Dusty May discusses state of Indiana program since departure

Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May had a bit of a homecoming on Saturday. A former Indiana Hoosier player, he returned to Bloomington as an opposing coach, grabbing a close win for the Wolverines in the process.

For Indiana, the loss dropped the Hoosiers to 14-10 overall and 5-8 in Big Ten play in what has been a frustrating season. So, unsurprisingly, the question of that status of the Indiana program came up when talking to someone who played for the Hoosiers more than two decades ago.

“First of all, everything’s changed,” Dusty May said. “I don’t want to lecture anyone, but 18-2 is probably 15-5 or 14-6 now with the amount of talent and how everything’s dispersed. The game is completely different. Everyone’s on TV now. Everyone has nice facilities. So, everything’s changed about all this. Do we all agree? It’s not like it used to be. Obviously, there’s a few still at the top of the mountain, but for the most part, the mountain’s continuing to shift a little bit and move in, move out.” 

Dusty May played for Indiana under Bobby Knight from 1996 to 2000, which was the end of Knight’s tenure at Indiana. They made the NCAA Tournament but failed to win the Big Ten or make it past the Round of 32. For a program with five national championships, the standard has always been high but in the 21st century the Hoosiers have only made it to the Sweet Sixteen or beyond four times.

Since May left school, he began coaching in 2005 and as the head coach at Michigan is in his first season back in the Big Ten since his playing career. Because of his lack of connection, May is tentative to be critical or go beyond being a casual fan of Indiana.

“Look, I enjoy watching all Indiana athletics. I don’t want to comment on what they have going on because I don’t follow that closely anymore. If I turn on the TV on the Big Ten Network and IU soccer’s playing in the Final Four, I’m cheering because I went to school here,” May said. “But I’m not following it, and I’m not setting my calendar to watch IU football. If it’s on, I love watching it and cheering for those guys and they had a wonderful year. But this is an all-encompassing job, and I’m focused on us. So, every day is a fight.”

Changes are set to come for the Indiana program. Head coach Mike Woodson is ready to step down from the program after this season. He will be leaving after four seasons.

“I think they have a good basketball team,” May said. “If the breaks go a little bit different, then they’re going to be one of many teams in the Big Ten in the NCAA Tournament.”