After an embarrassing effort at Michigan State, the 2024-25 regular season has come to an end for Michigan basketball. Despite losing their final three games and four of their final six (with one win coming at the buzzer), Michigan basketball finished the regular season 22-10, and tied for second place in the Big Ten with a record of 14-6.
Michigan finished the regular season 8-24 a year ago and was 3-17 in the Big Ten. Dusty May, with an almost completely new roster, was able to do a complete 180 and bring life back to this program. Even with the rough end to the year, it's important to remember this. So, let's dive a bit deeper into Dusty's first regular season. I'll grade Dusty based on improvement from last season, improvement throughout the season, and recruiting.
Improvement from last season: A
This would have easily been an A+ if not for the end-of-season collapse. Quite frankly, if Michigan basketball played the way they've played the past week for the entire season, I'm not too sure they would've won many games. But they didn't play that way all season. The Wolverines went from last place in the Big Ten to tied for second, and they were in contention for winning the Big Ten until the final week.
Dusty May was able to accomplish this turnaround with only two contributors from last years team in Nimari Burnett and Will Tschetter. It's impressive that he was able to create such a competitive roster solely from the transfer portal.
Even with the late season struggles, it can't be denied that this is a revitalized program. Last season, there were barely any fans going to or even watching Michigan's games. This season we saw some of the best energy we've ever seen from Crisler, and fans were very interested in Michigan basketball. Dusty gets an A here.
Improvement throughout the season: D
If there's one concern with Dusty May, this is it. Michigan basketball did not improve throughout the season; in fact, the Wovlerines regressed. Early in the year, there were three main problem areas: turnovers, free throws, and giving up offensive rebounds. Those problems didn't get much better throughout the year, and new problems arose.
Late in the season, Michigan was completely lost on defense and couldn't get anything to fall on offense. The one consistent offensive factor was Vlad Goldin, who was fantastic. Outside of him, and occasionally Danny Wolf, Michigan couldn't create much offense.
Now, it's unclear how much of this is on Dusty. It's possible that this team just completely outperformed to start the year. I mean, it is a team full of transfers who had low expectations coming into the year. Maybe the second half of the season was just regression to the mean.
Michigan also dealt with a number of injuries and illnesses in the back half of the season. For a team that already isn't deep, losing Sam Walters for the season and missing Rubin Jones for some time really hurt them. Other guys were also likely battling illness.
It isn't enough to draw any conclusions from about Dusty as a coach, but improvement throughout the season is definitely going to be something fans focus on next season. Dusty gets a D here, though I can't say if that's fair or not.
Recruiting: A-
Dusty has definitely done a great job setting Michigan up for the future. In the 2025 recruiting class, the Wolverines signed five star guard Trey McKenney and top 100 forward Winters Grady. The Wolverines also signed four star forward Oscar Goodman, who reclassified and redshirted this semester, but has drawn praise.
Michigan will likely be aggressive in the transfer portal again, and should be a hot destination. Dusty has already proven that he can be a great team builder, and it looks like Michigan is going to be competing for the Big Ten for as long as Dusty is in Ann Arbor.
Overall: A-
I'm willing to overlook the midseason regression based on the incredible turnaround and incredible future outlook that Dusty has provided Michigan basketball. The Wolverines appear to have found their next great coach, and it'll be amazing to watch Dusty's career unfold.
While some things definitely could've gone better at the end of the season, I don't think it's fair to criticize Dusty for not winning the Big Ten, when coming into the season the main goal was to make March Madness, which Michigan will achieve comfortably.
Things are looking up in Ann Arbor, and it's awesome to be a competitive basketball school again.