Following a 26-10 finish, a Big Ten Tournament title, and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2024-25, Michigan enters the upcoming season with momentum and ambition. Head coach Dusty May, at the helm of the program, leads a retooled squad featuring impactful newcomers and key veterans.
With their eyes set on a Final Four run, the Wolverines will rely heavily on continued player growth, tactical coaching, and the ability to navigate fierce competition within the Big Ten and on the national stage as they build on last season’s postseason success.
Chasing Greatness: Michigan’s Road to the Final Four in 2025-26
Michigan’s 2024-25 turnaround under head coach Dusty May marked a clear shift from recent struggles. The Wolverines tied for second in the Big Ten with a 14-6 conference record and earned the No. 3 seed in the league tournament. They rolled through Purdue (86-68), Maryland, and Wisconsin to capture their first Big Ten Tournament title since 2018. That performance secured them an automatic NCAA Tournament berth as the No. 5 seed in the South Region.
The roster heading into 2025-26 features a mix of returning contributors, transfer standouts, and elite high school talent. Michigan faces key departures, with five players exhausting their eligibility, including standout center Vlad Goldin, and forward Danny Wolf projected to go in the first round of the NBA Draft. In addition, freshmen guards Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks, Tre Donaldson, Jace Howard, and Justin Pippen have entered the transfer portal, forcing further changes.
May acted swiftly in the portal, bringing in three likely starters: Yaxel Lendeborg (UAB), Elliot Cadeau (North Carolina), and Morez Johnson Jr. (Illinois). Lendeborg, who averaged 17.7 points per game, may still declare for the NBA Draft. At the same time, Cadeau, a high-IQ playmaker, and Johnson, a physical force in the paint, are expected to contribute immediately.
The Wolverines also landed 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara from UCLA to bolster the interior. Veterans Roddy Gayle Jr. (9.8 PPG) and Nimari Burnett (9.4 PPG) return on the wings, alongside Cadeau (9.4 PPG) in the backcourt. If Lendeborg returns, he’ll anchor the frontcourt with Johnson (7.0 PPG at Illinois).
KEEP READING: How Far Will Duke’s Men’s Basketball Team Go in 2025-26? Analyzing Their Road To the Final Four
Incoming freshman Trey McKenney headlines the 2025 class. A five-star combo guard, McDonald’s All-American, and Michigan’s Mr. Basketball, McKenney is ranked in the top 20 nationally. He is poised to make an immediate impact with his scoring versatility and on-ball creation.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
