Basketball recruiting isn't the only thing in Ann Arbor booming these days. In one month or so, Michigan basketball will be back on the court in pursuit of more trophies. The Wolverines just wrapped up their own media day availability and will gather in Illinois for the Big Ten credentialed events in one week. It's shaping up to be a championship season or bust season in Ann Arbor and here are some reasons why I think the Wolverines can cut down the nets in April, just like Dusty May said he believes they can.
1. Dusty May's coaching expertise
In just one year, May resurrected the Michigan program from the abyss. He added the proper transfers and won the Big Ten tournament championship for his efforts. Now the next logical step is to go as deep as possible into the NCAA tournament. Preseason prognosticators believe that because of his past success, it's only a matter of time until he sits atop the sport's throne.
He'll have to do it without Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf, but May had no problem transitioning to Michigan from Florida Atlantic with an overhauled roster. He could have as many new starters as he did in his first season, with some presumable upgrades. That's why May is the epitome of a coach who sustains postseason prosperity.
2. The roster is more equipped then last season's
Michigan lost a first-round pick, but gains the number one transfer player in the portal as his replacement. They also bring in two centers, which they can play together or rotate with one another. They didn't have the luxury of doing that last year with Goldin. Prized recruit Trey McKenney will be getting the Bryce Underwood treatment in Crisler, especially if he exceeds expectations.
The bench is stronger with invaluable experience returning. L.J. Cason, Roddy Gayle Jr., Will Tschetter and Aday Mara are all starters on just about any other program in the country. Redshirting Oscar Goodman is also a benefit that the coaching staff didn't possess a season ago.
Yaxel Lendeborg is garnering attention as a player of the year candidate, not just in the Big Ten, either. He's destined to lead the team in most categories and is one of about four or five Wolverines who will hover around the double-figure mark in 2025-26.
3. Michigan was 12 minutes away from advancing to the elite eight
The Wolverines had the top-seeded Auburn Tigers on the ropes and then collapsed. This time around, there is no Bruce Pearl or a Cooper Flagg at Duke. Michigan is supposed to be better than its in-state counterpart, Michigan State. While wishful thinking says Michigan's duo of Trey McKenney and Yaxel Lendeborg can hang with Purdue's Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn.
The non-conference schedule consists of Auburn, Villanova and Duke. It will prepare Michigan's best for the postseason just like it did in March. Breaking Michigan's win total from the John Beilein days should be a realistic goal for a program which has the highest of aspirations.