Dusty May, the man who just led Michigan to a national championship, bolted for the Dallas Mavericks, teaming up with Cooper Flagg. Yeah, you read that right. The reigning champs are trying to defend their title without the guy who just engineered it all. It’s a move most coaches would make if given the shot, but man, it leaves Michigan in a wild spot.
A New Coach, Familiar Faces, and Massive Gaps to Fill
The good news? Top assistant Mike Boynton got promoted to head coach and locked down a two-year deal. He’s got to pick up the pieces, and fast. The Wolverines managed to keep almost their entire roster intact, which is a minor miracle given the circumstances. The only exception is injured sixth man LJ Cason, who bounced to Miami. But here’s the kicker: can this Michigan squad actually contend for another national championship without May, *plus* the three lottery picks and four other rotation players from that all-time dominant club? That’s a whole lot of talent to replace, even with a solid core. It’s a huge question mark hanging over the whole program.
Cadeau and McKenney: The Keys to Running It Back
So, who’s stepping up to carry the load? The projected starting lineup has some serious talent, starting with point guard Elliot Cadeau. This 6-foot-1 senior has seen his stock soar after just one year at Michigan. He and Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr. are straight-up the best passers in college basketball. We’re talking vision, touch, anticipation, fearlessness,the dude has it all. That pass-first mentality is going to be HUGE for getting all the new pieces settled in, because Cadeau just routinely serves up good looks. He’s got that nastiness you want, but he also needs to fine-tune his offense. Shooting just 47% on layups and 36% on floaters last year? There’s meat on the bone there. If he gets that clicking, with his defense, passing, and reliable three-ball, he’s got All-American upside.
Alongside Cadeau, watch out for sophomore guard Trey McKenney. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he’s the obvious breakout candidate. This five-star freshman was stuck behind three lottery picks last year, but the talent is undeniable. Now, it’s his time to shine. Expect his minutes to spike and his usage rate to absolutely soar. McKenney can be one of the Big Ten’s best scorers because he does everything. He can drain spot-up treys off-ball, attack long closeouts, and play off the advantages Cadeau creates. But don’t sleep on his on-ball utility either; Michigan is going to tap into that this winter.
This team faces a monumental task, but with Boynton at the helm and dynamic playmakers like Cadeau and McKenney, the next game will be all about seeing how they gel. Can they silence the doubters and prove that even without the architect, the champions can still build something special? You bet we’ll be watching to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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