{"id":152833,"date":"2025-08-03T07:00:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-03T11:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=152833"},"modified":"2025-08-03T05:58:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T09:58:00","slug":"michigan-basketball-2025-26-preview-wolverines-ready-to-roll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/03\/michigan-basketball-2025-26-preview-wolverines-ready-to-roll\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Wolverines Ready to Roll"},"content":{"rendered":"

Year two under Dusty May<\/a> for the Michigan Wolverines has a chance to be very special. May’s Wolverines ended the 2024-25 campaign on a high note, winning the Big Ten Tournament and reaching the Sweet 16. Sure, their frontcourt duo of Danny Wolf<\/a> and Vlad Goldin<\/a> is gone. The Wolverines have more than made up for it with their transfer portal additions. This time around, they might have a shot to climb to the top of the Big Ten overall. Let’s take a closer look at what can be expected of Michigan basketball in 2025-26.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Michigan head coach Dusty May shakes hands with center Vladislav Goldin (50) as Goldin walks off the court for substitution during the second half of the Sweet 16 round of NCAA tournament against Auburn at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Friday, March 28, 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Michigan Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Wolverines Ready to Roll<\/h2>\n

Retooled Roster<\/h3>\n

Every season is going to have changes, and that’s no different for the Wolverines. Gone are Wolf and Goldin. But they also lost Tre Donaldson<\/a> to the portal, after his role diminished significantly during the final few games last season. Michigan had to better itself at the point guard spot, and they seem to be very confident they did that with the addition of North Carolina transfer Elliot Cadeau<\/a>. L.J. Cason<\/a> will also help maintain that role after a promising freshman campaign. Nimari Burnett<\/a> and Roddy Gayle Jr. <\/a>also return in the backcourt for the Wolverines.<\/p>\n

It appears Coach May has built a solid foundation with players who can deliver in clutch moments. The Wolverines had to find some answers for their frontcourt, and they more than did so. They landed three very impactful transfers in the post. It’s headlined by Yaxel Lendeborg<\/a> (UAB), who was a predicted fringe first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft before electing to stay in college. Lendeborg has a real chance to become a star in the Big Ten. Add in Morez Johnson Jr. <\/a>(Illinois) and Aday Mara<\/a> (UCLA), and the Wolverines have stacked the deck in their post for the 2025-26 season. Having a graduate player in Will Tschetter<\/a> still in Ann Arbor doesn’t hurt the team either.<\/p>\n

The freshman class for the Wolverines is nothing to frown at, either. It’s headlined by Flint, Michigan’s Trey McKenney<\/a>. McKenney was a Top 25 player in the class and has the potential to be on the floor quickly for the Wolverines. He’s joined by Ricky Luburd<\/a>, Winters Grady<\/a>, and a 7-foot-2 center from Germany, Malick Kordel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It cannot be forgotten that New Zealand’s Oscar Goodman<\/a> will be looking to make an impact after landing with Michigan midway through the season in 2024-25.<\/p>\n

Rest of the Roster:\u00a0<\/strong>Howard Eisley Jr.<\/a>, Charlie May<\/a>, Harrison Hochberg<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Hard to believe summer is already winding down. But it\u2019s been a season full of productivity, inspiration, and excitement. Want proof? Just check out MSTV\u2019s @EdUofM<\/a> report to see what\u2019s been happening.#GoBlue<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZxMeQrD4XI<\/a><\/p>\n

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) July 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n