The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2026 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Graduate guard Roddy Gayle Jr. came to Michigan from Ohio State in 2024 after a few years with the program, and he's had huge moments in maize and blue. He's also sacrificed some minutes for winning, at times. Gayle discusses a win over OSU this season and more in this month's Q&A. The Wolverine: What was it like facing your former teammates Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal in a win over Ohio State earlier this year? Roddy Gayle: "It was an amazing feeling just to be able to go out there, play against those guys. Those guys are my brothers no matter what, whatever jersey I'm wearing, whatever jersey they're wearing. Those guys, we have built a relationship that's going to last years. "It's just bragging rights for me at this point. I called Devin the other day just to brag and say, 'Hey, we beat y'all!' At the end of the day, I just look at it like that. And on Trey Burke jersey night … there was no way we could have lost that one." The Wolverine: You were blowing out teams by 30 or 40 earlier in the year, now it's back to 10 to 12, some closer ones. Does that bring you down to earth a bit? Gayle: "I think it's been a lot better. Earlier in the season we didn't get to feel this way. We were winning by 20-, 30-plus. It's been an adjustment for us to be in these close games and understand what it takes to grind out a game, to be successful. "It's kind of what it was like last year where we were in these moments a lot. That's what made us very good over the course of a season. We knew in the [last] four-minute stretch what we were capable of and what was needed to win." The Wolverine: What is it about this team that has made you so good on the road this year? Gayle: "When we're on the road and it's just us, staff, players, I feel like we just all come together and knowing it's just us … there's no extra support. We lean on each other a little more than we would at home. We know we don't have the crowd or Maize Rage, so we know we have to lean on each other, and that's when we enhance our talk, our leadership, our voices and stuff like that. "So, I feel like that's what makes us unique, especially with this program being able to be player-led. Especially, you can see that on the road." The Wolverine: Do you feel like the team is almost underappreci- ated now that you're still winning but not blowing everyone out? Gayle: "I think it's more equaled out. Obviously, you saw things at the beginning of the year like, 'That's the best team in history.' That's a lot of pressure. I feel like we've handled that really well. I think some of our guys were kind of bored in the process, but especially with the past few games we had in the Big Ten, it shows no matter who you play, what time or where, you're capable of being beaten. "I'd rather be underrated, just because there's so much more to prove. Go out there and play with desperation." The Wolverine: You've kind of taken freshman guard Trey McKen- ney under your wing. How have you seen him progress? Gayle: "He's been great. I've been with Trey since earlier this summer. Just to see his development as a basketball player, but as a person, as well … he came in as a guy who barely talked. I didn't even think he liked any of us at the time. Throughout the course of summer, it changed. "I don't look at him as a freshman … his maturity level has been unreal. I kind of took it upon me to teach him some of the stuff I have learned through the past four years. Guys like Trey, all he does is work … that's the reason for his success." — Chris Balas ❱ Sitting Down With Michigan Basketball Grad Guard Roddy Gayle Jr. Gayle was averaging 8.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game and had the second-most steals (19) on the team through the first 23 games. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL line on the Jenner & Block report, Acker believes the findings should be shared with the public. "I expect some of it certainly, so the public has an understanding of what happened here that led to Coach Moore's arrest," Acker said. "It's an unacceptable incident, and I think that's one that the public deserves full transparency." Regent Paul Brown supported Manuel for the work he has done in Ann Arbor thus far while also acknowledging that the new president is entitled to pick the staff he wants in place around him run- ning one of the most powerful universi- ties in the world. "I think Warde is one of the best athletic directors in our history and in the country today," Brown said. "But there is obviously some prerogative of a new president to pick his team and obviously, too, for the board to examine closely the mistakes that were made in this last incident." Until the Jenner & Block findings are released and the new president takes the reins, Michigan's athletics department remains in a holding pattern, caught between accountability for the past and uncertainty for what comes next. ❑