Monday was anything but a slow news day for college basketball. Early in the day, news broke that University of Michigan men’s basketball coach Dusty May will become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel.
What made the move most surprising is that May has been with the Wolverines for only two seasons. But he did what he set out to do, and that was win a national championship. It’s pretty incredible that in just two seasons, May took this team from being 8-24 in the season prior to him coming to Michigan, a program-low record, to winning an NCAA title.
So, the Mavericks noticed. May achieved a turnaround quickly, and that’s exactly what they want in Dallas. What does this mean for Tom Izzo and the Spartans?
What Dusty May leaving the Wolverines means for Tom Izzo and MSU
May’s departure is nothing but good news for Izzo and the Spartans. Whenever a rival team loses a star coach, it’s a good thing for their opponent.
May leaving puts the Wolverines in disarray, at least temporarily. Michigan will have to find a coach very late in the offseason. Once they hire a coach, their players will have the chance to leave in the transfer portal. It won’t be easy for players to transfer this late in the game, though, so that should keep Michigan’s lineup fairly solid. But, it’s not ideal, by a long shot.
Michigan State and Michigan are on the schedule to take each other on twice this year. Chances are, the Wolverines won’t be as strong an opponent. May was highly effective with this team, historically so. Whoever takes over likely won’t have that short-term or long-term impact. Going from 8-24 to an NCAA title in two years is unheard of.
No matter how you look at it, May’s departure is a good thing for Izzo, MSU and Michigan’s other rivals in the Big Ten.
