The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2024 M ichigan basketball is en- tering a new era under head coach Dusty May, who led Florida Atlantic to 60 wins and a Final Four bid over the last two seasons. The Maize and Blue were picked ninth in the Big Ten, but it's a wide- open league. In the media poll, they were selected as high as No. 5 and as low as No. 12. Six teams received first-place tallies, showing how un- certain voters were. It's always been this way, Big Ten Network analyst Raphael Davis told TheWolverine.com. "I was picked 13th in this league in 2013 and finished third," the former Purdue guard said. "We had a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament and went to the NCAA Tournament, and that was off a last-place finish in the league. We don't know. I didn't get a vote [this year], but media doesn't know." Michigan, which finished last in the Big Ten and posted an 8-24 overall re- cord last season, has the chance to make a similar jump to Davis' squad more than a decade ago. May was one of the hottest names on the market this offseason, and he has built a roster with immense talent. "I look at Coach May as one of the bet- ter coaches in the country," Davis said. "Obviously, what he did at FAU, he can coach, he can get guys to buy in. He's really good offensively, really good de- fensively, schematic-wise. "I'm excited for Coach May. You bring a guy like [graduate center Vladislav] Goldin with you, it just shows the buy- in you have from guys. And it's always good. … I think about Coach [Mike] Rhoades from Penn State, when he's able to bring in [guard] Nick Kern [Jr.] and [guard] Ace Baldwin [Jr.], your cul- ture is still set, so you don't have to build an identity. Goldin is one of those guys that's going to be vocal in that locker room." Michigan fans didn't have high expec- tations for the 2024-25 season before the coaching change, or even in the imme- diate aftermath. Showing improvement and the ability to compete in the Big Ten — like Penn State did, going 9-11 in the league in Rhoades' first year last sea- son — were the main goals. But adding Goldin and other top transfers, including junior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. [Ohio State], junior forward/center Danny Wolf [Yale] and others, has created more excitement and higher hopes. "Nowadays, first you have to make the Big Ten Tournament," Davis said. "You make the Big Ten Tournament, you start there. And then if they're able to play their way to be in position to make the Big Dance, I think that could be success for him. "But once you reach the Final Four and you've been there, success is only to get back. I talk to [fellow BTN analyst and former Michigan head] Coach [John] Beilein a bunch about it, and he'll tell me, 'Once you coach in the national champi- onship, an Elite Eight isn't good enough. It's not good enough for you, but it's defi- nitely not good enough for the fan base.'" Goldin said this is the most talented group of players he's been around, even more so than the 2023 FAU team that made the Final Four, so there's no ceiling on the Wolverines this sea- son. But getting back to playing meaningful ball in March would mark a big win. MOST CONCERNING STATS FOR MICHIGAN FOOTBALL The Michigan offensive line has improved throughout the first half of the regular season, particularly with its run blocking, and it's no surprise that it took some time to mesh. But the pass protection must get better, too. The Maize and Blue are allowing pressure on 31 percent of drop-backs, which ranks 104th in the country per Sports Info Solutions. They have a 57.3 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking rating, checking in 111th in the na- tion. Michigan's quarterbacks and wide receivers have to be better, too, but they must be given a stronger chance to succeed, and that starts up front. They're not trying to reinvent the wheel or throw deep bombs every play, either, with an average throw depth of 7 yards, which checks in 116th in the sport. On the defensive side, eliminating big plays through the air must be a focal point moving forward. The Maize and Blue ranked second-to-last in the nation after the Oct. 5 loss at Washington with 71 passes of 10-plus yards allowed. Opponents are routinely staying away from junior cornerback Will Johnson and going right at sophomore Jyaire Hill and junior Zeke Berry. No Big Ten player had been targeted in coverage this season more than Hill (39). He's allowed 26 receptions, tied for the fifth-most in the nation. Berry has given up 27 catches on 38 targets. With a great corner on one side of the field, veteran safeties and a great pass rush, there should be more answers to that issue. ❏ SAYFIE BLITZ ❱ CLAYTON SAYFIE It's Not Where You Start … While simply getting back to the postseason in March would be considered a win for some Michigan fans, coach Dusty May is not putting any ceiling on his first team in Ann Arbor. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Staff writer Clayton Sayfie has covered Michigan athletics for The Wolverine since 2019. Contact him at Clayton.Sayfie @on3.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @CSayf23.