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Michigan solidified the frontcourt by adding a big piece (literally) last month with the verbal commitment of top-40 center Tarris Reed. And while Tarris figures to be the starting center for the Wolverines at some point in the not-so-distant future,  Juwan Howard still needs another big with Hunter Dickinson a lock to leave and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential. Let's take a look at the 2022 frontcourt options in addition to news elsewhere.

Making The Cut

5-star Yohan Traore released a top ten last week that included Michigan. Narrowing things to ten options indicates that Traore is still in the early stages of his recruitment as opposed to coming down the stretch. Yohan's comments to 247 last week support that sentiment:

"I am really going to think long-term with my decision. It will probably be made around April. I want to take my time, be patient, and take all the information to the drawing board."

As it relates to the Wolverines specifically, Assistant coach Saddi Washington has made the versatile big an absolute priority since July and that diligence in tandem with Juwan Howard's NBA experience has Michigan in the mix.

"Juwan Howard has so much of a basketball legacy over there, even with him playing and coaching in the NBA. He can give insight on what they are looking for and what it takes to play on that level. The coaching staff has been amazing. Saddi Washington has been an amazing recruiter in how he keeps things transparent and trying to help out as much as possible."

In speaking with Yohan, he did inform me that he tentatively plans to visit Ann Arbor, but has yet to lock in any visits and doesn't appear to be in any rush to make a decision. As a newcomer to the United States, Traore has a few people in his inner-circle that will aid in the process and that may complicate things here. What I can say is that Yohan has been receptive to the staff since contact was initially made and the interest so far has been mutual. 

I'll reiterate that his preference is to play the power-forward spot rather than center. Michigan is making that pitch to Yohan and it is a legitimate one with Tarris Reed now in the mix. Getting him on campus is key. Until that happens, nothing can be considered serious here, particularly with professional options being considered. 

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With Hunter Dickinson likely gone in 2022 after a lengthy flirtation with professional options and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential, Michigan is absolutely taking a true center in the 2022 class. The Wolverine board expanded quickly after the staff identified new prospects during the live evaluation period.

I hit the road over the weekend, making stops in Augusta and Indianapolis for the Nike EYBL and Under Armour shoe-circuit events. I now have a firm grip on pecking order with the bigs after gathering the latest intel and will cover each option in order of staff preference (as opposed to most likely).

Reed Sets Decision Date

4-star Tarris Reed will go public with his commitment on August 5th. Last week I placed my hypothetical crystal ball confidence in the 5-6 range. As an update, my CB confidence would be 9 if Reed were making his decision today. But there is more than a week to go, and in the recruiting world that is a lifetime of opportunity for others to make last ditch efforts. 

Michigan has the most recent visit in late June and the only real competition at this point is Ohio State. The Buckeyes just landed Tarris' AAU teammate in top-50 center Felix Okpara, so all things point to Michigan for Reed barring a last-minute change of heart. 

The St. Louis native was one of the most impressive bigs during EYBL play, putting up 15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and nearly a block per game against the very best HS competition in the world. This would be a great get by the staff, as Tarris is a legit back-to-the-basket scorer with solid vision as a passer and some upside as a shooter that can face-up and put the ball on the floor for a dribble or two.

I'll answer the inevitable question now - I'd lean toward Reed for Michigan if given the choice between Tarris/Okpara. In a vacuum, both prospects are in the same tier, with Okpara being a better defender by a healthy margin, while Reed has a significant advantage offensively. The difference? Tarris will  be coached by Juwan Howard and Okpara will not. 

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With Hunter Dickinson likely gone in 2022 after a lengthy flirtation with professional options and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential, Michigan is absolutely taking a true center in the 2022 class. The Wolverine board has expanded quickly after the staff identified new prospects during the live evaluation period.

I hit the road over the weekend, making stops in Dallas and Omaha for the Under Armour and Adidas shoe-circuit events. I now have a firm grip on pecking order with the bigs after gathering the latest intel and will cover each option in order of staff preference (as opposed to most likely).

Doubtful

5-star Dereck Lively has been downright dominant on the defensive end against the best HS competition in the world at Peach Jam, averaging a whopping 5 blocks per game through seven games of pool play. He's also put in 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds on 53.5% from the field in nearly 26 minutes per contest so far.

Juwan Howard is making his preference clear, as he was front and center for Dereck on the first day of last weekend's live evalulation period. As I mentioned last week, Lively has been publicly gushing over Kentucky and I've heard things are close to being done there since mid-June. And we now have our first crystal ball in favor of the Wildcats. With his ascension though, the professional route is now becoming a viable option as well. For that reason, I don't necessarily think Dereck is intent on wrapping things up in the near future. This could drag out to the fall, but I don't think Michigan is a legitimate threat to land his commitment unless he makes his way to campus.

The Biggest Longshot

Super-skilled big Kyle Filipowski has been putting on an offensive clinic during pool play at Peach Jam, averaging 13.3 points, 3.6 assists(!) on 45.5% from distance and 58.7% FG. He's also pulling down 7.6 rebounds and blocking a shot per game for good measure.

Coach Howard also took in Flip while in Augusta, and it's clear Michigan is shooting its shot here. I'll continue to stress that Filipowski plays travel-ball for the nephew of Duke leading man Mike Krzyzewski. Kyle was on campus at Duke for an official visit three weeks ago and picked up four crystal balls in favor of the Blue Devils in the immediate aftermath. Two more CBs came in for Duke last week. Long story short, I believe Durham is the destination until it isn't.

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