Michigan Basketball: Dusty May putting Wolverines back on the map

When Michigan announced the hiring of Dusty May, fans knew that Michigan Basketball would be very good again quickly, but none imagined they would be putting together one of the best transfer classes in the country. Taking over an 8-24 Wolverine team that has not made the NCAA Tournament in 2 years, all while losing the majority of current rostered players left Dusty May with no choice, but to go straight into the portal and bring in almost a completely new team.

May got to work quickly, and so far has gotten the most of his time at Michigan. So far, May has been able to retain signee Durral Brooks, starter Nimari Burnett, and key role players quickly, George Washington III, and Will Tschetter. All four returning players were key contributors to Michigan last season, and all will see minutes this year. Durral Brooks just won Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan and is a 3-Star recruit who will be able to develop under one of the best coaches in College Basketball.

Where May has really put his stamp on Michigan Basketball is in the transfer portal. May has landed 5 big time transfers who will all have an immediate impact on the floor next season. Rubin Jones from North Texas was the first commitment. Jones averaged 12/3/3 for UNT this year and helped lead them to the NIT. Justin Pippen a Four-Star recruit also pledged his commitment to the Wolverines as well. The very next day, May landed his biggest get in Forward Danny Wolf, from Yale. Wolf, a 7'0 Forward from Illinois, was a key piece on the Yale Bulldogs team that took down #4 Auburn in the NCAA Tournament. After averaging 14/9/2 this year, Wolf is ranked as the #19 according to 247 Sports, and next year will be one of the starters for this Wolverine team.

Then again, a day later May landed his Point Guard for the 2024-25 season in Junior Guard, Tre Donaldson, from Auburn. Donaldson averaged 6/2/3 this season for one of the best teams in the country and started 10 games. Donaldson will look to get a bigger role in May's guard-oriented offense this season. Then yesterday, May landed two more big-time transfers in Roddy Gayle Jr. from Ohio State, and Sam Walters from Alabama.

Gayle Jr., who is currently ranked #48 according to 247 Sports, was one of the most sought-after guard transfers because of his shooting. Averaging 13/4/3 this year on 44.9 FG%, Gayle will make an immediate impact for the Wolverines. Finally, Sam Walters, a more underrated get from Alabama, will join the Wolverines after averaging 5 PPG and 2 REB and shooting 39.4% from 3. Walters averaged 12 minutes a game for the Final Four Crimson Tide, and will look to have an increased Veteran role on a Wolverine team trying to get back to the NCAA Tournament.

Today, May is tapping into his FAU pipeline and finalizing the Wolverine roster for next year. He just flipped 3-Star Lorenzo Cason from FAU and he will join the Wolverines next year. His biggest possible get, Vladislav Goldin, an experienced member of the FAU Final Four team has a crystal ball to join his former coach at Michigan. Goldin will fill the last scholarship spot at Michigan, assuming no one transfers, and would complete his roster.

Assuming Goldin commits to Michigan, May can run a starting 5 of Tre Donaldson, Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr., Danny Wolf, and Vlad Goldin. With key pieces like Rubin Jones, and Sam Walters off the bench, Dusty May has primed Michigan for a chance at the Tournament in his first year.