Dusty May looks ahead to Michigan Wolverines upcoming matchup at Big Ten rival Ohio State Buckeyes
Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May said John Beilein gave him the quote “dreaming big but focusing small” as the program continues to compete for a Big Ten championship in the coming weeks. “We’re certainly focused on tweaks and nuances how we can improve but we’re definitely dreaming big as well.” The Wolverines currently sit atop the Big Ten standings with a critical road trip to face the rival Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday afternoon. Ohio State is currently sitting in a tie for eighth place in the Big Ten with a 14-10 record and a 6-7 clip in conference play. May is facing the delicate challenge of focusing on competing for a Big Ten regular season championship this year, while also keeping an eye on building the roster for 2026 and beyond. Michigan must make sure there is an NIL plan in place to retain starters Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gayle Jr and Danny Wolf. Keeping returning veteran players on board with competitive NIL initiatives is just as pivotal as recruiting new talent. Wolf is projected to be a first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft according to ESPN’s latest mock draft so bringing him back for another season would be a significant development but it would likely mean offering him a lucrative NIL deal. May brought in a handful of transfers that have made an instant impact in his first season at Michigan and it will be essential to continue to find success in the portal going forward, especially with Vlad Goldin and Rubin Jones moving on. It’s difficult to compete at a high level in the present and still put attention towards the future but the coaching staff is balancing it as best as they can, even as recruiting gets more complex due to an increased focus on NIL and the portal. “We’re recruiting everyday but recruiting is different now,” May told the media on Monday. “It’s about keeping a pulse on what’s going on in all of college basketball. There’s going to be a moment that everything either holds together or guys are going in other directions for a number of reasons, and you have to be prepared financially and with decisive decisions.” May knows recruiting in the modern era is extremely unpredictable so it’s key to always have an established strategy, whether that means do whatever it takes to retain your own players or find a way to entice transfers to join the program. The Wolverines head coach also emphasized the best way to build a competitive roster next year is by having a strong finish to this year. Michigan currently sits in first place in the Big Ten with just seven games remaining in the regular season. “Almost all of our focus is on this season. The more successful we are and the better our current players play, the easier it’s going to be for us to recruit,” May explained. “That’s why we really continue to invest time in the gym with our guys.” Michigan assistant coach and general manager Kyle Church also plays an important role in balancing short term goals with long term strategy. Church has worked with May for more than a decade and has proven to be a successful recruiter. “Kyle is doing a great job of splitting his roles,” May mentioned to the media. “He’s a very knowledgeable scout coach, a competent recruiter and a great sounding board for me. We’ve been together so long that I can bounce ideas off him.” Church’s understanding of roster construction and player development make him a perfect fit for the general manager. His ability to manage recruiting and talent acquisition is a crucial asset in building a deep roster now and into the future. While balancing these responsibilities is a difficult task, the Wolverines’ coaching staff is working tirelessly to ensure the program remains competitive and well positioned for success on the court and in roster construction moving forward.
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