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Posted on by Drew Montag

Nothing But ‘Net – Week #04 – 11/03/2025 – A Rare Week Off

The (#7) University of Michigan men’s basketball team didn’t play any games this week.  Michigan’s record is still 0-0.

What Happened?

This is a rare week off.  In past seasons, Michigan has played one exhibition game against a “cupcake” opponent in Crisler Arena the week before the regular season starts.  This season, Michigan played two exhibition games against quality opponents, 3 weeks before the regular season at home, and 2 weeks before the regular season on a neutral court.  This is very different.

How Are Things Looking?

Since there’s no game to analyze, let’s look at the current state of the team, now that we have a couple games worth of data to examine.  Here’s the good news and the bad news.

The Good News:

  • Michigan appears to have a lot of talent and a lot of depth.  Coach May got to try lots of combinations that he might not try in a game that counts, and most of the time, most of the players looked good.
  • Michigan is highly ranked, and they appear to deserve it.  They beat the #5 team in the nation (St. John’s) on their home court in the second exhibition game.
  • The few minor injuries that bothered Michigan for the first exhibition game vs. Cincinnati appear to be healed up, and everyone is available.

The Bad News:

  • Michigan lost their first exhibition game at home to an unranked team, and gave up 100 points in the process.  Of course, they were missing two key players due to the minor injuries mentioned above.
  • Michigan appears to have a turnover problem, again.  They had several high-turnover games last season, including a few that were lost due to this problem, and the two exhibition games have been pretty sloppy.  It’s one thing to turn the ball over on a high risk/high reward play, but many of Michigan’s turnovers have been unforced.
  • Michigan appears to have a foul problem.  Both exhibition games were slow, messy affairs with lots of fouls and free throws, and very little flow.

Who Has Looked Good So Far?

It’s still VERY early in the season, and the games were both exhibition games, but it’s still possible to see who has looked good so far and who hasn’t.

Yaxel Lendeborg has been the undisputed star of both games.  He has been the high scorer and the leading rebounder in both games, and he has looked very comfortable out there.  He should: he was voted a Preseason All-American.

Roddy Gayle Jr. has been a good supporting player so far.  He’s hit double figures in both games, and he’s shot relatively well.

Aday Mara missed the first exhibition game due to a minor injury, but he looked good in the one game he played in.  He’s not a dominating big man, he’s more of a finesse player, but when you start with a 7’3” frame, it makes the game a lot easier.

Morez Johnson Jr. also missed the first exhibition game due to a minor injury, but he also looked good in the one game he played in.  He’s a tough, solid, bruiser-type player, and he’s going to give Michigan some valuable muscle in the paint.

Will Tschetter has done all the things we’re used to seeing from him: he plays hard, he plays tough, he gives Michigan a good option at center when they’re playing “small ball”, and he makes things happen out there.  Unfortunately, one of the things he makes happen is “fouls”.

Elliot Cadeau has been good-but-not-great at starting point guard.  He has scored a reasonable number of points (14 and 9), he has dished out a decent number of assists (7 and 9), but he has had an unfortunate number of turnovers (2 and 5) and fouls (5 and 5).

Who Has Looked Not-So-Good So Far?

There are a few players who have not impressed so far this season:

Nimari Burnett has been the most disappointing player on the team so far.  We know what he’s capable of doing, and he isn’t doing it.  He has turned in two mediocre games, but it’s too early to give up on him.

L.J. Cason has had a slow start this season.  He has had his opportunities, and he hasn’t done much with them.  A lot was expected from him for this season, and he needs to start improving quickly.

Trey McKenney has played like a true freshman so far.  He just doesn’t look like a Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American.  He’s been shooting a lot, but the ball won’t go in the basket.  I’m confident that he’ll get better.

Winters Grady has played in both games, but hasn’t done much.  He’s also a true freshman, but with lower expectations than McKenney.  It isn’t clear if he will “get it” this season.

Oscar Goodman played in the first (Cincinnati) exhibition game, but didn’t do much.  He’s a redshirt freshman, and it’s not clear if he should be considered a “mainstream” player or not.

Malick Kordel played in the first (Cincinnati) exhibition game, but didn’t do much.  He’s a freshman, and it’s not clear if he should be considered a “mainstream” player or not.  I suspect that he’s more of a “project”.

Ricky Liburd played in the first (Cincinnati) exhibition game, but didn’t do much.  He’s a freshman, and it’s not clear if he should be considered a “mainstream” player or not.

Who Hasn’t Played So Far?

None of the Scout Team players have played so far: Howard Eisley Jr., Harrison Hochberg, and Charlie May.

This Week

This week, Michigan only plays one game.  On Monday (11/03/2025, 8:30 p.m., FS1), they play Oakland in Crisler Arena.

Oakland was 16-18 (11-9 in the Horizon League) last season.  They lost in the semifinals of their league tournament, and didn’t play in the postseason.  They don’t have any noteworthy players, and they don’t have much height: one 6’10” guy.  This is the kind of team that Michigan used to play in their exhibition game, but this game is the regular season opener.  Michigan should handle Oakland easily, and get to try some unusual player combinations.  This should also be an opportunity for some of the non-mainstream players to get some serious playing time.

Note: Michigan will hang the banner to celebrate their Big Ten Tournament Championship from last season before this game.  Be sure to show up and be in your seat early for this.

Check back next week to find out what happened and why.

Go Blue!

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