The Dusty May era in Ann Arbor has officially begun, and with it comes some lofty expectations from a fanbase that is desperate for a return to postseason basketball. It was a given under John Beilein that the Wolverines would be in the NCAA Tournament, but Michigan was absent from the big dance three times in Juwan Howard’s five seasons as head coach (once because of COVID).
After an 8-24 season and one of the worst showings in Michigan basketball history, it feels like the Wolverines are as far as ever from the promised land. Yet, it’s still an expectation from a lot of folks that don the maize and blue that the team will be back in the tournament.