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New Era Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan's Dusty May Embraces Bright Side of College Basketball's New Era
Wolverines head coach sees recruiting efficiencies and NIL advantages in the evolving CBB landscape.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:39pm
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Dusty May's embrace of college basketball's evolving landscape has fueled Michigan's unexpected Final Four run.New Era TodayMichigan basketball head coach Dusty May is embracing the changes in college basketball, including the rise of the transfer portal and NIL deals, as he leads the Wolverines to the Final Four. May says the new recruiting landscape is more efficient, allowing him to spend less time chasing prospects and more time developing his team. He has also leveraged Michigan's NIL collective, Champion's Circle, to help attract top talent to the program.
Why it matters
The college basketball landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the introduction of the transfer portal and NIL deals altering the recruiting process. Coaches like Dusty May are having to adapt to these new realities, and his willingness to embrace the bright side of these changes could give Michigan a competitive advantage as they make a run at the national championship.
The details
May highlighted how the modern recruiting process is more streamlined and efficient compared to the past, when coaches would spend hundreds of hours trying to convince 15-18 year olds to join their program, only to have them choose another school. Now, with access to social media and the transfer portal, May can more quickly identify and land top talent, including star forward Yaxel Lendenborg and guard Elliot Cadeau. Michigan's NIL collective, Champion's Circle, has also given May an edge in recruiting, providing financial incentives that help lure top prospects to Ann Arbor.
- Michigan is set to face Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday, April 5, 2026.
The players
Dusty May
The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, who is leading the program to the Final Four in his third season.
Yaxel Lendenborg
A star forward who joined the Michigan Wolverines via the transfer portal.
Elliot Cadeau
A guard who also joined the Michigan Wolverines through the transfer portal.
Champion's Circle
Michigan's NIL collective, which provides financial incentives to help the Wolverines attract top talent.
What they’re saying
“We used to recruit guys for three years and spend 200 man hours away from our families begging these 15 to 18-year-olds to come and then they'd decide to go in another direction. Think about all the time and resources you wasted.”
— Dusty May, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines
“Recruiting has definitely been streamlined and it is much more efficient than it's ever been.”
— Dusty May, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines
What’s next
Michigan will face Arizona in the Final Four on Saturday, April 5, 2026, with a chance to advance to the national championship game.
The takeaway
Dusty May's willingness to embrace the changes in college basketball, including the transfer portal and NIL deals, has given Michigan a competitive edge as they make a run at the national championship. The Wolverines' access to top talent through these new recruiting tools has allowed May to build a championship-caliber team in a relatively short period of time.