With the recent decommitment of Caleb Love, the Michigan basketball program has some questions to answer. One of the most concerning questions is the guard/wing positions. After losing small forward Jett Howard and guard Kobe Bufkin to the draft, the two positions became immediate concerns. While many Michigan fans thought guard Caleb Love would turn out to be the answer, it unfortunately was not to be. Now, it’s time for coach Juwan Howard to take a good hard look at the transfer portal yet again. One possible answer comes from SEC territory as former McDonald’s All-American Julian Phillips could be exactly what the Wolverines need.

Former McDonald’s All-American could be just what Michigan basketball needs

When we look at the Michigan basketball team heading into 2023, there are a few pretty major concerns to say the least. Possibly the biggest concern is elite guard and wing play, as most of their production from this past year is headed to the NBA. Now, as coach Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball likely turns to the transfer portal yet again, one particular name from down south might be the perfect match.

Forward Julian Phillips was a freshman this past year playing for the Tennessee Volunteers. Throughout the season, he recorded 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 41.1 percent from the field. For whatever reason, despite shooting the ball at a high rate all season long, he wasn’t put in position to be a major factor on the Volunteer offense, likely being the cause for his transfer decision.

BREAKING: Tennessee SF Julian Phillips plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, per @Cassidy_Rob.

He was a 5-star recruit in the class of 2022👀https://t.co/WyTpKeP1dW pic.twitter.com/eamewRInQQ

— On3 (@On3sports) May 10, 2023

Coming out of high school, he was listed as No. 19 player in the country and a five-star prospect per 247Sports. He also happened to be a McDonald’s All-American, so he has elite talent without a doubt. Even despite his lack of eye popping stats this past season, he was invited to the NBA Draft Combine before he elected to return and transfer. He’s that good.

With wing being a major concern for Michigan basketball heading into next season, it would be wise to at least give Julian Phillips a look. Juwan Howard knows how to get players into the NBA. Julian Phillips more than likely has NBA aspirations. This could be a perfect matchup for all parties, so keep an eye on Phillips as he continues to weigh his options for his future home.

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One of the most significant offseason decisions made by Juwan Howard following the conclusion of the Wolverines’ 2022-23 campaign was the acquisition of Michigan basketball transfer addition Caleb Love, a former five-star UNC Tar Heel. However, recent news indicates that Love will not be joining the University of Michigan, despite his reaffirmed commitment just a few weeks ago.

Michigan basketball transfer addition Caleb Love will not be attending the University of Michigan

Today, news broke that Caleb Love has decided to enroll elsewhere following around a month of commitment to Juwan Howard’s program. In college recruiting, especially with the portal, nothing is official until ink hits paper, and this further proves that. Love was poised to be one of the top players for the Wolverines next season, though it appears that he as opted to head elsewhere for the 2023-24 season.

Caleb Love, a former five-star point guard recruit from North Carolina, has three years of experience from his time at UNC, where he showcased his skills and abilities. In the previous season (2022-23), Love averaged an impressive 16.7 points per game, 2.8 assists per game, and 3.7 rebounds per game. His arrival fills a crucial need for experience and scoring on the upcoming 2023-24 Michigan basketball roster, making him a significant acquisition for Juwan Howard and the team.

This unexpected transfer portal loss is a huge blow to the Michigan basketball program ahead of a crucial fourth season for Juwan Howard. After a pitiful season in 2022-23, the Wolverines are going to need to find more guard depth and bring in some talent late in the transfer portal cycle in hopes of replacing the talent that Caleb Love was bound to bring.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

The Michigan basketball team experienced a significant blow through the transfer portal as former star player Hunter Dickinson opted to join the Kansas Jayhawks. When Dickinson initially entered the portal, it surprised many within the program and across the nation. However, the Wolverines have been active in the portal and seem to have built a strong roster for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Yet, what might be even more concerning than Dickinson’s departure is the reported reason behind it. Recent reports suggest that NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities played a significant role in Dickinson’s choice to leave Ann Arbor.

Michigan basketball: new reports state that NIL money played a major role in the loss of Hunter Dickinson

Hunter Dickinson has been a standout player in Juwan Howard’s Michigan basketball program for the past three years. He played a crucial role in leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten title and two Sweet 16 appearances, consistently showcasing his talent on the court during his time in Ann Arbor. However, he has decided to take his skills to Kansas in pursuit of a national championship, with reports suggesting that NIL opportunities played a significant role in his decision.

According to new reports from On3, Dickinson’s departure was largely influenced by the potential for increased NIL earnings. He mentioned that people criticizing his decision would readily switch jobs for a $10,000 raise. Dickinson highlighted that during his time at the University of Michigan, his NIL deals amounted to less than six figures for the year.

“The people hating on me would leave their job right now for a $10,000 increase. Ten thousand,” Dickinson said about his NIL deals at the Univeristy of Michigan. “I got, at Michigan, less than six figures. I got less than six figures at Michigan for the year.”

Despite choosing to leave the program, Hunter Dickinson still holds a positive view of his experience with the Maize and Blue. He emphasized that his decision was not a reflection of his feelings toward the program. In fact, he expressed his love for Michigan, the school, and the basketball program. Leaving was a difficult choice for him, but he ultimately believed it was the best decision for his future.

“I won’t say anything bad about the basketball program and stuff like that, because I still do love Michigan,” Dickinson said. “I love the school and everything, love the program. That’s why it was so hard to leave. I didn’t want to leave, but I felt like, man, it was the best decision for me.”

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!