at Midnight Madness as Self and crew are potentially staring down sanctions.

Michigan is making a strong run on the crystal ball, receiving the last 5 predictions, including that of 247 National Director of Scouting Jerry Meyer.

Rivals' Cory Evans made the equivalent of a crystal ball prediction with his future forecast flip to Michigan, after initially going with Kansas.

Kansas and Michigan are very different on many levels, making this one hard to project. A skeptic by nature, I can't go any higher than a 50/50 chance with Self and rumors of the overseas option both in play despite the recent crystal ball run. What gives one optimism are the positive vibes from Mother Todd, as admiration for Juwan Howard and Michigan correspond with Isaiah's comments in the USA Today piece referenced above.

Can we have nice things, please?

[Hit THE JUMP for updates on other guard targets and two large human beings.]

Making Moves on Moody?

@moses_moody3 and family had a really cool visit @umichbball with an Awesome young man @zaytodd and his mom @msv7777777 pic.twitter.com/41SoJnNU04

— Rona Moody (@MzRMoody) October 4, 2019

There hasn’t been much information leaking out in the aftermath of four-star wing Moses Moody’s official visit to Ann Arbor last weekend. A solid source indicates “Michigan did a great job” and Momma Moody apparently enjoyed her time on campus while striking up a friendship with the mother of Isaiah Todd.

Accepted thought has it that Arkansas isn’t really a factor here, but my sources indicate the Razorbacks are very much in play. Moody’s parents took in the Red-White game over the weekend, so talk of the home-state school being out appears false. The same sources indicate Arkansas “will do whatever necessary to make a pitch to their top instate guys.”

As mentioned in last week’s rundown, 2020 four-star commit Zeb Jackson is Moody’s teammate at Montverde Academy and putting in a good word for the Wolverines.

With Florida no longer in the picture after the commitment of Samson Ruzhentsev, this is likely a three-horse race between Arkansas, Michigan and Kansas. Moody has an official visit to Fayetteville commencing October 18th and a decision should be coming shortly after.

Big Man Puts Michigan in Final 4

As predicted in last week’s post, top-40 C Hunter Dickinson released a final four of Duke, Michigan, Florida State and Notre Dame.

News broke last night that Dickinson has set an official visit with Duke starting October 17^th. The crystal ball still favors Michigan, but those predictions were prior to the Duke visit bit. The Wolverines looked to be in very good position prior to Duke swooping in, but it’s a tough task to hold off the Blue Devils. A source close to the situation indicates Duke will aggressively pursue both Dickinson AND fellow Michigan offeree Mark Williams.

Speaking of Williams, he made the trip to Ann Arbor for an official visit last weekend after placing Michigan in a final three along with Duke and UCLA. While getting a top-40 big on campus is always a good thing, Williams’ sister suited up for the Duke women’s basketball team and the last 7 crystal balls are in favor of Coach K and company. Move on.

The more interesting question is whether Dickinson will accompany Williams to Durham. As noted above, Duke is looking to take both, but will Hunter Dickinson want to tangle for playing time against a guy that clearly has more NBA upside? I’m never optimistic in a head-to-head battle against Duke, but it does make things intriguing at the very least.

Status Quo

No News for 5-star Nimari Burnett. He’ll be in Colorado this weekend for USA mini-camp before taking back-to-back official visits at Texas Tech (10/19) and Oregon (10/26).

Burnett and family are letting things play out with visits and examining the landscape of the four finalists in terms of playing style, recruiting additions and on-court success (particularly Michigan and Alabama with new coaches) before making a decision in December-January. There will be conversations in Colorado, which will functionally serve as a High School free-agent summit. Michigan would surely be more attractive with Isaiah Todd in the mix.

Five-star guard Jaden Springer made his way to Knoxville for an OV with Tennessee last weekend. The expectation for quite some time has been that Springer will drop for the Volunteers in the near future. The crystal backs that up with all 12 predictions favoring Tennessee.

Three-star forward Jace Howard took his OV to Michigan last weekend. Just a matter of when, not if, Jace makes a pledge to Poppa Howard.

Down the Line

2022 Mt. Clemens Javaughn Hannah was on campus Saturday for the Iowa game. The 6’4 guard tells me “I love it up there at Michigan”. This is definitely a sophomore to get familiar with.

Happy Trails

Huntington Prep four-star forward Jaemyn Brakefield cancelled his official visit to Michigan and committed to Duke. FWIW I’m told Brakefield was never likely even in the absence of Duke.