BUFFALO, N.Y. – The No. 1-ranked Michigan Wolverines (32-3, 21-2 Big Ten) are preparing to take on the No. 9-ranked Saint Louis Billikens (29-5, 15-3 A-10) for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16 in Chicago next weekend.
Tip-off is slated for 12:10 p.m. on Saturday (March 21) inside KeyBank Arena, where the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres play.
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Head coach Dusty May talked about the matchup against St. Louis.
“We’re obviously very excited to prolong our stay here in Buffalo and have a chance to continue competing. Learning more about ourselves and continuing to grow. St. Louis is an excellent basketball team. So we’re excited to see if we can solve some of the challenges that they’re going to present,” said May.
May described a long-standing professional relationship with St. Louis coach Josh Schertz that predates the modern transfer portal and grew from shared film work and player evaluation.
“He’s an absolute basketball junkie. He’s a savant. I’ve learned so much from him,” said May.
May said the two staff’s sometimes exchange practice material through video coordinators and that those conversations can spark ideas for both teams.
“I’d say it’s probably very unusual,” May said.
May explained that a small group of coaches regularly shares ideas and materials, often through informal communication among staff.
“We’re close enough where I don’t even call him,” May said. “I’ll text his video guy, or he’ll text mine and say, ‘Hey, can you send me last week’s workouts? We’re toying with this. We’re thinking about this concept.’ Sometimes it just sparks an idea.”
May said both programs approach the game similarly and have discussed concepts previously.
“Luckily, we both play conceptual basketball,” May said. “If we take something away, they’re going to have an answer for it, and vice versa.”
May added that the matchup should be competitive.
“It’s going to be a great chess match among players who have been trained to play the game at a high level,” May said.
May credited the program’s continuity and past players for helping current team members feel connected to Michigan basketball history, like Trey Burke.
May said his team’s win over the No. 16-ranked Howard Bison in the Round of 64 helped players better understand how to adjust in real time.
“For the most part, I think we found the solutions that were presented,” May said. “You can anticipate what’s going to happen, but until the game is played and they show you how they’re going to defend, you never really know how it’s going to go.”
May said his team made key adjustments after halftime.
“I thought in the second half we really settled in to taking advantage of our size and playing through that, then using it to generate offense in other areas,” May said.
May added that, despite early defensive pressure, his team responded well.
“I thought they did a nice job of taking away the paint and collapsing on our bigs,” May said. “So we made the extra passes and hit open shots.”
May emphasized that decision-making varies by opponent and situation.
“Each game is a lot different,” May said. “A shot in this game might be a bad shot, where that same shot in another game might be a good one.”
He also praised his players’ unselfishness.
“The best part is they don’t mind giving up their own numbers if someone else has it going,” May said. “It’s a very smart, unselfish group.”
Michigan led 50-46 at halftime and went on to win 101-80 in the first round.
May said he spoke with Mike White following Georgia’s game against Saint Louis, despite White downplaying the value of any takeaways.
“We learned a lot from that game,” May said. “I spoke with coach White this morning.”
May credited White for his own development as a coach.
“I’m sitting here today in large part because of Mike White and him allowing me to be on his staff, learn from him, and be part of his program,” May said.
The two discussed St. Louis and their respective teams, though May said the conversation was not decisive in preparing for the next matchup.
“I don’t think anything he gave me will be the difference in winning or losing,” May said. “But there were a couple of things where he said they thought they’d be able to do certain things and weren’t able to, or that St. Louis was better in some areas than they anticipated from film.”
May said those insights were helpful context but not determinative.
“It’s going to come down to the five guys on the court competing and making plays,” May said.
Roddy Gayle Jr.
May praised Roddy Gayle Jr. for his leadership and impact following the team’s latest performance.
“Roddy was awesome,” May said. “We don’t advance to the Sweet 16 last year without him. Our locker room isn’t what it is without him. Our practices aren’t the same.”
May said Gayle Jr. is widely respected within the program.
“He’s probably as beloved as any player we have,” May said. “You can’t find anyone who doesn’t respect him. When he speaks, people listen.”
May added that he often relies on Gayle Jr. to deliver messages to the team.
“If we need a message, I’ll go whisper to Roddy, and he’ll say, ‘We’ve got it,’” May said.
May said Gayle Jr.’s performance carried added significance given the setting.
“For him to have that level of success on the court in his hometown area, in front of friends and family, that’s what it’s about,” May said. “To elevate his play in that moment is going to be a great memory for him.”
Gayle Jr. played in front of a large group of family and supporters during the Bison victory on Thursday.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and attended Lewiston-Porter High School, making Buffalo a familiar setting as he prepares to play on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.
Gayle Jr. finished with 14 points while shooting 6-7 from the field in the victory.
May said Gayle Jr. delivered a key message at halftime that helped spark the team’s second-half turnaround.
“Guys in the locker room talked about the message from Roddy at halftime, feeling like we didn’t play to our fullest potential in the first half,” May said. “He’s definitely embraced that leadership role.”
May said Gayle Jr. has consistently done whatever the team needs.
“Whatever it’s been, coming off the bench or taking on a different role, he’s always said, ‘I’ve got you, coach,’” May said. “There’s nothing we do that’s about him. It’s always about us.”
May also highlighted the emotional moment when Gayle Jr. checked into the game and received a strong reaction from the crowd.
“That was a great moment for him and his family,” May said. “Sometimes the families experience more than the players do. They’ve been through a lot.”
He said the reception was especially meaningful given past road environments.
“For him to feel that warm welcome and applause was really cool,” May said. “Those are the moments you remember.”
St. Louis
On game planning, May said St. Louis poses multifaceted challenges, capable of scoring inside and from long range, and that Michigan will rely on size and length to disrupt the rhythm.
He also said the Wolverines learned from recent opponents and conversations with former staff colleagues, but stressed that outcomes will ultimately come down to on-court execution.