Coaches are maniacal.
It’s obvious with UConn’s Dan Hurley, the sauntering, screaming, head-butting a referee, offensive basketball genius and two-time NCAA champion.
For Michigan’s Dusty May, it’s more subtle. But he’s just as diabolical in his own way.
In the celebration on the court after the Wolverines completed a 37-3 season in May’s second year on the job with a national title, the Free Press caught up with the coach for a few questions.
So what was May thinking in the moment?
“Put us in your mind in this moment. What’s going on?” Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia asked May, seen in the video at the top of the page, on the Lucas Oil Stadium court in Indianapolis.
May, sporting a new national champions hat worn backwards, paused thoughtfully for a few seconds, moving his head from side to side.
“We’re 365 days from the Final Four in Detroit, national championship next year,” May answered, his face moving from serious to a smile then to laughter.
An answer only a coach would give.
He’s not the only local coach thinking it, though. Hi there, Tom Izzo.
“I feel like we have all the pieces we need for next year to make it to Detroit,” Izzo said March 27, after Michigan State’s loss to UConn in the Sweet 16.
Yes, Detroit will host the 2027 Final Four at Ford Field, home of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, as it did in 2009, when MSU was blown out by an NBA-laded North Carolina team in the final.
Both Michigan and Michigan State are already highly rated for next season, with Michigan bringing in the No. 2-ranked recruiting class and MSU’s class is at No. 3. Michigan is the second only to Duke in championship odds for 2027; MSU is tied for fifth-shortest odds.
Where is the 2027 Men’s Final Four?
How to get 2027 Final Four tickets
Ticket applications are already available for the 2027 Final Four in Detroit via Ticketmaster. The application is for upper level seats and costs $400 each.
There’s also a $25 fee to apply that will be refunded if the applicant is not selected.
Applicants will be notified by Oct. 31. The deadline to apply is May 31.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dusty May diabolical answer after title: Get me to 2027 Final Four in Detroit
Reporting by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
