Predicting Michigan Basketball's Rotation Following L.J. Cason's Departure

But it's hard to keep talent on the bench, and that's what McCoy Jr. brings to the table. He might not start out as the starting wing, but as the season moves on, he will force his way into the lineup. He does it all on the court. Defense, rebounds, and cutting are all strengths of his, with the three-point shot something he hopes to get more consistent with.

Pairing him with Cadeau and McKenney in the backcourt would give Michigan one of the strongest in the nation.

Rotation players off the bench

I've already touched on Liburd, and Goodman is in the same boat. He has been on the team for two seasons and someone who can play either the wing or the forward position. He's versatile and someone who can get scrappy in the paint to make things happen.

LSU transfer Jalen Reed may not start the year playing, still fully recovering from his second season-ending injury suffered, but he will clearly be in the rotation. He's another versatile big, who can play three different positions if needed.

The player I see getting the most benefit out of Cason transferring out is incoming freshman Malachi Brown. The No. 92 ranked player in the 2026 recruiting class is a 6'6" guard out of Florida. But one of Brown's strengths is his ability to pass and handle the basketball. Although he's a freshman, he could step right into Cason's role, coming off the bench and providing a spark when Cadeau needs a breather.

Michigan will likely only want to play nine players when it gets deeper into the season, but keeping Quinn Costello off the court will be hard. A top-40 recruit, who can play both forward or center is a luxury that Boynton Jr. will want to use.