Michigan

Michigan softball raises more than $100k for breast cancer

Published

11 months ago

April 25, 2025

Press Room

Michigan softball raises more than 0k for breast cancer

Michigan basketball coach Dusty May participated in a home run derby for charity.
The event raised over $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The annual event has raised over $2 million since its inception.
A silent auction featuring Michigan-related items is open until April 28.

As it turns out, Dusty May has a little pop in his bat.

The Michigan basketball coach spent his April 24 evening on Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium, participating as the celebrity in a home run derby. It was the 16th annual partnership between Michigan Softball Academy and the Michigan softball team, with proceeds from the event going to raise money toward fighting breast cancer. As of earlier this week, the charity work had raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Former Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins came up with the idea in 2010, and it is something that she and current coach Bonnie Tholl have continued since.

The event began at 5 p.m. with members of the U-M softball squad leading preregistered participants, some of whom were breast cancer survivors themselves, through various drills and stations. After two hours of that, the derby began with a few select individuals — including May.

The coach attempted to downplay expectations — uttering a “don’t judge me” before he stepped to the plate — then belted a deep home run to the pull side, high off the wall behind the left field fence on his fourth swing. That was his big hit, though, with the rest resembling line drives.

“It was great to be a part of,” May said afterward.

Over the years, this fundraiser has generated more than $2 million for the American Cancer Society, according to Hutchins, who got the idea for it from former U-M football coach Lloyd Carr’s women’s football academy decades ago. If football could work, so could softball, Hutchins thought, so she contacted the ACS.

“I never thought it would be going for 16 years though or raise $2 million,” Hutchins said. “From what I understand, there’s no other college team that’s raised this type of money for the American Cancer Society.”

This year’s event is well over $100,000 through sponsorships alone. And it’s still going, with a silent auction for several Michigan-related items remaining open through April 28 — the final home U-M softball game of the regular season.

Some of the items in the silent auction:

A Detroit Tigers on-field game experience.

A Megan Rapinoe autographed jersey.

Two tickets to see Zach Bryan at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 27.

A round of pickleball with Tholl.

Michigan football tickets and access to the football alumni tailgate this fall.

Other notable U-M dignitaries were on hand as well, including College Basketball Hall of Fame coach John Beilein and Jill Martin of NBC’s “Today Show.”

“Yeah, it’s special,” Hutchins said. “It’s developed into a life of its own. It’s special to the community, so many season-ticket holders, our fanbase looks forward to it every year. … It means a lot that they donate their time.

“That’s the thing about Michigan, we have tremendous people who support us and we need to support them back.”

Tony Garcia is the Michigan Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

Source link

Click to comment

Michigan

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

Published

1 hour 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.

Source link

Michigan

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

Published

13 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

Source link

Michigan

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

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

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