The Michigan Basketball program has made a complete 180 switch since the hiring of Dusty May 2 seasons ago. Dusty May has made quite an emphasis on dynamic bigs with unique playstyles. In his first season, he brought in Vlad Goldin and Danny Wolf to man the frontcourt. Goldin was more of a traditional big, but has super impressive size, standing 7’1″, 240. The second big, Danny Wolf, was the talk of the team last season, due to his play as a pick and roll ball handler at his 7’0″ stature. May took a similar approach this season, using the transfer portal to bring in 3 big men with unique skill sets.
Aday Mara
Aday Mara is Michigan’s more traditional big man this year, but only in his stature. Mara stands 7’3″ and weighs 255, but is one of the best passers in the whole country regardless of size. Mara often operates as a hub for the offense, and he throws some of the most impressive outlet passes of all college players, and also provides the best rim protection in the entire country for the Wolverines. The Wolverines lead the NCAA in opponent effective FG%, Opponent True Shooting Percentage, and Opponent FG%. This suggests that opposing teams shoot tougher shots and shoot worse against the Wolverines. Mara’s massive presence in the paint deters opposing players from the paint and greatly alters shots if they do shoot around him.
Morez Johnson Jr.
Dusty May went out and brought in Morez Johnson, coming off a promising Freshman season for the Illinois Fighting Illini. This season, Morez Johnson has transformed from that of a traditional big man to more of a 6’9″ wing that can switch out on the perimeter and is also one of the best paint scorers in the Big Ten. Johnson leads the entire NCAA in FG% and Effective FG%, while providing a steal and a block per game and 7 Rebounds for the Wolverines.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Last but certainly not least is Yaxel Lendeborg. Lendeborg was touted as one of, if not the best, returning players in College Basketball this season, and he has certainly played like it. Last season at UAB, Lendeborg played himself into draft consideration, averaging 17 and 11 for the Blazers. However, after going through the draft process, Lendeborg chose to return, and it was definitely the right decision, as he is now projected to be a lottery pick. Lendeborg has also been pushed more into a wing role for the Wolverines, which has benefitted his draft stock greatly, and he has excelled, posting 14 points, 7 boards, and shooting over 50% from the field.
Rest of Michigan Squad
Despite their star-studded front court, Michigan’s team is not limited to only 3 players, and they seem to be one of the favorites to win the NCAA Championship this season. Filling out their starting lineup, they have two very experienced guards with Elliott Cadeau, a UNC transfer, and Nimari Burnett, one of the only guys that Dusty May kept on his Michigan squad after his takeover for Juwan Howard. Other bench pieces for the Wolverines include dynamic, Freshman guard, Trey McKenney, experienced defensive menace, Roddy Gayle, and Will Tschetter, a 4-year Michigan man.
