The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544538
MAY 2026 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 31 BY CHRIS BALAS I t hadn't sunk in yet for any of them when Elliot Cadeau, Yaxel Lend- eborg and Trey McKenney joined Dusty May on stage to meet the media after nearly an hour spent on the court in Indianapolis where they'd won the national championship. They cut nets, shed tears, hugged their families, and savored the last time they'd all be to- gether on a court as a team after gritting out a 69-63 win over Connecticut that remained uncomfortable, really, until the final buzzer. That, though, was when the reality sunk in for those of us who cover the team … that every article about "paid merce- naries" or "buying a roster" that May had to refute during the year was even further from the truth than many realized. That was evident on Cadeau's face m o re t h a n a ny- thing, his eyes still red and his locker room goggles still on top of his head from the celebra- tion. He was a cast- off only months earlier before May sought him out, not wanted by the North Carolina team he initially signed with; now, he was the catalyst for Michigan's first national title team since 1989. With the Huskies intent on making it a one-on-one game and tak- ing away the Wolverines' free-flowing offense, they needed someone who could create some offense of his own. Cadeau answered the bell, attacking the rim, making one of Michigan's two (!) triples late in the second half, and lead- ing the way with 19 points. Vindication, relief … it all came out after (we'll say it) these Wolverines secured their spot as the greatest team in school history. "Man, it means the world to me," Ca- deau said. "I'm just so proud of myself, where I came from. Last year, I was really down on myself. A lot of people doubted me, and I'm just so proud of myself to be able to say I was the most outstanding player and win a national championship at the same time. … "I just saw so much talent around me since Day 1, just a unique set of talent. Three bigs at the same time, switching 1 through 4 — I saw a unique type of bas- ketball that we were playing, and I knew it would be a mismatch nightmare for every single team that we played. And it was this year." More than that, though, it became a brotherhood of players who hadn't real- ized their potential at their other schools, but got a second chance. They laughed when people fabricated their NIL totals or called them "the best team money could buy," etc., knowing it couldn't be further from the truth. Some of them, like center Aday Mara, even had to avoid uncomfortable ques- tions when UCLA coach Mick Cronin openly talked about how he developed his big man only to have him leave after two years, even though he played him spar- ingly. Mara took the high road, essentially saying he saw things differently. The look in his eyes, though, told the story — more than ever, he was grateful for the change of scenery and the help of a coach who could bring back his joy for the game. At 12:45 a.m., during probably his 10th interview and proudly wearing the Span- ish flag around his shoulders, Mara re- vealed the truth about his own struggle. "This group, I feel like they changed my life," he said. "Also the staff, Dusty … they changed my life. It took me maybe a couple of months to enjoy basketball again when I came here, but now — I'm happy that we won, but sad that every- thing's going to change next year. "I'll take this as a memory. That's a good thing." And exactly what May had in mind when he was recruiting players he wanted to mold into a group of champions. Sure, he talked about Cadeau's passing and Mara's rim protection, Morez Johnson Jr.'s toughness. More than anything, though, as a coach and a father figure, he saw an opportunity to bring back that spark in the eye they used to have every time they picked up a ball. May was hard on them when he had to be, of course. Anyone who watched the recent documentary saw him rip into them at halftime of the Oregon game when they went through the motions in a game they should have dominated. He wasn't afraid to come down on Yaxel Lendeborg, even, when his star started his career with subpar practice habits. But there was always a purpose, and he made sure they understood it. "That's probably the best part," May said. "As a father, you want these guys to have the best experience of their life. This isn't just about winning. To be hon- est, I probably feel better about their ex- perience, how much joy they got from playing this game. "I've said it re- peatedly — they're p l ay i n g a c h i l d 's game; I'm coaching a child's game. For the love to be taken away for whatever reason, it doesn't seem real or right. For those guys to share that joy of playing a game and being on a team, it's pretty rewarding." But especially when it ends in cut- ting the nets on Monday night in April, their common goal since they first as- sembled last summer. From those who stayed (Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter) to the guys who regained their passion, the freshman (Trey McKenney) who hit the game's biggest shot — a late step- back triple that gained some separation after he'd struggled mightily most of the game — it's a memory they'll get to share forever. "It further strengthens their bond," May said. "But we didn't need this for that to happen because of their actions all year." That, more than the banner they'll hang this fall, the hardware, or anything else speaks volumes as to what May and his staff really accomplished with this group, one that stands above all others that came before them … For now. ❏ "As a father, you want these guys to have the best experience of their life," May said. "This isn't just about winning. To be honest, I prob- ably feel better about their experience, how much joy they got from playing this game." PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL