The Michigan Wolverines are rolling - undefeated, dominant, and sitting comfortably at No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25. But if you think head coach Dusty May is losing sleep over not being No. 1, think again.
For the third straight week, Michigan holds the second spot behind Arizona, another unbeaten squad that’s looked every bit the part of a top-tier team. But May isn’t caught up in the weekly shuffle of rankings.
His focus? The long game - and that means peaking when it matters most.
“If we’re No. 1 in April, we’ll be a lot more content than being No. 1 right now,” May told reporters after Michigan’s emphatic 102-50 win over La Salle. That’s the mindset of a coach who knows exactly where his team is - and where it needs to go.
Michigan’s win over La Salle wasn’t just a blowout - it was a statement. The Wolverines flexed their depth, execution, and intensity on both ends of the floor. They’re already 2-0 in Big Ten play with wins over Rutgers and Maryland, and the road ahead features a gauntlet that includes Nebraska, Michigan State, Purdue, and a marquee non-conference clash with Duke.
So no, May isn’t sweating the polls. He knows the climb to No. 1 in December means very little if you’re not playing your best basketball in March. And with Arizona and Iowa State - both also undefeated - joining Michigan in the top three, May was quick to point out that all three programs are worthy of that top spot.
“Michigan, Arizona, and Iowa State are all deserving,” May said. “We aren’t worried about that, at all.”
It’s a veteran perspective from a coach who understands the rhythm of a college basketball season. The rankings are fluid.
Teams rise, teams fall. What matters is how you evolve - how you handle adversity, how you win tough games in February, and how you show up when the lights are brightest in March and April.
Right now, Michigan is doing what elite teams do: taking care of business, growing with each game, and building toward something bigger. The Wolverines don’t need to be No. 1 in December. They’re aiming for something far more important - being the last team standing in April.