The 3 most likely players to lead Michigan Basketball in scoring next season

The Michigan Wolverines will need guys to step up offensively after losing their three leading scorers from last year. Here are the 3 most likely players to lead the team in scoring next season:

After losing its top three leading scorers from last season, the Michigan Wolverines will lean on several other players to step up and replace the offensive production that previously came from Vlad Goldin, Danny Wolf and Tre Donaldson.

Dusty May’s team is expected to have lofty expectations and potential championship aspirations, but there was a ton of roster turnover this offseason. As of now, it remains to be seen which players will eventually carry the offensive load.

Before we get to the list of players most likely to lead the Wolverines in scoring next season, we must throw in a caveat that UAB transfer Yaxel Lendeborg would be atop the list, but we’re waiting to see if he will actually be in Ann Arbor or stay in the draft.

Okay, now let’s get to the list.

3. Elliot Cadeau

The North Carolina transfer is widely known as a pass-first point guard, but he still found a way to put up 9.4 points per game as a sophomore last year. He is expected to split time as the main ball handler with L.J. Cason, so either player could be on the list, but we’re including Cadeau due to having more experience.

Even though he is a subpar shooter from the perimeter, Cadeau showed a lot of progress last season and is a dynamic scorer off the dribble. Those skills should translate to his first year with the Wolverines.

2. Roddy Gayle Jr.

It was a roller coaster of a season for Gayle in his first year at Michigan, but managed to finish fourth on the team with 9.8 points per game. He scored in double figures in 14 of the first 18 games before suffering a shooting drought that lasted nearly two months.

After finally breaking out of the horrendous slump, Gayle erupted for a season-high 26 points to lead Michigan past Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32. If Gayle be more consistent and can channel his early-season output, he could very well lead the Wolverines in scoring next year.

1. Nimari Burnett

In his second season with the Wolverines, Burnett blossomed into the best pure shooter on the team by shooting a career-high 47.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Burnett was fifth on the team in scoring with 9.4 points per game.

He should see an uptick in playing time and usage next season, which could lead to a significant statistical jump. In order for him to contribute at a high level and potentially lead Michigan in scoring, he must be even more aggressive and consistent.