FAU stars transferring to Michigan basketball isn’t a slam dunk

One of the things that got Michigan basketball fans excited about hiring Dusty May is the possibility of a quick turnaround next season.

That’s life in college basketball. You don’t get four years to build a program anymore. Yet, May has three All-Conference performers on the current FAU roster whom he recruited.  They are guards Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin, as well as center Vlad Goldin.

These guys are all proven and have put up big outings against high-major opponents. Goldin just had 19 points against Northwestern in the NCAA tournament. Here’s more from Isaac Trotter of 247 Sports on their potential impact on Michigan basketball:

“Davis is a star. The 6-foot-4, 203-pound guard averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting a career-best 41% from 3-point range this season. Davis would immediately vault to the top of the pecking order amongst Big Ten guards. Martin has big-time bounce and shot 38% from downtown in 2022-23. He was instrumental in FAU’s magical run to the Final Four. If he gets healthy, Martin would be another potential all-league player.

Davis and Martin were regarded as FAU’s best two players in the preseason, but Goldin transformed into maybe the biggest needle-mover out there. The 7-foot-1, 240-pound center is a load. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this past season. He crushed Illinois for 23 points in 19 minutes. Goldin gave Butler 19 and 11. He torched Northwestern for 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Top-100 opponents shot just 52% at the rim against FAU when Goldin was on the floor, per hoop-explorer.”

FAU transfers to Michigan basketball might not be a sure thing

While Trotter writes that those players could help May at Michigan, since they all have one season of eligibility remaining, none have entered the transfer portal yet.

If they do, Michigan basketball will be the heavy favorite to land them. There will be competition but right now, the stiffest is coming from FAU.

According to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, Kyle Church an assistant under May, is in the mix to get the head coaching job. He would obviously try to retain those players and Balas reported some on the FAU side of things believe there’s a chance those players could stick with the Owls.

That would hurt the quick rebuild because as Trotter states, the Wolverines would be getting multiple guys with all-Big Ten potential. Still, the fact that May recruited and developed those guys at FAU is impressive. It shows he has an eye for talent, as well as the ability to develop/retain players.

So even if he doesn’t get his former standouts, it shouldn’t make the confidence in his hire waiver at all. As long as Michigan holds up its end in terms of NIL/admissions, players will flock to Ann Arbor to play for Dusty May.