You love to see it! While Dusty May could have just as easily taken a play out of the old Curt Cignetti playbook and schedule no one of note in the non-conference after winning a national championship for the Big Ten, he has made it a point to schedule high-quality opponents who can beat him. This will not only keep him on edge, but it will also allow him to contiue to recruit the best players that he can.
Andy Katz rattled of these highlights of Michigan's schedule while attending the NBA Draft Combine.
- Players Era Men's Championships
- At the Villanova Wildcats
- Home vs. the Marquette Golden Eagles
- UConn Huskies in Boston
- Likely the Duke Blue Devils, somewhere...
- 20 Big Ten conference games
May responded to Katz courtside by saying Michigan expects to play a top-five schedule annually.
"Well, because of how deep we played in the tournament, we were able to surpass Nate Oats as the No. 1 schedule in the country this year, so that's a heck of an honor. We're going to try do to that every year. We want to play a top-five schedule. We want our guys to be on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, and see how they perform. It's more fun that way, and hopefully we can continue to recruit at the level where we can compete against the best like Duke and UConn."
Here is everything that May said to Katz while watching Morez Johnson Jr. at the NBA Draft Combine.
Dusty May stopped by to chat with @TheAndyKatz at the NBA Draft Combine 🏀 pic.twitter.com/YrJtw2MAHX
— Andy Katz (@SidelinewithAK) May 12, 2026
His stance on scheduling big non-conference games proves that May is the right coach for Michigan.
Dusty May shares his scheduling plan to make sure Michigan never fades
While everyone has to end up scheduling someone in the non-conference in college basketball, making a concerted effort to face worthy adversaries is certainly commendable. May just won his first national title at Michigan, so we do need to keep this in mind. He is building his legacy, and not protecting one that has already been forged over the years... This is when he can become a legend.
May is a head coach who not only guided Michigan to its first national championship in 36 years, but took the Florida Atlantic Owls to the Final Four out of the AAC. Who does that? Him... May's ability to connect with his players from all walks of live have made him into a winner everywhere he has been. Michigan may not repeat as national champions, but this is a program that is not going to be fading.
Overall, the more teams of substance you can put on the schedule in the non-conference like Duke, Marquette, UConn, and Villanova, the better. Michigan has become must-watch television on the hardwood. Those notable opponents gain as much as Michigan does by having the stones to schedule these games. In a day and age where taking it easy is all the rage, May looks to go for it.
The best thing May can do during Michigan's reign as national champions is to stay front and center.
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