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Michigan's Rebuild Keyed By Dusty May's New-School Approach
Wolverines on verge of national title after dramatic turnaround under new coach
Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:38am
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Michigan's basketball program is on the verge of winning its second national title, and first since 1989, thanks to a remarkable rebuild under head coach Dusty May. Just two years ago, the Wolverines lost a school-record 24 games, but May has quickly turned the program around by taking a new-school approach, heavily utilizing the transfer portal, and prioritizing players who like to pass the ball.
Why it matters
Michigan's turnaround under May highlights the changing landscape of college basketball, where name, image and likeness deals and revenue sharing have become increasingly important. May has embraced these changes, freely talking about player contracts and negotiations, and has built a competitive roster by targeting transfers who fit his unselfish, pass-first system.
The details
May went to work right away on the turnaround, taking a new-school approach to win in an era marked by money generated from name, image and likeness along with revenue sharing. He traveled all over the country to meet boosters to raise funds to help him compete for players from the transfer portal and prospects in high school with a competitive payroll. In his first two seasons, May has landed several key transfers, including Vladislav Goldin, Danny Wolf, Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, Elliot Cadeau, and Aday Mara, who have been the top players on one of the best teams in school history.
- In his first season at Michigan, the Wolverines were 27-10 overall and 14-6 in the Big Ten, winning the conference tournament and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
- This season, Michigan was No. 1 in the AP Top 25 last month for the first time since 2013, won the Big Ten regular-season championship with a 19-1 record, and enters the NCAA Tournament with 31 victories, two shy of the school record.
The players
Dusty May
The head coach of the Michigan basketball team who has led the program's remarkable turnaround, taking a new-school approach that has embraced the changing landscape of college basketball.
Vladislav Goldin
One of the starters from May's 2023 Final Four team at Florida Atlantic, who he brought to Michigan to help lead the Wolverines' successful debut season under May.
Danny Wolf
A former Yale star who May also brought to Michigan to help lead the Wolverines' successful debut season under May.
Yaxel Lendeborg
A transfer from UAB who is one of the top players on Michigan's team this season.
Nimari Burnett
A shooting guard who transferred from Alabama to play for former Michigan coach Juwan Howard, and is one of the few remaining players from the team that set a school record for losses.
What they’re saying
“We definitely do feel like we can be the national champions.”
— Yaxel Lendeborg
“We want to identify guys that like passing the basketball. That's a huge indicator of their personality. It's an unselfish characteristic. That makes guys easier to play with and to bond with as teammates.”
— Kyle Church, Assistant Coach and General Manager
“The culture that he implements is the best part about it. You know how sometimes coaches can get loud? That's not him. He's very calm, honest and direct — and knows what he wants.”
— Nimari Burnett, Shooting Guard
What’s next
The Wolverines, who earned top seeding in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time, will look to win their first national title since 1989 when they begin their March Madness run on Thursday.
The takeaway
Michigan's remarkable turnaround under Dusty May showcases the new-school approach that is reshaping college basketball, where coaches must embrace the transfer portal, name, image and likeness deals, and revenue sharing to build competitive rosters. May's focus on unselfish, pass-first players has helped the Wolverines become one of the best teams in the country and a legitimate national title contender.
