Michigan

Michigan hoops revival triggered by three-point prowess

Published

1 year ago

January 13, 2025

Michigan hoops revival triggered by three-point prowess

Coach Dusty May came to Ann Arbor with some serious work to do, rebuilding a proud program that had just crawled across the finish line the year before with a measly three Big Ten Conference wins. Prior to May’s arrival, Michigan was a team that looked outmatched, often confused, and lacking identity every night they took the court.

This was a program that in the last 12 years was a perennial contender for the Big Ten title, winning the league title three times and the tournament title twice. They were also expected to make the NCAA Tournament and were a threat to make a deep run every year. This program had two runners up National Championship showings and seven Sweet 16 runs in the last 12 years. Mediocrity was not something the fan base was familiar with.

Although it’s still early, it certainly looks like Dusty May has turned that around, and he has utilized lethal shooting from 3-point range as a huge weapon in that turnaround.

5 of Michigan’s top 6 scorers –Vlad Goldin, Tre Donaldson, Danny Wolf, Nimari Burnett, and Will Tschetter — are shooting 36.6% or better from 3-point range entering today’s game against Washington in Ann Arbor.
The Wolverines are appointment TV.
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A beautiful basketball team.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 12, 2025

Harkening back to the Beilein days when Michigan used the three-point shot as a means of shooting teams out of zones and opening up the middle for their big men, May has given his shooters the green light. The three-point shot has revolutionized the way basketball is played, thank you Steph Curry. Teams are shooting from downtown at a pace never before seen in the college or professional ranks.

With Michigan having five of their six leading scorers shooting 36.6% or better from three, they have become a serious problem for opposing defenses. Often, when big man Vlad Goldin or Danny Wolf are benched due to foul trouble, the shooters come out and the Wolverines do not lose any momentum. A team with serious advantages in the post that can quickly pivot to a guard oriented deep shooting team on the fly is one that can position itself to win a conference championship and make a deep run in March.

Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

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Michigan

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

Published

11 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Trey McKenney to return to Michigan Basketball next season, per report

In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.

“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”

McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.

In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.

By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.

Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.

For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

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Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

Published

23 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Michigan women’s basketball vs. Louisville in Sweet 16: Time, TV, stream

When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.

The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.

“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”

Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.

The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.

What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?

Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)

The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

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Morez Johnson Jr. NBA mock draft projection: Where Michigan star is expected to land

The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

Kalbrosky’s Analysis:

Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.

See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here