The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1540586
34 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2025 2025-26 BASKETBALL PREVIEW BY CHRIS BALAS D usty May exceeded all ex- pectations in his first year as Michigan head coach, finishing 27-10 overall, winning the Big Ten Tournament and making the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual Final Four team Auburn. Even in that game, the Wolverines were up 9 points midway through the second half before the Tigers' furious rally procured a 78-65 win. To the U-M fan base, it was a re- markable first season following an 8-24 campaign led by former coach Juwan Howard. May put together a roster of remaining players, portal transfers and incoming freshmen in a matter of weeks, one that earned a Big Ten Tournament banner in May's first year and — hope- fully — set the tone for the remainder of the coach's tenure at Michigan. May, though, couldn't help but be a bit disappointed when the season ended. Such is his makeup and own high expec- tations for himself and his teams. "I did think we had a chance to play in the last weekend," he said after the loss to Auburn. "But you run into different matchups and different teams that are tough for you … "But if you would have said back in June this is where we would end up, we probably would have been pleased." It was a true team, he added later, and they left a legacy and helped the program establish an identity. The goal now is to build upon that sea- son and take the Wolverines to another level. Another outstanding offseason has made that a possibility, and it all started with recruiting. HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR A REVAMPED FRONTCOURT Michigan lost a pair of outstanding 7-footers in Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin, both off to the NBA after fantastic one-year careers for the Wolverines. May, though, landed not just two, but three frontcourt players from the portal who READY TO READY TO ASCEND ASCEND Dusty May's Second Michigan Team Is Projected For Great Success