**Meta:** Dusty May reflects on his first season as Michigan men’s basketball coach, emphasizing the need for physicality in the Big Ten.
**Content:**
### Dusty May’s First Season as Michigan Men’s Basketball Coach
**Who:** Dusty May, Michigan men’s basketball coach
**What:** Reflections on his first season in the Big Ten
**When:** Recently, during an appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich”
**Where:** Michigan
**Why:** To discuss the challenges faced in adapting to the physicality of the Big Ten
Dusty May was appointed as the head coach of the Michigan men’s basketball team last offseason after a successful six-year tenure at Florida Atlantic. At 48 years old, May shared insights from his inaugural season in the Big Ten, highlighting the unexpected level of physicality in the conference.
### The Challenge of Physicality in the Big Ten
May noted that the physical demands of the Big Ten were greater than anticipated. He stated, “It was even more physical and physically demanding than we anticipated. All summer, every time one of our players would complain about a foul, our response would be, ‘We play in the Big Ten, you’ve got to play through it.'”
– The coaching staff recognized a lack of preparation for the physical style of play.
– May admitted, “I don’t think we were as intentional enough at creating an environment of physicality every day.”
### Team Composition and Style of Play
Despite acknowledging the need for a more physical approach, May pointed out that the team was not constructed for that style. He explained, “We have a lot of guys who are very skilled, and they’re finesse by nature. It’s not as if we recruited to it; we just tried to get the best players we could in a small window.”
As the Wolverines head into the Big Ten tournament with a record of 22-9, May expressed satisfaction with the foundation laid during his first year. “We laid a really strong foundation, we learned a lot, I learned an incredible amount, but those are the things that really jump out.”
### Looking Ahead to the Big Ten Tournament
The Michigan Wolverines are the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament, set to play their first game on Friday at 9 p.m. ET against the winner of the USC and Purdue matchup. May aims to build on the lessons learned this season as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.
**Conclusion:** How will Dusty May’s insights on physicality influence the Wolverines’ performance in the Big Ten tournament?
**FAQs:**
**Q: What did Dusty May learn about the Big Ten’s physicality in his first season?**
A: Dusty May found the Big Ten to be more physically demanding than expected, noting that the team was not adequately prepared for this style of play.
