Michigan coach Dusty May faces a unique challenge in the NCAA tournament round of 32 against his close friend and fellow coach Josh Schertz of Saint Louis. The two coaches, who first connected when May was at Florida Atlantic and Schertz at Division II Lincoln Memorial, share an uncommon bond that includes exchanging practice film and playbooks.

Their relationship developed through years of mutual respect and collaboration, with May recalling a 10-hour conversation in his office and regular sharing of game footage. Both coaches are in their second seasons with their current programs, though Schertz is making his first NCAA Division I tournament appearance. Their teams demonstrated offensive firepower in first-round wins, with Saint Louis defeating Georgia 102-77 and Michigan rolling past Howard 101-80.

May described the upcoming game as a "great chess match" given their similar coaching philosophies and preparation methods. The friendship adds emotional complexity to the competition, with May expressing admiration for Schertz's coaching approach while maintaining competitive focus. Both coaches acknowledged the loneliness of the profession and the value of having a trusted colleague in the same position. The matchup represents a rare intersection of personal connection and professional rivalry at the highest level of college basketball.