Josh Schertz praises Michigan Basketball’s ‘intelligently constructed’ roster

Mar 21, 2026; Buffalo, NY, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May and Saint Louis Billikens head coach Josh Schertz shake hands after a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Keybank Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images The Michigan Wolverines’ historic season will continue for at least another week, as Dusty May and company took down Saint Louis in the Round of 32 on Saturday afternoon to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Chicago. Yaxel Lendeborg had a team-high 25 points, and Aday Mara added 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

Morez Johnson Jr. had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau had 12 points and eight assists. These four guys — who all played at a different school last season — have led the Wolverines all year long.

There were no guarantees their games would fit together when they were brought in last offseason, but head coach Dusty May clearly had a vision for how all the pieces would work together. So far so good, as they are one win away from breaking the program record (33) for the most amount of wins in a season (2017-18 team that went to the National Championship), two wins away from the Final Four, and three wins away from a National Championship appearance. May has said time and time again this year they were very particular with the guys they wanted to bring in last offseason.

It wasn’t just about getting the best possible players, it was more so about getting selfless players that mesh well on the court. Of course it helps that all four are very good players and were rated highly in the portal, but their chemistry — on and off the court — was just as important as anything else. Saint Louis head coach Josh Schertz — who is very good friends with May — has seen this from afar.