Why Michigan Basketball’s Dusty May Embraces ‘Getting Beaten’ in Exhibition Games
The Michigan Wolverines are gearing up for a pair of exhibition games against formidable opponents in the coming weeks, setting the stage for a thrilling regular season. Before the action tips off in November, Michigan will host Cincinnati at Crisler Center on Friday and then travel to New York City to face the defending Big East champion, St. John’s, on October 25th.
In the world of college basketball, it's becoming increasingly common for top-tier programs to engage in preseason matchups, and Michigan is no exception. By taking on these high-quality opponents, the Wolverines aim to gauge their progress and pinpoint areas for improvement. As Michigan head coach Dusty May explains, "I’m one of the few coaches that has always said I like to get beat in exhibition games. I want to play teams that can beat us to expose some of our own weaknesses. Sometimes you can’t really expose your own weaknesses in practice because of how you’re wired, so we have to recalibrate at times in games."
May's strategic approach to exhibition games is particularly evident in his choice of opponents. He highlights the unique strengths of Cincinnati, noting their size upfront, defensive prowess, and shooting ability. "They have some really unique pieces, size up front, their guards can really defend and they have shooting," May said. "We just thought it made sense for us. The night before a home football game, we’ll put some fans in here, get an early glimpse at our players, and also really expose some of our own weaknesses."
Cincinnati, despite not reaching the NCAA Tournament under head coach Wes Miller, presents a significant challenge for Michigan. The Bearcats boast a strong lineup with transfer additions like Baba Miller (Florida Atlantic), Jalen Celestine (Baylor), and Moustapha Thiam (UCF), along with senior guard Day Day Thomas, the lone returning starter. This well-rounded team will undoubtedly test Michigan's mettle.
Following the Cincinnati game, Michigan will travel to New York to face St. John’s, a team that dominated the Big East last season, winning both the regular season and tournament championships. With national title aspirations, St. John’s is expected to be a formidable opponent. The Red Storm, led by head coach Rick Pinino, has made some strategic moves, including the loss of Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. to the NBA Draft. However, they have since reloaded with highly rated transfers, such as Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Ian Jackson (North Carolina), and Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati). Additionally, St. John’s welcomes back Zuby Ejiofor, a top-tier big man, who will be a significant challenge for Michigan's frontcourt.
May emphasizes the value of these exhibition games, stating, "We felt like (this game) would be an experience for our players. We’re going to learn a lot about our team. St. John’s might have the best, most proven roster in college basketball, so there’s no better way to see where you are than to play against quality teams. It also gives us a chance to see the new guys against older, quality athletes in a game-like environment."
After these exhibition matchups, Michigan will kick off the regular season at home against Oakland on November 3rd, ready to put their newfound knowledge into action.
