BUFFALO, N.Y. — As 1-seed Michigan persists in its men’s NCAA tournament journey, the contest in the Round of 32 will pit Wolverines coach Dusty May against a dear companion.
May and ninth-seeded Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz, who initially linked up while coaching at varying echelons, are sufficiently bonded to exchange practice film and playbooks. This represents a rare degree of confidence, forged over years of reciprocal idea-sharing and mutual enlightenment.
“It’s quite exceptional [to exchange practice footage],” May acknowledged at his press briefing Friday. “There’s a group of us that share — and actually, he and I — we’re so well-acquainted that a direct call is unnecessary. I’ll send a text to his video coordinator, or he’ll message my video coordinator, asking, ‘Can you forward me the prior week’s training sessions?’ We’re experimenting with this; we’re contemplating this notion. It could simply spark a new concept.”
A spot in the Sweet 16 is at stake when their squads clash Saturday (12:10 p.m. ET, CBS). Both teams exceeded 100 points in their opening-round victories. Saint Louis defeated Georgia 102-77, and Michigan easily overcame Howard 101-80.
Owing to the coaches’ analogous thought processes and preparations, May anticipates the contest resembling “a profound strategic battle.”
May, presently in his second season leading the Wolverines, reappeared on the court after Michigan’s win Thursday to observe his impending adversary. He even teased Schertz regarding the modest halftime lead, as the Billikens maintained a 17-point advantage.
“It’s continually beneficial when you have an individual occupying a similar role as you,” remarked Schertz, who is also in his second season with his program but is debuting in the NCAA Division I tournament. “It’s challenging. Sometimes being a head coach can be solitary. … [May has] been an invaluable asset for me.”
Their connection traces back to when Schertz coached at Division II Lincoln Memorial and May was at Florida Atlantic. May was evaluating an athlete departing Lincoln Memorial and observed the team’s exceptional coaching. The bond developed subsequently and encompasses a period during which they engaged in conversation for almost ten consecutive hours within May’s office.
“I cherished the time he was coaching at a Division II institution; we were in dissimilar tiers, and I was situated in Boca Raton, because such a scenario, where we’d face off competitively, would never arise,” May said.
However, he further stated he feels no apprehension about competing with such a close associate either.
“Should defeat be our fate, I’d prefer to be bested by an individual who performs at their distinguished caliber. Ideally, we won’t, but if it occurs, one desires it to be against someone from whom growth and improvement will stem.”