Dusty May Highlights Major Issue for Michigan Basketball
Michigan's turnover problem isn't going away. The Wolverines are an embarrassing 334th out of 364 teams in turnover rate, averaging 15-plus giveaways per game. For the No. 14 Wolverines, Tuesday's 89-87 loss to Arkansas at Madison Square Garden highlighted this ongoing issue.
After a strong first half with just five turnovers, Michigan collapsed with 12 second-half giveaways, fueling an 18-point Arkansas run that proved too much for the Wolverines to overcome. The Razorbacks converted these mistakes into 21 points.
Michigan head coach Dusty May
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"The turnovers, emotionally, are deflating for us," head coach Dusty May said post-game. "When you turn it over, everyone kind of feels dejected, and then you don't have the same sense of urgency on the defensive end."
May's frustration is understandable. Michigan ranks 15th in effective field goal percentage on KenPom, showing that May's offense works when executed properly. But turnovers keep undermining their success.
Key players are struggling with basic ball security. Tre Donaldson's late-game turnover - stepping out of bounds on a crucial possession - epitomized the night's problems. Danny Wolf's forced passes and Vlad Goldin's handling issues have become recurring problems.
"(The turnovers) are coming in such an assortment of ways that it's hard to identify what's the most important thing," May noted. "We've figured out a few things. Once again, I thought their physicality, speed, quickness definitely has an impact."
To be fair, May inherited a completely rebuilt roster and many of the Wolverines' players are still learning his system. At 8-2, with both losses by just two points, Michigan remains solidly positioned in the Big Ten. However, unless addressed quickly, against stronger competition, these turnover issues could derail their season.
The solution lies in finding a balance between May's aggressive offensive philosophy and smarter ball handling. The talent is there. The system works. Now it's just about execution.
