A program record 29-2 regular season and runaway Big Ten championship naturally resulted in Michigan cleaning up the Big Ten awards list. Announced Tuesday, the All-Big Ten teams and individual awards saw Dusty May take home Coach of the Year honors while four Wolverine players earned recognition from the conference.
Dusty May wins Big Ten Coach of the Year
Dusty May won Coach of the Year as voted by the media after leading Michigan to its best record in program history. In two seasons in Ann Arbor, May has transformed the program after it was left in disarray by Juwan Howard. After going 8-24 two seasons ago, May led Michigan to the Big Ten Tournament title last season and a Sweet 16 appearance.
His recruiting prowess, particularly in the transfer portal, is among the best in the country. He revamped a roster that returned only Nimari Burnett, Roddy Gayle Jr., and Will Tshetter as rotation players from the Howard era. May took Florida Atlantic to the Final Four, and members from that team went on to have great success after his departure, including Vlad Goldin who starred last season for Michigan. Dusty May is one of the best coaches in all of college basketball, and is stacking up the hardware to prove it.
Yaxel Lendeborg wins Big Ten Player of the Year
The prize of the transfer portal an offseason ago, Yaxel Lendeborg entered Ann Arbor with high expectations. Suffice it to say that he quickly met and surpassed them en route to winning Big Ten Player of the Year. He is the first Wolverine to win the award since Nik Stauskas in 2014, and certainly earned it. Lendeborg was also named to the First Team All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches.
Lendeborg posted strong numbers (14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game), but not eye-popping ones. Much of that, particularly the scoring, can be attributed to the talent around him. Yet, when you watch Michigan it is abundantly clear that Lendeborg is the best player on the floor. When necessary, he proved to be a dominant scorer. Look at the 27 points he put up last Sunday against Michigan State to complete the season sweep.
Beyond his scoring ability, Lendeborg stood out as a defender and rebounder. He can guard 1-4 as well as anyone and hustles for rebounds on both sides of the floor. You won’t find a player who impacts every facet of the game the way that Yaxel Lendeborg does.
Aday Mara wins Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Aday Mara transferred from UCLA last spring and flourished in Dusty May’s system. He led the Big Ten in rebounds per game at 2.6 while also averaging 6.9 boards per game. Even when he isn’t blocking shots, his presence in the paint neutralizes most every opponent from scoring at the rim. Mara is a weapon on the offensive end as well, but his biggest impact is made on defense. Michigan is a different team without his size on the court. Mara also earned third team All-Big Ten honors in addition to winning Defensive Player of the Year.
Recognition for Morez Johnson Jr. and Trey McKenney
To round out Michigan’s award season, Morez Johnson Jr. was named second team All-Big Ten by the media and third team by the coaches while Trey McKenney landed on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Johnson also earned votes for DPOY, but was outshined by Mara. His impact this season has been immense. Johnson brings the energy and intensity on the court that every great team needs. He is a dynamic defender, strong rebounder, and effective scorer at the rim. For the season, he averaged 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. The Lendeborg-Johnson-Mara frontcourt trio challenges teams in so many unique ways that it is no surprise to see all of them earn conference honors.
Trey McKenney, a Flint native, shined off the bench as a freshman. His three-point stroke is as smooth as you will see. McKenney really came on as the season progressed, earning more minutes late in games. He averaged 9.6 points per game and will play an even bigger role in the NCAA Tournament with L.J. Cason out. McKenney would easily start for most teams in the country and I predict this season is a preview of what is to come from him as a Wolverine.
