Unique Michigan duo proved doubters wrong, learned about themselves on way to Sweet 16

ATLANTA — When Dusty May took the Michigan job, there was a logical assumption that he would recruit FAU center Vladislav Goldin to his new roster. What less people expected was a simultaneous pursuit of Yale center Danny Wolf from the transfer portal.

Modern basketball is all about speed and perimeter play. At least that’s the most common approach to unlocking success.

Michigan stared that notion in the face and challenged it head on, laying out a bold plan for two 7-footers to play side-by-side and showcase the complementary piece of their game which so many people failed to identify.

While the frontcourt duo faced plenty of preseason questions about fit and spacing, the team rode a strong connection between the two all the way into the Sweet 16. In the process, they created a sub-culture within the program.

Vladislav Goldin, Danny Wolf prove doubters wrong

Dusty May saw a vision at Michigan and quickly put together his first roster after making the move from FAU. Many analysts believed the Wolverines could land one of Vladislav Goldin or Danny Wolf, but then they got both. Even as the hottest coach on the market, he raised eyebrows everywhere.

Both players believed in his vision though. And the reward far exceeded what even May could have imagined.

“Number one, I credit them,” said May. “They bought into a vision, and sometimes it’s hard to buy into something that’s not seen, that you can’t see. Also, they worked. They wanted to figure out solutions. They wanted to figure out the best way to do it, and it starts with just getting really quality people that are good at basketball and then figure out a way to make it work.

“Yeah, those guys, they became a national story because of the unique skill sets, how well they worked together. But also, the other three guys on the court didn’t get as much credit as they deserve because they were the ones spacing, cutting, feeding the ball, whatever the case. Yeah, it was unique for us for those guys to get some really quality attention and press and give us another kind of, I guess, sub-culture or identity going forward.”

Goldin ended the season averaging 16.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, proving not only that he could make the jump to high-major basketball but also play alongside another center. He had nothing but gratitude for the unique opportunity.

“I loved every single minute I played with Danny,” said Goldin. “He’s obviously a great player. It’s been fun. We did something that not many people do, and we did something that me personally, I haven’t done before. I think I learned a lot playing by the side with him.”

Wolf averaged 13.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists on his way to becoming a potential first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Visibly emotional at the podium, he followed with his thoughts from beginning to end.

“Playing at Michigan this year was the greatest honor of my lifetime,” said Wolf. “When Coach May and his staff kind of gave me the opportunity to come here and laid out a plan for Vlad and I, I questioned it at first, but they put so much trust in the two of us, and our teammates make us look way better than we are.”

Both Goldin and Wolf raised their stock to play professional basketball in the future, but more importantly, they spent the ‘greatest year’ of their life playing together.

“I have so much respect and gratitude for my coaches for allowing me to come here,” said Wolf. “It was arguably the greatest year of my life, and I made so many amazing relationships. I met my brothers for life, and we had an unbelievable locker room. We stuck with each other through the ups and downs.”