When it was announced that Dusty May would leave Michigan to be the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, it sent shockwaves through the college basketball world. May has just won a National Championship back in April and spent the last few months building what looked like another championship roster.
The news meant three things could happen in Ann Arbor, especially after assistant coach Mike Boynton was quickly named interim head coach. One, nearly the entire roster would hit the transfer portal, stating they wanted to play for May, and now he is gone. Two, part of the roster would hit the portal, leaving Boynton to fill a lot of holes.
The third possibility, and one not many thought would actually happen, is that all or nearly the entire roster would stick around. Maybe the least likely option is what ended up happening, as Michigan has just two players who have yet to make a decision on their future in Ann Arbor, while Boynton kept one of the best rosters in the building.
It isn't all thanks to Boynton, though. Michigan veterans Trey McKenney and Harrison Hochberg made sure to get the guys together and made a speech that was crucial in getting everything to stick around.
"When I talked to each kid individually, as I would, I said, listen, take all the time you need, but understand what's here," Hochberg said on the "Go Blue Hoops" podcast. "And what's here isn't changing. It's the same reasons you committed.
EXCLUSIVE: Michigan's Harrison Hochberg tells Go Blue Hoops why players on the Michigan Men's Basketball roster are RECOMMITTING for next season. pic.twitter.com/m05SLZzxsE
— HailMedia (@hailmediagroup) July 8, 2026
Trey McKenney and Harrison Hochberg led the charge in getting guys to stay at Michigan
It is not the norm that so many guys on a roster stick around after a head coach leaves. Yes, the timing of May's departure was tough, as more rosters are pretty full or don't have any more NIL money to spend, but typically, it is a mass exodus for the portal.
Not at Michigan, though. Boynton, with the great help of McKenney and Hochberg, has all but two players recommitted to Michigan. The last two that stand without a decision are freshman Quinn Costello and L.J. Carson, who would be playing a fifth year with the Wolverines.
The fact that two veteran guys like McKenney and Hochberg stepped up and took it upon themselves to try to get guys to stay shows the culture that has been built in Ann Arbor. While McKenney is obviously a big name to jump in and help out, Hochberg is a guy who barely gets any playing time.
In two seasons at Michigan, Hochburg has played in a total of 16 games for the Wolverines, averaging less than two minutes a game and less than a point a game. He has a total of five points in his career, but he does have a National Championship under his belt. The dedication to Michigan is clear as day for Hochberg, especially taking it upon himself to talk to each guy on the roster.
Boynton is taking over more than just a winning roster at Michigan; he is taking over a culture that is deep in the roots of Michigan, a pride to play for the Maize and Blue, and to play together. This team may not be the most talented in terms of superstars on the court, but sometimes a strong culture can take a team farther than elite talent.
Add us as a preferred source on Google