Every day before Michigan basketball coach Dusty May walks out of practice, he gets handed two specific pieces of information.
Every day, before Michigan basketball coach Dusty May walks out of the Player Development Center at the end of practice, he gets handed two specific pieces of information: assist to turnover ratio and 3-point shooting.
It's not because they're his favorites, or even because they correlate best to winning.
It's because they were the Wolverines' two weakest areas a season ago – and perhaps the difference between a good season and one you tell your children and grandchildren about, decades later.
And this season? It's still early − it was still September when May disclosed his preferred stats, and the Wolverines don't tip off an exhibition game for two more weeks − but so far, so good.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re monitoring the data and the stats last year compared to this year," May said. "The first thing I look at every day after practice is assist-to-turnover ratio. I still have some PTSD with our shooting woes in February. I look at 3-point percentage every single day, too — those are the first two things I look at."
In 2024-25, Michigan ranked No. 192 in the country (out of 355 teams) with a 1.19 assist-to-turnover ratio. May and his staff attacked the issue throughout the offseason, primarily with personnel.
Point guard Tre Donaldson had several huge moments for U-M, but his numbers didn't indicate he was a natural point guard.
He had more than seven assists just twice all year, yet 13 games with at least three turnovers. So, U-M brought in Elliot Cadeau from North Carolina; he averaged a lofty 3.1 turnovers per game, but was also second in the ACC with 6.2 assists per game.
Michigan also brought in Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 1 player in the transfer portal; the New Jersey native has described himself and Cadeau as "two Jersey guys who love to pass." A year ago, he was asked to do everything at UAB − the offense relied solely on him yet he still had nearly a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. This year U-M's attack will run through him, in theory allowing him to facilitate at an even more efficient clip.
That's not to mention UCLA transfer Aday Mara, described by teammates as one of the best passing bigs they've seen. But the real difference will come from the returning players, now that they're in Year 2 of May's up-tempo system.
“We’ve managed the turnover battle really, really well this year," May said. "Might be the returners are more familiar with our system. It might be just that we know what it cost us last year … what kept us from being our best.
"I don’t know. But … we’ve handled it better.”
Meanwhile, the Wolverines' improved 3-point shooting in practice has also been a pleasant surprise. Nimari Burnett was one of the best 3-point shooters in the Big Ten a season ago. Will Tschetter, coming off a season with down numbers, has slid to the wing; there, he'll have more of a size advantage while also getting more looks within the flow of the offense.
Roddy Gayle Jr. endured a January and February that featured one of the worst shooting stretches for any player in the nation. But last month, he was hitting 3s both in scrimmage and drill situations.
Cadeau has been hitting nearly half of his 3-pointers according to May, while Lendeborg said he's "really confident in his shot this year. ... It's something I've never had before."
Freshman Winters Grady, meanwhile, looked like the best pure shooter in the gym last month, though it remains to be seen if he can play the requisite defense to lock up a spot in the rotation. Then, there's fellow freshman Trey McKenney; the McDonald's All-American didn't relay on 3s at Orchard Lake St. Mary's but is more than capable of taking and making them.
After all, that's what the staff wants of, frankly, anybody.
"Take an open shot, we have enough sides to get the offensive rebound, so I think that gives them some confidence to be able to go and feel good about their shot," said assistant coach and director of player development Drew Williamson. "If you're open, that's the best shot we can get."
The team has its other strengths. With the length on the roster, the defense should be exceptional. With the experience, the in-game decision-making could be on point. With the various lineups it can bring out, U-M should be able to configure its looks to counter opposing strengths on any night.
But if it can turn some of its weaknesses into strengths? Well, Indianapolis is calling.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan basketball focused on changing two big numbers
Category: General Sports
