On Sunday, Michigan went into Columbus and secured a 3-point win over the Buckeyes—something that has become a habit for the Wolverines this year. This 86-83 victory marks the 20th of the season, an amazing accomplishment given that by this time last year (and by the end of the season), Michigan Basketball had only won 8 games. Earlier last week, Michigan knocked off No. 7 Purdue with a dramatic 75-73 victory at home, which put them on top of the Big Ten standings.

Last season, the Wolverines often found themselves on the losing end of close games, struggling to execute in high-pressure moments. In contrast, this year’s team, under Coach Dusty May, has developed a knack for manufacturing tight situations but managing to emerge victorious. This shift is evident in their performance in games decided by five points or fewer; last season, Michigan had a win percentage of just 42.9% in such contests, whereas this season, they’ve improved to 66.7%. While the tendency to allow leads to dwindle keeps fans on edge, the team’s enhanced poise and execution in clutch moments have been pivotal in turning potential losses into wins.

The ability to pull out wins in close games, however stressful, has already resulted in Michigan’s most improved season-over-season win total in its 108-season history. Let’s look at how the two seasons compare:

 

All this winning has brought an energy back to Crisler that we did not see last year, but Michigan fans are still anxious about this team. Reading through Michigan message boards, you are bound to see comments like “If you aren’t prepared to have a heart attack, don’t watch Michigan basketball this year” or “I’m going to just have to stop wishing this team will play a game without making me want to vomit, and start just being glad we win.” Each game is a rollercoaster of emotions, and luckily, most have ended with the Wolverines on top—but not without a bit of drama. Dusty May’s style of basketball is high-flying, with the team playing with enthusiasm and ferocity, but when Michigan gets a solid lead, they tend to play recklessly, and it quickly vanishes. Michigan is averaging 14.4 turnovers per game, ranking them 21st out of the 364 D1 basketball teams—not a number you love to see.

There is no doubt that Dusty May has quickly revitalized the program, and he is doing it by getting production from the six transfers he brought in this offseason, with standouts Danny Wolf and Vlad Goldin leading the way. May has also pulled from this team’s depth, with returning players like Will Tschetter and Nimari Burnett contributing meaningful minutes.

Twenty wins compared to last year’s eight is definitely an improvement worth cheering about, but this most recent six-game win streak has been full of moments of panic that don’t bode well for a tournament run. They’ve averaged a point differential of just +3.2, with their largest margins of victory being only four points against both Penn State and Oregon. The Michigan faithful are hoping to see some dominant wins down the final stretch.

Final Thoughts

Dusty May has wasted no time in putting his stamp on Michigan basketball, and the early returns are overwhelmingly positive. While Juwan Howard had success in his tenure, last season’s struggles left the program in need of a change. May’s modern approach, emphasis on player development, and commitment to a constant intensity have transformed the Wolverines into a formidable team once again.

The sentiment among Michigan basketball fans is one of cautious optimism. The combination of a revitalized coaching approach and the team’s on-court success has reignited excitement and high expectations for the remainder of the season. If this trajectory continues, Michigan basketball could be poised for sustained success under May. The Wolverines are not just winning games—they’re building a culture that could carry them deep into March, assuming they continue to work on their turnover problems.

Excitement is back at Crisler Center, and this Friday No. 12 Michigan hosts No. 14 Michigan State. This is the first matchup where both teams are ranked since January 5, 2020 where they had the exact same rankings of 12 and 14, Michigan State won that match up 87–69. MSU is currently on a 4 game win streak in the rivalry when both teams are ranked, let’s hope Dusty May’s Wolverines can break that streak. Friday’s game is an important one in the chase for a Big Ten crown, especially after the Spartans took care of business last night against Purdue.

Stay tuned for a deeper looking into the rivalry and Go Blue!