We Michigan fans are now stuck with a great coach in Dusty May.
I'm really intrigued based on early success, and a little insight into what Dusty's system will look like with every cylinder firing.
I'm getting the feeling that moving forward Dusty want to continue to have two legit big men, and two legit ball handlers on the court at almost all times.
At FAU he routinely had 2 ball handlers on the floor at all times, and in his successful seasons, he had Goldin as a roller (plus another big in 6'8", 240 garbage man Giancarlo Rosado), with the 2 PG offense.
Like I stated before, Michigan as constructed is a PG short and this had been signaled by Coach May's aggressiveness in trying to get another guard in the portal. I'd bet that his dream scenario for this season would've been if Johnnel Davis' academics had been in order.
With another legit experienced combo- or PG, I see a backcourt rotation not dependent of more than 20M apiece from Jones and Gayle, and less that 30 MPG from Tre.
I stated that before the season, I could not figure out why Johnnell Davis, and other guards were still targeted after our three portal signings of Donaldson, Jones, and Gayle, with the return of Burnett, plus three incoming freshmen.
After seeing how much pressure Tre D is under playing 30+ minutes per game, it's easy to see that a Davis, or Aden Holloway, or Aidan Mahaney (though he is struggling at UConn) could've contributed very important minutes for this season's team. We ended up going into the season with an open roster spot. It's now obvious, through the overuse of Jones, who was really supposed to play more like 15 MPG, and the struggling version of Roddy Gayle, who remains a must play for defense and spreading minutes due to a lack of reliable options.
Neither Cason nor Pippen are ready for high-pressure minutes yet, and this puts them in the majority of freshmen guards, though I do believe that both will be very good though very different players as soon as next season. I like both of them.
As for the second PG/CG, next season's arrival of another Tre, McKinney should alleviate that issue for Donaldson and actually be a plus version of what Davis would've been. I wouldn't be surprised if McKinney initiated a ton of offense himself next season, and that McKinney's star-quality guard play will open things up for Tre Donaldson's own game. At 6'5", 220 before even hitting the program, the kid will come in as a physical load in the backcourt, with the ability to defend 1-4.
Another 2026 foresight- Oscar Goodman- I feel weird typing this, but Oscar Goodman has a similar basketball toolbox as McKinney- Impressive pinpoint passer, standing still or on the move; sets picks, moves like a pro without the ball, nice three-point stroke; and don't let the thick, square 6'7', 230 lb frame fool you, he will dunk on you. His arms look like they're long, and he appears to be a 6'8" versatile power SF or or a P.J. Washington-type stretch-4 with enough size, length and athleticism to be considered a big man. BUT WILL HE PLAY?
As for the two bigs, it seems that Michigan fans were the most doubtful that Wolf and Goldin could play together, despite the fact that May clearly foresaw the success the team is having playing the two together. The decision of bringing together two 7-footers was very strategically planned, and it is easily seen in the way that both players' skills have been used efficiently, with very little spacing issues.
I'd be the least bit surprised if Michigan signed two 7-footers this offseason if Wolf leaves (which looks more likely by the game), to join Tschetter. They are already recruiting two or more Euro Bigs- haven't read any follow-up about the German kid- But I'm sure there will be more targets (unless the unexpected happens, and both were to commit). I'm betting an Aleksa.
It's funny but I stated that Tschetter at his best would become the guy that we always hated to play on Wisconsin: Tough, gritty, very physical with an annoying ability to finish inside with no size or athleticism-only moves. Add to that the ability as a sweet shooter from three. I'll bet that next season will make opposing fanbases feel as if Tschetter has been at Michigan torturing them forever. Next season will be his best and make him a team "star" to the annoyance of all other B1G fanbases.😁
My projection is this lineup:
With huge consideration about Burnett and Gayle, we may need another G from the portal if both of them (or another guard) leave.
🤓
I'm really intrigued based on early success, and a little insight into what Dusty's system will look like with every cylinder firing.
I'm getting the feeling that moving forward Dusty want to continue to have two legit big men, and two legit ball handlers on the court at almost all times.
At FAU he routinely had 2 ball handlers on the floor at all times, and in his successful seasons, he had Goldin as a roller (plus another big in 6'8", 240 garbage man Giancarlo Rosado), with the 2 PG offense.
Like I stated before, Michigan as constructed is a PG short and this had been signaled by Coach May's aggressiveness in trying to get another guard in the portal. I'd bet that his dream scenario for this season would've been if Johnnel Davis' academics had been in order.
With another legit experienced combo- or PG, I see a backcourt rotation not dependent of more than 20M apiece from Jones and Gayle, and less that 30 MPG from Tre.
I stated that before the season, I could not figure out why Johnnell Davis, and other guards were still targeted after our three portal signings of Donaldson, Jones, and Gayle, with the return of Burnett, plus three incoming freshmen.
After seeing how much pressure Tre D is under playing 30+ minutes per game, it's easy to see that a Davis, or Aden Holloway, or Aidan Mahaney (though he is struggling at UConn) could've contributed very important minutes for this season's team. We ended up going into the season with an open roster spot. It's now obvious, through the overuse of Jones, who was really supposed to play more like 15 MPG, and the struggling version of Roddy Gayle, who remains a must play for defense and spreading minutes due to a lack of reliable options.
Neither Cason nor Pippen are ready for high-pressure minutes yet, and this puts them in the majority of freshmen guards, though I do believe that both will be very good though very different players as soon as next season. I like both of them.
As for the second PG/CG, next season's arrival of another Tre, McKinney should alleviate that issue for Donaldson and actually be a plus version of what Davis would've been. I wouldn't be surprised if McKinney initiated a ton of offense himself next season, and that McKinney's star-quality guard play will open things up for Tre Donaldson's own game. At 6'5", 220 before even hitting the program, the kid will come in as a physical load in the backcourt, with the ability to defend 1-4.
Another 2026 foresight- Oscar Goodman- I feel weird typing this, but Oscar Goodman has a similar basketball toolbox as McKinney- Impressive pinpoint passer, standing still or on the move; sets picks, moves like a pro without the ball, nice three-point stroke; and don't let the thick, square 6'7', 230 lb frame fool you, he will dunk on you. His arms look like they're long, and he appears to be a 6'8" versatile power SF or or a P.J. Washington-type stretch-4 with enough size, length and athleticism to be considered a big man. BUT WILL HE PLAY?
As for the two bigs, it seems that Michigan fans were the most doubtful that Wolf and Goldin could play together, despite the fact that May clearly foresaw the success the team is having playing the two together. The decision of bringing together two 7-footers was very strategically planned, and it is easily seen in the way that both players' skills have been used efficiently, with very little spacing issues.
I'd be the least bit surprised if Michigan signed two 7-footers this offseason if Wolf leaves (which looks more likely by the game), to join Tschetter. They are already recruiting two or more Euro Bigs- haven't read any follow-up about the German kid- But I'm sure there will be more targets (unless the unexpected happens, and both were to commit). I'm betting an Aleksa.
It's funny but I stated that Tschetter at his best would become the guy that we always hated to play on Wisconsin: Tough, gritty, very physical with an annoying ability to finish inside with no size or athleticism-only moves. Add to that the ability as a sweet shooter from three. I'll bet that next season will make opposing fanbases feel as if Tschetter has been at Michigan torturing them forever. Next season will be his best and make him a team "star" to the annoyance of all other B1G fanbases.😁
My projection is this lineup:
- PG- Tre Donaldson
- SG-Nimari Burnett
- G-Tre McKinney
- PF-Will Tschetter
- C- Yet to be named seasoned-portal 7- footer (dependent on Wolf)
- G-L.J. Cason
- PG-Justin Pippen
- SG-Roddy Gayle
- SF/PF- Sam Walters
- F- Oscar Goodman
- C-Another yet to be named 7-footer (Dimitrijevic?)
- SF/SG- Winters Grady (RS?)
With huge consideration about Burnett and Gayle, we may need another G from the portal if both of them (or another guard) leave.
🤓
