The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 33 Burnett heard about it, from more than just the packed house at Crisler. For days, friends reached out to extend the winning moment. "Oh, it was crazy," Burnett recalled. "I told some people, it was worse than a birthday. You get a bunch of birthday texts, but it was even more than that. It was amazing, though. I appreciate the love. It was something I'm never going to forget. I heard a ton of compliments from people — 'Great shot!' — just walking down the street. It was a beautiful moment." May thought so too, and pointed to the many moments which led to it. "I'm extremely happy for Nimari," May said. "He deserves to make that play … his day-to-day work, preparation and con- sistency is, in my opinion, the reason you make shots like that. We needed it. And for him to play like that down the stretch was impressive. "He's been battling illness, like half of college basketball. I thought his power, his determination, he's simplified his game, his drive — overall, I just thought Nimari played a really, really sound basketball game. He was aggressive on the defensive glass as well." Burnett witnessed Michigan aggres- sively turn from an eight-win team last season into this year's 22-victory, Big Ten upper-echelon powerhouse, despite a pre-tourney slump. The second-year Wolverine pointed to Michigan's turn- around as the most gratifying aspect of his Ann Arbor sojourn. One of the few holdovers from the last gasps of the previous regime, Burnett felt rejuvenation from the moment May walked in the door. "Man, it was an amazing turnaround," Burnett reflected. "Just looking back on last year, and being in that moment, it was tough for us. It was tough for me. It was a lot of questions, and decisions I had to make personally as well, about Michi- gan basketball itself. To see where we are now and where we were then, it's truly amazing. "I'm grateful to be a part of such a spe- cial group, with a special coaching staff. My love for the coaching staff that was there before is always there, but to do amazing things this year. … It's been a tale of two years, and I'm happy to be a part of it." Burnett considered giving up his final season of eligibility with the Wolverines, following last year's struggles. Needless to say, he's glad he didn't. "Yeah, no doubt," he mused. "I defi- nitely thought about forgoing college af- ter last year. But I never felt I made the wrong decision [coming to Michigan]. I know that you're everywhere you are for a reason, and I truly believe that. I think part of the reason for me being there last year was to be part of a special group and a successful team this year. I'm very happy to see how Michigan basketball has gone in the right direction." May's arrival definitely played a role in Burnett's decision to stay. The fireball of a new boss embodied everything Bur- nett wanted to see — a deep knowledge of and passion for the game, combined with winning personality characteristics. "Man, I definitely asked questions be- fore I first met him," Burnett said. "I asked questions from players I knew at FAU, guys that played for him in the past. Then when I met him, I thought, I see where people were saying, he's a genuinely great guy, first. Second, he's an elite mind, loves the game of basketball. Those are all the characteristics I feel I have myself, and I pride myself on that. Just to have that in common was amazing. "We just talked about what the plan was for this upcoming year. He's delivered on everything he said, whether it's about the whole team or me. He's done a great job of implementing that as we've gone. It's been a pleasure to be coached by him." It didn't hurt May at all to have veter- ans from last season, like Burnett, to an- chor the host of newcomers. Players such as Burnett, redshirt junior forward Will Tschetter and others embraced the role. "He definitely relied on Will and me to bring the group together and tell every- body what it means to be a Michigan bas- ketball player and being a part of rewriting our story as a winning group, a winning program," Burnett acknowledged. "To have a wonderful coach was a great part of that. The players we have now have formed a great brotherhood." Burnett grew in that leadership role, as well as in his on-court game. "No doubt," he assured. "I definitely feel like I've grown a lot mentally. I always had the physical tools to be really good, but mentally, I've grown. It's made the game simpler, taking what the game gives me, making reads according to the de- fense and going out there and having fun. Sometimes we lose track, with basketball being too stressful. Just go out there and have fun, play for your team, and good things are bound to happen." Good things began happening from the moment he stepped on campus, Burnett stressed, despite the struggles of last sea- son. "Man, it's been amazing!" he said. "It's been incredible. These are blessings, and moments I will never forget. I met some special people on this journey, along this path. I'm grateful for each and every mo- ment of it. Most of all, I'm grateful for the fans. These people come out and sup- port us each and every day, each and every night, through thick and thin. To see the people that were there last year, when we had a struggling season, and to see the excitement this year, with everybody en- gaged — it's truly special. "No matter what, I'm always grate- ful for the block M, and everything that Michigan offers." ❏ Those Who Stayed, And Played Graduate student guard Nimari Burnett became the lone starter to emerge this season from among the remnants of last year's Michigan roster, and one of two Wolverines who provided major contribu- tions in Dusty May's first year of guiding the program. Here's a look at the duo that came back to enjoy Michigan's turnaround success. Burnett — Finished the regular season averaging the fourth-most minutes on the team, 26.9 per game. He led the Wolverines in three-point makes (58) and percentage (40.6), while averaging 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Burnett added 44 assists and 29 steals, the latter number second among the Wolverines. He has started every game in the past two seasons for Michigan, a total of 63 consecutive starts headed into the Big Ten Tournament. Will Tschetter — Didn't start as a redshirt junior, but he averaged significant minutes (15.7). He stood second on the team in three-point percentage (37.3) and led the Wolverines (30 or more attempts) in free throw shooting percentage (85.3). Tschetter averaged 6.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest in the regular season. — John Borton