Michigan slides in the latest Way-Too-Early Top 25 from ESPN
Michigan basketball is still waiting on what its final roster might look like, but took a tumble in ESPN’s latest ‘Way Too Early Top 25.” The Wolverines, who are waiting on soon-to-be sophomore forward Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate to make NBA Draft decisions, slid to No. 20 in Jeff Borzello’s latest prognostication.
They previously ranked 14th. Indiana leads the way in the Big Ten, coming in ranked at Michigan’s previous spot. The only other Big Ten team that appears is Illinois at No. 25.
North Carolina, Houston, Kentucky, UCLA and Creighton stand at the top as the five best teams. Gonzaga rose ten spots from 16 to six with the idea that star center Drew Timme may return to the team.
What ESPN says about Michigan
Perhaps the biggest headline coming out of Ann Arbor over the past few weeks was ESPN’s report that the Los Angeles Lakers reached out to Juwan Howard about their head-coaching vacancy, but Howard opted not to discuss the opening. It makes sense, given that Howard is entering a season where he’ll be coaching sons Jett Howard and Jace Howard. NBA rumors are nothing new for Howard, who had interest from the Boston Celtics last spring. It also won’t be the last time an NBA franchise pursues Howard. The reason for the rankings drop, however, is the likely departure of Caleb Houstan. He has moved into the top 50 of ESPN’s draft rankings and also skipped the NBA combine, giving the impression he has a first-round promise. If Houstan does leave, Howard could turn to powerful forward Terrance Williams in the starting lineup.
Projected starting lineup:
Jaelin Llewellyn (15.7 PPG at Princeton)
Jett Howard (No. 41 in ESPN 100)
Terrance Williams II (4.7 PPG)
Moussa Diabate (9.0 PPG)
Hunter Dickinson (18.6 PPG)
Decision deadline looms
June 1 is the deadline for players to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft. Michigan is still waiting on a decision from Houstan and Diabate. There seems to be momentum trending in different directions.
ESPN.com’s Jonathan Givony now mocks Michigan wing Houstan to San Antonio at No. 25 overall. Diabate did not appear in the latest mock.
One of the big mysteries of the 2022 NBA draft is where Houstan, once a projected top-10 pick, ends up,” Givony wrote. “Houstan declined his invite to the NBA combine, indicating there might be something to the rumors of a first-round promise, or that Houstan has a landing spot with which he’s comfortable.”
The Houstan camp has been tight-lipped throughout his basketball career, so we likely have to wait word from insiders on his status. Diabate’s camp has been quiet, but even he put out a statement upon his declaration. With the deadline just a day away, Michigan is closer than ever to closure.
A departure from either would add at least one scholarship spot. Both leaving would open up two. This could allow Michigan to dip into the transfer portal for another contributor or stash a spot for the next recruiting class. Time will tell and finality is close.
