In misinterpreting a question Wednesday afternoon, Michigan basketball coach John Beilein inadvertently let a small bit of news slip.

Michigan is considering an overseas trip, which is allowed by the NCAA once every four years. The main hangup could be cleared up at the end of April, when the NCAA Board of Directors will vote on whether to allow incoming freshmen participate.

If they do, Beilein indicated he'd look into a trip - although nothing was definite. If the proposal isn't passed, Beilein said he wouldn't look into a trip this year.

"If everything can fit together and we can pull the trip together if, in fact, the freshmen can make the trip," Beilein said. "If the freshmen cannot make the trip, Jordan Morgan may still be injured, Jordan Dumars cannot travel yet because of the transfer, it wouldn’t make sense to go over there with six or seven people."

Michigan is depleted, too, because of the departure of five players from the 2009-10 team. DeShawn Sims and Zack Gibson are out of eligibility. Manny Harris is heading for the NBA Draft. Anthony Wright is graduating and Ben Cronin's career is over due to injury.

Getting into the tournament If the 96-team NCAA tournament comes to pass next season, it could mean good news for Michigan fans.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi put together a way-too-early prediction of a potential 96-team field in 2010-11 and Michigan was in the tournament as a No. 15 seed.

According to Lunardi, Michigan would play No. 18 Texas Tech in the first round with the winner playing No. 2 Georgetown in the second round in the Newark region.

This and that Beilein said he still hasn't decided on a new assistant coach but is looking at "several options." ... Michigan will host a recruiting weekend this weekend with two official visits - including new signee Jon Horford - and unofficial visitors.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.