2024/25 Michigan Men's Basketball: A Season of Turnaround and Success

By: Jordan Kaplan

April 25th, 2025

Photo Credit: Big Ten Conference

The Michigan Wolverines had quite the turnaround this season after a shaky 8-24 record in 2023-2024 season that led to the firing of former coach Juwan Howard. After the hiring of coach Dusty May and the acquisition of several key players via the transfer portal, the Wolverines finished the 2025 season with a 27-10 record, leaving fans optimistic about the future. 

The University of Michigan’s basketball program is one filled with prestige and history. Alongside the several NBA players they have produced, like the names of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, and many more, the Wolverines also won the 1989 NCAA championship, 15 Big Ten regular season titles, and 4 Big Ten Tournament. Despite the last Final Four appearance happening in 2018, Michigan Basketball hasn’t been able to maintain consistency since then.

In the 2023-2024 season, the Wolverines really struggled under Coach Howard, going 8-24 and 3-17 in the Big Ten Conference. This was the third straight year the Wolverines won less games the year prior. That season, the Wolverines drew in an average attendance of 11,496 fans at the Crisler Center, ranking 29th in college basketball, with a capacity of 12,707 fans. 

After last year’s incredibly underwhelming season, fans and the media called for significant changes within the program. Coach May was hired in March of 2024 immediately went to work with the transfer portal. Michigan brought in players like Vladisalv Goldin, Sam Walters, Tre Donaldson, Roddy Gale Jr, Danny Wolf, and Rubin Jones. Goldin, Donaldson, Gayle Jr, and Wolf all held starting roles for the Wolverines at some point during the year. May’s coaching style and the new core of players transitioned the Wolverines to look a whole lot different going into the 2024-2025 season.

The Wolverines did not have super high expectations coming into this season. A bad previous record, new coach and new system, and lack of time played together were easy reasons for fans and media to count them out. But Coach May and the Wolverines had other plans in mind. The team finished 27-10 and 14-6 in conference, winning 19 more games than last season. The team won the Big Ten Tournament Championship - last winning in 2018, and advanced to the Sweet 16 in March Madness. Their 8 win season to Sweet 16 marks the first time a team made it to the Sweet 16 after winning that little amount of games the previous season. For this season, the average attendance at Crisler was 12,463 fans, increasing by almost a 1,000 fans and nearly selling out every match.

After such a strong season, expectations and hopes for the Wolverines are high. However, they needed to retool a bit as their top two players, Wolf and Goldin,  are both going to be gone next season due to entering the NBA Draft and graduation, respectively. In addition, Donaldson has entered the transfer portal. However, the Wolverines have already acquired 4 new names, making the fans very excited. Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg, and Aday Mara have all transferred to Michigan, all expected to play a big role for the Wolverines next season. 

With the addition of some new key players, momentum from last year, and Coach May’s contract extension, the future is bright for the Wolverines. Expectations are high as they go into next season looking to repeat as Big Ten Champions and make a bigger push in March Madness. Expect the Wolverines to be a mainstay for next year with exciting plans ahead.