The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1525654
44 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2024 BY CHRIS BALAS N ew Michigan basketball coach Dusty May has made a splash in his first months on the job at U-M, putting together a competitive roster expected to compete well in the Big Ten and for an NCAA Tournament berth. One big step toward that end was bringing 7-foot big man Vlad Goldin with him from Florida Atlantic. Goldin averaged 15.7 points per game last year and has gotten better each of his three seasons under May. Goldin, a grad transfer, echoed May's sentiments when he said he expected the Wolverines to be extremely competi- tive in Year 1. He took it a step farther in praising his new teammates after spend- ing several weeks with them in Ann Ar- bor, saying this year's Michigan team boasted a collection of talent the likes of which he hadn't seen — and that in- cludes an FAU Final Four team from two seasons ago. "This team is probably the most tal- ented I have ever played with," Goldin said. "We have so many talented guys … it's insane talent. "I think we can win championships — one, maybe two. I think that's true. [Forward] Danny [Wolf ], [guard] Tre [Donaldson], [wing] Roddy [Gayle Jr.], [guard] Rubin [Jones], all these guys … some of them are very experienced players, some of them are very talented players. I feel like that's helping us be an all-around, well-rounded team." There are no egos on the team, Goldin said — just a bunch of guys who want to win. That list starts with May, who Goldin had no hesitation following to Michigan once his coach took the job. "I'm big on connections and relation- ships," he said. "I was excited. I don't even remember what was in my head but 'Michigan. Wow!' It was amazing. "When I was here on my official visit it felt like no pressure. Nobody was try- ing to be fake or indifferent. Everybody was hanging out. It's a good sign that everybody's genuine." And all eager, like May and Goldin, to win and win big this year at Michigan. MICHIGAN FRESHMAN GUARD L.J. CASON IS OPENING EYES If early returns are any indication, Michigan coach Dusty May and his staff might have gotten the steal of the 2024 recruiting class in guard L.J. Cason. The Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian Acad- emy point guard (6-2, 190) was slotted only No. 252 nationally in the On3 In- dustry Ranking, one that considers the four major recruiting services, but he's been outstanding in the early going. Practice observers say there have been many occasions in which Cason was the best player on the floor, scoring at will inside and out. "He's been a real pleasant surprise," May said Aug. 8. "Obviously, we thought he was a really good player. We signed him at FAU, we had really good players there and we thought he'd fit in. "He's shot the ball really, really well. He's been extremely competitive. He's been very, very coachable, and he looks like someone that physically is going to be ready to contribute. We need really everyone on our roster to be ready to go. But he's been a little further along than we anticipated." The other freshmen, 6-3, 180-pound s h o o t i n g g u a rd Ju s t i n P i p p e n o f Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon and 6-2, 190-pound Durral "Phat Phat" Brooks of Grand Rapids (Mich.) Catho- lic Central, have also impressed, May said. Both were limited when they first arrived, but each has shown his com- petitive chops. ❱ MICHIGAN BASKETBALL Big Man Vlad Goldin Praises Michigan's Talent This summer, Vlad Goldin, a 7-foot-1 grad transfer center who played at Florida Atlantic under U-M coach Dusty May, said this Michigan team is "probably the most talented I have ever played on." PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS