The Michigan Wolverines have returned from a challenging 10-day basketball trip across Europe, which included stops in Lithuania, Croatia, and Montenegro. First-year head coach Mike Boynton Jr. described the experience as "90% successful," despite the team facing significant hurdles, including injuries and a roster overhaul.
Boynton, who previously served as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator under Dusty May, took over the program following May's unexpected departure. The Wolverines enter the new season as the defending national champions but will look markedly different from last year's squad that achieved a record 37 wins, including 19 in the Big Ten.
This offseason, Michigan lost four starters, with three players moving on to the NBA, and six of their top nine players overall. The team also faced a significant setback when freshman guard Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered a torn ACL during the second game of their European tour, effectively ending his season before it began.
On a brighter note, the Wolverines welcomed back key players Elliott Cadeau, the 2026 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and rising sophomore Trey McKenney. Additionally, Roddy Gayle, a crucial reserve, is attempting to return for a fifth season, although he is currently entangled in legal issues related to a lawsuit against the NCAA. Michigan also bolstered its roster with a strong recruiting class featuring ten newcomers, including six freshmen.
During their European trip, Michigan finished with a 1-2 record. The Wolverines struggled in their opening game, suffering a 52-28 defeat in the second half against the Lithuanian national team. They also fell to Lithuania's B squad, 82-77, before concluding the trip with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Croatian professional club Mega SuperBet. In that final game, McKenney, Cadeau, and JP Estrella combined for an impressive 56 points.
Unfortunately, the Wolverines were without Moustapha Thiam, who sustained an injury in the first quarter of the opening match against Lithuania. Alongside Thiam, Ricky Liburd, Jalen Reed, and Lincoln Cosby also missed the trip due to injuries.
Reflecting on the trip, Boynton expressed mixed feelings, noting the disappointment of McCoy's injury while also recognizing the valuable experience gained by the team. "Injuries are an unfortunate part of sport," Boynton stated on the 'Defend The Block' podcast. "We see it every year with most teams. We’ve been really fortunate here the last couple of years, staying fairly injury-free."
Despite the challenges, Boynton highlighted positive takeaways from the trip, including the need for better shooting discipline, as the team recorded 64 turnovers over the three games. However, he praised their rebounding and defense against three-point attempts.
Individually, McKenney excelled during the trip, scoring a total of 40 points while shooting 54.2% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. Cadeau contributed 13.7 points and a team-high 5.7 assists, although he also faced difficulties with turnovers. Freshman Quinn Costello and Estrella each averaged 11.7 points, showcasing their potential as valuable contributors.
Looking ahead, the Wolverines will need to adapt their lineup following McCoy's injury. Oscar Goodman, who averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds during the European trip, is a candidate to step into a starting role. Gayle and Kenny Noland, who had a standout season at Columbia, may also be called upon to fill the void left by McCoy.
Thiam's injury occurred when Cadeau accidentally fell on his leg, and Boynton described it as a minor issue, indicating that Thiam could still have a significant impact on the team. Liburd, who redshirted last season, is also recovering from a hip impingement but is expected to resume training soon. Meanwhile, Reed, who has faced a series of injuries over the past two seasons, is anticipated to return to full practice soon, while Cosby continues to rehabilitate from an ACL injury.
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