Michigan Basketball Eyes Top Transfer Portal Targets After Historic NCAA Title Run

Just days after cutting down the nets in San Antonio as NCAA champions, the Michigan Wolverines are already facing a roster exodus. Guard Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 1-rated transfer in the 2025 class, has declared for the NBA Draft, joining teammates Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr., and Will Tschetter in leaving Ann Arbor. With eligibility clocks ticking and NBA Draft decisions pending from stars like Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara, head coach Dusty May must navigate the transfer portal with surgical precision to sustain Michigan’s newfound dynasty. The portal opened on April 15—a day after Michigan’s 85-78 victory over Purdue—and the Wolverines wasted no time identifying potential replacements. Early reports from analysts like On3’s Jamie Shaw suggest Michigan is in the mix for multiple top-tier prospects, from a dominant Big 12 center to a proven Big Ten scorer.

Why Michigan’s Transfer Portal Strategy Could Make or Break Its Dynasty

Winning a national championship is the pinnacle of college basketball, but maintaining that level of success is exponentially harder. Michigan’s 2024-25 roster featured a mix of elite freshmen, portal additions, and homegrown talent that coalesced under Dusty May’s leadership. However, the Wolverines are now losing four players with eligibility remaining—Lendeborg, Burnett, Gayle Jr., and Tschetter—while Johnson and Mara face pivotal decisions that could further deplete the roster. The transfer portal offers a lifeline, but it’s a high-stakes gamble that demands both shrewd evaluation and adaptability. May’s unconventional roster construction in previous years—most notably playing three centers simultaneously in 2024—signals a willingness to innovate, which could be crucial if Michigan lands a versatile big like Flory Bidunga or a scoring wing like Miles Byrd. Failure to replace key contributors could leave the Wolverines vulnerable in the rugged Big Ten, where programs like Purdue, Illinois, and Maryland are poised to reload. The stakes are clear: Michigan’s portal approach will determine whether the championship run was a one-off miracle or the beginning of a sustained era of dominance.

The Transfer Portal’s Role in Modern College Basketball Recruiting

The NCAA’s 2021 decision to reinstate the transfer portal fundamentally altered the landscape of college basketball recruiting. No longer bound by the traditional four-year commitment structure, players can now change schools once per year without restriction, creating a fluid market where rosters can transform overnight. Programs like Michigan that prioritize player development and system fit—rather than just recruiting rankings—are uniquely positioned to thrive in this environment. The portal rewards teams that can identify undervalued talent, integrate newcomers quickly, and maintain culture amid constant turnover. For Michigan, which has historically leaned on transfers to fill gaps (e.g., Isaiah Livers in 2018, Hunter Dickinson in 2022), the portal isn’t just an emergency option; it’s a strategic pillar of May’s recruiting philosophy. The challenge lies in balancing immediate needs with long-term vision, especially when elite prospects like Bidunga command attention from multiple suitors.

Michigan’s Top Transfer Portal Targets: A Wishlist Analysis

• Flory Bidunga, Kansas: The portal’s No. 1 prospect, a 6-foot-10 center who led the Big 12 in field goal percentage (64.0%) and blocks per game (2.6) while averaging 13.3 points in 2024-25.
• John Blackwell, Wisconsin: A senior guard averaging 19.1 and 15.8 points per game over the past two seasons, offering Big Ten experience and scoring punch.
• Miles Byrd, San Diego State: A 6-foot-6 small forward ranked No. 5 in the portal, projected as a Lendeborg replacement with 2024-25 averages of 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.

The Wolverines’ transfer portal wishlist extends beyond the headline names, with analysts like 247Sports’ Travis Branham and On3’s Jamie Shaw highlighting several under-the-radar gems. At the top of the board is Flory Bidunga, a 6-foot-11 center from Kansas whose sophomore season showcased elite efficiency and defensive dominance. Bidunga led the Big 12 in field goal percentage (64.0%) and blocks per game (2.6), while contributing 13.3 points per contest. His physicality and motor make him an ideal fit for Dusty May’s system, which prioritizes rim protection and transition play. While Texas Tech is currently viewed as the frontrunner—with Bidunga reportedly visiting Lubbock this week—the Wolverines remain a serious contender due to Michigan’s recent championship pedigree and May’s track record of developing big men (see: Hunter Dickinson).

Another priority is Wisconsin guard John Blackwell, a senior who has been a consistent scorer in the Big Ten. Blackwell averaged 19.1 points per game in 2023-24 and 15.8 in 2024-25, proving he can thrive against elite competition. His size (6-foot-5) and ability to create his own shot could complement Michigan’s backcourt, even if it means overlapping minutes with incumbent guards Trey McKenney II and Brandon McCoy Jr. Blackwell’s familiarity with the Big Ten’s physicality would ease his transition, and his leadership could be invaluable for a young roster. That said, May’s recent roster experiments—including playing three centers in 2024—suggest he’s open to unconventional lineups, which might include Blackwell alongside McKenney and a third guard.

For a wing who can replace Lendeborg’s production, San Diego State’s Miles Byrd stands out. Ranked as the No. 5 transfer by 247Sports, Byrd is a 6-foot-6 forward with a smooth shooting stroke and the athleticism to defend multiple positions. In 2024-25, he averaged 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 36.2% from three-point range. His ability to space the floor and attack closeouts would fit perfectly in Michigan’s motion offense, which thrived on perimeter shooting this season. Other targets include Providence’s Oswin Erhunmwunse, a 6-foot-9 center who averaged 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 2024-25—elite numbers for a player who only contributed 6.8 points per game. Erhunmwunse’s defensive versatility could be a game-changer if Mara or Johnson leave for the NBA Draft. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s power forward Paulius Murauskas (18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds in 2024-25) and Boise State center Drew Fielder (14.7 points, 40.2% three-point shooting) offer additional upside as stretch forwards and rim-running bigs, respectively.

How Dusty May’s Unconventional Roster Building Could Shape Michigan’s Portal Approach

Dusty May’s tenure at Michigan has been defined by flexibility. In his first season (2022-23), he famously deployed a lineup featuring three centers—Danny Wolf, Hunter Dickinson, and Vlad Goldin—en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. The strategy was unconventional but effective, as the big men’s combined size and mobility overwhelmed opponents. While Michigan’s 2024-25 squad shifted to a more traditional rotation, the Wolverines’ success was built on versatility, with players like Burnett and Gayle Jr. logging minutes at multiple positions. This adaptability could be crucial in the portal, where May may prioritize "tweeners"—players who defy traditional positional labels. For example, a guard like Blackwell or Isaiah Johnson (a 6-foot-1 guard who averaged 16.9 points as a freshman in 2023-24) could slide into a hybrid wing role, allowing Michigan to maintain defensive versatility without sacrificing scoring. The Wolverines’ willingness to experiment could also extend to international transfers, though the portal’s current top targets are all U.S.-based players.

The Portal’s Impact on Michigan’s Big Ten and National Outlook

Michigan’s rise to the top of college basketball coincided with a relative lull in Big Ten dominance. While programs like Purdue, Illinois, and Maryland have consistently ranked among the nation’s best, the conference lacked a true national title contender since Michigan’s 1989 championship. The Wolverines’ 2025 title changed that narrative, but the Big Ten is already poised for a power shift. Purdue, fresh off a Final Four run, returns nearly everyone from a roster that includes All-American Mason Gillis. Illinois, led by rising star Tai Webster, and Maryland, with a top-tier recruiting class, are also in position to challenge for conference supremacy. If Michigan falters in the portal, it risks falling behind these programs, which have deeper benches and more established recruiting pipelines. Conversely, if May lands two or three high-impact transfers—particularly a dominant big like Bidunga and a proven scorer like Blackwell—the Wolverines could enter 2025-26 as preseason No. 1 contenders. The portal’s timing, coming immediately after a championship, gives Michigan a rare advantage: elite recruits and transfers are more likely to consider joining a proven winner.

Key Takeaways: What Michigan Must Do to Sustain Its Championship Momentum

• Prioritize elite big men like Flory Bidunga to replace the departing frontcourt and maintain defensive dominance.
• Target proven scorers such as John Blackwell or Miles Byrd to fill the void left by Yaxel Lendeborg’s NBA Draft departure.
• Leverage Big Ten experience and positional versatility to minimize transition time for new transfers.
• Balance immediate needs with long-term development, avoiding over-reliance on any single portal target.
• Maintain culture and system cohesion amid roster turnover, a hallmark of Dusty May’s coaching philosophy.

The Competition: Which Schools Are Also Bidding for Michigan’s Targets?

Michigan isn’t the only powerhouse vying for the transfer portal’s top prospects. Bidunga, the portal’s No. 1 player, has drawn interest from multiple elite programs, with Texas Tech reportedly leading the charge. The Red Raiders, coached by Mark Adams, have built their identity on defensive intensity and rebounding—attributes that align perfectly with Bidunga’s skill set. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s John Blackwell has ties to the Badgers’ coaching staff, but his desire to play in a winning program with NBA Draft upside could sway his decision toward Michigan or other contenders like Illinois or Kansas. San Diego State’s Miles Byrd, ranked No. 5 in the portal, has also drawn attention from SEC schools like Auburn and Tennessee, which prioritize perimeter shooting and athleticism. The competition underscores the high stakes of Michigan’s portal strategy: landing even one of these targets would be a coup, but falling short could leave the Wolverines scrambling to fill multiple roster holes.

What’s Next for Michigan and the Transfer Portal?

The next two weeks will be critical for Michigan as the transfer portal enters its most active phase. May and his staff are expected to host official visits for top targets like Bidunga and Blackwell, while also monitoring the NBA Draft withdrawal deadlines for Johnson and Mara. The Wolverines’ ability to close on one or two high-impact transfers could determine whether they remain a title contender or face a rebuild. Off the court, Michigan must also navigate the challenges of integrating new players into a locker room that just experienced the highest highs of college basketball. The portal’s fluidity means nothing is guaranteed—players can change their minds, and new names will emerge—but the Wolverines’ recent success gives them a unique selling point: the chance to join a program on the rise. For fans, the next few months will be a rollercoaster of rumors, official visits, and high-stakes decisions. One thing is certain: Michigan’s transfer portal strategy will be dissected as closely as its on-court performance in 2025-26.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Basketball’s Transfer Portal Strategy