What happened: Dusty May said he likely would not have left Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks if the program had not won a national championship. May noted that while he avoids hypothetical scenarios, securing the collegiate title paved the way for his jump to the NBA.
Why it matters: May became the first college coach to jump directly to the NBA since 2019 after winning it all at Michigan. His arrival has yielded early traction in Dallas, steadying the team through the opening month of the 2026-27 season.
By the numbers: The Mavericks are 7-4 through 11 games in 2026-27, sitting ninth in the Western Conference on a three-game winning streak following a 125-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 9.
What to watch: Dallas looks to extend its three-game winning streak as May continues his first regular season on an NBA sideline.