Analysis: Michigan basketball point guard Dug McDaniel enters transfer portal

Michigan basketball fans expected a mass exodus of players to the transfer portal after Juwan Howard was fired. It started on Sunday with George Washington III and continued Monday with point guard Dug McDaniel.

This isn’t a huge shock. It felt likely that McDaniel was going to transfer, whether or not Howard returned as the head coach. That was probably the final straw for McDaniel, but after being suspended for six road games this season, as well as up-and-down play on the court, it’s not a big shock.

Michigan leading scorer Dug McDaniel enters NCAA transfer portal #GoBlue

He's the second Wolverine to enter the portal since Juwan Howard was fired, joining fellow guard George Washington III.

Story: https://t.co/f0zNsawLSV pic.twitter.com/ebUR72VHPM

— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) March 18, 2024

Thoughts on Michigan basketball point guard Dug McDaniel entering the transfer portal

It’s always going to open some eyes when your leading scorer enters the transfer portal, but let’s not forget that Michigan basketball was 8-24 last season. McDaniel wasn’t the only issue on the team. He had to take too many shots, play too many minutes and handle the ball too much.

McDaniel was never meant to carry an offense. He can be a stellar point guard and has lots of offensive ability, but he had some issues as a high-volume scorer this season. Dug averaged 16.3 points per game and dished out 4.7 assists. He shot 41 percent overall from the field and 36.8 from 3-point range. Yet, he didn’t continue his hot start to the season when he looked like an All-Big Ten point guard.

On the right team, surrounded by the right players, McDaniel can be really good. He’s explosive, has a great jumper, and is a true shot-creator. But he needs dudes around him who can do things with those opportunities. Michigan didn’t have many of those and asked Dug to do too much, too soon.

It’s still disappointing because he was supposed to be the next great Michigan point guard. Instead, like Juwan Howard, he’ll leave with plenty to prove in the future.

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