Michigan basketball reportedly targeting two tall, versatile guards in transfer portal

Michigan men’s basketball lost in the Sweet 16 Friday, but with the transfer portal opening last week and closing April 22, there’s no time to waste. The Wolverines reportedly have interest in Purdue Fort Wayne guard Jalen Jackson, and according to Sam Kayser, guards Bubu Benjamin (Tarleton State) and Tyrone Riley IV (San Francisco) are now on their radar as well.

Michigan basketball in contact with two lengthy guards in transfer portal

Michigan head coach Dusty May seems to be prioritizing guards in the portal, but Benjamin and Riley IV are different. Benjamin is 6-foot-7 and Riley IV is 6-foot-6, compared to Jackson at 6-foot-2.

Benjamin averaged 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals this season. Tarleton State lost to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor on Nov. 21, but Benjamin led his team with 15 points on five three-pointers.

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Benjamin started 31 of 32 games as a sophomore for Tarleton State this season and played 36 minutes per contest. Over his career he shoots 44 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from deep range and 78.5 percent from the free throw line.

Riley IV is coming off his freshman season in which he averaged 9.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He started all 32 games for San Francisco en route to a 25-10 record.

Riley IV reached double-digit points in 15 games, including a career-high 28 against Chicago State on Nov. 16. He shot 50.2 percent from the field, 32.2 percent from three, and 73.5 percent from the charity stripe.

Potential Fit

Even with seven-footers Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf, the Wolverines struggled with rebounding throughout this season, and it cost them against Auburn Friday. Adding two guards listed at over 6-foot-5 could go a long way towards solving the problem. 

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With Goldin headed to the NBA, and Wolf likely to follow, Benjamin could help replace the loss in height and is a potential starter. If he could score consistently in the Big Ten, Benjamin has a high ceiling.

Riley IV is a strong finisher, and his role next season could be similar to LJ Cason’s this season. Much like Benjamin, Riley IV has the tangibles to be a high-level player.

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