After the recent appointment of Dusty May as the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball program, attention now turns towards filling out the coaching staff and roster. However, the task at hand may prove to be more challenging than anticipated, as Michigan's roster has been largely depleted following the departure of former coach Juwan Howard.

One of the major hurdles in recruiting new players lies in Michigan's rigorous academic standards, which have not been relaxed for athletic transfers. This was exemplified during Howard's tenure, as it proved difficult to utilize the transfer portal to bring in top talent. Nevertheless, May is determined to restore the prominence of Michigan basketball and appears willing to explore the transfer portal in his first year in Ann Arbor.

Having served as the head coach at Florida Atlantic in the past, May did not heavily rely on the transfer portal. However, given the limited quality options currently available on Michigan's roster, he may be forced to do so this time around. It is worth examining the potential players he could bring with him directly from FAU.

Three standout players from FAU with eligibility remaining have caught May's attention. Vladislav Goldin, a 7-foot-1, 240-pound center from Russia, played one season at Texas Tech before transferring to FAU for increased playing time. Over his three years at FAU, Goldin has started an impressive 106 games, consistently improving his scoring output from seven to 10 to 16 points per game. In addition, he averaged nearly seven rebounds per game this past season, showcasing his versatility and impact on the court.

Another player on May's radar is Johnell Davis, a 6-foot-4, 203-pound guard who led the Owls in scoring this year with an average of 18.2 points per game. Though he faced disappointment in failing to deliver a game-winning shot against Northwestern, Davis has been a reliable scorer under May's coaching. While he may consider testing the NBA waters this offseason, joining May at Michigan could be a viable option for him.

A third player of interest is Alijah Martin, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound guard who was the Owls' third-leading scorer this season. Impressive in his consistency, Martin has averaged between 13 and 14 points per game, along with five to six rebounds, over the past three years. Despite some foul trouble in the NCAA Tournament, Martin's skill set could prove valuable for Michigan's roster.

While other FAU players may not be suitable candidates for a transfer to Michigan due to academic credit restrictions, May's focus appears to be on Goldin, Davis, and Martin. Securing any combination of these three players would significantly bolster the talent on Michigan's decimated roster and provide a welcome boost for May's first season as head coach in the Big Ten conference.

As May embarks on the task of reshaping the Wolverines' basketball program, the potential transfers from FAU offer a glimmer of hope for Michigan fans. Only time will tell if these talented players will make their way to Ann Arbor and help elevate the team back to prominence in the challenging landscape of collegiate basketball.