Michigan
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. 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 –
BREAKING: Former Michigan Football QB Alex Orji commits to new school
Michigan Football lands second transfer portal WR
Michigan Football lands second transfer portal WR
For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:
A Michigan man was charged after he allegedly threatened Republicans during a call to the state Capitol.
According to the Michigan Attorney General’s office, Gabriel Hetrick, 50, of Bronson, was arraigned on Feb. 5 on one count of making a terroristic threat and one count of malicious use of a telecommunications service.
State prosecutors allege that on Sept. 17, 2025, Hetrick called the Capitol asking about tour availability. During that call, he allegedly said he was “going to start hunting Republicans, I think,” according to the AG’s office.
Hetrick is due back in court on Feb. 19.
“Threats against elected officials are serious crimes that can have severe consequences,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel. “Public officials must be able to carry out their roles without fear, and my office will continue to hold those who threaten to harm others accountable.”
Michigan just signed the 12th-ranked class in the 2026 cycle — headlined by five-stars Carter Meadows and Savion Hiter — and now the Wolverines have all focus on the 2027 class behind their new coaching staff. Kyle Whittingham and Co. have been on the road seeing some top prospects.
Jay Hill Describes What Michigan Football’s Defense Will Look Like Under Him
Rivals’ Greg Smith recently ‘called his shot’ by predicting ’27 WR Quentin Burrell to Michigan. Burrell was a player the old staff was very familiar with, and now new WR coach Micah Simon has begun to build a foundation with the Mount Caramel playmaker.
“Other teams have tried to push their way into this two team race between Michigan and Notre Dame. Lately, Arizona State has been rising here as a true threat to the blue blood programs. But right now I still like Michigan to get this one done. He’s very familiar with the program overall but just needs more time to get exposed to coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff.”
Burrell’s scouting report
The 6’3″ playmaker out of Chicago, Illinois, is ranked as the No. 50 prospect in the nation, per the Composite. Burrell is the No. 9 WR and No. 2 player from the state of Illinois. He holds offers from just about every college program in the country with notable offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Oregon, among others.
In 2025, during his junior season, Burrell’s squad went 14-0 and won the state title. Burrell was named the News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year and made First-Team All-State. He caught 67 receptions for 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns.
For Burrell’s career, he has caught 142 passes for 2,396 yards and 34 scores.
The need for elite WRs in Ann Arbor
Michigan’s recruiting of the WR position appears to be trending upwards in the last couple of cycles, but the Wolverines didn’t recruit the position too well towards the end of the Jim Harbaugh era, so Michigan had to utilize the transfer portal to bring in starting-caliber playmakers.
The Wolverines landed a great one in Andrew Marsh, who led the team last season during his true freshman season. Michigan is also high on Jamar Browder and the Wolverines landed four-star Travis Johnson and three-star Jaylen Pile in this past cycle. The Kyle Whittingham connection helped Michigan land five-star athlete Salesi Moa, who was a short-term signee with Utah.
Michigan will have to prove it can pass the ball well enough to entice top-tier playmakers to come to Ann Arbor. But with new OC Jason Beck and QB coach Koy Detmer Jr., the play of Bryce Underwood should continue to improve.
EVANSTON, Ill. — – L.J. Cason scored 13 of his 18 points after halftime, helping No. 2 Michigan rally for an 87-75 victory over Nick Martinelli and Northwestern on Wednesday night.
Yaxel Lendeborg added 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Wolverines (23-1, 13-1 Big Ten) erased a 16-point deficit in the second half of their ninth consecutive victory. Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara and Trey McKenney each scored 12 points.
Michigan grabbed control with a 15-2 run. Lendeborg made a tiebreaking layup with 5:51 left, and Mara’s alley-oop jam off a pass from Cason gave the Wolverines a 75-69 lead with 4:43 remaining.
Michigan shot 55% (16 for 29) while outscoring Northwestern 52-31 in the second half of its 19th double-digit win this season.
Jayden Reid scored 20 points for the Wildcats in their fourth consecutive loss. Martinelli finished with 18 on 5-for-22 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds.
Northwestern used an 8-1 run to open a 58-42 lead with 14:22 left. Angelo Ciaravino capped the spurt with a jumper in the paint.
Michigan then got back in the game by scoring 16 of the next 18 points. Johnson’s alley-oop dunk trimmed Northwestern’s advantage to 60-58 with 9:38 to go, delighting a sizeable contingent of Michigan fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Lendeborg was 6 for 12 from the field. He has 45 rebounds in his last four games.
Northwestern got off to a fast start, holding Michigan to 35% shooting on its way to a 44-35 lead at the break. Reid scored 12 points in the first half on 5-for-5 shooting.
Up next
Michigan hosts UCLA on Saturday.
Northwestern visits No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday.
——
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballbr/]
Copyright © 2026 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.
More than 5,000 ISIL detainees transferred from Syria, says Iraqi ministry
Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, AP source says, as Iran tensions high
Beloved sandcastle artist booted from California beach by luxury hotel after nearly 20 years
Early missteps, delayed search plane response emerge in Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappearance
Rep. Steve Cohen tells Pam Bondi that ‘worst of the worst’ are native-born Americans, not immigrants
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
More than 5,000 ISIL detainees transferred from Syria, says Iraqi ministry
Second US aircraft carrier is being sent to the Middle East, AP source says, as Iran tensions high
Tim Walz demands federal government ‘pay for what they broke’ after Homan announces Minnesota drawdown
Leaders embrace two-speed Europe as Macron sets June deadline
What the data tells us about kidnapped people — and how Nancy Guthrie is an outlier
-
Politics1 week agoWhite House says murder rate plummeted to lowest level since 1900 under Trump administration
-
Alabama6 days agoGeneva’s Kiera Howell, 16, auditions for ‘American Idol’ season 24
-
Politics1 week agoTrump unveils new rendering of sprawling White House ballroom project
-
San Francisco, CA1 week agoExclusive | Super Bowl 2026: Guide to the hottest events, concerts and parties happening in San Francisco
-
Ohio1 week agoOhio town launching treasure hunt for $10K worth of gold, jewelry
-
Culture1 week agoAnnotating the Judge’s Decision in the Case of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE
-
Culture1 week agoIs Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ Actually the Greatest Love Story of All Time?
-
News1 week agoThe Long Goodbye: A California Couple Self-Deports to Mexico