Michigan Wolverines

2023-24 Result: 8-24 (3-17 Big 10)

Key Additions

Tre Donaldson (Auburn)

Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State)

Danny Wolf (Yale)

Vladislav Goldin (Florida Atlantic)

Rubin Jones (North Texas)

Sam Walters (Alabama)

Justin Pippen

Dusty May came over from Florida Atlantic this offseason after putting them on the map with a Final Four appearance in 2023. Ann Arbor faithful are hopeful that May can turn things around with their basketball program after a woeful 3-17 record in the BIG 10 under Juwan Howard last season. Much like with any new coach, there is a lot of turnover with the roster. Terrance Williams, Dug McDaniel, Tarris Reed Jr., and Olivier Nkamhoua are gone, but May retooled through the portal. He brought in Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gayle, Danny Wolf, Vlad Goldin (who was with him at FAU), Rubin Jones, and Sam Walters, as well as 4-star, Justin Pippen. These guys will make up the bulk of the rotation, with the only returning players who played any real minutes last year being Nimari Burnett, Will Tschetter, and Jace Howard.

Michigan’s interior defense should be the calling card for them. They have two 7-footers in Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin who should both average over 1.5 blocks a game for the Wolverines. Having both of them should also contribute to winning the rebounding battle nearly every night in this conference. The big question mark on the defensive end for the Wolverines is their ability to guard in the backcourt. They have solid guard play, but none of which are known as defensive stoppers. Maybe the frontcourt defense will help cover up the blemishes, but it is unlikely to be enough. The other issue for them is when they play smaller teams, will they be able to keep up with two big men in the game, both of whom they will need offensively? Or will they need to go small so that they can potentially guard more effectively, but take a hit on the offensive end? It is concerning what they might have to do because they won’t be able to succeed with both Wolf and Goldin on the court against everyone unless they are just super efficient on the offensive end that other teams have to adjust to them.

On the offensive end, Tre Donaldson is expected to run the show at the guard position, but much like on the defensive end, the offense is going to run through Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin. Wolf is able to play inside and shoot it, whereas Goldin will never shoot a three, but shoot a very high percentage around the rim. The physicality of the BIG 10 will be different than that of what Goldin faced at Florida Atlantic, so expect his efficiency to fall off, but he will still be very effective there. Wolf will help to space the floor because, with two big men, you need at least one of them that can step out and shoot it. The concern for the Wolverine offense is how the offense will be created. They have decent guard play, but not good enough to create shots for themselves and others at an efficient enough clip. Roddy Gayle will be a steady player, but not efficient, especially from distance. Donaldson, along with transfers Rubin Jones and Sam Walters will be a major help with their three-point shooting, but the offense’s ability to get downhill and penetrate gaps is something that will be lacking.

Dusty May has this program headed back in the right direction. However, after being unable to get Johnell Davis or Alijah Martin to come with him from Florida Atlantic, and Dug McDaniel leaving for Kansas State, the guards that he was left with in Ann Arbor are holding the team back. It is also uncertain how the two big men will fit together, but one thing that is certain is Michigan will not go 3-17 in the BIG 10 again this year. Expect the Wolverines to come up short of the NCAA Tournament, but potentially get into the NIT with a middle of the road finish in the conference.