Just a few months ago, Dusty May and the Michigan Wolverines barely escaped Carver-Hawkeye Arena with a 71-68 victory. May acknowledged how tough it was, giving the crowd a shout-out postgame for making it loud and intense inside the arena.
After taking Michigan men's basketball to heights we haven't seen in decades, May is leaving the program, giving Ben McCollum and Iowa an unexpected gift.
May heading to the Dallas Mavericks is great news for Iowa
May took the Wolverines men's basketball program from one of the lowest points the program had experienced during the 2023-2024 season, after finishing last in the Big Ten with an 8-24 (3-17 Big Ten) record, to a national powerhouse in just one season.
In his first season at the helm (2024-2025), May guided the Wolverines to a second-place finish in the Big Ten and an improbable run to the Sweet 16. He followed that up with a Big Ten crown and a National Championship in his second season. He finished his short Michigan tenure with a 64-13 overall record, and he just made it even easier for Ben McCollum to snag two of his top targets.
BREAKING: University of Michigan coach Dusty May has agreed to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell me, @AdamSchefter, @PeteThamel. Major college-to-pro jump for the 2026 NCAA championship coach and swing for the Mavericks and Masai Ujiri. pic.twitter.com/rwlwhRtNfo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 22, 2026
In a shocking move, May is headed to Dallas to be the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks after the organization continues to undergo an overhaul under new general manager Masai Ujiri. Not only is Michigan reeling, but May has also potentially just handed Iowa two of its top targets that both schools were fighting for.
Ben McCollum had a first season in Iowa City similar to May's in Ann Arbor, albeit with slightly better results. May had a better finish in the Big Ten, but McCollum had a better NCAA Tournament run, reaching the Elite Eight, while May reached the Sweet 16. After Iowa's improbable run to the Elite Eight, the program is pushing the envelope by pursuing highly-ranked recruits in the 2027 class.
Two of the program's top targets, guards Cayden Daughtry and Jaxson Davis, are both Michigan targets, but with May on the way out, Iowa can press its advantage.
McCollum now has a chance to earn two MASSIVE recruiting wins
There is a somber mood in Ann Arbor after May's exit, but now is the time to strike for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Cayden Daughtry (No. 10 overall) and Jaxson Davis (No. 50 overall) are both scheduled to make official visits to Iowa City in the coming months, and their ultimate decision will likely be affected by the May news.
According to Rivals, Iowa is the early favorite to land both talented prospects with a 39.3 percent chance, and May's exit just gave Iowa a much-needed recruiting boost. Daughtry is one of the top guards in the 2027 class, and for good reason. He can do everything on the court, especially on the offensive end, and recently earned a spot on the Under-17 Team USA roster.
Davis is also no slouch, averaging 23.8 ponts, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.2 steals per game for Warren Township High School in Illinois as he continues to soar in the rankings. With both players at the top of McCollum's priority list, any advantages the program can get is welcome news.
After the program earned a commitment from 2027 four-star prospect Keller Daugherty, they added more depth to an already large forward group. Bringing in Daughtry, Davis, or both would easily solidify the guard depth, which is currently very thin. The Hawkeyes brought in Ty'Reek Coleman from the transfer portal with three years of remaining eligibility, but after Kael Combs is gone after next season, and Isaia Howard is better suited to a reserve role.
In a dream scenario, McCollum signs both players and immediately shoves Iowa into championship contention, but even with only one, the program would be in great hands.
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