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ROSEMONT, Ill. — Things did not go to plan for the Michigan men’s basketball team this offseason. Its national-championship-winning head coach skedaddling on to the NBA was already bad enough. But to make it even worse, during one of the Wolverines’ European summer games, freshman guard Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered a season-ending right ACL injury.
The Wolverines’ lineup is now looking a bit thinner and much more uncertain. McCoy was the five-star centerpiece of Michigan’s recruiting efforts, expected to play considerable minutes from the season’s onset. So now, the Wolverines are stuck sewing patches to the holes in their previously almost-determined roster.
When it comes to the McCoy issue, however, a small miracle fell into the Wolverines’ lap: fifth-year guard Roddy Gayle Jr. Just two weeks ago, a New York judge issued a preliminary injunction that will allow Gayle to play with Michigan for the foreseeable future.
“I feel like it’s definitely really big for us,” senior guard Elliot Cadeau said Thursday at Big Ten Media Day. “I think that (Gayle) and (McCoy) kind of have a similar playstyle, so I feel like Roddy could, in a sense, kind of replace Brandon.”
Gayle offers a similar package to McCoy while coming with a few bonus features. They both offer an elite physicality and thrive in applying crushing defensive pressure. Gayle’s blend of finesse and brute strength fuels his slashing abilities, similar to McCoy’s proclivity for pushing the ball downhill.
But Gayle offers something that McCoy doesn’t have — experience. A key part of the rotation in the Wolverines’ national championship squad, Gayle will aid the few returners in cultivating the culture that allowed Michigan to reach those heights in the first place. And that leadership ability combined with confidence acquired from experience makes those around him hopeful that he will be able to showcase even more from his arsenal.
“(Gayle’s) going to be able to show more this year, too,” sophomore guard Trey McKenny said. “He’s kind of in the shadows. He wasn’t able to show as much as he could last year but I think him stepping up into that role this year and leading us. … He’s going to be able to show more this year.”
Providing depth behind Gayle and Cadeau, graduate guard Kenny Noland’s also emerged as a dynamic potential piece of the new puzzle. Transferring in from Columbia, Noland has already proven himself as a capable shooter: He shot 37.5% from downtown and set a Lions program record by shooting 92.1% from the line.
Since arriving in Ann Arbor, Noland has seemed to make more strides. He’s been noted for his improved ball handling and decision making. But most importantly for the backup floor general, he’s heralded for his voice in the locker room.
“He’s stepping up as a leader,” Cadeau said. “He’s getting more comfortable in his role because he kind of just got here, but he’s becoming a very strong leader for us.”
While the Wolverines’ five-star deficit must sting, the effects have been numbed by Gayle and Noland’s prospective impacts. And with the pair additionally armed with quality experience, their contributions may only add a new, dynamic dimension to this year’s Michigan roster.
Elliot Cadeau dribbles down the court with the basketball.
Elliot Cadeau dribbles down the court with the basketball.
Roddy Gayle Jr. drops from the basket with the basketball in front of him.
Roddy Gayle Jr. drops from the basket with the basketball in front of him.
L.J. Cason controls the basketball.
L.J. Cason controls the basketball.