The University of Michigan Men’s Basketball program has a long tradition of success, producing a wealth of talent, coaching legends, and championship-caliber teams. However, during the 2023-2024 season, the program experienced its worst season in history, finishing with an 8-24 record, last in the Big Ten. Following the season, coach Juwan Howard was let go, and on March 24, the University announced the hiring of new head coach Dusty May. May came to Ann Arbor following six seasons with Florida Atlantic University, where he led the FAU Owls to a 2022 Conference Championship and a Cinderella run as a 9 seed not expecting to make a long run to the Final Four in 2023. The hiring of May has helped the team have a quick and dramatic turnaround as the Wolverines are off to a hot 13-3 start to the 2024-2025 season.
For 4th year redshirt Junior, forward Will Tschetter, the coaching change has helped improve the culture of the program on and off the court. “(The change in culture) started with the vision Coach May put in place,” said Tschetter. “He did a great job recruiting great guys who are great players and unselfish guys. That led into how we want to play and everything has fit in really well. His ability to connect with us on a personal level and coach us has been really development oriented. He wants us to make mistakes and is a very easy guy to play for.”
In addition to the coaching change, the Wolverines added several new players through the transfer portal who have had an immediate impact on the court. New players include point guard, Tre Donaldson (Auburn), shooting guard Roddy Gayle, Jr. (Ohio State), wing Rubin Jones (North Texas), forward Sam Walters (Alabama), power forward Danny Wolf (Yale), and center Vladislav Goldin who played for coach May at FAU.
One of the most notable shifts under May has been the Wolverines offensive efficiency. Last season, they struggled to score with a lack of talented scorers and finished 10th in the Big Ten in points per game, 11th in field goals made, and 11th in field goal percentage. This season, Michigan’s offense has been one of the best in the country and Big Ten, ranking in the top 20 in points per game, top 25 in FGM, and first in field goal percentage. Through the first 15 games of the season, Goldin has led the team in scoring (averaging 15.4 per game), Wolf has led the team in rebounds (averaging 10.1 per game), and Donaldson has led the team in assists (averaging 4.2 per game).
“Our unselfishness this year is what gives us our edge,” said Tschetter. “We will continue to work on things we can improve to make sure we can stay one of the best offenses. It’s key to limit our turnovers and continue to know where guys are [on the court] and to stay consistent.”

Goldin and Wolf make a formidable team on the court, as both are 7-feet tall. In fact, the duo have been dubbed “Area 51” because of their jersey numbers (50 and 1) and in reference to the secret US Air Force installation in southern Nevada.
“Danny and Vlad are both super unselfish guys and obviously both ridiculously talented,” said Tschetter. “Vlad has improved so much. He has really expanded his game and Danny is a versatile playmaker who can stuff the stat sheet. They have been huge for our team.”
While the season is still young, and the Wolverines hope to have a long run in March Madness, they are also excited about the future with a new recruiting class coming to Ann Arbor next season highlighted by Oscar Goodman (a 4-Star Recruit) from New Zealand, Winters Grady (a 4-Star Recruit) from Prolific Prep in California, and number one player in the State of Michigan Class of 2025, Trey McKenney from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep.
“We have a lot of really talented guys coming in. Getting Trey, Winters and Oscar on campus – I’m super excited to see their development, for them to find out what Michigan is all about, and to contribute next year.”