Winning on the road in the Big Ten is no easy feat, and Michigan's head coach Dusty May knows it all too well. Yet, his Wolverines are defying the odds, standing undefeated at 8-0 in away games this season. With only two road games left, Michigan remains the sole spotless team in the conference, and they've done it with style-only one victory was by less than 10 points.
Coach May attributes this success to the high caliber of his players. "We have really good players that compete at a high level," he noted.
It's not just talent; it's experience and a refusal to take anything for granted. The Wolverines are not just going through the motions; they're improving and enjoying the journey together.
While Michigan is cruising now, the road wasn't always this smooth. Early in the season, they faced a nail-biter against TCU, eked out a win against Maryland after trailing, and were pushed to the edge by Penn State. Those close calls seemed to spark something in the team, leading to a series of impressive victories, including triumphs over Washington and Oregon, a comeback against Northwestern, and commanding wins over Michigan State and Purdue.
Senior guard Roddy Gayle Jr. believes the team's chemistry and unity are key to their road success. "When we’re on the road and it’s just us, staff, players, I feel like we just all come together," he explained. Without the home crowd's support, the team leans on each other, enhancing their communication and leadership.
May’s track record of road victories isn't new. Even during his time at Florida Atlantic, he was known for winning away games.
He recalls a conversation with Michigan's athletic director, Warde Manuel, who highlighted May’s road success as a reason for targeting him. May's response was telling: “Obviously, when you have a good season, you win at home, on the road and neutral.
I just think we have a team that’s unfazed by any moment, and the bigger the stage, the better they perform.”
With challenging games against Illinois and Iowa still on the horizon, Michigan's road to a Big Ten title isn't clear yet. However, if their recent performances are any indication, the Wolverines' talent and resilience might just carry them through, no matter where they play.