Dusty May is getting back one of the program’s most passionate players.
As new Michigan men’s basketball head coach Dusty May feverishly works to plug some of the Wolverines’ scholarship vacancies, one key player is already locked in for the 2024 season — forward Will Tschetter.
He had a career season for the Wolverines in 2023-24, averaging 6.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Tschetter also improved his three-point shooting to a respectable 51.9 percent.
As a talented player, Tschetter undoubtedly could have garnered interest from plenty of programs in the transfer portal. The allure of potentially finding a better fit elsewhere or seeking more playing time can be tempting for any athlete. However, Tschetter’s decision to remain with the Wolverines underscores a deeper connection he has developed with the university, the coaching staff, and his teammates.
Tschetter expanded on that connection during this week’s Conquering Heroes podcast .
“Hearing what he had to say — it was super promising,” Tschetter said of initially meeting May. “He’s ridiculously detail-oriented and cerebral and thinks things through, so just definitely a lot of trust right off the bat with that. One of our first conversations that we had was about that fit. The first thing he emphasized was every year is different, so just always being flexible and kind of fitting into the strength of who our best player’s gonna be and what the strengths of those guys around him are, is how we’re gonna ultimately be more successful.”
From a strategic standpoint, Tschetter’s presence on the roster adds depth and versatility. His decision not only benefits the team in the short-term, but also sets a positive precedent for younger guys like George Washington III, who also elected to stay at Michigan.
“I think that’s obviously something you can carry into our next season, making sure that those guys are absolutely all in. Like, you gotta live, eat and breathe Michigan basketball during the season,” Tschetter said. “And sometimes leading by example or just a few guys doing that isn’t enough. If one guy’s not doing it, man, you can really be screwed. Making sure that’s a point of emphasis in the future obviously is huge.”
At 6-foot-8 and possessing a versatile skillset, Tschetter has already shown flashes of his potential during his time at Michigan. However, he is not one to rest on his laurels. Instead, he’s approaching the offseason with a hunger for improvement and a drive to elevate his game and physique to new heights.
“I think one of my main focal points right after the season ended was lose weight,” Tschetter said. “I was at 250 — playing at 250 this year was the heaviest I’ve ever been and I’m already down to 230. That was one of my conversations with coach May, definitely not playing that big anymore, guarding Zach Edey. But being able to be more of a, we always coin the term Swiss army knife, being able to move my feet.
“In the weight room, I’ve started incorporating a ton of agility and footwork stuff, being able to get my foot speed up, be able to guard those quicker guys, because when you’re heavy like that, it’s tough to stay in front of those quicker guards, especially in this league.”
An offseason full of change is well underway for Tschetter, as it pertains to his future team and his future self. It’s still unclear who all will be suiting up with him next year, but one thing is for certain — Tschetter has the right mindset and attitude to be a quality player and advocate for his future teammates.