It’s tough to say, in that scenario, because obviously I have no idea how ready the two freshmen will be or how much improved will be the returnees.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brooks start at the 2, and I could imagine him flipping a switch like he seemed to do in a few games towards the end of this past season and holding onto that spot, or being overtaken by Cumberland in a repeat of the past couple of years of Brooks’ minutes diminishing as the season goes on. I would expect both to be in the playing rotation regardless. Whomever of Johns or Wilson (or, less likely, Bajema) is more ready to contribute on day one would likely start.
Simpson
Cumberland or Brooks
Wilson or Livers
Livers or Johns
Teske
Castleton backing up Teske, DeJulius spelling Simpson. Nunez or Bajema could always surprise and be ready to play a role sooner than most think. At the very least, they could be occasional snipers off the bench if they adjust to the speed of the game and play passable defense (neither of which did we see from Nunez in 2018/19, but that’s not uncommon with freshmen here).
If Iggy comes back and we get Cumberland, we’re a top 5-8 team in the nation I think.
Livers replaces Matthews which should be an upgrade as Livers will be a year older, and a mix of Eli/Cumberland I don’t think is too far from what Poole did last year. We also improve at every other position by default of guys being a year older, with the bench also being improved.
If Iggy doesn’t come back and we get Franz, we drop to probably top 15. Still good for 2nd or 3rd in the B1G but it’ll be an uphill battle and we’d have to hope for the sophomores really taking a step.
PG - Simpson - Dave
SG - Cumberland - Brooks
SF - Livers
PF - Johns - Wilson
C - Teske - Castleton
Pretty confident that would be our rotation to start the year. Dave and Eli would be competing to get all of those backup guard minutes and that competition probably goes throughout most of the non-conference
(well, you don’t EXPECT anything like that in a single-elimination postseason format, but that’s the kind of talent Michigan will have and they will spend most of the season ranked top 3)