Best-case scenario
- Point Guard: Zavier Simpson
- Shooting Guard: Jordan Poole
- Small Forward: Isaiah Livers
- Power Forward: Ignas Brazdeikis
- Center: Jon Teske
This would, without a doubt, be the best option for the Wolverines. Mock drafts aren’t very high on the pro potential of either Ignas Brazdeikis or Jordan Poole at this point, with neither expected to be more than a late first round pick.
Considering the fact that first round picks are the only ones guaranteed contracts in the NBA, it would be wise for both Poole and Brazdeikis to return to school to boost their draft stock. The best-case scenario sees both guys come to that decision, so Michigan would return four starters from a team that won 30 games a year ago.
The only spot in the lineup that would need to be filled belongs to the graduating Matthews, and the Wolverines have a natural replacement on hand in rising junior Isaiah Livers. Livers has been a steady role player for the Wolverines in each of his first two seasons, so a spot in the starting lineup is a natural progression in his game.
This lineup would be extremely stout defensively, but the question with it remains where the offense comes from, especially since Livers only averaged eight points a game as a sophomore. The Wolverines would need more production from the returning Brazdeikis and Poole to generate enough points to complement a lethal defense.
Virginia showed this season how just a bit more offense out of a deadly defensive team can be a winning formula and its one that Michigan is very capable of duplicating.