Alijah Martin has a front-row seat to the Dusty May show, and he’s not surprised by what he sees. The Toronto Raptors guard watched May transform Florida Atlantic into a Final Four contender in just five years, and now he’s witnessing his former coach work his magic at Michigan.
“I spent four years with him and know exactly what he’s about,” Martin shared. “His commitment to the game and his players’ development is unmatched. Winning is in his DNA.”
When May took the helm at Florida Atlantic, the Owls were in dire straits, with seven consecutive losing seasons and no wins in their lone NCAA Tournament appearance. Fast forward, and Michigan found itself in a similar predicament when May replaced Juwan Howard two years ago, coming off a last-place finish in the Big Ten with their worst record since the early '60s.
May wasted no time turning things around. In his first year at Ann Arbor, Michigan posted a 27-10 record and made it to the Sweet 16.
This season, they’ve soared even higher, boasting a 31-3 record and a Big Ten-record 19 conference wins. They went undefeated on the road, a feat unmatched since Indiana's legendary run in the mid-'70s.
Michigan’s been a fixture in the AP’s top five since December, racking up 24 double-digit victories, including seven by 40 points or more. They’re one of only four teams in KenPom's top 10 for both offensive and defensive efficiency.
The Wolverines play an up-tempo style reminiscent of May’s Florida Atlantic teams. They rank 11th in scoring, with forward Yaxel Lendeborg leading the charge at 14.6 points per game. But it’s a team effort-nine players have led in scoring at different times this season.
Ball movement is key, with Michigan averaging 18.5 assists per game, fifth in the nation. Elliot Cadeau is the primary playmaker, but Lendeborg and 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara also facilitate the offense effectively.
Defensively, Michigan is just as committed. They rank fifth in opponent 2-point percentage, fifth in blocks, and 19th in opponent 3-point percentage.
Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. are defensive anchors, while Lendeborg, Cadeau, and Roddy Gayle Jr. excel on the perimeter. May’s defensive schemes demand communication and teamwork.
The team’s unselfishness mirrors May’s philosophy: “Serve and compete.”
“One thing I learned from him is his selflessness,” Martin said. “He always puts the team first. That’s the kind of culture you want to play for.”
May’s practices are intense and competitive, with every drill having a winner. Martin loved the challenge and the chance to boast if he topped the charts.
May’s hands-on approach is evident in his player development. He’s not shy about giving feedback and is always ready to jump on the court to help his players improve.
His coaching journey began 30 years ago as a student manager at Indiana under the legendary Bob Knight. Those early years involved plenty of grunt work, but they also offered invaluable insights into simplifying complex concepts for players.
This experience shaped May’s approach to building teams. His Florida Atlantic squad reached the Final Four with just one top-100 recruit.
Similarly, this season’s Michigan team includes several players who weren’t highly touted out of high school. Lendeborg, after stints in junior college and UAB, earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors.
L.J. Cason, a three-star recruit, became a top backup point guard before an ACL injury cut his season short.
“When you look at his background, it mirrors the players he coaches,” Martin noted. “We all had to work for what we have, just like him.”
Michigan enters the NCAA Tournament as the 1-seed in the Midwest Region, eyeing their first national championship in 37 years. The team’s unity is as vital as their strategy, evident when players gather around May postgame, playfully engaging with him.
May often praises this cohesiveness, calling it the Wolverines’ “secret sauce.” Martin attributes this to May’s charisma, which fosters a positive environment benefiting players beyond basketball.
“Guys want to play for him and be around him,” Martin said. “Meeting coach Dusty changes you for the better.”