WATCH: Dusty May discusses Michigan roster, player roles, coaching staff, expectations for first season
Michigan Wolverines basketball head coach Dusty May held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss the state of his roster and more. Watch the video in the player at the top of the screen or on The Wolverine’s YouTube channel.
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The Michigan coaching staff added six transfers and two new freshman signees to what was already in place when they arrived in Ann Arbor, and May is pleased with how the team has taken shape.
“After almost five weeks on the job, we feel like we’ve covered a lot of ground and put together a competitive roster that we’re excited to coach,” May said as he sat down.
“We wanted to add some young guys with some old guys, but most importantly, get guys that fit culturally and have a baseline of talent. It’s been enjoyable to see the group come together, to try to fit these pieces and parts together, use our imagination based on past experience and find the guys that we felt like were right for this university and right for us. Because of the staff’s diligence, their hard work, the relationships that have been built over time, we were able to get guys that we’re extremely excited grow with.”
Michigan brought in two seven-footers in Yale transfer Danny Wolf and FAU transfer Vladislav Goldin. The two should see time on the floor together but will also alternate at the center spot, May explained.
“Through the recruiting process, we pride ourselves on being very transparent and open and honest. What we tell you today is what we imagine is going to happen. Not that it’s definitely going to happen, because the scoreboard and injuries and stuff like that can change and derail everything.
“But Vlad last year played 25 minutes a game. In a perfect world, we get him a few more minutes. But we play up tempo with a lot of possessions, so it’s difficult for our players to play 32 to 35 minutes a game, if we’re playing the style that we like to play. And so Vlad will probably hover around that mid-20s if he’s playing his best, and hopefully we’re able to take care of some games before the last five minutes so you can get those guys some rest or whatever.”
Continued the Michigan coach: “But that left us probably playing Danny at 14 minutes a game at the ‘5’ when Vlad’s not in, is how we probably envision it. We’ll be able to play stylistically a different brand of basketball. Danny will be more of a five-out facilitator, while Vlad is more of a traditional center. But also, he’s expanding his game. We definitely envision those guys playing together significant minutes and also complimenting each other.”
