CHICAGO — Subsequent to Florida Atlantic securing its berth in the Final Four in 2023, then-Owls coach Dusty May assembled his squad. He felt compelled to apologize for a placard positioned within the changing room.
“We were striving for March habits,” May remarked with a grin, “and we ought to have been striving for April.”
“March habits” had resonated as an aspiration for FAU to shape its routine around — until, indeed, April 1 arrived with a national semifinal confrontation against San Diego State. Merely three years subsequent, in his sophomore season at Michigan, May has achieved what any top-tier coach does: He adapted. The banner in the Wolverines’ locker room now aligns with the fresh paradigm: “April Habits.”
May has steered the contingent to its initial Final Four appearance since 2018, progressing following a 33-point annihilation of Tennessee in the Elite Eight — a two-hour masterful display of what Michigan basketball has evolved into under his guidance. Given the rapid progress he has engineered in restoring the Wolverines to the country’s elite echelons, it would not be astonishing if they cultivated a routine of April NCAA tournament contests.
May’s reappearance in the Final Four redefines his persona as a spirited underdog coach, a role he occupied when guiding 9-seed FAU from Conference USA to this juncture three years prior. In only two years at Michigan, he has demonstrated the initial promise of tackling a challenge arguably more formidable than a Cinderella journey: optimizing an eminent program.
“I felt as though I was hallucinating the entire duration that FAU was competing in the Elite Eight game at Madison Square Garden,” stated senior walk-on Charlie May, Dusty’s offspring. “It simply felt like a reverie. And here, it merely felt like an outcome we anticipated.”
A professional trajectory that commenced as an Indiana basketball manager with aspirations of becoming a high school coach has followed an unconventional route. May has traversed the nation throughout the years, from USC to Eastern Michigan, UAB to Florida, then Florida Atlantic and, eventually, Michigan. This upcoming weekend, that odyssey brings May and his kin back to their homestead in Indiana, where he matured in Greene County — a rural expanse inhabited by nearly 30,000 individuals — laboring in turkey sheds, cultivating tobacco, and being part of a populace where assisting someone with a relocation or tending to an elderly neighbor’s lawn is second nature.
“That’s fundamentally how we operate our program,” May conveyed.
The 49-year-old May directs Michigan with a subtle elegance rooted in that ethos from his formative years — incorporating inventive strategies gleaned from an itinerant coaching career, an April habits-inspired philosophy grounded in positive reinforcement, and a framework for mental and physical player advancement at the vanguard of the sport.
In a brief period, the Wolverines have emerged as a paradigm for contemporary college basketball: a contingent brimming with enthusiastic players, a staff that is empowered, and an intuitive up-tempo system that is a dynamic manifestation of these principles.
And as an April focus illuminates May back in Indianapolis, the basketball community will witness precisely how this ensemble was constructed.
NEARLY EACH DAY at the commencement of practice, Michigan executes an exercise some players refer to as “hibachi.” It’s a rapid-passing drill that emphasizes ball distribution and cutting — a prelude to dissecting defenses akin to a precision blade meeting a sirloin.
It’s an exercise that exemplifies May’s influences, as it’s imbued with the spirit of the program and officially termed “Fenerbahçe passing,” adopted from the Turkish hoops powerhouse. The designation was abbreviated to “bache passing” — a fluid amalgam of drives, kickouts, and skip passes — before players exercised creative license to associate it with the grill.
May acquired a video segment of Fenerbahçe passing from New York Knicks international scout Adam Tatalovich, a former Indiana manager who documented it while scouting in Europe. “We simply personalized it,” May casually stated, encapsulating how this program is an outcome of his diverse collective background. That ball-sizzling dynamism manifested repeatedly in Michigan’s game-defining 21-0 surge against Tennessee, illustrating the splendor of what May has cultivated at Michigan.
The paramount importance Michigan’s staff placed on aptitude in recruiting and the transfer portal — particularly for larger players possessing skill — established the groundwork for a read-and-react methodology. The coaching staff considers guard (Elliot Cadeau), forward (Yaxel Lendeborg), and center (Aday Mara) to be among the nation’s premier passers at their respective positions.
“You have three genuinely selfless primary players, which I believe contributes more to our style of play than anything else,” assistant coach Mike Boynton commented.
Approximately 12 minutes into the game last Sunday, amidst the 21-0 burst, that essence unfurled in a mesmerizing 10-pass possession during which all five players handled the ball. Four passes in, Mara executed a high screen for Lendeborg. This initiated further ball movement, including a swift skip pass following Cadeau’s penetration that left Lendeborg open on the perimeter.
Lendeborg’s pump fake caused anticipated lottery pick Nate Ament to leap past him before he charged into the key unimpeded. With an opening for a layup attempt seemingly clear and the shot clock diminishing to single digits, Lendeborg delivered the ball to Cadeau isolated in the corner.
Following 26 seconds of hibachi passing, Cadeau had no defender within 10 feet of him upon receiving the pass. He drained an uncontested 3-pointer to extend Michigan’s advantage to double figures.
The graceful sequence — the additional pass after multiple additional passes — encapsulates the essence of this Michigan offense. The Wolverines do not employ predetermined plays; they initiate offensive action and then respond.
“It’s immensely enjoyable because it permits you to perform freely within the framework and enables you to make the assessments you perceive,” Michigan guard Nimari Burnett expressed. “[May] consistently says, ‘Play basketball.’ We have numerous different assessments on the court that can lead to various outcomes.”
Although there is liberty, it is not spontaneous. Director of player development Drew Williamson mentioned that the Wolverines dedicate weeks during the summer to analyzing diverse defensive scenarios they might encounter. What are the resolutions to a pressured ball screen? A drop coverage? Or nearly any defensive situation?
“His extraordinary ability,” Michigan senior forward Will Tschetter remarked concerning May, “is intelligence enhancement.”
The outcome is a Michigan offense that functions more as a series of responses to what is presented rather than a continuous stream of plays. The Wolverines are prepared to accelerate on the fast break, and they are equally at ease when the shot clock is winding down.
“Typically, we operate from concepts,” assistant coach Akeem Miskdeen stated. “Dusty rarely calls any set plays.”
That leaves players enthused by the autonomy, as Williamson
emphasizes that no competitor enjoys having to glance at the bench during each possession. This strategy also instills in athletes the desired sentiments from May: a feeling of capability, a sense of involvement, and circulating the ball with swift precision, with the assurance that their opportunity will eventually materialize.
“This, in turn, is what renders the game of basketball so exceptionally captivating,” Burnett remarked, “and furthermore enables us to perform with peak proficiency.”
SHORTLY FOLLOWING LENDEBORG’S ARRIVAL in Ann Arbor, having recently concluded a season during which he sank merely 25 shots from beyond the arc, Boynton confronted the UAB transplant with a training regimen predominantly focused on long-range attempts. The session proved unsuccessful. “One exercise required me to sink five consecutive shots, and I believe I remained at that station for approximately 30 minutes, perhaps even longer,” Lendeborg recounted to ESPN. “Hence, it was unequivocally mortifying.” Transitioning from mortifying to effective, Lendeborg’s progression into an All-American and an enticing NBA draft hopeful exemplifies the sophisticated and elaborate athlete cultivation initiative under May’s guidance. Competitors value his personalized video analysis meetings and his custom of sending brief, seven-second video segments that solidify a concept from practice. They observe the cooperative endeavors of all personnel, ranging from the associate coaches to the team administrators, individuals who hold a disproportionately significant function within a program directed by a former administrator. They emphasize that May maintains an open-door policy for his office, and is prepared to review game footage with them whenever needed.
Lendeborg regards May as an “easygoing uncle,” since the athletes commend the continuous cultivation and strengthening of self-belief through consistent practice. Prior to the commencement of the season, Lendeborg had evolved from an hesitant and erratic long-range shooter into a confident performer. This season, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound former pivot player has successfully landed 65 shots from beyond the arc—representing an increase of 40 over his total from the prior season at UAB. Despite attempting 102 additional long-range shots, he nonetheless succeeded in elevating his shooting accuracy from 35.7% to 37.2%. During the Players Era Festival held over Feast Week, he converted 7 of 16 attempts from three-point range across the trio of contests, and he achieved a 7-for-14 record during the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight weekend.
He attributes the Michigan team personnel with modifying the foundation of his shooting motion to refine his technique, and their comprehension of how to engage with him during training sessions. Lendeborg prefers mellow R&B tracks as the musical accompaniment for his shooting drills—envision Musiq Soulchild, for instance—and values that Boynton and the administrators grant him room to briefly dance amidst sets of attempts.
“They allow me moments to vocalize my tune and such, to move rhythmically if necessary,” Lendeborg stated. “Thus, it unequivocally fosters a homely atmosphere. And it certainly aids in concentration, dedication, feeling unconstrained, and experiencing contentment.”
The cultivation of such an environment mirrors May’s approach to leadership. Should an athlete encounter difficulties or attempt a dubious shot, he poses a straightforward query: “Is that viable in the NCAA championship?” If the answer is affirmative, they are encouraged to practice it repeatedly, thereby ensuring assurance when critical matches arise.
Justin Joyner, an associate coach destined for Oregon State to assume the role of head coach, encapsulated the philosophy of progression most succinctly: “Our approach is not a unilateral command from the coaching staff, but rather a collaborative effort with the athletes, and our responsibility is to enable these individuals to realize their utmost potential throughout their professional journey.”
Twelve months subsequent to 7-foot Vlad Goldin’s success with the Wolverines, and 7-foot Danny Wolf’s arrival at Michigan from Yale, subsequently departing as a future first-round draft selection, Lendeborg represents the most recent “demonstration of viability.” This, according to associate coach and general manager Kyle Church, is what Michigan has exemplified with its towering players during the May tenure: Athletes transferring with considerable stature are now setting their sights on Michigan, a trend expected to enhance the program’s prospects for more significant contests in April.
While transferring once held a perception of being opportunistic, Lendeborg dismisses that idea as his draft valuation steadily rises nearer to the lottery. He states that his tenure at Michigan has improved him both as an athlete and an individual, rendering him “without words” and eliciting “shivers” upon contemplation.
“This has been the most exceptional year of my existence … I am under public scrutiny, receiving instruction from a new coach who originated from a mid-major program, thus he comprehends all operational aspects,” Lendeborg remarked. “He excelled in attracting individuals who demonstrate mutual regard and prioritize the collective over personal gain. If that is their chosen term for an opportunist, then I would gladly embrace such a label. That is perfectly acceptable to me.”
May anticipates further favorable outcomes for Lendeborg as his growth persists: “He remains unaware of his true potential.”
FAR WITHIN THE interior of the United Center this past Sunday, Eli May was occupied transcribing the video footage of Michigan’s overwhelming second-half victory over Tennessee.
Eli, a second-year administrator, is the youngest of Dusty May’s three male offspring, all of whom are slated to enter the familial profession. The moment his elder sibling Charlie flawlessly sank a three-point shot with barely more than sixty seconds left on the clock, an uproar ensued within the Michigan changing room.
“PROCEED, CHUCK!!” Eli bellowed. He subsequently chuckled: “I am certain the personnel situated below were pondering the sanity of this peculiar individual.”
Charlie May jested that he experienced a momentary lapse of awareness. The Michigan reserves reacted exuberantly, with CBS’ Andrew Catalon famously dubbing the occasion “May Day in Chicago.”
Upon the ball’s entry into the hoop, a radiant grin formed on Dusty May’s countenance, as the instance underscored the significantly deeper direct involvement of his family in this current Final Four campaign compared to the previous one.
With the growing prominence of the athletic platform, and his compensation having escalated to an average of $5.1 million under his present contract, May’s paramount delight continues to stem from the family unit that sustained him throughout his winding professional trajectory.
“I revisited the Tennessee game from [the NCAA championship] and the camera captures Anna and their three sons among the spectators,” he remarked. “Presently, with the exception of Jack, we are all collectively engaged in this endeavor.”
Jack May is employed by the Miami Heat organization, where his role is indicated as a video department intern on the team’s official website. Anna May assiduously monitored the Heat game’s score on her mobile device outside the changing room this Sunday, coinciding with the team’s contest taking place in Indianapolis. “I believe we all connected with him via FaceTime at some juncture,” Anna May commented.
Since May obtained a video position at USC in 2000, facilitated by a suggestion from IU associate coaches Mike Davis and John Treloar, the May family traversed a path encompassing eight distinct locations—including Murray, Kentucky; Ruston, Louisiana; and Boca Raton, Florida.
Dusty and Anna May were adolescent companions from Indiana; thus, the Final Four venue in Indianapolis serves as a return to their origins. Reflecting on the culmination of this journey, Dusty promptly attributed the success to Anna.
“I am pleased for Anna,” Dusty May conveyed to ESPN after the game. “She has likely made greater sacrifices than any ten women ought to, in order to enable us to achieve this. And this represents a truly remarkable occasion for our household.”
Anna recognizes the existence of a cinematic conclusion, reminiscent of Hoosiers, to May’s ascent from a team administrator and hopeful secondary school coach to a two-time Final Four mentor. Furthermore, for this season to reach its peak in Indianapolis, with two sons directly involved in the experience, constitutes the most recent fantastical turn of events.
“It unequivocally represents a complete cycle, yet we frequently discuss it,” Anna May informed ESPN. “We feel compelled to verify its reality. Is this genuine? Is this truly unfolding? However, on the flip side, I am not astonished.
because I am aware of the extensive effort he has invested and how diligently he has toiled.”
THE MICHIGAN PERSONNEL finds it amusing to consider the notion that they merely assembled an elite collection of transplanted players.
Morez Johnson Jr. chiefly served as a reserve at Illinois, and Mara seldom saw action at UCLA. This campaign, Johnson has ascended to 13.2 points per game, up from 7.0, and Mara has soared to 11.8 points per game, compared to 6.4. Cadeau has reclaimed the poise that had eluded him at North Carolina, which Boynton attributes to May’s unwavering encouragement, even despite some inconsistent performances. “He reacted favorably to Dusty’s assurance, ‘You are indispensable to us,'” Boynton remarked.
The blend of principles within May’s system — an emphasis on proficient tall players, a dedication to growth, and optimistic encouragement during challenges — has forged one of the most formidable teams in college basketball.
Michigan will undoubtedly face a tough test from a physically imposing co-top seed, Arizona, on Saturday, which is shaping up to be among the most eagerly awaited Final Four games of this generation. Yet, an unyielding characteristic defines these Wolverines, whose 95.3 points per game represent the highest average for an NCAA tournament squad since 1993. Their 11 victories by more than 30 points match Iowa State for the highest total nationwide this campaign.
Considerable attention has been paid to Michigan’s size, as the 6-foot-9 Lendeborg, the 7-foot-3 Mara, and the 6-foot-9 Johnson form a trio of towering individuals possessing sophisticated abilities. However, May advises that the impetus behind Michigan’s ascent as a formidable force in this tournament has scant connection to their physical stature.
“We’ve consistently endeavored to acquire talented athletes and have cherished the journey of observing and understanding our players, to determine the optimal method for collective performance,” he stated. “We’re not exclusively wedded to fielding tall players. Should every opponent opt for size, we might adapt by fielding a smaller lineup. One can only speculate.”
“Our victories aren’t solely attributable to our stature. We’re triumphing due to our exceptionally skilled and intelligent athletes.”
The same ardor and delight that propelled the May family around the country pursuing grand ambitions has evidently permeated the Michigan program. With his arms folded and a serene disposition, Dusty May will return home to Indiana this weekend after a circuitous path through obscure basketball locales.
And the underlying reason for this ultimate reward is that he has maintained that identical composure throughout his ascent to this position.
“His narrative stands as the quintessential illustration of thriving in one’s given circumstances,” remarked Rice athletic director Tommy McClelland, who served at Louisiana Tech for the majority of May’s six tenures there.
After flourishing across the basketball landscape, May’s team now has the opportunity to shine in April. It would not be astonishing if these surreal experiences evolve into customary April occurrences.