As the dust settles on Michigan's 2025 basketball success, the Wolverines are already looking ahead to the 2026 season, with a keen eye on the transfer portal. The portal opened just one day after Michigan's national championship win, and head coach Dusty May is already hard at work building the roster for next year. While the Wolverines have already had a phenomenal run with their 2025 class, featuring the top-rated players like Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr., the departure of some key players and the NBA Draft decisions of others means that the transfer portal will be a crucial source of talent. In my opinion, the Wolverines are set to make some bold moves, and here's my take on some of the names they should be targeting.
The Big Men
One area where Michigan will likely look to bolster its roster is in the frontcourt. With the entire starting frontcourt possibly departing, May will need to target some centers in the portal. One name that stands out is Providence's Oswin Erhunmwunse. While he averaged only 6.8 points per game over his first two seasons, his defensive prowess is undeniable, with 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this past season. This would be a fantastic get for Michigan, as it would provide much-needed depth and defensive presence. Personally, I think this is a no-brainer, and it would be a smart move for May to target Erhunmwunse.
Another name to watch is Kansas center Flory Bidunga, who is the top player in the portal according to 247Sports. Bidunga is coming off a stellar sophomore year, leading the Big 12 in field goal percentage and blocks per game. While he is heavily believed to land with Texas Tech as of now, Michigan should still be in the running. With the physicality and toughness that Bidunga brings, he would instantly slot into one of the starting spots should Mara and/or Johnson leave college. In my opinion, this is a player that Michigan should be targeting, and it would be a significant upgrade to their frontcourt.
The Backcourt
While the frontcourt is a priority, Michigan should also look to strengthen its backcourt. One name that stands out is Wisconsin guard John Blackwell. Blackwell is a certified bucket-getter, recording 19.1 and 15.8 points per game over the last two seasons. His Big Ten familiarity would also make for a seamless transition. However, with Cadeau and Trey McKenney returning to Ann Arbor next season, along with incoming five-star freshman guard Brandon McCoy Jr., Blackwell may not be the best fit. But May has been unconventional with his roster building, so it wouldn't be that odd to see a guard-heavy roster next year if that's the hand that May is dealt. Personally, I think Blackwell is a player that Michigan should consider, and it would be an interesting move if they were to target him.
Another name that has been mentioned is Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson. Johnson had an impressive freshman campaign, averaging a shade under 17 points per game, along with 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. While his size (6-foot-1) may be redundant with Cadeau, with L.J. Cason redshirting due to his injury, that backup role is still vital to the team. In my opinion, Johnson is a player that Michigan should be considering, and it would be a smart move to target him as a backup guard.
Other Names to Watch
There are also other names that Michigan should be considering. 247Sports' Travis Branham has linked Michigan to San Diego State small forward Miles Byrd, who is the No. 5 player in the transfer portal as of now. Byrd would be a solid replacement for Lendeborg at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds. Another name to watch is Paulius Murauskas, a 6-foot-8 power forward from St. Mary's who averaged 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and converted on 33.3 percent of his tries from downtown. Finally, there's Boise State center Drew Fielder, a 6-foot-11 stretch who scored 14.7 points per game and shot better than 40 percent from three for the Broncos. In my opinion, these are players that Michigan should be targeting, and it would be a smart move to consider them for the 2026 season.
Conclusion
As the transfer portal opens, Michigan is set to make some bold moves to replenish the talent that is departing Ann Arbor. With the frontcourt and backcourt both in need of reinforcement, the Wolverines should be targeting players like Erhunmwunse, Bidunga, Blackwell, Johnson, Byrd, Murauskas, and Fielder. In my opinion, these are players that Michigan should be considering, and it would be a smart move for May to target them. The 2026 season is set to be an exciting one for Michigan basketball, and with these players, they are well-positioned to make a run at another championship.
