Michigan Basketball Surges to Top of Big Ten Behind Frontcourt Dominance, Fast Pace, and a Coach’s Honest Assessment
Michigan men's basketball heads into the week atop the Big Ten standings, riding a wave of momentum after convincing wins over Penn State and Ohio State. The Wolverines are clicking at the right time, with a manageable stretch ahead - at Northwestern on Wednesday, followed by a home tilt with UCLA - before a gauntlet finish featuring four of their final six games against KenPom top-10 opponents: Purdue, Duke, Illinois, and Michigan State.
Head coach Dusty May joined the Inside Michigan Basketball radio show Monday night to break down where his team stands, what’s working, and where they still need to grow as the postseason approaches. Let’s dive into the key takeaways.
Rivalries Run Deep, But They’re Not All the Same
When it comes to rivalries, Michigan doesn’t lack for intensity - especially with Ohio State and Michigan State on the schedule every year. But May was candid in comparing the basketball rivalry with Ohio State to the legendary football version of The Game.
“Obviously, we know the importance of Ohio State football, and it's life or death,” May said. “Ohio State basketball has a very proud tradition, but it's not the same.”
He acknowledged that Michigan football’s century-long success has created a different level of passion, one that basketball is still building toward. The same goes for Michigan State hoops, a program with decades of consistency under its belt.
Still, May sees value in the dual-rivalry setup. “Having two rivalries is extremely healthy for us because the game means a lot for a number of reasons,” he said. “The more energy surrounding the game, the more fun it should be for our players.”
Frontcourt Trio Fueling Michigan’s Interior Edge
Michigan’s recent dominance has started in the paint. Against Penn State and Ohio State, the Wolverines controlled the glass - doubling up the Nittany Lions on the boards and attacking the offensive glass relentlessly in Columbus.
The frontcourt trio of Aday Mara, Morez Johnson Jr., and Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as a major strength. May praised their growth, especially in how they’ve adapted to post doubles and created second-chance opportunities.
“Our guards are doing a better job of creating space and passing windows for our short rolls and long rolls,” May explained. “And then with Yaxel and Aday getting on the glass with more aggression, we're getting more possessions, we're getting more high-quality shots.”
He didn’t hold back in describing Johnson’s relentless rebounding. “Rez has been on the glass from day one.
I mean, the dude wakes up in the morning eating glass. That’s just who he is.”
For Mara and Lendeborg, it’s been more of a process - breaking old habits and embracing the gritty work on the boards. May pointed to a recent shift in practice structure, where the team has been finishing sessions with nine-minute drills focused on specific skills, including offensive rebounding.
Post Play: Good, But Not Good Enough
Despite their size and efficiency near the rim - Michigan ranks top-five nationally in both 2-point percentage and effective field goal percentage - May didn’t sugarcoat his disappointment in how the Wolverines have executed through the post.
“It’s probably the area that we were most disappointed in ourselves,” he said. “We haven’t played better through the post.”
The issue isn’t scoring efficiency, which has been solid. It’s about maximizing the mismatch potential - using double teams to create open looks and forcing defenses to make tough choices.
“We haven’t been able to throw it in the post and punish double teams like we should,” May admitted. “It looks like we’re just now at the point - better late than never in February - where we could throw it in there and almost invite a double team… and feel like we’re going to get a high-percentage shot.”
That kind of development, especially this late in the season, could be a game-changer down the stretch.
The Calculated Chaos of Michigan’s Transition Game
One of the most intriguing wrinkles in Michigan’s game plan is how they use Aday Mara in transition. At 7-foot-3, Mara isn’t just a rim protector or post scorer - he’s also a weapon as a passer, especially when the Wolverines are pushing the pace.
Michigan wants to run, and they’re not afraid of the occasional turnover if it means keeping the tempo high.
“If you're getting one-and-a-half out of two [transition chances] converted, that's more than your point per possession is going to be if you stop and run half-court offense,” May said.
Even the turnovers have a silver lining. As long as they’re not leading to easy buckets the other way, May’s fine with them. “If our turnovers aren’t leading to dunks and layups, then usually we’re okay with it.”
Mara’s court vision adds another layer. If he grabs a defensive rebound and sees a teammate streaking down the floor, he’s going to let it fly.
“If [Mara] defensive rebounds and you run the floor and you create an advantage, he’s going to throw it,” May said.
That kind of trust in a big man’s passing ability is rare - and it speaks to the confidence this coaching staff has in its personnel.
What’s Next
With a lighter slate this week and a brutal closing schedule ahead, Michigan has a chance to fine-tune its identity. The pieces are there - a dominant frontcourt, a high-octane transition game, and a coach who’s not afraid to be honest about where his team needs to get better.
The Wolverines are building something real. And if they keep trending upward, they won’t just be atop the Big Ten standings - they’ll be a problem for anyone come March.