Saoirse Downs
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team has had a challenging few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic, a disappointing 8-24 campaign in 2024, and a season-ending loss to Auburn in the 2025 Sweet Sixteen. However, there is reason for optimism among Wolverines fans, with a handful of players, including veterans Will Tschetter and Roddy Gayle Jr., committing to return for the 2025-26 season. The team has also added several talented transfers, such as Tre Donaldson and Yaxel Lendeborg, and highly-rated freshmen to their roster. With a new head coach in Dusty May, who has prioritised an elite point guard and a strong center, the Wolverines are hoping to return to glory and improve on their recent performances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | 2024-25 |
| Players Returning | Terrance Williams II, Roddy Gayle Jr, Will Tschetter |
| New Recruits | Tre Donaldson, Danny Wolf, Vladislav Goldin, Rubin Jones, Sam Walters, Yaxel Lendeborg |
| Games | vs Auburn (Sweet Sixteen), vs TCU, vs Wake Forest (Detroit), vs Duke (Washington D.C.) |
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What You'll Learn
Michigan Wolverines' roster rebuild
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is undergoing a significant transition, with several key players leaving and a new head coach, Dusty May, taking over. In his first year as head coach, May has his work cut out, as the team has lost two starters and several young players who were expected to be crucial to the team's future. Guard Dug McDaniel, center Tarris Reed, forward Youssef Khayat, and guard George Washington III have all entered the transfer portal, leaving a gap in the Wolverines' roster.
However, there is a silver lining for the Wolverines, as several players are expected to return for the 2024-25 season. Terrance Williams II, who was honored on Senior Day, has left the door open for a return, despite some polarizing opinions about him in the past. Williams has an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID year, and his steady presence could benefit the team. Another potential return is that of guard Abdi Bashir Jr., who is a transfer from Monmouth. Forward Will Tschetter, who averaged 16 minutes per game and shot 35% from 3-point range, has confirmed he will be back for his redshirt senior season, providing energy and outside shooting. Additionally, guard L.J. Cason, who provided scoring and playmaking off the bench, is expected to return, having earned May's trust.
To fill the gaps in the roster, May has been active in the transfer portal and with high school recruits. He has added six transfers and three freshmen to the team, including an elite point guard in Tre Donaldson, who shot 41% from 3-point range at Auburn last season. May has also bolstered the center position with the additions of Danny Wolf, a first-team All-Ivy League player, and Vladislav Goldin, who followed May to Michigan from Florida Atlantic. Both players stand at 7 feet tall and bring a combination of skill, agility, and reliability near the basket. The Wolverines have also added shooters like Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State), Rubin Jones (North Texas), and Sam Walters (Alabama), all of whom have shot at least 39% from 3-point range in their college careers.
With these additions and the returning players, May is confident about the team's future. He believes in the talent and experience of his players and is eager to continue building a competitive roster for the Wolverines.
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Veterans Roddy Gayle Jr. and Will Tschetter to return
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team has been undergoing a reboot, with head coach Dusty May overhauling the roster with transfers and high school recruits. Veterans Roddy Gayle Jr. and Will Tschetter are among the players who could return to the Wolverines for the 2024-25 season.
Gayle Jr., a guard, transferred from Ohio State University to the University of Michigan in April 2024 to play under new head coach Dusty May. As a junior, he started 25 games for the 2024–25 Wolverines before finding his role off the bench. Gayle helped lead Michigan to a Big Ten championship in the 2025 Big Ten tournament. In the Second Round of the 2025 NCAA tournament against Texas A&M, Gayle led a comeback win with a season-high 26 points, including 12 straight points in the second half. He is also known for his ability to draw fouls.
Tschetter, a forward, is a versatile scorer and one of the nation's most efficient scorers. He is also known for his on-court toughness and his presence in the locker room and on the bench. As a freshman, Tschetter averaged 11.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, leading the Tigers to an 18-9 record and the second round of the MSHSL 1AA Sectional. Tschetter helped Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament title in 2025 and reach the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and 2025. He has also shown his scoring range with back-to-back 3s and acrobatic and-1s.
The return of Gayle Jr. and Tschetter would provide valuable experience and leadership to the Wolverines roster, which has undergone significant changes under May. In addition to the six transfers and three freshmen added during the offseason, Michigan has also lost several players to the transfer portal, including guard Dug McDaniel, center Tarris Reed, forward Youssef Khayat, and guard George Washington III. The team's success will depend on the mix of returning veterans and new talent.
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New head coach Dusty May's impact
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team has a new head coach in Dusty May, who was hired in March 2024 on a five-year contract. May replaced Juwan Howard, who was fired at the end of the 2023-24 season. In his first month as head coach, May gained seven new roster commitments in five days, and by the end of April, he had added his eighth, former Florida Atlantic (FAU) center Vladislav Goldin.
May had been head coach at FAU for six years, during which time he helped turn the team into a consistent tournament contender. In 2023, he led the Owls to the NCAA Final Four, and they reached the NCAA tournament again in 2024 as an 8 seed. In his final season at FAU, May had a 35-4 record, the best in the team's history.
May has certainly made an impact in his first year as Michigan's head coach. By November 2024, the team had a 6-1 record, including a win against No. 22 Xavier on the way to becoming the Fort Myers Tip-Off champions. They then won their first two games in the Big Ten Conference, against No. 11 Wisconsin and Iowa, making it seven consecutive wins. This was the longest streak since the 2020-21 season. May led Michigan to a total of eight wins, matching the previous season's total.
May has prioritised an elite point guard, bringing in Tre Donaldson, and he also signed two 7-foot centers, Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin. He has added lengthy shooters, including Roddy Gayle Jr. (Ohio State), Rubin Jones (North Texas), and Sam Walters (Alabama), all of whom have shot at least 39% from 3-pointers. May has also retained three players from the previous season: Will Tschetter, Nimari Burnett, and Jace Howard.
In February 2025, May signed a contract extension with Michigan, adding a year to his contract and increasing his salary. Michigan won their next two games and finished the regular season in first place in the Big Ten. They finished with 22 wins and 9 losses, tying for second place in the conference. May became the winningest first-year head coach in program history, with 26 wins, and led Michigan to the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in three seasons.
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Potential recruits from the transfer portal
The Michigan Wolverines have been busy in the transfer portal, adding six transfers to their roster ahead of the 2024-25 season. They have also been in contact with several potential recruits, including:
Keonte Jones
A forward transfer from Cal State Northridge.
Abdi Bashir Jr.
A guard transfer from Monmouth, per Sam Kayser of 24/7 High School Hoops.
Tyrone Riley IV
A guard transfer from San Francisco, per Sam Kayser.
In addition to these players, Michigan has also been in contact with Pitt transfer John Hugley, who has reportedly heard from a long list of schools. At 6-foot-9 and 240 pounds, Hugley could be a great alternative to Tarris Reed Jr. or Dickinson, and his shooting ability makes him an attractive prospect.
Michigan has also lost several players to the transfer portal, including guard Dug McDaniel, center Tarris Reed, forward Youssef Khayat, and guard George Washington III. This means that the Wolverines will be looking for a complete roster rebuild, with a particular focus on size and guard depth.
With a new head coach in Dusty May, the vibe around the program has transformed. May has prioritized an elite point guard in Tre Donaldson and added a stellar two-for-one package at center with Danny Wolf and Vladislav Goldin. The Wolverines have also added several shooters, including Roddy Gayle Jr., Rubin Jones, and Sam Walters, all of whom have shot at least 39% from 3-point range in college.
With a mix of transfers and high school recruits, the Wolverines are looking to return to glory in the 2024-25 season and beyond.
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Future non-conference games
The Michigan Wolverines' 2024-25 season ended with a 78-65 loss to the Auburn Tigers, and at least two veteran players, redshirt junior Will Tschetter and junior Roddy Gayle Jr, have committed to returning for the 2025-26 season.
Looking ahead, the Wolverines have several non-conference games scheduled for the 2025-26 season. Over Thanksgiving week, they will play three games as part of the Players Era Festival, with their opponents yet to be announced. The Wolverines will also face off against Wake Forest in Detroit and Duke in Washington, D.C., during the same season.
These non-conference matchups will provide an exciting opportunity for the Wolverines to test their mettle against formidable opponents and build momentum for the rest of the season. With a mix of veteran players and new recruits, the team will be aiming to improve on their previous campaign and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wolverines' coaching staff, led by head coach Dusty May, will be working tirelessly to prepare the team for these non-conference challenges. The offseason will be crucial for player development, strategy formulation, and team bonding as they aim to return Michigan basketball to its former glory.
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Frequently asked questions
Michigan Wolverines basketball will return for the 2025-26 season.
Dusty May will be coaching the Michigan Wolverines when they return.
Guard Roddy Gayle Jr. and forward Will Tschetter have confirmed their commitment to returning to the Michigan Wolverines for the 2025-26 season.
