Projecting Michigan basketball starting lineup and rotation

The Michgan basketball program has just one scholarship spot left for the 2024-25 season, unless Jace Howard decides not to return for next season.

It feels like Jace Howard will be back. Whether he is or isn’t, I wouldn’t expect him to be a big part of the rotation. Michigan basketball could use another guard and probably another wing. Dusty May would surely use the spot if it becomes available.

But at worst, Howard will be on the team for one more season and I don’t see him having a huge role next season. The rotation is mostly set and so is the starting lineup, at least in my mind. There are some spots up for grabs but here’s my projected starting lineup and rotation as of May 5th for the 2024-25 season.

Starting lineup: Vlad Goldin (C), Danny Wolf (F), Rubin Jones (G), Roddy Gayle (G), Tre Donaldson (PG)

The Michigan basketball starting lineup seems clear to me. Michigan basketball even introduced Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf as the new frontcourt. I’d be shocked if they weren’t the starting four or five.

It’s going to be a challenge to play both defensively. We’ll see how the coaching staff solves that riddle, but Wolf could struggle guarding some Big Ten fours. His length could be an asset, but that’s one potential weakness.

Currently, Rubin Jones feels like the starting three. Gayle will start at guard alongside Donaldson, who has a bunch of upside as a starting point guard based on the last two seasons at Auburn.

Nimari Burnett could be an option to start too. But Jones was one of the first players May targeted in the portal. He called him the best one of the best defenders in the American last season and I just have a feeling he’s going to be in the starting lineup, playing over 30 minutes a game.

I’m not as concerned about others about adding another guard. More depth is needed but Gayle can be an All-Big Ten performer if he gets his 3-point shot working again. Point guard is a little thin and one of the three freshmen will have to play some minutes.

But Goldin, Wolf, Jones, Gayle, and Donaldson could be an NCAA tournament starting five. Goldin will be one of the best bigs in the Big Ten. Wolf is a killer 7-footer and Gayle scored 13 points per game shooting 28 percent from 3-point range. Imagine if he shoots 35 percent? He also averaged more than three assists.

Jones is a playmaker too. He averaged 3.7 assists for North Texas, so this starting lineup would have three players who averaged more than three assists last season, plus a skilled stretch four and a dominant big.

Is it the best starting lineup in college basketball? No. But it’s a huge upgrade from last season.

Michigan basketball bench rotation: Will Tschetter (C), Seth Walters (F), Nimari Burnett (G), Justin Pippen (G), Lorenzo Cason (G)

Once we get to the bench, Nimari Burnett is the only experienced guard, which is why the need for another veteran is real. A combo guard who can handle the point would be perfect.

But if that option isn’t available in the portal, Justin Pippen or Lorenzo Cason will have to do it. I’m not ruling out Durral Brooks either. Two of those three guys will see consistent minutes this season. That’s my prediction at least.

Burnett will be needed to play minutes at the two and three. Burnett, Walters, and Tschetter seem to be in line for the most minutes off the bench. Goldin played just 26 minutes a game last season, so there are minutes to be had for Tschetter. Walters can play on the wing too.

If Pippen is ready to play as a true combo guard this season that would help the backcourt rotation immensely. But there could be another addition or two. If Michigan gets a major piece on the wing or another standout guard, Jones could come off the bench, but it’s going to have to be a damn good player to displace him.

Jones is going to have a big role next season — whether he’s a starter or comes off the bench. Burnett will probably play around 20 minutes a night.

This rotation feels pretty set. There are defined roles and even another addition or two probably won’t drastically change who’s going to play at this point. It feels like an NCAA tournament team but that’s just the first impression, May still has to mold all the talent into a team and as we have seen, that’s not always easy.