What will Michigan basketball's starting lineup be in preseason? It's complicated

CHICAGO — Michigan Wolverines basketball will host an exhibition game against Cincinnati eight days from now, but head coach Dusty May is unsure what his starting lineup will look like. He has time to decide, but it’s a complicated picture, due in part to injuries.

Sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. — a 6-foot-9, 250-pound Illinois transfer — has been out for some weeks with a minor injury.

“He’s day by day,” May said of his injury status at Big Ten Media Day.

When asked if May has a starting lineup in mind for Michigan if it played a game today, he was uncertain.

“No, we’ve had so many guys out that it’s tough to tell,” May replied.

There are some who are locks, such as graduate guard Nimari Burnett and senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr., Michigan’s two player representatives at media day. Junior guard Elliot Cadeau will likely run the point, and graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg is a preseason All-Big Ten selection in the front court. The center spot — especially considering Johnson’s status — is up for grabs, with junior Aday Mara, a 7-foot-3 UCLA transfer, in the mix.

“Obviously, I think Roddy and Nimari, the two guys here, have really solidified themselves as guys that are going to be counted on,” May continued. “Elliot Cadeau … L.J. has been out the last couple weeks with an injury, and they were battling.

“Up front, I’m not really sure yet. Obviously, Yaxel is one of the most talented players in the league. It comes down to health and timing and whatever else with that other spot.

“But we just haven’t had our group together to figure out the right pieces yet. Hopefully, Morez has a chance to play in these exhibitions to kind of get his rhythm back.

“But I really have no idea, and I would think because of the personality of our team this year, that these guys don’t care either. It’s going to be more of a matter of how the rotations fit and who plays well together and what combinations, and we might just walk our whole team out for the starting lineups and just keep it moving.”

May discussed if any Michigan players will miss the beginning of the regular season, considering that it sounds like Johnson has a chance of playing in the preseason, with the Wolverines set to face Cincinnati Oct. 17 and St. John’s Oct. 25.

“We have some bumps and bruises, and we’re very, very cautious this early in the season,” the Michigan coach said. “Yeah, there are a few guys. I don’t know if L.J. will play. Our season is long. We want to be our best in March.

“And any time some guys are out, it gives you an opportunity to look at maybe a guy that wouldn’t have played in real, live situations. Our response to the injuries are always, ‘Good.’ Whatever it is, ‘Good.’ We’ll be better off long term because of it.”