It's been 20 years since the Fab Five exploded onto the college basketball scene. Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson were arguably the best recruiting class in basketball history.
Michigan hasn't been back to that level since 1991, but the program is on the upswing in terms of talent. Last year's class included three impact players -- Tim Hardaway Jr., Jon Horford and Evan Smotrycz. The classes of 2011 and 2012 have their shares of quality commits, as well.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the team's best player Darius Morris has decided to leave for the NBA draft. The Maize and Blue should recover, though.
Ann Arbor will see the beginnings of Max Beilfeldt, Trey Burke and Carlton Brundidge in 2011.
Brundidge, a four-star guard from Southfield, Mich., may be expected to step into Morris's shoes. While his jumper isn't what it probably should be, he can get to the bucket with the best of them. He's a scorer who gives it 100 percent every second he's on the floor.
It remains to be seen, however, if Brundidge can score around the hoop at this level with his 6-foot, 1-inch frame.
The highlight of the class of 2012 is Glenn Robinson III, son of the former NBA All-Star and Naismith winner at Purdue.
A consensus four-star wing, Robinson was an early commit and has the potential to be special. He needs to build strength, but has a lot of tools to work with. His understands the game and uses his length to his advantage on both ends of the floor.
Burke, a four-star or three-star player depending upon whom you ask, is a similar-sized guard who may end up being better than Brundidge. He certainly has more range.
Beilfeldt isn't a stud athlete, but he is a hard working 6-8 forward who can hit a midrange shot.
German post Martin Breunig may still be part of the class of 2011, too. He's a big body with a lot of upside but needs to develop. Breunig originally committed to Maryland but was released from his letter of intent and has taken visits to Michigan.
Nik Stauskus, a guard from Massachusetts, is another four-star and the other half of Michigan's class of 2012. He has range to 25 feet and isn't afraid to shoot from that distance. He has little trouble getting to the basket, as well.
Questions have been raised about Stauskus, though. He put on weight in the last year and has noticeably lost a step. His defense, while never a strong point, is now a serious issue for a kid who will be expected to guard major conference twos. Still, it's not too late for him to get in shape and maximize his potential.